Universal’s newest theme park may have opened to tremendous fanfare earlier this year, but the latest financial reports show that The Walt Disney Company remains firmly on top. Despite not debuting a new park in 2025, Walt Disney World Resort is outperforming Universal Orlando Resort — even with the launch of Universal Epic Universe.
Epic Universe’s Opening Quarter
Comcast, the parent company of Universal Orlando Resort, released its Q3 2025 earnings report this week, covering the months of July through September. This report marks the first full quarter of financial data since the official grand opening of Universal Epic Universe, the third theme park at the Central Florida destination. While executives reported what they called “early success,” the numbers suggest that the park’s performance may not have reached internal expectations.
Theme park reporter Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) shared a key excerpt from Comcast’s statement on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing:
Comcast says the early success of Epic Universe helped drive a 19% jump in theme park revenue in Q3 (July – Sept.), with theme parks EBITDA rising 13% to $958 million for the quarter.
Comcast says the early success of Epic Universe helped drive a 19% jump in theme park revenue in Q3 (July – Sept.), with theme parks EBITDA rising 13% to $958 million for the quarter. pic.twitter.com/cNXS1kjMdg
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 30, 2025
According to the official report, Comcast’s theme park revenue increased by 18.7% during Q3. That’s still an impressive gain — but slightly lower than the 18.9% growth reported in Q1, which included Epic Universe’s launch period and initial attendance boost. While the raw dollar figures were up compared to 2024, the pace of growth appears to have slowed in the months following the park’s debut.
For a newly opened, internationally marketed destination like Epic Universe, those results are being viewed by analysts as respectable but somewhat underwhelming.
Disney’s Growth Outpaces Universal’s
The Walt Disney Company’s own quarterly report, scheduled for release on November 13, 2025, is expected to continue the pattern of strong park performance across both domestic and international properties. In its last quarterly report, Disney announced a 22% increase in domestic theme park operating income, alongside an overall operating income increase of 13%.
That means Disney achieved higher growth percentages than Universal Orlando Resort — without launching a brand-new park. The company has instead focused on long-term investments and phased expansions across its existing parks, including EPCOT’s Future World transformation, new attractions at Magic Kingdom Park, and additional offerings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Universal’s Long-Term Outlook
While Epic Universe remains a stunning technological achievement and a creative triumph for Universal, it’s clear that early financial enthusiasm has moderated. The park’s debut helped boost attendance and revenue in the short term, but maintaining that growth will require sustained international visitation and continued local engagement — both of which Disney has long dominated through multi-generational brand loyalty.
Even so, Comcast’s report describes Epic Universe as a long-term investment and notes that it has already strengthened the company’s position in the global theme park industry. Despite a slower-than-expected start, the addition of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and more still promises long-term value for Universal Parks & Resorts.
Disney’s Steady Leadership
Meanwhile, Disney’s strategy continues to yield steady and reliable results. Walt Disney World Resort’s sustained growth — even in a year dominated by Universal Orlando Resort’s biggest launch since Universal Islands of Adventure — underscores the company’s unmatched brand strength and enduring guest appeal.
The numbers make one thing clear: even with a new “epic” competitor in town, Walt Disney World Resort remains the reigning powerhouse of Central Florida’s theme park landscape.
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