When people pictured a 5th gate, the safe bet was always on Disney. But whispers of unusual land development around Universal Boulevard suggest Universal might outplay Disney in the race to a 5th park. If true, the shift could rewrite the theme park rivalry in ways few predicted.
A Resort With Momentum
Universal Orlando Resort is no longer Disney’s little brother. Universal Studios Florida has been around since 1990, allowing guests to enter movies like Back to the Future and E.T. By 1999, Islands of Adventure added superheroes, Jurassic Park, and the game-changing Harry Potter lands. Volcano Bay followed in 2017, proving Universal could reinvent water parks, too.
And then came the crown jewel: Epic Universe.
Epic Universe Arrives in 2025
In May 2025, Universal opened the gates to its largest project ever—Epic Universe. This sprawling park is divided into richly themed lands tied together by a central hub. Guests can dive into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, adventure with dragons in How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, shiver through the gothic terror of Universal Monsters, or cast spells in a brand-new Wizarding World area.
It’s the kind of project that would usually demand a breather. But fresh filings suggest Universal isn’t resting on its laurels.
The Filing That Sparked Speculation
Universal submitted documents to the South Florida Water Management District for more than 50 acres of land in August. Publicly, the company insisted it was just property maintenance. But the details painted a different picture.
The permit type fell under new construction, and the plans called for mass grading—precisely the kind of groundwork that comes before large-scale building. Adding to the intrigue, some materials were withheld from public view.
It’s hardly definitive proof, but it looks like smoke that could point to fire to theme park fans.
Disney’s Strategy: Reinvent, Don’t Add
Meanwhile, Disney continues to focus on enhancing the four gates it already has. EPCOT has been reimagined with Guardians of the Galaxy and updated neighborhoods. Magic Kingdom is leaning on expansions like Piston Peak and Villains Land. Over at Animal Kingdom, Encanto and Indiana Jones are on the horizon.
Investing in existing parks makes business sense—it keeps visitor numbers high without the gamble of an entirely new park. Still, it leaves Universal with the chance to surprise everyone.
Dreaming About a Fifth Universal Park
So what could Universal possibly build? Fans have plenty of theories. A retro-inspired land could bring back favorites like Jaws and Back to the Future. A Legend of Zelda area could immerse guests in Hyrule’s dungeons and castles. Others point to Lord of the Rings as the ultimate draw, while a Fantastic Beasts land could expand the Wizarding World storyline.
Any of these concepts would generate massive excitement, especially if Universal revealed them before Disney took similar action.
A Rivalry Redefined
For years, the assumption was that Disney would always lead and Universal would follow. But with Epic Universe already changing the game and construction rumors swirling, the roles may be reversing. Universal might be the first to open an actual fifth gate in Orlando—a move no one saw coming.
I’d love to see them do a Magic Kingdom styled park. With the following lands …
Zelda, Lord of the Rings, a Haunted section (Beetlejuice, The Addams Family and Casper), Dreamland (Dreamworks, with Shrek and Kung Fu Panda theming) and a Retroland (Jaws, BTTF, Ghostbusters and King Kong, with an 80’s themed section).