Credit: Andrew Boardwine, Inside the MagicNew planning documents from Universal Destination & Experiences have revealed some shocking and terrifying building information on the construction of Epic Universe and the new United Kingdom Universal Park, where explosives were removed. Now, ancient artifacts have to be removed as well.
Explosives and Medieval Artifacts: What Goes on Before Building Universal Parks Like Epic Universe
Imagine standing in line for a new Universal coaster, only to realize you’re standing where a bomb once lay buried—or even atop the remnants of an ancient Iron Age village. Sounds like something out of a movie, right? Well, the truth might be stranger—and far more thrilling—than fiction.
New revelations from planning documents connected to Universal Destinations & Experiences have exposed some surprising and even unsettling realities about what it takes to bring your favorite rides and immersive lands to life. What unexpected discoveries did Universal face before laying a single brick for its groundbreaking projects in Florida and the U.K.? Let’s just say, things had to be unearthed—and fast.
Hidden Explosives at Epic Universe?
As construction for Epic Universe, the highly anticipated expansion to Universal Orlando Resort, surged forward, crews uncovered a chilling obstacle: remnants of exploded ordnance. Yes, you read that correctly. Before work could proceed, Universal had to clean up the area where military-grade explosives had once been used or disposed of.
Epic Universe had to clean up exploded ordnance remains before building. Universal UK has to excavate Medieval and Iron Age ancient artifacts. – @AliciaStella on X
Epic Universe had to clean up exploded ordnance remains before building. Universal UK has to excavate Medieval and Iron Age ancient artifacts. https://t.co/ZMSCQKnXu4 pic.twitter.com/2M5MoEakFI
— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) July 3, 2025
While many locals are aware of Central Florida’s swampy terrain, fewer realize that large swaths of land were once used for military training or disposal during past decades. These residual dangers posed not only logistical complications but also safety risks that Universal had to address thoroughly before pushing forward.
So, before we get new roller coasters and high-tech dark rides, the area needed to be cleared of potential dangerous war-era debris. The cleanup wasn’t just about laying a solid foundation—it was about making sure the ground wouldn’t go boom.
But that’s not the only buried history Universal is dealing with.
Universal UK Unearths the Iron Age
Across the Atlantic, Universal’s upcoming theme park in the United Kingdom—still shrouded in mystery—is facing a very different kind of excavation. Planning documents revealed that before construction could begin, the land needed to be carefully studied for archaeological significance.
Why? Because initial surveys uncovered signs of Medieval structures and Iron Age artifacts buried beneath the property. That’s right—the next great theme park destination could be built on top of sites dating back over 2,000 years.
Unlike the hazardous ordnance in Florida, these findings were historically precious. Excavations had to be handled with extreme care, involving archaeologists and preservation experts to document and retrieve what they could. While it’s unclear exactly what was found, the presence of Iron Age remnants adds an unexpected twist to the park’s future.
Could this historical layer influence the park’s theming? Might Universal embrace this ancient legacy and incorporate nods to real British history within its storytelling? While nothing official has been announced, the connection is too striking to ignore.
What This Means for Universal’s Epic Universe and Beyond
These hidden hurdles show us something deeper: that theme parks aren’t just about thrills—they’re rooted in real-world history, geography, and even danger. In order to deliver magical experiences to guests, Universal had to grapple with very un-magical realities.
This dual narrative—one of modern entertainment and ancient or dangerous pasts—adds a layer of depth to what we usually think of as “just construction.” From dodging bombs to brushing off ancient pottery, the journey from blueprint to attraction is far more complex than most realize.
It’s a reminder that the world we build for fun still rests on the history that came before it.
So next time you’re flying through a fantasy world or dining in a themed restaurant, ask yourself: What lies beneath your feet?