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Credit: Inside The MagicDespite being a competitor, Disney says it is excited about Epic Universe, calling the new theme park a “big win” for Florida.
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The theme park industry has changed significantly over the past few decades, with both Universal and Disney taking things to the next level with each subsequent new ride, attraction, and expansion. This rings especially true for Universal’s newest park, Epic Universe, which officially opened at the Universal Orlando Resort on May 22, 2025.
Universal has owned and operated theme parks out of Florida for decades, with many considering Universal Studios Florida to be one of the best parks in the country. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is another fan-favorite vacation destination, with Universal Orlando also featuring its own outdoor shopping and dining center, CityWalk, as well as a water park, Volcano Bay.
While Universal Orlando has expanded in big ways over the last few years, namely with new roller coasters like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster, the resort has never seen an addition quite as large or as ambitious as Epic Universe.
Fans often pit Universal and Disney against each other, though Disney recently expressed its excitement about Epic Universe in a new statement.
Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle Comments on Epic Universe Opening, Says It’s a “Big Win”
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In a new statement, Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle commended Universal on its new Epic Universe theme park, saying, “It takes great passion and dedication to bring new projects to life. Best of luck to the Universal Orlando team with the opening of Epic Universe!”
Vahle also called the new park “another big win” for Florida tourism. It’s easy to assume Disney and Universal are out to get each other’s throats, and this may very well be the case in many instances, but there’s no denying that the tourism Epic Universe will bring is good news for Disney, too.
The opening of a new park means a higher influx of guests. While Epic Universe will likely draw many guests to Universal, many may also choose to spend a day or two at Disney’s Florida theme parks. On the flip side, given the cost of a day at Epic Universe and Disney World, guests may also have fewer financial resources, limiting them to choosing between the two rather than visiting both during the same trip.
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are roughly 10 miles apart, each offering its own thrilling roller coasters, immersive dark rides, themed eateries, live shows, and a list of hotels for guests to enjoy. For a lot of fans, both of these resorts act as a “second home,” with each doing certain things better than the other.
Only time will tell how Epic Universe shapes the tourism industry, but the new theme park certainly marks a turning point for Florida and theme parks in general.
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Hype and anticipation have been building behind Epic Universe ever since Comcast formerly unveiled plans for the park back in 2019. Advertised as one of Universal’s most ambitious, immersive, and action-packed theme parks ever, Epic Universe has a lot to live up to, though initial reviews have been nothing short of stellar.
Epic Universe is split into several distinct areas, each with its own theme, music, atmosphere, and collection of attractions. One of the highlights of the park so far has been Dark Universe, a place inspired by classic Universal monster stories like Dracula and Frankenstein, The land’s big “E-ticket” attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, has received rave reviews from early rides and is sure to go down as an instant classic.
Other highlights of Epic Universe include Stardust Racers, a dueling roller coaster reminiscent of Universal’s defunct Dueling Dragons, and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, which takes riders on a highly themed, extra-magical journey.
Are you planning on visiting Epic Universe this summer?