Epic Universe Leaked Plans Show What Disney Should Be TERRIFIED About

For decades, Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World have gone toe-to-toe in a rivalry that theme park fans absolutely love watching play out. Every new ride, every fresh parade, every summer announcement feels like another round in a competition neither side wants to lose. But today, that friendly rivalry takes a sharper edge.

Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, is still in its grand-opening glow, but leaked plans and new permits hint that the park’s first wave of expansion may already be underway. And if these early details prove accurate, Disney might be staring at the kind of growth from its competitor that could threaten its long-held Orlando crown.

Universal hasn’t been shy about wanting big things for Epic Universe. But these new leaks? They paint a picture of a company gearing up for an aggressive second act—and one Disney absolutely didn’t expect to see so soon.

Epic Universe Isn’t Just New—It’s a Statement

Before diving into the leak itself, it’s worth remembering what Epic Universe already brings to the table. Universal built an entire theme park from scratch, designed with cutting-edge tech, thick storytelling, and fully immersive lands meant to rival the best Disney has ever crafted.

Guests can wander from the neon glow of Celestial Park into a How to Train Your Dragon world, venture through the Dark Universe monster realm, or dive straight into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

Epic Universe opened with the kind of energy Disney used to dominate. Everything feels polished, modern, and bursting with confidence. Universal clearly intended this park to do more than entertain—it was built to reposition the company in the Orlando landscape. And if the leaked expansion plans pan out, Epic Universe may soon become the park that forces Disney to move faster than it wants to.

The Leak That Changed Everything

The newest wave of buzz comes from a permit update that quietly appeared online, and fans immediately started dissecting it. It’s tied to a massive chunk of land—around 150,000 square feet—and sits within an area identified as P905. When this permit first appeared weeks ago, it looked like standard groundwork: utilities, foundation preparation, the usual early-stage checklist.

But this update adds new location language and, more importantly, confirms the scale. It’s a plot even bigger than the ride building for Disney’s upcoming Monsters Inc. coaster, which is already one of the most substantial structures Disney has built in years.

What makes this particularly explosive is how closely the space matches what insiders have been whispering for months: a massive expansion tied to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, specifically the Ministry of Magic.

Fans believe this area could house an entirely new anchor attraction, extending the existing Harry Potter footprint into Epic Universe territory. And knowing Universal, it won’t be a quick add-on. Everything about their approach to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been cinematic, detailed, and franchise-defining. This next chapter likely won’t be any different.

Even without the company confirming it, the size and location speak loudly. Universal doesn’t set aside this much room for small ideas. This all points toward a major attraction—possibly even a full mini-land—capable of pulling massive crowds.

And That’s Only the Beginning

If this were the only expansion rumor swirling around Epic Universe, Disney might be able to brush it off. But Universal seems to have designed the entire park with expansion slots built into its DNA. The layout practically invites future additions.

Several open parcels border the perimeter of the park, which is unusually large for a new development. It’s as if Universal knew the moment they cut the opening-day ribbon, the real long-term project would just be getting started.

That brings us to the growing list of rumored lands that could eventually fill those spaces. One fan-favorite idea is for Luigi’s Mansion to join SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. With the success of the existing Mario attractions, a spooky, ghost-filled ride built around Luigi’s iconic series would be an easy win.

Another strong rumor suggests a Lord of the Rings land—something fans have long dreamed about. With the franchise roaring back through new books, shows, and films, its timing couldn’t be better.

Pokémon also pops up often in speculation circles, as does The Legend of Zelda, especially after the incredible surge in popularity from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. If Universal actually pulls the trigger on any of these properties, Epic Universe won’t just be a great theme park—it’ll be a cultural juggernaut.

Why Disney Should Be Nervous

Meanwhile, Disney is moving at a much slower pace. Yes, Magic Kingdom has announced plans for a massive expansion—including the much-talked-about Villains land—, but timelines stretch well into the late 2020s and possibly even 2030.

Even the most optimistic guesses suggest years before groundbreaking begins, let alone the opening day. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios are also changing, but nothing on the scale that Universal appears to be preparing.

And that’s the real danger for Disney. Universal just opened a brand-new park and is already filing permits, carving out land, and setting up the next wave of growth. If those expansions hit sooner than expected—or even land in the same window Disney hopes to debut its own new lands—the narrative could shift dramatically.

Universal would look bold, fast, and hungry. Disney would look slow and reactive.

That’s not a great place for the world’s most famous entertainment company to be, especially when the Orlando tourism market is more competitive than ever.

The Bottom Line

Universal is playing a long game, and Epic Universe is clearly just the opening move. These newly leaked plans and permit updates suggest that the company isn’t easing into its next chapter—it’s launching into it at full speed. A Ministry of Magic expansion alone would draw enormous crowds. However, the real story is how Universal appears to be designing an empire, while Disney is still planning its next blueprint.

And that’s why Disney should be terrified.

If Universal continues growing at this pace—paired with major, fan-driven franchises and lands that arrive sooner rather than later—Disney could find itself chasing momentum rather than setting it. For the first time in a long time, the Magic Kingdom isn’t the only kingdom in town commanding all the attention.

Epic Universe isn’t just challenging Disney.

It’s coming for the crown.