Universal Orlando has filed a construction permit for one of its many expansion pads, suggesting the construction of a massive show building adjacent to one of the existing lands. This covers everything we know so far, which worlds are leading contenders for growth, and what we’re hoping happens.
Let’s start with the construction permit, which was filed for “site utilities and foundation work” and was originally uncovered by Behind the Thrills on Twitter. It outlines 150,000 square feet of construction at an address that corresponds with Universal’s South Campus on Epic Blvd.
To put this size into perspective, the show buildings for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and the Monsters, Inc. Doors Coaster at Walt Disney World are (or will be) around 100,000 square feet. Over at Epic Universe, existing show buildings for Le Cirque Arcanus and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry are about the same size as the square footage encompassed by this permit. Of course, it’s possible–even probable–that there’s area included in the permit that’s outside the show building.
The permit indicates that the work type is “New Construction” and May 7, 2026 is listed as the expiration date. This date is not just less than one year from today (obviously), but also before Epic Universe’s first anniversary. Of course, this does not mean we’re going to see a show building rise in less than the time it’s taken Walt Disney World to do site prep for Tropical Americas.
But it does mean that Universal Orlando is going to complete site utilities and foundation work (of an undisclosed degree) on an expansion pad that was tailor-made for exactly this less than a year ago. When Universal master-planned Epic Universe, post-opening expansion was baked in.
The same cannot be said for Walt Disney World with plans to transform its roadside dinosaur carnival into an attraction based on a movie that did not yet exist some thirty years into the future. So not exactly apples to apples…even if it is true that Universal moves faster on projects.
Anyway, here’s a look at the construction permit for Epic Universe that was filed by Universal Orlando:
Universal Orlando has not publicly commented on this construction permit, or specifics for expansion at Epic Universe. As discussed below, they have vaguely said that there are plans for the third gate, but Disney once said something similar about the future of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. And it’s now an office.
Universal is known for taking a construction-first approach, announcing details after work is already well underway. This contrasts Disney, which makes announcements and generates hype long before earth is moving (we first knew of a Dinoland replacement in 2022; DINOSAUR is closing in 2026 and Tropical Americas opens in 2027).
My view is that it’s a grass is greener thing. Disney fans praise Universal’s tight-lipped approach, but I suspect that if Disney did likewise, the suspense would (figuratively) consume us. It’s kind of nice to have one theme park power player do it one way, and the other do it the opposite way. Keeps things interesting and exciting.
Following the opening of Epic Universe earlier this summer, Universal has been moving full steam ahead to update their two legacy theme parks in Orlando. Demolition has already kicked into high gear on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida, with plans for a still unknown new attraction to take its place.
Universal Destinations & Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury has repeatedly reiterated plans for aggressive expansion at Universal Orlando Resort, as we covered relatively recently in Universal Orlando Plans Expansion at All 3 Parks. At that time, one of the things that Woodbury emphasized was the expansion paids at Epic Universe. So it’s not a huge shock to see this construction permit mere months after that tease.
Woodbury also mentioned that there are projects in development for all three of the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks. He clearly wants families to view the Universal Orlando Resort as a weeklong destination and not just a 1-2 day add-on to a Disney vacation.
Universal sees ample opportunities for further growth of its theme park business, and will continue to move aggressively to capture more market share from Disney. In order for that to happen, Epic Universe needs to expand and the existing two parks need to new or reimagined rides.
The latter is clear from the most recent annual theme parks attendance report, as discussed in Walt Disney World Attendance Rises Slightly as Universal Orlando Deepens Drop. The short version of that story is that Universal’s North American parks all lost attendance, with Universal Studios Florida dropping more than 2.5% and Islands of Adventure down 5.5%.
Without question, Epic Universe will be the lowest-attended Universal or Disney theme park in 2025. That’ll be true simply by virtue of it not operating a full year. It’ll likely end up with between 4.5 and 5 million guests in 2025, which isn’t bad for its partial inaugural year.
The problem is one that we’ve discussed at length in other posts (see Why You Should Skip Epic Universe among many others) is that Epic Universe doesn’t have the operational capacity to comfortably welcome over 20,000 guests per day, and that is a low number.
Frankly, I don’t know how Epic Universe can conceivably hit 10 million annual visitors as the park currently exists unless Comcast is okay with abysmal guest satisfaction scores. The risk of opening the floodgates to atrocious reviews could cause long-lasting damage that ensures lower attendance down the road.
Epic Universe has some great days that are incredibly pleasant; I’ve experienced them! But it’s also had plenty of operational trainwrecks, and entire random weeks with average wait times that are worse than Walt Disney World during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. And that is despite modest attendance, plus a ton of friction acting as a soft capacity cap, and one that’ll largely be gone next year.
The good news is that Epic Universe will find its operational footing and efficiency of the existing park will improve over time. The bad news is that it still has a lot of headliners that are inexplicably outdoors and a few that have low theoretical capacity. The park actually has a pretty formidable ride roster, especially at the top. It still needs more to do.
There’s no completely fixing the problem without expansion. The quick fix is entertainment, but there’s also the question of where to put it that’ll organically draw a crowd. (Celestial Park entertainment likely would not work, but a parade might. There isn’t really space in the existing footprints of Super Nintendo World or Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, so anything added there exacerbates congestion.)
All of this is precisely why Epic Universe already needs expansion and Universal is greenlighting it less than a year after opening. This type of quick expansion isn’t even that uncommon for new Disney or Universal parks, many of which have famously suffered from similar woes over the decades. It’s not like what Epic Universe is currently experiencing is new or novel; it’s just garnering more coverage since it’s the first big domestic park to open during the social media era.
As for where this ~150,000 square foot expansion could be built, possibilities include adjacent to Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and Harry Potter and the Ministry of Magic.
Although there’s been a lot of chatter about expanding Dark Universe, that’s something that strikes me as wishful thinking among fans. And don’t get me wrong, I am one of these fans. Monsters Unchained is amazing, and the strong argument could be made that the park needs another indoor people-eater. Not only that, but Dark Universe feels disjointed, and perhaps expansion could make it feel more encompassing.
It still strikes me as unlikely because Dark Universe is the least marketable of the lands at Epic Universe. Even though it’s based on intellectual property, it’s just not the same as the other modern franchises and brands headlining the other portals. A dark ride featuring Creature from the Black Lagoon or whatever isn’t going to be as popular as even the least popular Nintendo offering. That’s right–time to finally build Wario and Waluigi’s Wild Ride, Universal!
My totally uninformed opinion is that Harry Potter and the Ministry of Magic is going to get its second ride. There were rumored cuts to this land as a result of COVID, rising construction costs, etc., so it wouldn’t surprise me if they already have plans that can be dusted off and built fairly quickly.
Another blockbuster attraction (also indoor!) in the Ministry of Magic just makes sense. Harry Potter is a license to print money with immense drawing power, the land isn’t quite as fleshed out or large as the others, and there’s an expansion pad right there.
I don’t know the first thing about Harry Potter or the Fantastic Beasts, save for what my friends tried to explain during a lengthy breakdown while in line for Battle at the Ministry, but I do know that the mythical critters in the films/books/whatever are pretty cool. If it’s more of what’s in the existing ride and show, sign me up.
As for Nintendo, expanding that land also makes sense. However, my suspicion is that Universal Orlando will build new Nintendo lands in Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, as opposed to the Epic Universe expansion pad adjacent to Donkey Kong Country.
Nintendo is the marquee draw that gets families booking trips to Orlando, so it behooves Universal to borrow a page from its own Harry Potter playbook and spread Nintendo out among all 3 gates as opposed to consolidating the brand. This is why it makes sense to focus on Nintendo at Islands of Adventure and/or Universal Studios Florida next.
There have been rumors in the past via credible insider Alicia Stella of Orlando Theme Park Stop that Universal Orlando would replace Springfield with a Pokémon-themed area and Lost Continent with the Legend of Zelda. There have been reports that things have changed since, but it still strikes me as reasonable for Pokemon and Zelda to be next up for the existing gates.
From a fan perspective, the Legend of Zelda is the obvious candidate for replacing the Lost Continent. The Kingdom of Hyrule has environments like Lost Continent, so elements could be salvaged if Universal Creative wanted a cost-effective overhaul. That would be pragmatic to stretch budgets further, but who knows if Nintendo would allow that.
From Universal’s perspective, Zelda in Islands of Adventure and Pokémon in Universal Studios Florida probably makes the most sense. Like Disney, we’d expect to see Universal build more based on need, not thematic integrity. Pokémon is the more popular franchise and USF needs a shot in the arm more, so that goes there.
But who knows–there might be some other expediency I’m not considering. Zelda has been high-growth and has a movie coming out, so maybe it’s viewed as a bigger draw over time.
Ultimately, it’ll be interesting to see what Universal has planned for Epic Universe. I’ve previously said it’s my suspicion that they’ll greenlight two Nintendo lands, one in Islands of Adventure and one in Universal Studios Florida, fairly soon. Now, it also seems like they’re poised to approve another major Harry Potter and the Ministry of Magic attraction.
All of this makes sense. Harry Potter and Nintendo both have longevity and drawing power, and can turn Universal Orlando into a multi-day vacation destination. Without having any inside info whatsoever, I would be shocked if there isn’t an announcement along these lines soon, with multiple attractions and lands opening before the 2030s.
Need trip planning tips and comprehensive advice for your visit to Central Florida? Make sure to read our Universal Orlando Planning Guide for everything about Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Also check out our Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for everything about those parks, resorts, restaurants, and so much more.
Your Thoughts
Which land do you think will be the first to expand at Epic Universe? Think the next attraction should be family-friendly and indoors, or an extreme outdoor roller coaster with a 70″ height requirement and 650 THRC? Excited that Universal seems to be full steam ahead on plans for Epic Universe, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios Florida? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!