An Epic Universe Expansion is Already Happening
Universal’s Epic Universe is already expanding! At least, that’s how it looks based on some new permits Universal has recently filed. The new theme park found in Universal Orlando Resort, which accompanies Universal Studios, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay, opened in May of this year, and while park attendance appears to vary greatly, overall, it’s a hit. The park offers four “worlds” for guests to visit based on four IPs owned by Universal (at least insofar as the theme park rights): Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, and Dark Universe (which features the Universal Monsters). Despite the occasional attendance issues, it appears Epic Universe has been successful enough for Universal to expand it. That Park Place has seen the permits Universal has filed, and two of them are for something referred to as “Project 915.” The first Project 915 permit is for a construction site of 40,178 square feet that includes “foundational groundwork, utility relocation, new utility installations, and full site grading,” and the second is for “vertical construction,” which That Park Place says suggests they will be using steel. Most interesting is that the permits expire in December of this year, meaning whatever Universal is building in Epic Universe will be done by the end of the year.
That Park Place pins the most likely location for the Epic Universe expansion as an area between Super Nintendo World and Celestial Park (the central “world between worlds” section from which you can walk through “portals” and enter the four worlds), as it has been marked as a future development site. As for what this expansion will be, it appears the most likely answer is a stage of some sort for concerts and other kinds of performances. The reasoning behind this is that one of the permits is for 30,337 square feet, which is in line with the size of some of the other sound stages at Universal Orlando Resort. The other 10,000 or so square feet could then be used for supporting structures or space, like a backstage area or pathways leading to the sound stage. Finally, That Park Place assesses that if this is the case, having the sound stage so close to Celestial Park will give that area more to do than simply act as a hub for the other sections of the park, with concerts and other performances taking place there so that the normal rides and attractions in the other worlds can continue to operate without interruption. Construction hasn’t begun yet, but if December is the deadline, we should see news of work beginning soon.
That was fast; Universal isn’t wasting any time in adding to Epic Universe and its impressive attractions and features. And a sound stage, if that’s what Universal is doing, is a great idea; as far as I know, there aren’t any elaborate shows at Epic Universe outside of some of the regular attractions and as part of some rides. Now, they can put on some fun productions for guests who have seen all the worlds and want to do something different. And considering the IPs at play, they’ve got plenty of options; they can have a Harry Potter quidditch stunt show like the Indiana Jones one at Disney World, or a Nintendo light show with designs based on Super Mario Bros. and other games, or a wild Halloween creep-fest with the Universal Monsters. (They have to get all the main ones together to sing “Monster Mash.”) They can also host concerts and other special events, which would surely drive up ticket sales to the rest of the park as well. I guess we’ll know for sure sooner rather than later.
Let us know what you think of Universal’s Epic Universe expansion in the comments!
Tune in to Park Hoppin’ for plenty of Epic Universe coverage!
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