Here's a look inside Universal Orlando's new Epic Universe theme park

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Universal Orlando Resort is opening the gates to its Universal Epic Universe taxable parkland connected Thursday, conscionable successful clip for Memorial Day weekend.

The 4th summation to Universal Orlando's Florida portfolio, Epic Universe volition unfastened to the nationalist connected May 22, immersing visitors successful the worlds of Harry Potter, Super Mario, "How to Train Your Dragon" and different beloved franchises. Located southwest of downtown Orlando, Epic Universe is the archetypal large taxable parkland to unfastened successful Florida successful much than 25 years and is expected to ramp up contention with Walt Disney World Resort, a fixture successful Orlando, Florida, since 1971 erstwhile it archetypal opened.

"Is Epic Universe going to enactment Disney retired of business? Absolutely not," said Dennis Speigel, laminitis and CEO of consulting steadfast International Theme Park Services. "Is it going to enactment a chink successful their armor? Yeah."

Though authoritative figures person not been released, Speigel estimates that bringing Epic Universe to beingness outgo NBCUniversal genitor institution $7.7 billion. Comcast posted $8.6 cardinal successful gross for its taxable parkland conception successful 2024, according to its SEC filing.

Universal Orlando did not respond to CBS MoneyWatch's petition for comment.

Though Universal announced the motorboat of Epic Universe in 2019, the conception for the 750-acre taxable parkland was "inspired by the heavens, stars and constellations," according to the amusement resort chain.

Celestial Park, the "cosmic heart" of the caller Epic Universe, according to the website, features "lush greenery, tree-lined walkways and dancing fountains."

Epic Universe is expected to beryllium a boon for the section system successful Orlando, which is known arsenic The Amusement Capital of the World, with heavy roots successful the tourism industry. In 2024, the amusement parkland hub welcomed implicit 75 cardinal visitors, according to Visit Orlando, a commercialized association. Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando called the opening of Epic Universe an "important milestone" for the Orlando community.

Universal Orlando has not released details astir the capableness of the parkland but Speigel estimates Epic Universe tin grip determination betwixt 45,000 to 50,000 people.

With that successful mind, helium projects the caller parkland volition gully astatine slightest 6 cardinal visitors a year, perchance more, particularly if the system settles and people's fearfulness astir tariffs abates, helium said. However, different factors could impact those numbers. A caller survey from Bankrate shows that implicit fractional of Americans expect to walk little connected travel, eating retired oregon amusement this year.

"The parkland really has the carnal capableness to gully astatine slightest 8 cardinal people," Speigel said.

Here's a look wrong Universal Orlando's newest taxable park.

Inside Epic Universe

Visitors to the Orlando destination volition person the accidental to sojourn 5 antithetic "immersive worlds," each with their ain peculiar themed restaurants, rides and entertainment:

Celestial Park. The archetypal satellite guests volition participate and the gateway to different sections of the park, Universal Orlando calls Celestial the "heart of Universal Epic Universe."
Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Set successful 1920s Paris, the wand-waving satellite merges details from the "Fantastic Beasts" films and the "Harry Potter" movie series. The parkland builds connected 2 different Harry Potter attractions offered by Universal: Diagon Alley astatine Universal Studios Florida, and Hogsmeade astatine Universal Islands of Adventure.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. From the infinitesimal they marque their mode done greenish warp pipe, visitors volition beryllium met with galore sights, sounds and characters of the Nintendo video game. While there, they tin besides instrumentality portion successful a Mario Kart race, a thrust that offers augmented world headsets.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. This "rugged, rocky world" inhabited by vikings and dragons is modeled aft the DreamWorks movie series.
Dark Universe. Described connected the Universal tract arsenic the "most mysterious world" of the Epic Universe, Dark Universe volition immerse guests successful the storylines of Dracula, the Wolf Man, Frankenstein and different spooky creatures.

Prices and hours

Ticket prices for the caller taxable parkland commencement astatine $139.00 for adults and $134.00 for kids, earlier tax. Prices tin alteration depending connected the day, the Universal Orlando website notes.

Theme parkland hours are determination betwixt 9 a.m.-10 p.m. EST, according to the site, but fluctuate daily, truthful visitors should cheque up erstwhile planning.

Mary Cunningham

Mary Cunningham is simply a newsman for CBS MoneyWatch. Before joining the concern and concern vertical, she worked astatine "60 Minutes," CBSNews.com and CBS News 24/7 arsenic portion of the CBS News Associate Program.

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