Some massive progress has been made at Universal’s newest park in Orlando.Taking a look at the construction progress of Universal Orlando’s upcoming theme park, Epic Universe, we can see that all roller coaster attractions, including the massive dueling coaster, have completed their track installations. Exciting developments are taking place across the entire property, with the first signs of landscaping emerging as trees are being planted.
Scheduled to open in summer 2025, Universal Epic Universe is located a few miles south of the current Universal Orlando Resort. In addition to the new theme park, it will feature three new Universal hotels.
Thanks to the recent aerial photos shared on Twitter by @bioreconstruct, we have a comprehensive view of the advances being made at the Epic Universe site.
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Central Hub Rides
Coaster Track Done
The most thrilling progress can be seen in the hub’s dual-track roller coaster, with all the track installations now complete. Both golden-colored tracks, including the back half and the sections over the station building, have been successfully installed. Although the roof isn’t fully in place yet, the last sections of the darker track, shown in the photo below, were installed just last week. Landscaping efforts have also begun, with the planting of large trees around the latter half of the ride, adding hints to the park’s eventual ambiance.
Moving on to the center of the park, the covered spinner ride, potentially named “Constellation Carousel,” has seen significant developments as well. Originally envisioned as a trackless attraction, the plans have evolved to a more traditional-style carousel with custom seating resembling animals from constellations. The carousel will be situated atop the park’s central lagoon, adorned with fountains on one side. The majority of pipes leading to these fountains have already been buried, showcasing the progress towards completing this captivating attraction.
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Dark Universe
The Wolfman Cometh
In the Universal Monsters’ Dark Universe section of the park, progress is underway for the spinning coaster’s queue areas. Recently, supports have been installed, likely intended for fortune teller tents related to the Wolfman film, as the attraction is expected to be named “Curse of the Werewolf.” Notably, an arch structure has emerged at the entrance of this land’s main attraction, an indoor tracked KUKA dark ride. This arch will serve as the primary entry point, leading us into the grand manor facade for an immersive experience. The track required for this KUKA ride attraction is currently being staged in the Team Member parking lot behind the new theme park. Recent observations indicate that several pieces have been removed, indicating possible installation progress.
The Dark Universe land’s portal entry continues to receive meticulous theming details, such as rockwork and tree roots, while framing for the village of Darkmoor, where the land is set, is being steadily installed. Behind the portal, a broken bridge will provide a passage into the main village street. As seen in the photos, the land’s main restaurant is positioned on the right, while the primary retail structure is on the left. Near the end of the village street, new framing is being erected, specifically at the corner of the retail structure. According to permits, this corner will feature false facades surrounding what is referred to as a “Fog Room.” Speculation has circulated about the land being enveloped in fog day and night, and this central location may serve as the source of that atmospheric fog. It could create an intriguing and hazy view of the imposing manor in the distance as visitors enter the land.
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Wizarding World
Cirque du Magie
In the park’s Wizarding World area, there have been some recent updates. The portal entry is currently undergoing paintwork to enhance its brickwork style. Additionally, a notable addition is a large gate-style structure, positioned at number 5 in the accompanying photo, adjacent to the main arch at the entry to the land’s central street.
Towards the end of the land’s main street, preparations are being made for the foundations of the theater show entrance. It is anticipated that visitors will access this live stage show through a circus tent, which will be constructed at the intersection of streets within the heart of the land. The roof of the stage show’s facade for the exit area has also taken shape recently. According to permitted plans, the show will conclude with an exit through doors at the end of this charming street.
The land’s main attraction, rumored to be a dark ride through the British Ministry of Magic, it is now fully enclosed. However, large doors on the right side are visible, hinting at exciting possibilities for the ride experience.
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Super Nintendo World
Kong Kountry!
At Super Nintendo World, progress can be seen in several areas. The installation of what appears to be the roof over the escalator, which will transport us from the entry portal into the land, is currently underway. Once we pass through Peach’s Castle, we will enter the land on the second level.
Within the Donkey Kong section, preparations are being made for a meet and greet space, which will soon undergo pouring of its foundation. This dedicated area is expected to be themed as Donkey Kong’s Treehouse, providing an immersive experience for visitors.
On the opposite side of the Donkey Kong Country area, framing is being erected to create a backdrop that will obstruct the view of the neighboring Mario Kart ride building. Additionally, framing is being added to the indoor section of the Donkey Kong mine cart roller coaster attraction, where temple facade theming will enhance the overall experience.
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How To Train Your Dragon
The Isle of Berk
The Isle of Berk, there are several ongoing developments. The lagoon near the land’s entrance, featuring the impressive statues, is undergoing additional themed detailing, such as the inclusion of a scenic boat. Notably, all of the track for the land’s launched roller coaster has been installed, with the first launch and coaster station being enclosed. The side of the coaster station will serve as the location for the ride entrance and an exterior covered queue.
The framing for the coaster’s exit gift shop exhibits intricate design work on the right side. Concurrently, work is progressing on enclosing the coaster’s first launch, while efforts are focused on creating a themed backdrop for the second launch. This backdrop, expected to resemble a hillside or mountainous landscape, will pass behind the land’s under-construction play area.
Moving forward, after the second launch, the coaster will traverse behind the land’s two Sky Fly flat rides. The photo reveals the foundations for these spinner rides at numbers 1 and 2. Notably, the coaster trains will pass through the backdrop representing crowd stands, as the attraction is themed around Dragon Racing, as seen in the films. The footings for these crowd stands can be observed on either side of the track.
Additionally, in the Dragons land, progress is being made on the outdoor interactive boat ride. The framing for the load and unload conveyor belt is currently being installed, as depicted in the photo. A new bridge is also being constructed, connecting to the boat ride’s maintenance and pump house. This guest bridge will pass over the water and lead to the land’s large indoor theater, where “The Untrainable Dragon” live stage show will take place. Presently, the theater is undergoing the installation of the roof’s framing.
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Epic Universe Resorts
Hotels Coming Together
Universal is currently building two new hotels south of the new theme park. The hotel on the right, known as Project 912 and expected to be called Universal Stella Nova Resort, is already fully constructed, with attention now focused on smaller details such as shaping the pool area and erecting the porte cochere in front of the lobby. A lattice structure is being installed along the walls of this hotel, indicating that decorative panels will replace the plain concrete walls as the exterior appearance. Rumors suggest that these panels will be made of dichroic glass, displaying various colors based on the angle of light, creating a galaxy-like prismatic effect to match the outer space theme.
On the left side, Project 913, possibly named Universal Terra Luna Resort, is still in major construction mode, but progress is swift, and a significant portion of the hotel has already taken shape in just a few months.
Behind the theme park, the hotel known as Project 910 or Universal Helios Grand Hotel is making headway, with work commencing on the second floor of the 10-story, 500 room hotel. The parking garage on the opposite side of the theme park is nearly complete and has received a fresh coat of paint.
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And that concludes our update! Another big “Thank You” to @bioreconstruct for these spectacular aerial photographs. For more astonishing theme park images, be sure to follow him on Twitter.
