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NYTimes
New York Times
5 Apr 2025
Brooks BarnesTodd Anderson


NextImg:A Sneak Peek Inside Universal’s New Epic Universe Theme Park in Orlando

Believe the hype: Epic Universe, the first major new theme park to open in Central Florida in 26 years, lives up to its name and then some.

Honestly, I’m as shocked as you are.

But epic-ness was indeed my takeaway after recently spending two days inside Epic Universe as part of “technical rehearsals,” a type of soft opening. When it officially debuts on May 22, the estimated $7 billion-plus property should narrow the gap between the Universal Orlando Resort, long the challenger brand in Orlando’s $92.5 billion tourism market, and Walt Disney World, which has dominated since arriving in 1971.

Epic Universe, eight years in the making and sprawling across more than 100 acres, represents a dramatic evolution for Universal, and in some ways, the American theme park industry. It’s more interactive, a reflection of consumer obsession with instant gratification and personalization. It’s also more immersive, with layer upon layer of storytelling from the front gates to the furthest corner. The theming extends far beyond rides to include things like music, smells, landscaping, food, cutlery, staff uniforms and even toilets (they’re black in an area dedicated to movie monsters).

Epic Universe will use a facial recognition system at its entrance plaza: No more fumbling with tickets or digital fingerprinting. The aim is to speed entry. Facial recognition will also be used for lockers and at express lanes for rides.

Adult single-day tickets start at $139 and go up to $199 during peak holiday periods. Express access to rides costs an additional $130 to $330 per person.

ImageTwo people walk through a round tunnel that is pulsing with purple light and has the words “It’s Alive! It’s Alive” written across the top.
To enter themed lands, guests walk through elaborate portals embedded with digital effects, like this one for the monster-focused Dark Universe.

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