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Epic Universe has an opening date and Disney’s response is telling

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Epic Universe has an opening date and Disney's response is telling

As someone who has spent countless hours traversing the magical lands of Disney and Universal Orlando parks for the past three decades, I can confidently say that the upcoming opening of Universal’s Epic Universe is an event that theme park enthusiasts like myself have been eagerly anticipating. The ongoing rivalry between these two giants has brought endless joy to families and adults alike, with each new attraction setting a higher standard for immersive storytelling and thrilling experiences.

The competition between theme parks in Orlando is set to intensify, now that Universal Studios has revealed the opening date for their new park, Epic Universe! It’ll be interesting to see how Disney responds to this move.

For over 30 years, the Disney-Universal Orlando theme park battle has been a boon for the state and theme park lovers. It all started in the mid-1980s when Universal announced plans for a new version of Universal Studios in Orlando. Disney countered it by having the Disney-MGM Studios open a year before Universal Studios did. 

From the mid-1990s through most of that decade, Disney held a significant edge with an abundance of parks, hotels, and overall entertainment. However, this balance shifted in 1999 when Universal broadened its Islands of Adventure theme park to cater to thrill-seeking adults with more exhilarating rides. They also introduced CityWalk, a dining and entertainment district, as well as additional resorts around the same time.

Disney’s move to introduce attractions across all their parks while retaining a competitive edge was bolstered, in part, by some missteps at Universal. For instance, attempting to label the area as “Universal Escape” and a poorly conceived ad campaign that deterred potential visitors.

2010 marked the year when Universal clinched a victory with the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This magical realm quickly became renowned as the premier theme park experience globally, surpassing Disney in terms of imaginative attractions and overall immersion. Since then, Disney has made strides to match this success through Galaxy’s Edge, World of Pandora, and other innovative ventures. The competition remains tight, as both sides strive to deliver increasingly captivating experiences.

Right now, Universal has raised the bar – they’ve finally announced the launch date for their third park, Epic Universe, and it’s not far off!

When does Epic Universe open and how does Disney respond?

Universal Parks and Resorts has revealed that Epic Universe will officially open to the public on May 22nd, 2025. Starting October 22nd, guests can start making reservations for their visit. The initial offerings include multi-day/park passes that cover all three parks, priced at $352 plus tax, which equates to approximately $118 per day for a three-day ticket. As the opening date approaches, Universal may also release one-day passes specifically for Epic Universe.

Over the past year, the park has been undergoing construction, and as of now, only sketches by artists show what amenities will be available. However, the land itself appears quite intriguing.

  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic: Originally, this was going to be themed to the Fantastic Beasts movie but when that franchise faltered at the box office, it’s now shifted to more classic Harry Potter. It mixes elements of the present and the 1920s with the chief ride called Battle at the Ministry, a “lift ride” exploring the films. 
  • Super Nintendo World: A hit at Universal Japan, this brings the worlds of Nintendo’s iconic video games to life. Mario Kart: Brower’s Challenge is a 3-D based shooting ride with a Donkey Kong coaster ride expected to arrive later. 
  • Celestial Park: A retro-future area boasting the Stardust Racers roller coaster.
  • Dark Universe: Based on the classic Universal Monsters with a dark ride combining Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and more, and a Curse of the Werewolf family dark ride/coaster.
  • How to Train Your Dragon: Island of Berk: Based on the hit animated films with the Hiccup’s Wing Gliders coaster, Frye Drill boat ride and a stage show. 

It seems that’s just the beginning, with further developments expected, including an appealing setting and theme. Universal is ramping things up, so Disney needs to follow suit.

It seems clear that Disney has been meticulously planning these changes over time, as evidenced by their recent D23 announcements revealing significant updates for Walt Disney World (WDW). The most notable change is the renovation of Frontierland, which will introduce two new Cars rides, although this decision has sparked some controversy due to the removal of the Rivers of America. Another development includes the creation of Villains’ Land in the Magic Kingdom. Furthermore, Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand is slated for a transformation into an area featuring Encanto and Indiana Jones rides, as well as a Monsters Inc. zone for Hollywood Studios.

Option 1: The situation seems to indicate that it’s extremely improbable any of this will be completed by the next Memorial Day. In contrast, Disney, back in 1999, launched numerous attractions (Test Track, Rock N Roller Coaster, Winnie the Pooh/Buzz Lightyear rides, and DAK’s Asia section) all at once for Islands of Adventure. This is similar to Disney assuming that Epic Universe will receive a significant boost regardless, so they aren’t rushing to compete immediately.

It appears that idea might seem less than ideal at first glance, but Disney could be considering a broader strategy here. They’ve faced financial setbacks in recent years due to criticisms over a perceived lack of creativity in Imagineering, as evidenced by the controversial new Communicore project. Given their numerous ongoing projects, Disney might decide it’s advantageous to allow Universal to open Epic Universe first and garner initial attention. Once the excitement subsides, they could then roll out their own series of impressive debuts, capitalizing on the lull in Universal’s hype.

It’s fantastic news for those residing in Orlando and operating local businesses because an increase in tourists means prosperity for the region. Come Memorial Day, the rivalry between Disney and Universal will heat up even more, offering visitors a multitude of extraordinary experiences to enjoy.

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2024-10-17 21:57

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