Orlando Florida, September 14, 2025
News Summary
Universal Orlando has revealed that its newest theme park, Epic Universe, will open on May 22, 2026. The park will feature five distinct themed worlds connected by a central portal named Chronos. This addition marks Universal’s fourth theme park at the resort and aims to enhance visitor capacity and diversifies its offerings, catering to fans of various franchises like Harry Potter and Super Nintendo.
Orlando — Universal Orlando announced that its new theme park, Epic Universe, is scheduled to open on May 22, 2026. The park will be the fourth at Universal Orlando Resort and is designed around a central portal that links five distinct themed worlds. The project is presented as part of Universal’s broader investments to expand and diversify its resort offerings and to increase capacity for visitors.
Key facts
- Opening date: May 22, 2026
- Park count: Fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort
- Themed worlds: Five distinct lands connected by a central gateway
- Main entrance feature: A portal named Chronos serving as the gateway to each world
Overview of themed lands
The new park is organized into five themed worlds, each focused on a specific intellectual property or original concept. The design places a central portal at the main entrance, allowing visitors to move from one world to another while maintaining distinct visual and experiential identities for each area.
Celestial Park
Celestial Park is the first world guests encounter upon entering Epic Universe. It will include a roller coaster themed as a shooting comet, as well as food and retail options intended to serve as an introductory plaza and hub for visitors arriving at the park.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
This section will depict a transition from a Muggle park in Paris to a concealed, 1920s-era wizarding shopping district. It is planned to include dining at a venue named Café L’air De La Sirène, retail locations such as Les Galeries Mirifiques, live entertainment under the banner Le Cirque Arcanus, and an attraction titled “Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.” The area aims to represent an immersive period setting tied to the franchise’s established world-building.
Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World will be entered through a thematic “Warp Pipe” and will provide interactive experiences and character encounters. The area is expected to allow visitors to meet recognizable characters including Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach while interacting with game-like elements that draw on the Nintendo IP.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
The Isle of Berk is designed to recreate the fictional island from the film series, featuring a lagoon, Viking statues, and immersive architecture. Planned experiences include motion-simulated or ride-based attractions billed as “flying on a dragon,” such as Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, to simulate aerial sequences from the source material.
Dark Universe
Dark Universe is set in a location called Darkmoor and focuses on classic Universal Monster characters, including Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolf Man. One highlighted attraction is “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment,” which is positioned as a major dark-themed experience within this land.
Design and operational context
The park’s main gateway, referred to as Chronos, functions as a storytelling and circulation device linking the five lands. The layout and attraction mix are intended to diversify the resort’s offerings, increase visitor capacity, and provide new year-round experiences to complement the existing parks at Universal Orlando Resort.
Epic Universe’s planned opening follows a pattern of large-scale investments by major theme park operators in recent years. The addition of a fourth park is expected to expand the resort’s footprint and create new operational and guest flow considerations, including transportation, ticketing, and crowd management across multiple lands and attractions.
What this means for visitors and the region
For guests, Epic Universe will present new themed attractions and entertainment options across multiple intellectual properties. For the local tourism economy, an additional major park can influence hotel demand, transportation needs, and regional visitation patterns. Operational details such as ticketing formats, seasonal schedules, capacity limits, and guest services had not been detailed as part of the initial announcement.
Next steps and timeline
The primary date to note is May 22, 2026, the scheduled opening. Further information about ticketing, ride-by-ride descriptions, operational hours, and pre-opening experiences is expected to be released by the operator in subsequent announcements. Construction, staffing, and final testing typically continue up to the opening date for projects of this scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Epic Universe open?
Epic Universe is scheduled to open on May 22, 2026.
How many themed worlds are in Epic Universe?
The park will contain five themed worlds: Celestial Park; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; and Dark Universe.
What is Chronos?
Chronos is the name given to the park’s main portal and gateway, designed to serve as the central connection point between the five themed worlds.
Is Epic Universe part of Universal Orlando Resort?
Yes. Epic Universe will be the fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort and is part of the resort’s expansion plans.
Will the park include attractions based on known franchises?
Yes. Several areas are based on established franchises, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and How to Train Your Dragon, as well as a Dark Universe area featuring Universal Monster themes.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | World | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronos Portal | Entrance | Gateway/Central Hub | Connects all five themed worlds |
| Shooting Comet Coaster | Celestial Park | Roller Coaster | Opening plaza attraction with food/retail nearby |
| Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry | The Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic | Dark Ride/Show | 1920s-themed wizarding district with dining and shops |
| Warp Pipe Entrance | Super Nintendo World | Immersive Entry/Interactive Area | Character interactions with Mario franchise |
| Hiccup’s Wing Gliders | Isle of Berk | Flight Simulation/Ride | Simulates dragon flight over a lagoon and Viking set pieces |
| Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment | Dark Universe | Dark Attraction | Focus on classic Universal Monster characters |
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Additional Resources
- Business Insider: Universal’s New Theme Park Problem
- Wikipedia: Epic Universal
- Travel and Tour World: Hard Rock Hotel’s Renovations
- Google Search: Orlando Attractions
- Orlando Informer: Florida Theme Parks for Toddlers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Orlando
- Click Orlando: Lost Attractions of Central Florida
- Google Scholar: Orlando Theme Parks
- Orlando Date Night Guide: 75 Free Things to Do in Orlando
- Google News: Universal Orlando Epic Universe
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
