Universal Orlando is cooking through the construction of its brand-new park, Epic Universe. Yeah, it seems like every time we turn around, there’s another MAJOR construction update to share.
This new park is set to open in 2025 with five new lands and over 50 new experiences. So, what does this mean for Disney? Well, according to experts, they may open up a fifth park of their own.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the announcements from Universal have caused tons of buzz around the new Epic Universe park, and some have begun to wonder if Disney will respond (directly or indirectly) to the news.
One expert believes that “Universal’s expansion will prompt the long-awaited ‘fifth gate’ – another Disney World theme park.” Industry professionals are also noting that “the gap between Orlando’s biggest park operators appears to be thinning.”
With new lands, like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park coming soon, Disney is going to have some stiff competition!
Click here to learn more about Universal’s NEW announcements!
But is the competition between these parks a bad thing for Disney? No, actually! Martin Lewison, associate professor of business management at Farmingdale State College in New York, said, “It’s not necessarily a bad thing because there is research that shows that the concentration of all these parks in one place helps all of them.”
Dennis Speigel, owner of International Theme Park Service, has also said that the opening of Epic Universe will “tilt the axis of the theme-park world” towards Universal and that Epic Universe is expected to attract between 5-6 million people in its first year of operation.
Back in 2023, Disney announced that it plans to invest $60 billion into its parks and experiences division, so maybe the idea isn’t so far-fetched after all! In fact, one new report shows Disney may be eyeing up some unused land RIGHT NOW!
Click here to learn more about Disney’s promise to invest $60 BILLION!
If this fifth park thing really happens, we can’t wait for Disney’s announcement, and we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled! Of course, Disney hasn’t confirmed anything quite yet, but you never know when something BIG may happen.
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Check out the 17 new photos shared of Epic Universe!
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Are you hoping for a fifth park? Tell us in the comments!
I hope Disney doesn’t open that 5th park in FL. FL doesn’t deserve Disney. Open it in a state that embraces diversity.