Aerial photographer bioreconstruct provided another update on Universal’s Epic Universe construction this month. The new theme park is set to open as part of Universal Orlando Resort in the summer of 2025.
Epic Universe Construction
The only confirmed land for Epic Universe is Super Nintendo World (bottom left of the concept art). The other rumored lands are inspired by Universal Classic Monsters (top left), The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (top right), and How to Train Your Dragon (bottom right). They will branch out from the edges of the park, while the center thoroughfare has three lakes with circular structures. To the right is a dual-racing coaster and at the back is the in-park hotel.
Bioreconstruct has been visiting the construction site of the theme park, as well as of nearby Universal hotels.
Notable since our last construction update are the curved pieces creating a metal dome near the center of the park.
Scaffolding has been removed from the center of the dome. This is rumored to be some kind of carousel with water.
Universal filed a patent for a carousel in April and trademarked the name Constellation Carousel in March.
Scaffolding has now been raised to the side of the large dome for construction of a second, smaller dome. This is already outlined by the round concrete on the ground. Rebar is also visible on the ground beneath the center of the dome.
In the photo above:
- Utility pipes
- Utility pipes
- Small dome pieces
- Temporary scaffolding for small dome
A wider view shows the domed attraction between the concrete basin of a fountain and a circular restaurant. These are all part of the park’s central corridor and won’t be themed to IPs. The arrows point to where there are drops in the terrain for water features.
- Fountain basin, rows to the side for guest viewing of shows and/or nighttime spectaculars
- Carousel dome
- Waterside restaurant
- Walkway between water features
- Walkway between water features
Here’s a closer look at the fountain’s concrete basin. Rows of stadium seating have been installed to the sides of the fountain. The in-park hotel will be directly behind it.
In the photo above:
- Connectors for top of small dome
- Small dome pieces
- Large pipes and concrete bases
While in-park hotel guests will enter Epic Universe at the back of the park, this is the main entrance for day guests.
- Concrete forms for gateway
- Concrete forms for gateway
- Curing concrete for small archways
- Crew member for scale
- New footers
The yellow and orange roller-coaster jutting off from the center of the park will be a dual-racing coaster, potentially named Starfall Racers. It’s next to the “How to Train Your Dragon” land, but not connected.
At number 1 in the photo are two giant blue statues of a dragon and Viking at the entrance to the “How to Train Your Dragon” land, likely named Isle of Berk. In “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” the third film in the series, the Isle of Berk’s entrance is flanked by similar statues.
At number 2 are concrete forms just behind the portal entrance to the Isle of Berk. Each land will have a tunnel-like entrance.
3 is rockwork next to the “How to Train Your Dragon” coaster and a possible cave entrance. 4 is a new tower added to the top of a building. 5 (in the top left corner) is the entrance to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
This is an overhead look at Super Nintendo World, which will be similar to the versions of the land at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood. Construction has made it clear that guests will enter with an escalator, unlike the other versions. The arrow points at the escalator entrance.
The brown-orange track in the above photo is for Yoshi’s Adventure, a people-mover attraction that already exists at Universal Studios Japan but not Universal Studios Hollywood.
Road Construction
With the construction of Epic Universe, the nearby roads are also being changed and re-routed. In the above photo, pile-driving is underway for a new full-circle ramp that will ease traffic between Kirkman Road and Epic Blvd. An arrow points at the re-routed Universal Blvd for construction.
Space-Themed Hotels
A pair of space-themed hotels are under construction just south of Epic Universe. Outside of the IP-inspired lands, the park seems to have its own spacey theme.
This standalone panel with a rounded window is a sample of the hotels’ exteriors. When driving by on Kirkman Road, the hotels will appear to change color like a nebula. Bioreconstruct created a gif of photos of the panel from different angles to show how it seems to change colors:
The panel is up to test the effect.
The basic structure of one hotel seems to be complete, though details and theming have yet to be added.
Are you excited to visit Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments.
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