Less than a year after the theme park’s grand opening, Universal Orlando Resort has confirmed that Epic Universe is already preparing for future expansion. This confirmation came in an official statement emailed to media outlets, in which Universal said “we are preparing some exciting additions to the Universal Epic Universe in the future,” with more details to be announced at a later date. The statement was first reported by the Orlando Business Journal and later echoed by news outlets such as PEOPLE.
Much to the dismay of Back to the Future and Jaws fans, no evidence has yet been presented to suggest that the popular Universal Studios Florida ride will be rebooted and restarted in a new area.
Although Universal hasn’t released any details, industry insiders widely believe that at least some of the expansion could be related to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The franchise continues to be one of Universal’s most profitable brands, and previous Harry Potter expansions in both Florida and California have consistently drawn large audiences. Theme park analysts cited by PEOPLE emphasized that Universal’s decision to allow future additions so soon after opening is a strong indication that major IP-based projects are already underway in-house.
Much of the speculation has centered on the concept of a new Harry Potter ride that is rumored to be different from the series’ existing attractions, potentially incorporating elements from the Fantastic Beasts era and unexplored locations in Wizarding World canon. Fan interpretation of permits and aerial photos suggest a building footprint large enough to support a next-generation dark ride or hybrid coaster dark ride platform similar in scale to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
Another factor fueling Harry Potter rumors is the layout of the park’s master plan, which includes undeveloped parcels that were intentionally left open during initial construction. Analysts interviewed by WDWNT noted that Universal often builds out major parks in phases, opening the first land once guest traffic patterns and revenue have stabilized before adding in-demand expansions. Epic Universe seems to be following the same pattern, making the Wizarding World expansion an attractive next step.
Universal has remained silent on details. However, public confirmation that the expansion is officially underway marks a significant development for Florida’s theme park landscape and positions Epic Universe as a continually evolving competitor to Disney and other regional attractions. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Universal prepares to reveal more information. Especially those who want to know if the next portal added to the Epic Universe will take guests even deeper into the world of Harry Potter.
