Universal Orlando Reveals Opening Date Its Highly-anticipated Epic Universe

The park will open on May 22 of next year.

By Carly Caramanna Carly Caramanna

Carly Caramanna is a theme park and travel journalist who has spent her professional career in New York City, Nashville, and Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Yahoo Lifestyle, Insider, The Points Guy, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on October 17, 2024

Close A rendering of the Universal Epic Universe . Photo:

Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort 

Universal Orlando Resort has revealed an opening timeline for its highly-anticipated new theme park, Epic Universe.

The new theme park, which is the first theme park to open in Orlando in over two decades, will open officially on May 22, 2025, Universal shared with Travel + Leisure.

“Universal Epic Universe is the most ambitious theme park Universal Destinations and Experiences has ever created and will be the next gamechanger for theme park entertainment,” Universal said in their announcement.

Epic Universe will join the property’s two existing theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and water theme park, Universal’s Volcano Bay. Next year’s expansion will also include three new on-site resorts, including Universal Stella Nova Resort (opening Jan. 21, 2025), Universal Terra Luna Resort (opening Feb. 25, 2025), and Universal Helios Grand Hotel, the destination’s first ever resort connected to a theme park. The new resorts bring the property’s total up to 11 hotels with 11,000 guest rooms.

A rendering of the exterior of the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel.

Courtesy of NBC Universal 

When Epic Universe opens it will add an additional 50 new attractions along with exciting retail and dining options to the property. The unprecedented theme park will house five immersive lands: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, Celestial Park, Dark Universe, and How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.

“This is such a pivotal moment for our destination, and we’re thrilled to welcome guests to Epic Universe next year,” Karen Irwin, President and COO of Universal Orlando Resort, shared. “With the addition of this spectacular new theme park, our guests will embark on an unforgettable vacation experience with a week’s worth of thrills that will be nothing short of epic! Our Universe will never be the same.”

Courtesy of Universal Studios

As visitors explore these lands, they will experience attractions that push the boundaries of themed entertainment. The soon-to-be-third Harry Potter-themed land will welcome guests to Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, which will use “first-of-its-kind ride technology.” Super Nintendo World will bring along with it a version of the popular Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and a ‘Donkey Kong’ themed roller coaster that mimics “jumping” over the track.

The first phase of tickets will go on sale Oct. 22, 2024, including 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day tickets that include one day admission to Universal Epic Universe. Additionally, those booking 2-nights or longer vacation packages with one of these multi-day ticket options will also receive one day admission to Universal Epic Universe, including early park admission. Single-day tickets, two-day tickets, and Express Pass to Universal Epic Universe are anticipated to be released at a later date. 

Annual Passholders will have the first chance to purchase single-day tickets to Universal Epic Universe beginning Oct. 24, 2024, before they go on sale to the public. 

Reservations for Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, will also begin on Oct. 22, 2024 for stays beginning May 22, 2025. 

Next year’s opening of Universal Epic Universe and new hotels will bring the resort to a total of four theme parks and 11 hotels, transforming Universal Orlando Resort into a weeklong vacation destination.