USA: Universal Orlando Announces New “Universal’s Epic Universe” Theme Park
An all-new Universal theme park will take shape in Orlando, on a site south of Sand Lake Road and east of Universal Boulevard. This news were confirmed by Brian L. Roberts, Chairman & CEO of Comcast Corporation and Tom Williams, Chairman & CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts during an event in Orlando yesterday. Rumors about a possible expansion of the existing Universal Orlando Resort by the addition of another park have been circulating in the media for some time (cf. EAP News of 6 Nov 17).
Universal’s Epic Universe will be the name of the group’s third theme park in Orlando, set to expand the leisure and adventure offerings of the existing parks of Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park (cf. EAP 6/2017). The new park will be built on an over 300 hectare large site – the complex will also feature new hotels and an entertainment center. Which IP brands will find their way into Universal’s Epic Universe park will be revealed by the group at a later date.
“Our new park represents the single-largest investment Comcast NBCUniversal has made in its theme park business and in Florida overall. It reflects the tremendous excitement we have for the future of our theme park business and for our entire company’s future in Florida,” comments Brian Roberts. Tom Williams adds, “Our vision for Epic Universe is historic. It will build on everything we have done and become the most immersive and innovative theme park we have ever created. It is an investment in our business, our industry, our team members and our community.”
In addition to the new theme park project, Orlando’s Kirkman Road will be extended into the area of the park’s future location, a development in which Universal is involved with an investment sum of some 160 million US Dollar (just under 145 million Euro). The Kirkman extension will improve transportation through a busy and growing part of Orange County and open up the entire area for additional development, including a possible expansion of the Orange County Convention Center. (eap)
