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Celebrities walked the blue carpet and fans lined up in droves Tuesday night as Universal Orlando celebrated the much-anticipated grand opening of Epic Universe, marking one of the biggest expansions in Florida theme park history.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Universal Orlando has officially opened its highly anticipated Epic Universe, a 1,300-acre theme park and one of the largest theme park expansions in Florida’s history.
What we know:
The grand opening celebration took place Wednesday night at Celestial Park, the central hub of the new resort, where celebrities walked the blue carpet and fans gathered in large numbers.
The park features five immersive lands, including the "Dark Universe" and a real-world version of the "Isle of Berk" from How to Train Your Dragon. The opening is being likened to other landmark theme park debuts, such as the opening of Universal Studios in the 1990s and Disney World in the 1970s.
Who Showed Up?:
Celebrities walked the blue carpet and fans lined up in droves Wednesday night as Universal Orlando celebrated the much-anticipated grand opening of Epic Universe, marking one of the biggest expansions in Florida theme park history.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: (L-R) Nico Parker and Mason Thames attend Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: (L-R) Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Mason Thames and Dean DeBlois attend the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: (L-R) Oliver Phelps, Warwick Davis and James Phelps attend Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Warwick Davis attends Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Andy Cohen attends the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: JoJo Siwa attends Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: (L-R) Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers attend the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Laila Lockhart Kraner attends Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Chris Colfer attends the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: (L-R) Matt Iseman and Britton All Iseman attend Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Mario Lopez attends Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Guests attend Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Tasha Amber Ghouri attends Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Keltie Knight attends Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: (L-R) Danny Elfman and Oliver Elfman attend the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Joe Manganiello attends the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Howie Mandel attends the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Jason Blum attends the live-action How to Train Your Dragon special screening during the Epic Universe Nighttime Celebration Event at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Universal Pictures) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Allyson Felix (R) and daughter attend the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: (L-R) Brandi Rhodes and Cody Rhodes attend Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: (L-R) Heather Hayslett Packer and Will Packer attend the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: James Wan attends the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Tom Williams, Former Chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts attends Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: (L-R) Brian Roberts, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Comcast Corporation, Donna Langley, Chairman, NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios, Mark Woodbury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Destinations & Experiences and Mike Cavanagh, President, Comcast Corporation attend Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Frankie Grande attends the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21:(L-R) James Wan and guest attend the Universal Orlando Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Much-Anticipated Fourth Theme Park, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Epic Universe on May 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 20: (L-R) Nico Parker and Mason Thames of Universal Pictures' live-action How to Train Your Dragon cast at Universal Epic Universe on May 20, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Universal Pictures) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 20: Nico Parker (R) of Universal Pictures' live-action How to Train Your Dragon cast at Universal Epic Universe on May 20, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Universal Pictures) What we don't know:
While the opening has been met with excitement, it remains to be seen how the park will handle sustained crowds and logistical challenges. Economic and environmental impacts on the surrounding area also have not been fully addressed.
The backstory:
The land now occupied by Epic Universe was once owned by Lockheed Martin and sat vacant for years despite being centrally located in Orlando’s bustling tourist corridor. Universal acquired the property and, in 2019, officially announced plans to develop a third gate.
The project took several years of planning, design, and construction. Though slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, development resumed full pace and culminated in this week’s grand unveiling.
Local perspective:
Locally, the opening of Epic Universe is being hailed as a generational event. It cements Orlando's status as the global epicenter for theme park innovation and tourism. Many residents and tourists alike see the park as a boost to the local economy and a source of pride.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Universal Orlando Resort.