Epic Universe News Update: New Permits for Massive Expansion and Other Projects

A new permit may be for Epic Universe’s first new ride expansion since opening. Possibly located within a massive expansion plot in the Wizarding World, if the permit is accurate, this new attraction could be the same scale as the Battle at the Ministry ride. Plus, other projects are happening around Epic Universe and the other parks of Universal Orlando, including a new roller coaster for Universal Studios Florida.

Let’s dig into all that and more in today’s news update. See the video version of this story below for additional visuals.

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Possible New Massive Attraction

A new permit was filed with Orange County on November 7th, for work to be done at Universal Epic Universe. The permit is described as “Site Utilities and Foundation Work.”

The permit does not include a project number, or even for where within Epic Universe the work will take place.

The size of the project is listed as being 150,000 square feet though, which is much larger than some of the backstage work that has been permitted in recent months.

As many quickly pointed out, the size of the project seems to line up with the expansion plot within the Wizarding World land.

The image below, from Behind the Thrills—who were the first to discover the new permit—shows what 150,000 square feet could look like within the expansion plot at the Wizarding World. The scale of such a structure would be comparable to the Battle at the Ministry attraction seen on the left.

If this is in fact the location for this upcoming project, that could put the entrance to this mystery attraction within the right side of the land, through one of the facades within Wizarding Paris.

Recent permits for contractor trailers have also been posted. These trailers are set to be placed within a location backstage at Epic Universe labeled as “Rico’s Ranch.” Rico’s Ranch is a field for modular offices located directly behind the Wizarding World expansion plot, so these new trailers may be for supporting this upcoming project.

The new project could be related to the multiple Notices of Commencement for new contracts at Epic Universe with multiple design firms. Posted in recent months, these notices include companies who design theme park attractions and draft plans before construction begins.

We’ve also seen Notices of Commencement for Falcons Attractions. That company recently purchased Oceaneering. And Oceaneering has reportedly been working on improving the Battle at the Ministry ride. Perhaps they have also been tapped for manufacturing a new ride for the Wizarding World?

Falcons Attractions has been hiring for a new large Orlando-based project recently, but it does not specify what exactly.

Going back to the new permit for the 150,000 square foot expansion project, the architectural firm named on permit is “Baker Barrios Architects Inc.” They helped design the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts and acted as the lead architect for Westcourt, the new sports and entertainment hub in Orlando.

As for what type of attraction this could be, if in fact this permit is for a new attraction, the size of the new building would be bigger than the canceled attraction that was initially included in the site plans for Epic Universe all the way back in 2019.

That building, which was rumored to be for a Virtual Reality flying broomstick attraction, would have taken up less than 100,000 square feet, so this new building will be over 50% bigger!

Speculation on what type of attraction this could be is rampant in online spaces, with many guessing that we could still see some sort of ride based around flying broomsticks. Instead of VR though, with a space this massive, perhaps we could see a tracked version with physical sets and environments.

Could it be possible that the Quidditch World Cup signage in Wizarding Paris was always a preview of what is yet to come?

We have seen a patent from Universal for a suspended ride system that looks suspiciously like it could be for a flying broomstick tracked ride. Could something like this be the technology behind a new upcoming attraction?

Mack Rides has also recently patented a new type of ride system. That company has several attractions in Epic Universe already.

This new hyrbid ride system would combine trackless ride technology along with sections of roller coaster track, so it can act as two different kinds of rides in one.

With so many iconic elements and locations already accounted for within the now three Wizarding World locations found in Orlando alone, perhaps flying on a broomstick is one of the last Harry Potter experiences left for the company to tap into.

Regardless of what it ends up being, if this is massive new structure will in fact be for a new attraction within the Wizarding World, it would certainly help take some of the stress off of the Battle at the Ministry ride, which is carrying the weight of this massive land on its back right now, with big waits and even bigger expectations from first time visitors.

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Updates Around Epic Universe

Also happening around Epic Universe, construction on the dividing wall separating the theme park from the nearby water treatment plant seems to be wrapping up.

Currently it appears that landscaping is being added on the park-facing side of the wall.

Two new permits have been filed for prefabricated structures to be added in two separate spots on either side of the park.

The work listed on the permits is for installing prefabricated buildings. What’s interesting is where these prefab structures are being installed. One is for Building 1630, which is Cirque Arcanus in the Wizarding World. The other is Building 1501, which is Monsters Unchained in Dark Universe.

It’s possible these could be permanent launch sites for fireworks. Temporary launch pads were set up in these areas for the few fireworks displays the park has had so far, in addition to the temporary launch site in the middle of the pond behind the park.

Once permanent launch sites are set up at all three of these locations, perhaps we can see more regular fireworks displays at the park.

We have not yet seen any work starting on the backstage event space at the front of the park near Super Nintendo World. A trailer was permitted to be added here ahead of construction, but it does not appear to be on site yet.

The Burning Blade Tavern’s burning blades have been temporarily removed for maintenance.

Signs have been added to the Sand Lake Rd facing side of the large tech services and food & beverage warehouses backstage at Epic Universe.

The art on these signs is similar in style to new banners and signage that has recently been added to the rest of the resort.

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Holidays Have Arrived at Epic Universe

We can now find decor all throughout Celestial Park, including these cheese graters in the shape of bells along the garland at Pizza Moon.

Holiday decor has also been added throughout the Wizarding World, including along the entrance facade for the Battle at the Ministry ride.

Plus, it’s Snoggletog in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, with some decor up in the land’s retail locations.

But more importantly, the new seasonal mac and cheese cone has arrived! The Snoggletog Harvest cone features mac & cheese topped with maple-glazed turkey, spiced lingonberry drizzle, roasted sweet potatoes, sage chimichurri, and crispy stuffing.

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Rip Ride Rockit Replacement Update

Before we go, let’s check in at Universal Studios Florida, where the new roller coaster replacing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is seeing tremendous progress daily.

The footings for this new roller coaster attraction are being poured now, on the side of the layout closest to CityWalk.

A new wall is being constructed along the waterfront in CityWalk, which will be located along the new guest pathway that is being constructed in front of the roller coaster site.

Nearly all remnants from Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit have now been removed, including the entire station building. All that remains are these murals along the backside of the Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem building.

Prep work for the new coaster’s station building continues, with pipes seen staged near the Race Through New York ride building, and other utility work happening ahead of foundations being poured.

The new coaster’s maintenance building is further along, with footings for maintenance tracks in place and the first steps for foundation work happening now.

The overlay graphic below from Scott Walker shows where the permitted new structures will be located on the site once completed. This building in red will be the new coaster station and the building in yellow behind it will be the maintenance structure.

That’s all for now, but stay tuned to never miss an update as we cover the possible new project for Epic Universe. See the video version of this story for additional visuals. Big thanks to Bioreconstruct for sharing all of the aerial photos and more seen in this story.

Subscribe to the news feed or enter your email address below to never miss an update. Official Art: Universal Destinations & Experiences | Aerial Photos: Bioreconstruct | Permit Documents: fasttrack.ocfl.net | Additional Photos & Graphics: Alicia Stella | Other Images as Captioned