Land being cleared at Universal Orlando Resort
Credit: WESH 2 News/YouTube
NEED TO KNOW
Crews were reportedly seen clearing an 87.2-acre plot near Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe for an undisclosed project
Fans are speculating the site, which is not directly attached to the parks, could become a new hotel, entertainment offering, or transit hub due to its prime location
Universal executives have previously teased future expansions coming to Epic Universe, but no details have been announced
A new project appears to be in the works at Universal Orlando Resort.
Crews were spotted clearing an 87.2-acre parcel of land located along Universal Boulevard this week, local outlet WESH 2 reports. The area is situated directly next to Topgolf Orlando, which is approximately two miles from Universal’s Epic Universe, according to the WESH2 and the theme park blog WDW News Today.
While Universal has not shared any intel on what the mystery project might be, WDW News Today notes the location would be an ideal spot for a hotel as it’s less than a ten-minute drive from Epic Universe. The new Universal Orlando theme park, which opened in May 2025, is reportedly visible from the plot.
Meanwhile, WESH2 speculates an entertainment offering or even a transit hub could be in the works for the space. Universal Orlando has recently been exploring adding an underground transit system to connect its parks, but the plans are still in the early development phase.
Video footage captured by the outlet shows trucks appearing to level the land and clear some of the greenery from the sprawling space. The update comes after a permit was reportedly filed in the fall of 2025 to clear the land for future construction.
PEOPLE has reached out to Universal Orlando for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
While Universal Orlando hasn’t commented on this project yet, the Florida theme park has shared exciting changes coming to the destination in the future, especially at Epic Universe.
In November 2025, Alyson Sologaistoa, Vice President of Public Relations at Universal Orlando Resort, teased the updates in a statement to PEOPLE.
“We are preparing for some exciting additions to Epic Universe in the future,” Sologaistoa said at the time. “Details about specific developments will be shared in due time.”
Epic Universe
Credit: Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty
When Epic Universe made its debut less than one year ago, it was the first new major theme park to open in Florida in more than two decades. It joined Universal Orlando’s three other parks — Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay water park — and currently features five themed lands: Wizarding World — Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe and Celestial Park.
Sologaistoa’s confirmation came after Mark Woodbury, Universal Destinations & Experiences’ CEO, teased in September 2025 a possible expansion coming to the new park, PEOPLE previously reported.
Universal Orlando Resort
Credit: Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty
“If you fly over Epic [Universe] or you look at Google Earth, you’ll see how we planned the park, and you’ll see greenfield space between the existing worlds,” Woodbury said at the time. “That is strategically positioned to give us flexibility to expand the world or create a new world, and so that’s how we look at it.”
He added that while there weren’t any specific updates to share at that time, “I can tell you that there are multiple attractions in the works, not just at Epic… We have a pretty sophisticated and well thought-through, long-range plan that takes us out another decade in terms of product offerings, not just in Orlando, but around the world.”
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Universal is currently developing its first theme park and resort in the U.K., which was officially announced in April 2025.
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