Work underway in Epic Universe as permits hint at Dark Universe expansion
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Construction is already underway on what could become the next major attraction at Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe.
Chopper 2 captured crews clearing and preparing a previously undeveloped plot of land behind Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in the park’s Dark Universe area.
Permits filed for the project provide some clues, including plans for a roughly 93,000-square-foot, three-story building.
Theme park reporter Alicia Stella, of Orlando ParkStop, said the work appears to include crews removing dirt and preparing the site for electrical, plumbing and water services.
“It’s a little surreal to see construction start on a new ride just a year after this new theme park opened,” Stella said.
Stella said the project appears to be a significant addition to Epic Universe since the ride was not part of the original plans for the park.
“The Dark Universe area and this ride was never in the original plans for the park,” Stella said. “So this is a true addition on top of what they hoped to have opened with.”
Universal has not revealed the attraction’s theme, leaving plenty of room for speculation.
Two possibilities are emerging as the leading rumors: Creature from the Black Lagoon and Bride of Frankenstein.
Stella said both have been circulating among theme park fans and industry watchers.
Ride installation expert Daniel Leavelle of Midway Mayhem said the permits indicate this will be a large-scale project.
“The permit is a three-story building, so this is going to be a large-scale building,” Leavelle said. “The maintenance barn itself, or the maintenance area, is on the first floor.”
One possibility has attracted particular attention because of the potential for water-based elements.
Leavelle said Universal has obtained patents in recent years involving a water-propulsion system for a boat ride.
“Water attraction would be very fitting for this,” Leavelle said.
That has fueled speculation that a Creature from the Black Lagoon attraction could eventually take shape on the site — although Universal has not confirmed that.
Construction is just getting started. Despite the activity visible from the air, the project remains in its early stages.
Equipment is beginning to be stored in a neighboring lot as crews prepare the site for what could be a years-long construction project.
For now, Universal has not said what the new attraction will be, when it will open or even officially confirmed that the project is a new ride.
But with crews now clearing land and major permits in place, the next chapter for Epic Universe appears to be taking shape.