Recent aerial view of Dark Universe construction, Photo: Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n Dark Universe Expansion<\/p>\n A ride pit is being dug out in the largest part of the Dark Universe expansion area.<\/p>\n Permits call for land preparation for the future construction of a three-story structure here.<\/p>\n The first floor will contain, at very least, a ride maintenance bay, according to these documents.<\/p>\n Thanks to recent aerial photos by Bioreconstruct<\/a>\u201d target=\u201d_blank\u201d>Bioreconstruct, we can see that the current work has the ground being dug out here, well below the grade level for the park.<\/p>\n Although it is worth keeping in mind that the park\u2019s ground level was raised up around 10 or so feet before construction started, so this earth moving is pretty much just revealing the original true level ground beneath.<\/p>\n A crane mounted pile driver can be seen working here in the center of the expansion pad.<\/p>\n This work going on now can now be seen from within the theme park, as seen in the next photos, which were taken on the ground.<\/p>\n Crane with pile driver as seen from inside park, Photo: Alicia Stella<\/a><\/p>\n Work happening, as seen from inside the park, Photo: Alicia Stella<\/a><\/p>\n Prior to the large pit being dug out, earth moving was focused on removing a small raised berm from this area, behind the Monsters Unchained extended exterior queue.<\/p>\n Work that was happening a couple weeks ago for this area<\/p>\n That area is now flat, and level with the nearby queue areas.<\/p>\n How this area appears now<\/p>\n The old Universal Monsters Cafe statues were removed two weeks ago. They may have been relocated inside nearby Team Member building. At very least, they are no longer sitting in an active construction zone.<\/p>\n Statues before and after being removed from the area, Photos: Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n A path has been cut through back of the expansion plot for access to the main site, removing a sidewalk, as had been previously permitted.<\/p>\n Path was being dug out late last month<\/p>\n A dirt access road now runs along back of these office trailers, leading all the way to main construction site behind Monsters Unchained.<\/p>\n It seems as though work is just getting started.<\/p>\n New Bride Ride Rumors<\/p>\n Long rumored to be a boat ride based on The Creature from the Black Lagoon, newer rumors are leaning more towards this expansion being for an indoor roller coaster-type attraction starring the Bride of Frankenstein.<\/p>\n Some believe the ride could possibly feature a similar ride train as attractions like Revenge of the Mummy or Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios Florida.<\/p>\n Revenge of the Mummy ride vehicle<\/p>\n Both ride systems are similar in seating style, but the more modern trains at Gringotts are capable of adding a rotating motion, which may be useful for dark ride-style storytelling.<\/p>\n Escape from Gringotts ride train style<\/p>\n It\u2019s possible that the goals for this new expansion may be to add more indoor ride capacity, and fast.<\/p>\n An indoor coaster, especially one utilizing an existing ride system Universal has worked with before, may fit all of that criteria.<\/p>\n Permit image with Dark Universe expansion plot marked in green<\/p>\n While the Gill-Man monster from Creature from the Black Lagoon can currently be found on the Monsters Unchained ride, located next door to this expansion area, the Bride of Frankenstein does not yet appear on a ride at Epic Universe.<\/p>\n Gill-Man and Bride of Frankenstein seen on Dark Universe merchandise<\/p>\n The Bride meet & greet character has proven successful for the land, and her merchandise seems to be popular with guests.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not clear if these factors are driving the recent rumors for the ride possibly starring the Bride, or if they\u2019re coming from a true place.<\/p>\n Only time will tell, (but if work continues at this brisk pace, we may not have to wait long).<\/p>\n Wizarding World expansion found behind the land, Aerial Photos: Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n Harry Potter Expansion<\/p>\n While activity is moving quickly on the Dark Universe project, we still have not seen any work happening for the also permitted Harry Potter expansion across the park.<\/p>\n However, new rumors are starting to pick up for what type of new ride experience we may eventually get here, after construction eventually begins.<\/p>\n Permit image for area with labels added for expansion<\/p>\n Many believe this new ride will a tracked flying broomstick experience, but now fans are wondering if it could be similar to Vekoma\u2019s new Thrill Glider suspended coaster.<\/p>\n Thrill Glider coaster concept for Six Flags Magic Mountain<\/a><\/p>\n The sitting style for the Thrillglider ride vehicles has riders sitting strikingly similar to flying on a magic broomstick. Renderings for the ride system show riders seated two to a row.<\/p>\n Thrillglider coaster system concept by Vekoma<\/p>\n The first installation of this system will be for Six Flags Magic Mountain<\/a>, opening next year in 2027.<\/p>\n Official art from Six Flags Magic Mountain<\/a><\/p>\n Universal has not yet confirmed the Harry Potter expansion, just like they have not yet confirmed the Dark Universe expansion, despite work already starting.<\/p>\n Potter expansion plot located behind this area<\/p>\n According to new reports, this may not be Universal\u2019s last Wizarding World land, as evidence has been found<\/a> for what may be one coming to Universal United Kingdom Resort, set to open 2031.<\/p>\n Fan UK speculation map with Potter added at possible location<\/p>\n Recent rumors<\/a> that that new park will be getting a clone of Hogwarts Castle with the Forbidden Journey ride, along with the Hogsmeade village land, may be proven true as a listing for a contractor seems to show initials for Universal United Kingdom Resort and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.<\/p>\n The page in question, (seen above,) has since been taken down from public view, although it\u2019s not clear if that was because it was posted in error, or proves it was true.<\/p>\n Latest events building progress, Aerial Photos: Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n Events Space Construction<\/p>\n Steel is rising in the front of the new events building in Celestial Park, near the front of Epic Universe.<\/p>\n Most of the work until this point had been focused on the back section of the structure. According to permit documents, the back is split between a catering kitchen on the bottom floor and offices on the upper level.<\/p>\n The new framing going up is shown in documents as restrooms at the front of the building, which will serve the large ballroom.<\/p>\n Official art for project found in permitted plans, Orange County Government<\/p>\n The large ballroom space will be built between the front here, and the back section, already under construction.<\/p>\n Official photo of fireworks from Universal Orlando<\/p>\n Epic Fireworks Suspended<\/p>\n The new nighttime show at Epic Universe seems to be having an issue.<\/p>\n Debuting back in July<\/a>, Universal Celestial Goodnight has been running without its main fireworks for over a month now.<\/p>\n Universal Celestial Goodnight official photo<\/p>\n When pressed on social media, the official Universal Orlando account has finally addressed the missing pyro, saying: \u201c\u2026the fireworks portion of Universal Celestial Goodnight is temporarily unavailable as we work to resolve a technical issue.\u201d<\/p>\n No mention of modified show seen in park<\/p>\n Some nights seem to at least include the secondary pyro, which launches from the left and right side of the park, but the central main fireworks, usually seen over the Helios Grand Hotel, have been absent for more than four weeks now.<\/p>\n Secondary pyro seen on sides of this official image<\/p>\n There is not currently an ETA on when the fireworks will return, but guests staying at the park till closing time can still catch the fountains, music, and lighting displays for the show each evening.<\/p>\n Universal Beijing Resort official announcement<\/p>\n Quick Universal Beijing Update<\/p>\n And speaking of nighttime shows, a new show named Nighttime Spectacular at the Lagoon has been announced for Universal Studios Beijing.<\/p>\n A new ride was also announced as part of the resort\u2019s 5th anniversary celebration.<\/p>\n Official announcement for Universal Beijing Resort<\/p>\n This will be Asia\u2019s first Fast & Furious themed indoor ride, and will not be a clone of either Supercharged or Hollywood Drift. Instead, it will be a new entirely indoor thrill ride developed specifically for Universal Beijing.<\/p>\n Universal Beijing Resort<\/p>\n The announcement did not specify what type of ride system it would utilize, instead saying: \u201cThe project will take the form of a fully indoor thrill ride, bringing the franchise\u2019s signature chase sequences, action-packed scenes and high-energy atmosphere into a themed ride experience.\u201d<\/p>\n All aerial photos by Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n That\u2019s all for this update, but stay tuned for continuing coverage on Epic Universe projects, as well as other projects, like the former Lost Continent area<\/a> at Islands of Adventure, which continues to see demolition<\/a>, and is rumored to be replaced with Pokemon<\/a>.<\/p>\n Latest aerial view of The Lost Continent demolition from Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n A big thanks to Bioreconstruct<\/a> for the incredible aerial views. You can follow him on YouTube<\/a> and social media<\/a> for more theme park photography. Check out the video version<\/a> of this story for additional visuals, and subscribe below to never miss an update.<\/p>\n Subscribe to the RSS feed<\/a> or enter your email address below to never miss an update. Official Art: Universal Destinations & Experiences | Original Photos: Alicia Stella<\/a> | Aerial Photos: Bioreconstruct<\/a> | Permits: City of Orlando<\/a> & Orange County Government | Other Images as Captioned<\/p>\n \nSubscribe to Receive Email Updates\n<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n \tDiscover more from Orlando ParkStop<\/p>\n Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Dark Universe land is getting bigger at Epic Universe, as construction for a third ride is picking…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":407845,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[30543,30544,96593,125942,162005,121159,66224,1127,30541,92416,30547,6113,30548,54163,162006,30549,162007,5231,6117,32762,139,141,140,5202,15690,142093,16289,18740,30558,34775,5203,30542,162008,96916,1794,3434,137383,1045,30561],"class_list":["post-407844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-orlando","tag-4th-gate","tag-4th-park","tag-aerial-photos","tag-boat-ride","tag-bride-coaster","tag-bride-of-frankenstein","tag-celestial-goodnight","tag-construction","tag-construction-updates","tag-creature-from-the-black-lagoon","tag-dark-universe","tag-epic-universe","tag-epic-universe-rumors","tag-expansions","tag-fireworks-suspended","tag-flying-broomstick","tag-gill-man","tag-main","tag-ministry-of-magic","tag-new-ride","tag-orlando","tag-orlando-headlines","tag-orlando-news","tag-permits","tag-plans","tag-ride-rumors","tag-rides","tag-roller-coaster","tag-rumors","tag-the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter","tag-theme-park-news","tag-theme-park-rumors","tag-thrill-glider","tag-universal-celestial-goodnight","tag-universal-epic-universe","tag-universal-orlando","tag-universal-united-kingdom-resort","tag-video","tag-wizarding-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/407844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=407844"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/407844\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/407845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=407844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=407844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=407844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSDdvQzbsAAuvOf-MAIN-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSDfVsFaMAAgvyL-PIT-PILEDRIVER-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSDdvQzbsAAuvOf-PATH-pit-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSDgNWtbgAAXQe2-WIDE-LOCATION-crop-1024x576.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSDgNWtbgAAXQe2-WIDE-LOCATION-1024x576.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSDfVsHbAAAGRdv-WORK-ANGLE-crop-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_7662-1024x768.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_7681-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HQ5Rixla0AAqNUT-close-1024x576.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSDfVsHbAAAGRdv-WORK-ANGLE-close-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/statues-beforeafter-902x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HQ5PhOMXoAAtUHt-crop-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSDdvQzbsAAuvOf-PATH-close-1024x634.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSDfVsGbUAAN8u0-PIT-LOWANGLE-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_7677-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6371-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6348-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/P902-SitePlan-CLEAN-2023expansion-1024x807.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_4626-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_4953-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_7684-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/N7A_3026-2-POTTER-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Potter-Expansion-2026-943x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/thrillglider1-1024x674.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0823thrillgli1-1024x525.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4a80a6e9ff250304580a2d7af29f1dbe245aae34-2880x1600-1-1024x569.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_9060-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/UniversalUK-SpecMap02-1024x629.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PPE-web-1024x614.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSGi5ncaEAAlYiY-1024x576.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSGi5ncaEAAlYiY-FRONT.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSGi5ncaEAAlYiY-BAKC-1024x576.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/P915-EXT.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Celestial-Goodnight-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2_-Universal-Celestial-Goodnight-at-Universal-Epic-Universe-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_7600-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1_Universal-Celestial-Goodnight-at-Universal-Epic-Universe-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Joe-Announcement-small-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/FF-Logo-1024x768.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Finale-small-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c6fe64d7-2055-421e-b5e9-84cf74ae83e1-WIDE-MAIN-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HSGOkSPaYAA_Vad-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ueu-epic-logo-nebula-background-c-1024x683.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/orlandoparkstop.com\/images\/icons\/patreon-logo2.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/a>Consider supporting us on Patreon<\/a> for as little as $1\/month. All patrons receive behind the scenes posts and exclusive podcasts. Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n