Recent aerial view of Epic Universe, All Aerial Photos by @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n Possible New Massive Attraction<\/p>\n 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 \u201cSite Utilities and Foundation Work.\u201d<\/p>\n The permit does not include a project number, or even for where within Epic Universe the work will take place.<\/p>\n Permit for work to be done at Epic Universe, fasttrack.ocfl.net<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n As many quickly pointed out, the size of the project seems to line up with the expansion plot within the Wizarding World land.<\/p>\n Square footage in permit, fasttrack.ocfl.net<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The image below, from Behind the Thrills\u2014who were the first to discover the new permit\u2014shows 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.<\/p>\n Image highlighting size of Wizarding World expansion, Image: Behind the Thrills<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Wizarding Paris in Epic Universe, Photo: Alicia Stella<\/a><\/p>\n 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 \u201cRico\u2019s Ranch.\u201d Rico\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Location of Rico\u2019s Ranch trailers in relation to Wizarding World expansion plot<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Themed facade for French Ministry on right side of land, Photo: Alicia Stella<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ve 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?<\/p>\n Falcons Attractions has been hiring for a new large Orlando-based project recently, but it does not specify what exactly.<\/p>\n Going back to the new permit for the 150,000 square foot expansion project, the architectural firm named on permit is \u201cBaker Barrios Architects Inc.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n \n Recent aerial view of expansion space behind Wizarding World, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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!<\/p>\n Image: Universal Orlando Resort<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Could it be possible that the Quidditch World Cup signage in Wizarding Paris was always a preview of what is yet to come?<\/p>\n Signage seen in Epic Universe\u2019s Wizarding World, Photo: Alicia Stella<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n Universal\u2019s suspended ride concept, U.S. Patent & Trademark Office<\/p>\n Mack Rides has also recently patented a new type of ride system. That company has several attractions in Epic Universe already.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Mack Rides new concept, World Intellectual Property Organization<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Photo: Universal Orlando Resort<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \n Wall separating park from water plant, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n Updates Around Epic Universe<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Currently it appears that landscaping is being added on the park-facing side of the wall.<\/p>\n Landscaping seen on left side of wall facing park, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n Two new permits have been filed for prefabricated structures to be added in two separate spots on either side of the park.<\/p>\n The work listed on the permits is for installing prefabricated buildings. What\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Once permanent launch sites are set up at all three of these locations, perhaps we can see more regular fireworks displays at the park.<\/p>\n Approximate locations for two prefab structures<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Expansion space located left of Super Nintendo World, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n The Burning Blade Tavern\u2019s burning blades have been temporarily removed for maintenance.<\/p>\n Burning Blade Tavern missing blades, Photo: @Mrfurious32821<\/a><\/p>\n Signs have been added to the Sand Lake Rd facing side of the large tech services and food & beverage warehouses backstage at Epic Universe.<\/p>\n New signs along Sand Lake Rd., Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n New signs along Sand Lake Rd., Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n New signs at Universal Orlando entrance, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n \n Holiday decor in Celestial Park, Photo: Orlando Informer<\/a><\/p>\n Holidays Have Arrived at Epic Universe<\/p>\n We can now find decor all throughout Celestial Park, including these cheese graters in the shape of bells along the garland at Pizza Moon.<\/p>\n Decor at Pizza Moon, Photo: ParkTwister<\/a><\/p>\n Holiday decor has also been added throughout the Wizarding World, including along the entrance facade for the Battle at the Ministry ride.<\/p>\n Decor at Battle at the Ministry entrance, Photo: Universal Orlando Resort<\/p>\n Plus, it\u2019s Snoggletog in How to Train Your Dragon \u2013 Isle of Berk, with some decor up in the land\u2019s retail locations.<\/p>\n Snoggletog decorations, Photo: Orlando Informer<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Snoggletog Harvest Cone, Photo: Orlando Informer<\/a><\/p>\n \n Footings being poured for new attraction, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n Rip Ride Rockit Replacement Update<\/p>\n Before we go, let\u2019s check in at Universal Studios Florida, where the new roller coaster replacing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is seeing tremendous progress daily.<\/p>\n Recently poured footings, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n The footings for this new roller coaster attraction are being poured now, on the side of the layout closest to CityWalk.<\/p>\n New wall along water\u2019s edge, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit completely removed, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Remaining murals and signs, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n Prep work for the new coaster\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Future coaster station location, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n The new coaster\u2019s maintenance building is further along, with footings for maintenance tracks in place and the first steps for foundation work happening now.<\/p>\n Maintenance building construction, Photo: @Bioreconstruct<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The overlay graphic below from Scott Walker<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Graphic overlay by Scott Walker<\/a><\/p>\n That\u2019s 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<\/a> of this story for additional visuals. Big thanks to Bioreconstruct<\/a> for sharing all of the aerial photos and more seen in this story.<\/p>\n Subscribe to the news feed<\/a> or enter your email address below to never miss an update. Official Art: Universal Destinations & Experiences | Aerial Photos: Bioreconstruct<\/a> | Permit Documents: fasttrack.ocfl.net | Additional Photos & Graphics: Alicia Stella<\/a> | Other Images as Captioned<\/p>\n \nSubscribe to Receive Email Updates\n<\/p>\n \n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A new permit may be for Epic Universe\u2019s first new ride expansion since opening. Possibly located within a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":46828,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[30543,30544,30545,2405,30546,1127,30541,30547,6113,30548,10745,30549,30550,30551,5231,6117,30552,30553,30554,30555,29261,139,141,140,5202,30556,30557,30558,5203,30542,30559,2749,30560,6114,1045,30561],"class_list":["post-46827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-orlando","tag-4th-gate","tag-4th-park","tag-alicia-stella","tag-attractions","tag-celestial-park","tag-construction","tag-construction-updates","tag-dark-universe","tag-epic-universe","tag-epic-universe-rumors","tag-expansion","tag-flying-broomstick","tag-hollywood-rip-ride-rockit","tag-how-to-train-your-dragon","tag-main","tag-ministry-of-magic","tag-new-coaster","tag-new-harry-potter-land","tag-new-harry-potter-ride","tag-new-rides","tag-new-theme-park","tag-orlando","tag-orlando-headlines","tag-orlando-news","tag-permits","tag-phase-2","tag-project-915","tag-rumors","tag-theme-park-news","tag-theme-park-rumors","tag-universal-monsters","tag-universal-orlando-resort","tag-universal-s-epic-universe","tag-universal-studios-florida","tag-video","tag-wizarding-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46827","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=46827"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46827\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/iRH95Pm9-wide-small-1024x683.jpg\")
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