What's inside the world's largest and most expensive Universal theme park?

With an area of ​​over 300 hectares, Epic Universe is considered one of the largest Universal theme parks in the world, with an estimated construction cost of up to 7.7 billion USD (about 200,000 billion VND).

With so much interest in Universal's new park, industry experts are waiting for Disney's response - Photo: Epic Universe

This is also the first major theme park to open in central Florida (USA) in 26 years, according to CNN.

The most expensive park in the world

Epic Universe is the third and newest theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, scheduled to open on May 22. Universal has not yet commented on the cost of building the place.

The park's vast footprint includes both guest areas and backstage areas for employees, according to Dennis Speigel, owner and founder of consulting firm International Theme Park Services.

“I’ve seen them all,” Speigel said of theme parks around the world. And Epic Universe, he said, is “absolutely amazing.”

Universal used the most advanced technology available, combined with intentional design, to create the feeling that visitors were truly entering a magical space, completely separate from the outside world.

Representatives from Universal said they have filed patents for experiences at Epic Universe, including special effects animation, ride design and robotics technology.

From the center of the park, visitors can choose to walk through four gates. Each gate will take them to a different world, with various themes that have appeared in films such as Harry Potter. , How to Train Your Dragon, Fantastic Beasts …

Epic Universe is the third and newest theme park of Universal Orlando Resort - Photo: Epic Universe

Disney meets formidable rival

With so much interest in Universal's new park, industry experts are waiting to see how Disney responds.

"Disney and Universal are in the biggest 'fight' ever. It's a tense battle," Speigel said.

"I believe that within the next 12 to 16 months, Disney will have to announce a fifth theme park, because it is necessary."

Disney - still the leading name in the theme park industry - now has four theme parks at the Walt Disney World resort in central Florida, the newest of which opened in 1998.

Currently, the company has only announced new theme areas and rides in existing parks, with no plans to open new parks.

“Will Epic Universe destroy Disney? Absolutely not. But will it weaken their position? Yes,” Speigel said.

Representatives from Universal said they have filed patents for experiences at Epic Universe - Photo: Epic Universe

Universal started ramping up in 2010 when it opened its first Harry Potter-themed area at its second park in Orlando - Islands of Adventure.

Speigel said Universal Orlando Resort recorded a 36% increase in attendance the following year — the largest increase he had ever seen in the history of the park industry.

He predicts 2025 will be the year when all parks will have to slash prices dramatically, not only to compete with Epic Universe, but also to deal with the economic downturn. Additionally, Epic Universe will have at least 6 million visitors in its first year, he said.

Visitors will set foot in many different worlds, with many themes that have appeared in movies such as Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Fantastic Beasts - Photo: The New York Times

Like many other amusement parks, Universal applies flexible ticket pricing - Video : CNN

Epic Universe is said to be one of the largest theme parks in the world - Video: CNN

Flexible fares

Like many other theme parks, Universal employs a flexible ticket pricing model that changes depending on the season and expected crowd levels.

One-day tickets start at $139 for adults and $134 for children aged 3 to 9.

The most expensive one-day ticket costs up to 199 USD (about 5.1 million VND) for adults and 194 USD (about 5 million VND) for children during the holiday season in late December.

Disney's Magic Kingdom — the world's most visited theme park — also had a price cap of $199 during the same period.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/co-gi-trong-cong-vien-giai-tri-universal-lon-nhat-va-dat-do-nhat-the-gioi-20250410080158759.htm