Flying dragons and omnidirectional elevators: Inside Epic Universe, one of the largest, most expensive theme parks ever made

CNN - Apr 7th, 2025
Open on CNN

Universal Orlando Resort has opened its third theme park, Epic Universe, on May 22, marking the first major theme park debut in central Florida in 26 years. Spanning 750 acres, it is believed to be the largest theme park in the world, with an estimated cost of $7.7 billion. The park features cutting-edge technology and design, immersing guests in fantastical worlds, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon's Isle of Berk, and the video games of Nintendo. Key attractions include Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter: Battle at the Ministry, with advanced technology and unique ride experiences.

The opening of Epic Universe signifies a major development in the theme park industry and intensifies the competition between Universal and Disney. Industry experts anticipate that Disney may respond by announcing a new theme park, as Universal's new attraction could shift visitor dynamics in Orlando. Universal's strategic expansion began with the success of its Harry Potter-themed area in 2010, leading to a significant increase in attendance. The new park's competitive pricing strategy and novel attractions are expected to draw millions of visitors and impact tourism patterns in Florida, potentially altering how families allocate their vacation time between Universal and Disney parks.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of Universal's Epic Universe, highlighting its innovative features and potential impact on the theme park industry. It is well-structured and engaging, offering insights into the park's attractions and competitive dynamics with Disney. However, the article could benefit from more critical analysis of potential challenges and broader implications, such as environmental and economic impacts. The reliance on speculative claims about cost and attendance figures slightly detracts from its accuracy. Overall, the article effectively captures the excitement surrounding the park's opening while providing valuable information for potential visitors and industry observers.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story is largely accurate in its depiction of Universal's Epic Universe theme park, citing specific details about the park's layout, themed areas, and attractions. The opening date of May 22 is consistent with available sources, and the description of the park's themed areas aligns with known information. However, the estimated cost of $7.7 billion mentioned by Dennis Speigel is not confirmed by Universal, indicating a slight discrepancy in verifiability. Additionally, predictions about the park's impact on Disney and attendance figures are speculative and would require further data for confirmation.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of Universal's new theme park, highlighting both the innovative aspects and potential market impact. It includes perspectives from industry experts and fans, offering a range of viewpoints on the park's significance. However, the focus is primarily on the positive aspects, with limited discussion on potential challenges or criticisms. The article could benefit from a more critical examination of the park's environmental impact or economic implications for the local community.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, engaging language to describe the theme park's features and attractions. The logical flow from one themed area to another helps readers understand the park's layout and offerings. The tone is neutral yet enthusiastic, effectively conveying the excitement surrounding the park's opening. However, the inclusion of more technical details about the rides and technology could improve clarity for readers unfamiliar with theme park innovations.

7
Source quality

The article references industry experts like Dennis Speigel and Alicia Stella, who provide credible insights into the theme park industry. However, the reliance on a single source for the cost estimation could affect the reliability of that specific claim. The inclusion of unnamed 'guests' and 'Universal officials' as sources lacks transparency and could impact the perceived credibility of the information provided.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the park's features and potential impact, but it lacks detailed explanation of the methodology behind certain claims, such as the cost estimation and projected attendance figures. The absence of explicit source attribution for some statements, like the park's technological innovations, reduces transparency. Providing more information on how these figures and claims were derived would enhance the article's transparency.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Epic_Universe
  2. https://blooloop.com/theme-park/in-depth/universal-epic-universe/
  3. https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/heres-everything-you-need-know-about-universals-newest-theme-park-epic-universe
  4. https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/epic-universe/
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4u83ncMjuE