Epic Universe Economic Impact: Universal’s Theme Park to Generate Billions for Florida

Published on April 18, 2025

Universal’s ambitious new Epic Universe theme park is poised to deliver a massive economic impact for Florida when it opens its doors on May 22, marking the first major theme park addition to the Orlando area in 25 years. According to research from the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting, the Epic Universe economic impact is projected to reach approximately $2 billion for the state of Florida in its first year of operation alone, representing one of the most significant boosts to the region’s tourism sector in decades.

Epic Universe: A Billion-Dollar Economic Boost

As the largest of all Universal properties at 750 acres, the Epic Universe economic impact has already begun to materialize even before its official opening. Research conducted by Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting, reveals that Universal’s direct investment in Epic Universe has generated an $11 billion economic impact nationwide through construction expenditures, operational costs, and new employee hiring.

The significance of this development extends well beyond Universal’s own business interests. Tourism has long been central Florida’s economic engine, with more than 74 million visitors to Orlando in 2023 contributing approximately 50% of the total sales tax collected in Orange County. The addition of Epic Universe is expected to substantially increase these numbers, creating a ripple effect throughout the local economy.

Five Immersive Worlds in Orlando’s Newest Attraction

The Epic Universe economic impact is directly tied to the park’s ambitious scope and unique offerings. The theme park features five distinct themed worlds, each designed to create immersive experiences that will draw visitors from around the globe:

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: Expanding on the immensely popular Harry Potter franchise with new environments and attractions
• Super Nintendo World: Bringing beloved Nintendo characters and games to life in an interactive setting
• How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: An immersive recreation of the animated film franchise’s Viking world
• Celestial Park: A cosmic-themed area serving as the central hub of the park
• Dark Universe: A realm inspired by Universal’s classic monster films, including Frankenstein

Performers in the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk area, one of five themed worlds contributing to the Epic Universe economic impact. (Image: Bloomberg/Getty Images)

These diverse themed environments are designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences, potentially extending visitors’ stays in Orlando and maximizing the Epic Universe economic impact on the region. The park will join Universal Orlando’s existing attractions – Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and Volcano Bay water park – creating a more comprehensive destination that can compete more effectively with nearby Walt Disney World.

Massive Job Creation and Employment Impact

One of the most significant aspects of the Epic Universe economic impact is job creation. According to the UCF study commissioned by Universal, the construction phase alone created approximately 65,000 jobs. Looking ahead, Epic Universe is projected to generate more than 17,500 new jobs across the country in its first year of operation.

The scope of employment opportunities extends far beyond typical theme park roles. Universal Orlando generated 94,000 jobs across the country in 2023, including specialized positions for engineers, software specialists, artists, architects, and set designers. This diversity of employment helps strengthen Florida’s labor market, which is already performing well.

Transformative Effect on Orlando Tourism

The Epic Universe economic impact extends beyond direct spending at the park itself. As visitors flock to experience the new attraction, they’ll require accommodation, transportation, dining, and shopping opportunities, creating a multiplier effect throughout the region’s economy.

Industry experts note that the development is already transforming the surrounding area. “You see the zone around Epic Universe actually boosting since that construction,” said Jakob Wahl, CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. “You see new infrastructure. You see new housing. You see new hotels being built. You see new restaurants being built. It’s a boost for the whole area.”

The Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride in the Dark Universe area, one of many attractions expected to drive visitor numbers and enhance the Epic Universe economic impact. (Image: Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Perhaps counterintuitively, the Epic Universe economic impact is expected to benefit even Universal’s competitors, including Walt Disney World. Industry experts suggest that by making Orlando an even more compelling destination, all attractions in the area are likely to see increased visitation.

Unprecedented Investment Scale

The Epic Universe economic impact is built on an unprecedented financial foundation. First announced in 2019, the park represents the largest single investment Universal’s parent company Comcast has ever made in its theme parks business and in Florida overall. While the exact figure has not been officially disclosed, industry estimates place the investment at approximately $7 billion.

This massive capital expenditure reflects Comcast’s confidence in the long-term viability of theme park tourism and the strategic importance of establishing a stronger presence in Orlando’s competitive landscape. The investment goes beyond the initial construction, with ongoing operational expenses, marketing, and future expansions likely to continue driving economic activity in the region.

According to the UCF study, Universal Orlando generated $44 billion in economic impact between 2019 and 2023. The addition of Epic Universe is expected to significantly increase this contribution in the coming years, further cementing Universal’s role as a major economic engine for Florida.

Competitive Landscape and Industry Impact

The opening of Epic Universe represents a significant shift in Orlando’s theme park competitive landscape, with potential implications for the broader industry. As the first major theme park addition to the area in 25 years, it challenges the status quo and may spark a new era of development and innovation.

Industry experts point to historical precedents that suggest the Epic Universe economic impact will benefit even direct competitors. “When Disneyland Paris opened in ’92, there were concerns from the theme parks around Paris,” said Jakob Wahl. “But the opposite actually happened. They increased their audience. And that is something which is likely to happen also in Orlando because it strengthens the destination.”

The competitive dynamic may also drive further investment from other theme park operators seeking to maintain their market share. This cycle of competition-driven innovation and expansion could further amplify the long-term Epic Universe economic impact beyond direct revenues and employment figures.

Future Economic Outlook and Extended Benefits

Looking ahead, the full Epic Universe economic impact is likely to unfold over many years. As the park establishes itself in the market and potentially expands with new attractions, the economic benefits could grow beyond current projections.

Visit Orlando’s CEO Casandra Matej emphasized the cumulative effect of extended stays: “What we do know is every day that someone extends their stay, that is millions of dollars worth of economic impact for our community.” With Epic Universe giving visitors a compelling reason to spend additional time in Orlando, these extended stays could generate substantial ongoing economic activity.

As Epic Universe opens its doors on May 22, 2025, it marks not just a new chapter for Universal but a significant economic milestone for Florida. The projected $2 billion first-year economic impact and 17,500 new jobs represent just the beginning of what could be a transformative development for the region’s economy for decades to come.

Published on April 18, 2025 | Updated on April 18, 2025

Disclosure: Comcast owns NBCUniversal, the parent company of CNBC, from which some information in this article was sourced.