The Epic Shake-Up: What Universal’s New Theme Park Could Mean for Walt Disney World

After years of anticipation, speculation, and some truly wild fan theories, Epic Universe is finally here.

Universal’s long-awaited third theme park in Orlando soft-opened earlier this year, drawing crowds of die-hard fans, YouTubers, bloggers and curious locals eager to explore every corner of this jaw-dropping new addition to the theme park landscape. And if, like me, you’ve spent the past few weeks glued to YouTube watching walkthroughs, ride POVs, snack tastings, and hotel reviews, you’ll probably feel like you’ve already explored every inch of the place from the comfort of your own sofa.

But beyond the dazzling visuals and the cutting-edge attractions, there’s a much bigger question buzzing around the theme park world: What does Epic Universe mean for the future of Walt Disney World?

Let’s take a look at the potential ripple effects, both short and long-term, and whether Disney should be nervous, inspired, or just carry on as usual.

Epic Universe Is a Game-Changer – There’s No Doubt About That

First, let’s acknowledge the obvious: Epic Universe is unlike anything Universal has done before. This isn’t just “another gate” — it’s a total reinvention of what a theme park can be.

From the sprawling Celestial Park entrance area to the intensely themed worlds of Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon, Dark Universe, and The Wizarding World: Ministry of Magic, this park is built on immersion. Each land is accessed through a portal, making the transitions feel theatrical and intentional. It’s all designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a different universe, not just another new ride.

And it’s not just the rides that are turning heads. The food is themed to the lands. The tech, from facial recognition park entry to interactivity built into the environment, feels futuristic. And the hotel being integrated directly into the theme park itself? That’s an Orlando first.

It’s bold. It’s polished. And it’s sending a very clear message: Universal is here to compete.

Should Disney Be Worried?

Well… it depends on how you define “worried”.

Disney still has four parks, decades of brand loyalty, and the kind of multi-generational emotional connection that’s really hard to match. For many tourists, Walt Disney World is the reason they come to Orlando. Cinderella Castle, not Bowser’s Castle, is still the poster child of Florida tourism.

But what Epic Universe does very cleverly is position Universal as more than just an add-on to a Disney trip.

In the past, many guests would plan a week at Walt Disney World and maybe pop over to Universal for a day or two, often just to see Harry Potter. But with this new park, two existing gates down the road at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, plus Volcano Bay, a number of resorts, and CityWalk nightlife, Universal is making a strong case for a standalone holiday.

That’s new, and it’s different. And yes, Disney should absolutely be paying attention.

The Disney Response (So Far…)

Contrary to some commentary online, Disney hasn’t exactly been resting on its laurels while Epic Universe stole the spotlight. In fact, across its four parks, Walt Disney World is undertaking one of its most wide-reaching slates of updates in years.

At Magic Kingdom, all eyes are on the upcoming Villains Land, an idea that’s long existed in the minds of fans and finally seems to be materialising. Giving iconic characters like Maleficent, Ursula, and Hades their own immersive area could be a massive win for Disney, and if done right, it could rival the energy and theming seen in Epic Universe’s critically acclaimed Dark Universe.

But perhaps the most controversial change is the planned removal of Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America to make way for a Pixar Cars-themed attraction – Piston Peak – its name recently announced. Although I’ve never been a huge lover of the franchise myself, on paper Cars is a strong, family-friendly IP with global recognition. The Radiator Springs Racers ride at Disney California Adventure is beloved for good reason, it’s fast, charming, and visually stunning.

However, in Orlando, replacing Rivers of America raises eyebrows. Not because Cars isn’t worthy, but because of what’s being lost in the process. Rivers of America isn’t just a body of water, it’s a foundational piece of Magic Kingdom’s layout and storytelling, linking Liberty Square, Frontierland, and the heritage of classic Disney park design. It’s atmospheric, iconic, and rooted in Walt’s original concept for Disneyland itself.

To remove it in favour of a newer IP feels, to some, like a shift away from preservation in favour of popularity. For many Disney fans, that’s hard to swallow. It’s a reminder that even legacy spaces aren’t safe from IP expansion.

That said, if the Piston Peak attraction delivers a Radiator Springs-level experience with immersive environments, clever storytelling, and true family appeal, it could still be a crowd-pleaser. But Disney needs to handle it with care. Thematic integrity, smart transitions between lands, and respect for the park’s original layout will be key to keeping long-time fans on side.

Over at Animal Kingdom, the upcoming Tropical Americas land will bring vibrant new landscapes inspired by Central and South America, alongside new Encanto and Indiana Jones-inspired experiences. This is much-needed after the closure of DinoLand U.S.A. and should add energy and cohesion to what’s long been the park’s most disjointed area.

Hollywood Studios is also preparing for its own expansion, with a Monsters, Inc. attraction about to break ground. This is an addition that could give the park a bit more variety beyond the current mix of Star Wars and Toy Story areas. This new attraction, whilst yet to be built, has also whipped up a bit of a frenzy amongst die-hard Disney fans, as its installation marks the removal of the beloved MuppetVision 3D attraction. Walt Disney World is currently advertising a 7th June closure which will signal the removal of the final production directed by Jim Henson and the last film to feature his voice as Kermit the Frog.

And then there’s EPCOT, where the revitalised Test Track is about to reopen, joining other recent additions like Moana: Journey of Water, the reimagined central plaza, and new nighttime spectaculars. The work here is well needed, but EPCOT’s revamp has been so slow-moving and hasn’t captured the same buzz that Epic Universe has.

So yes, Disney is building. But it’s happening park-by-park, spread across different timelines, and with varying levels of fan consensus. But there’s no confirmed fifth gate and certainly no sign of a brand-new, fully immersive land on the scale of Orlando’s newest theme park that arrived all at once; cohesive, confident, and unapologetically bold.

Which begs the question: is Disney’s current expansion strategy exciting enough in this new era of competition? Or does the company need to go bigger, faster, and bolder to retain the spotlight in Orlando’s theme park wars?

What About Tourists? Will They Choose Universal Over Disney?

It’s easy to assume that everyone travels to Orlando for Walt Disney World and to a large extent, that’s still true. Disney has the brand power; the movies, the characters and the nostalgia. And let’s not forget, it was Walt’s Florida Project that transformed Orlando from a quiet patch of swamp into one of the most-visited holiday destinations on the planet!

Walt Disney World set the blueprint for modern themed entertainment, not just with its parks, but with the entire idea of a holiday resort. Monorails, themed hotels, lakefront views, and a storytelling-first approach that shaped how guests experience their entire holiday, not just the rides. It’s often referred to as the ‘Disney bubble’, the feeling of total immersion in a Disney holiday experience, where guests feel completely separated from the outside world and surrounded by magic.

But Universal’s edge is growing sharper, particularly with certain groups:

Teenagers and adults: Universal is often seen as “cooler,” darker, more thrill-focused. Rides like VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s, and now Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness are huge draws.

Gamers and pop culture fans: Super Nintendo World is the kind of IP-driven experience that’s been missing from Disney’s newer additions. It’s not just for kids, it’s also pure joy for adults who grew up with these franchises.

Repeat visitors: Families who’ve “done Disney” may now be looking for something new — and Epic Universe is very new.

In other words, more and more tourists are now travelling to Orlando for Universal and no longer just squeezing it in around a Disney trip. That’s a notable shift in the tourism ecosystem.

But I’m not convinced it’s a clean sweep. Because while Epic Universe is grabbing headlines, there’s still a lot of work to be done at Universal’s existing parks.

Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure have standout attractions, but it’s apparent that many areas of these parks are ageing. Some sections feel disjointed, lacking the thematic cohesion that Disney’s parks maintain even after decades. If I compare it to my visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, the overall guest experience, particularly in terms of entertainment, crowd flow, and family appeal, can be hit or miss, and this is even more noticeable when running alongside Universal’s shiny-new attraction.

Disney, meanwhile, is investing heavily in resort-wide upgrades. A broad programme is underway to refresh its on-property accommodations from updated theming at value resorts to elegant refurbishments at deluxe properties. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, where the going rate can be around £800 per night, has seen a complete refresh of its room stock, restaurant and retail offerings, and is currently undergoing a complete renovation of it’s lobby, with the addition of a Victorian era-inspired lobby bar due to open towards the end of 2025. The result is a level of immersion that extends far beyond the theme park gates.

For many families, staying at a Disney resort is an essential part of the experience: the pool parties, the character breakfasts, the background music, the transportation systems. You’re in the story from the moment you wake up.

The city has long been the theme park capital of the world. With Disney and Universal pushing each other to innovate, guests win. Both companies bring something different to the table. Disney is about heart, storytelling, nostalgia. Universal is about adrenaline, immersion, edge.

And for many travellers, it’s not about choosing one over the other, it’s about doing both.

The real question is whether Disney will feel pressured to elevate its game. Not because it’s failing, but because the bar has now been raised. If Universal is building fully immersive portals to new worlds, how does Disney take us to infinity and beyond?

Final Thoughts

Epic Universe is already making waves, not just because of what it is, but because of what it represents. A bold new chapter for Universal, a shift in the Orlando theme park landscape.Epic is a reminder that creativity, risk-taking, and next-level theming still have the power to surprise even the most seasoned fans.

Whether you’re a die-hard Disney devotee, a Universal thrill-seeker, or someone who just loves themed entertainment done right, one thing is clear:

The future of Orlando theme parks has never looked more exciting.