A newly filed permit could be an early indication that Universal Orlando Resort is moving forward with plans for Epic Universe’s first expansion. A permit filed with the county indicates that Universal is seeking approval for early site development of a massive plot of land. Here’s a look at the permit, along with what it could mean for the future of Epic Universe.
Permit Hints at First Epic Universe Expansion Project
This past Friday, Universal submitted a permit for “site utilities and foundation work” for an address resolving to its Epic Universe theme park. Interestingly, the permit lists a project scope of 150,000 square feet.
While there are a number of expansion pads within Epic Universe, none is more interesting than the expansion pad for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
As seen in the aerial photo from friend of the site Bioreconstruct, there is a nice plot of land right behind the current footprint of the Harry Potter-themed portal at Epic Universe. The expansion pad is neatly bounded by a backstage roadway on two sites, and existing buildings and themed facades on the other two sides.
Where things start to get interesting is when we measure the expansion pad. While the imagery is a little bit out of date, we can see that the area is some 165,000 square feet, give or take. That should be enough room to house a 150,000 square foot construction project.
As for what could be coming, that’s anyone’s guess at this point. We’ve heard some rumors as to what could be on the way, but it’s too early to say. We’d expect that whatever is next is just as immersive and thrilling as the existing Battle at the Ministry attraction.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is a stunning example of how Universal is creating world-class, highly immersive experiences at Epic Universe. While the attraction itself is wonderful and contains some of the best Audio-Animatronics I’ve ever seen (Disney included), Universal continues to receive high praise for the queue, which contains a faithful recreation of the British Ministry of Magic atrium.
In terms of where we’d expect this expansion to attach to the existing Harry Potter land, there is a wonderfully themed dead end on the east side of the current guest-accessible spaces that seems custom-built for expansion.
This area felt so ripe for future development that we spent a little bit of time snapping some photos of the area during a particularly quiet morning and late at night, showcasing the area that is mostly facades at this stage.
Of particular interest is this facade with a plaque mentioning the French Ministry of Magic. It seems like this would serve as a wonderful entrance to a future attraction.
If we go back to the recent aerial photo of the area, we can see that there is nothing behind this facade currently, and that it is immediately adjacent to the expansion plot for the Harry Potter land at Epic Universe.
Here’s one final look at the area late at night.
As much as this “makes sense” to me, it’s entirely possible that this permit is referencing something else completely. While I have heard that there are plans to expand the Harry Potter area, and the expansion plot is clear as day, this particular permit could be for a different expansion at Epic Universe.
At the end of the day, I think the takeaway is that Universal is certainly planning on expanding Epic Universe, and that’s a win for guests and fans of theme parks.
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Please no more Wizarding World. I say this as a Potter die hard. Universal screwed themselves by changing the theme halfway through development. Unless they want to somehow completely remove BATM and transplant it to the Fear Factor arena, I hope “MOM” (terrible name for a land) is the last portal to ever see any expansion.
Maybe. Just maybe. Universal could build something that’s not directly tied to their existing IP. Maybe they could build something unique. Something for which the story is original.
What over the past 35 years has given you any indication that Universal would ever create something unrelated to an IP?
Well, there WAS supposed to be a French Ministry of Magic ride, and you can clearly see the entrance, what looks like a ride exit, and a possible stroller parking area right next to the window advertising strollers, so……