New Epic Universe details: drones, electric buses, and bringing the park back into theme parks

Epic Technology

Describing Epic Universe as the company’s “most technologically-advanced park we’ve ever done,” Woodbury confirmed the use of facial recognition and photo validation technology, which has already been tested at Universal Orlando Resort, and according to Woodbury, will create a “very frictionless experience throughout your visit” at all the resort’s properties.

In speaking about the new technology he said. “And that speaks to both the attractions themselves, the next generation of robotics and drone technology, all the way through to the guest experience. The full guest journey is really being taken to a whole new level.”

Epic Experiences

Of Epic Universe’s four themed lands – all based on “powerful, trip-driving intellectual property” – the only one Universal has official confirmed is Super Nintendo World, which will have a “bigger footprint” than its counterparts in California and Japan.

However, based on aerial photos from @biorecontruct on X, we know the other three lands will be themed to “How to Train Your Dragon,” The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (most likely featuring “Fantastic Beasts“), and Universal Monsters.

The themed lands will be anchored by a lush landscaped hub featuring attractions and food service, which Woodbury said, will “bring the park back into theme parks.” He added “the physical makeup of the park is unique and different than anything we’ve done, and anything anybody else has done. So from an experiential standpoint, it’ll be a totally unique experience.”

Epic Vacations

Universal’s overall strategy is to extend the amount of time guests spend at Universal Orlando Resort, with the combination of Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk providing more than enough motivation for guests to stay for a week (or even longer).

To accommodate all those guests, Universal is adding 2,000 hotel rooms to the new Epic Universe “campus” (bringing the total to 11,000 hotel rooms when Epic Universe opens), plus, Woodbury said, a fleet of electric buses will travel down a center medan between the current theme parks and hotels to the newly-developed area, making it possible for guests to stay in either location and easily visit all four parks. He said the bus ride will take approximately 12 minutes. “By comparison to the competition, that’s maybe a third of a typical journey.”

New electric buses were also recently added to the World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood:

So when will we get more official details about all of the new lands at Epic Universe? Woodbury mentioned how international travel starts booking in the third quarter of 2024 for 2025, when Epic is supposed to open, so around then, “You’ll start to see and hear a lot about how we prioritize Epic across all the platforms of Comcast and NBC.”