Universal confirms Epic Universe expansion months after revising statement
Universal Orlando has officially confirmed plans to expand Epic Universe with a new indoor roller coaster in Dark Universe, nearly nine months after NBCUniversal revised an earlier statement describing the theme park as “expanding.”
Universal mentioned plans of “expanding” Epic Universe on Feb. 18, 2026, in an article on the corporation’s official website celebrating the 100th anniversary of NBCUniversal.
The full quote previously stated (bold emphasis ours):
NBCUniversal continues to scale immersive experiences as one of only two global media companies with a theme parks division. This includes expanding Universal Epic Universe, developing a new theme park in the United Kingdom — the company’s first in Europe— and introducing new formats including its first Universal Kids Resort and year-round horror experiences in Chicago and Las Vegas.
On Feb. 20, Universal reached out to Attractions Magazine to let us know the verbiage was a mistake, and that the article has been corrected. The phrasing has removed the word “expanding,” with it now saying (again, bold emphasis ours):
NBCUniversal continues to scale immersive experiences as one of only two global media companies with a theme parks division. This includes Universal Epic Universe, developing a new theme park in the United Kingdom — the company’s first in Europe— and introducing new formats including its first Universal Kids Resort and year-round horror experiences in Chicago and Las Vegas.
The original statement had been the first official mention from Universal that specifically used the word “expanding” to describe the future of Epic Universe. As it now stands, the company has not announced an Epic Universe expansion. However, high-level executives have occasionally mentioned future plans for the park.
Universal Orlando has officially confirmed an expansion of Epic Universe, nearly nine months after the company revised a statement that described its newest theme park as “expanding.”
Dark Universe indoor roller coaster confirmed
On Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, Universal announced that an all-new indoor roller coaster is coming to Dark Universe, featuring an original story inspired by the Universal Monsters franchise.
Construction is already underway, although Universal has not announced an opening date beyond saying the attraction will debut “in the years ahead.”
The announcement marks a notable development following Universal’s February 2026 clarification to Attractions Magazine that its earlier use of the word “expanding” was a mistake.
And the indoor roller coaster confirmation is a shift from the water ride many fans were theorizing about.
The history of the expansion
At the beginning of 2026, Mike Cavanagh, co-CEO of Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, said, “We’ve had a phenomenal year with Epic and I think the plans continue to invest behind that park in the fullness of time,” though he noted a primary goal for the park in 2026 is to operate at full capacity, which it currently isn’t.
Karen Irwin, president of Universal Orlando, said in March 2025 (two months prior to Epic Universe’s grand opening), “We have a slate of new attractions that we’re already developing for every one of our parks. We’re already planning for the next thing at Epic.”
Since those comments were made, Comcast announced plans to spin off NBCUniversal into a separate publicly traded company. Once completed, Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Kids Resort, would become part of the new independent NBCUniversal.
Possibilities for Epic Universe’s future
There’s plenty of land available adjacent to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe, though Universal hasn’t publicly shared any plans for future attractions there.
Meanwhile, “more monster stories” are waiting to be told in Darkmoor, as Pete Carsillo, senior creative director of Dark Universe, told us in an interview during Epic Universe’s grand opening celebrations in May 2025. “It doesn’t stop with what we see today,” Carsillo said at the time. “This is just the beginning.”
Photo by Blake Taylor
New May 22, 2026: We talked with Epic Universe Park President Jeff Polk about what’s next for the park in its second year.
Universal is also reportedly developing plans for “Wicked” attractions in its theme parks, though the exact nature and locations of potential projects remain under wraps.
As it currently stands, the five worlds of Universal Epic Universe are Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
Photo by Blake Taylor
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This article was originally published Feb. 20, 2026, and substantially updated Nov. 5, 2026, following Universal Orlando’s confirmation of a new indoor roller coaster at Dark Universe.
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Unfortunately Epic non news. Epic is expanding but no details or timeline.
Well my original comment was right on even before the Universal update. Non news