ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — An epic journey awaits at Epic Universe, Common Orlando Resort’s new theme park set to open on Thursday.
It’s the firm’s fourth theme park, becoming a member of Common Studios, Islands of Journey and Volcano Bay.
“Right here at Common’s Epic Universe, we made a acutely aware effort to raise our leisure program,” stated Kathrynn DiGenova, senior present producer for Common Artistic. “With Epic Universe, we’ve determined to actually elevate the sport of what we are able to do technologically with our leisure simply in addition to our rides and different points of interest.”
Epic Universe consists of 5 distinct worlds: Celestial Park, How To Prepare Your Dragon Isle of Berk, Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic, Darkish Universe and Tremendous Nintendo World.
The park consists of 11 points of interest, eating, retailers, interactive experiences and two authentic exhibits.
“The exhibits, in fact, have a number of totally different components of particular results, puppetry they usually all come collectively in a very distinctive and theatrical expertise,” stated DiGenova.
“Epic Universe is a sport changer,” stated Christian Rogers, assistant dean at Purdue Polytechnic Institute who teaches themed leisure and immersive design.
Rogers stated the theme park makes use of state-of-the-art drone and animatronic know-how.
“The corporate I do know created these did an unbelievable job including the true life, the realism to animatronics that you just sometimes should not have. We’re simply seeing increasingly more enchancment in that space,” stated Rogers.
Enterprise specialists anticipate Epic Universe to draw hundreds of thousands of tourists to the central Florida space.
“Now you can spend not simply a few days at Common however doubtlessly per week,” stated Richard Lewin, professor of worldwide enterprise and finance at Rollins School. “From an financial standpoint, it provides great worth to the native space.”
Lewin stated whereas Epic Universe could result in Common Orlando Resort attracting a better share of tourists, the quantity of individuals interested by visiting Orlando theme parks can be getting bigger.
“Competitors is wholesome. It forces every park to reevaluate and attempt to seize a bigger share of that pie. Disney’s going to need to improve its parks to some extent,” stated Lewin.
“I feel typically when folks assume competitors, they’re like ‘oh one’s gonna diminish’ ‘oh Disney’s gonna go away.’ No, Disney’s not going to go away. Disney’s going to up their ante as a result of they’re gonna need to,” stated Rogers. “It’s going to be good. It’s going to be good for the trade total and it’s going to be nice for the visitors.”
Epic Universe opens Might 22.
