Though Walt Disney World has almost two dozen projects in the works, many of them at Epcot, its Orlando neighbor is also cooking up some big things to bring guests to the resort in the next few years, including a new show that will be opening next year and more! If you are a Universal fan, here’s everything you need to know about what’s coming next to the resort!
1. The Bourne Stuntacular (Spring 2020)
Image: Universal
Terminator 2: 3D closed forever back in 2017, and while it has been two years since this attraction shuttered its doors forever, and now we finally know more about what is going to eventually be housed in this massive theater space.
Universal officially confirmed earlier this year that new stunt show The Bourne Stuntacular is currently in development, and will be debuting next spring. This new live-action stunt show, will debut at Universal Studios Florida next year, and will feature chase scenes, fistfights, death-defying leaps and more with live performers, high-tech props, and a giant LED screen.
Guests visiting Universal Studios Resort can already see a brand new marquee for this show in front of where it will debut next year, and rehearsals are ongoing as performers and technicians get everything ready for this upcoming new show!
2. Jurassic World “Velocicoaster” raptor roller coaster (2021)
Image: Universal/ Legendary
Last year a demolition permit filed with the city of Orlando for “Project 791” for a 1.36-acre area. of the park. Like all permits, this one was pretty vague, specifying that a new attraction was planned for the area, with demolition and construction taking approximately 1 1/2 years. And though no hard details were provided at the time, in recent months construction has ramped up around the Jurassic Park area of Islands of Adventure that seem to re-confirm that a new attraction is indeed being built in this area. And thanks to some well-placed rumors, we have some idea about what this new attraction is going to be.
According to several reports, this area will be home to a new Jurassic-themed multi-launch roller coaster with twists and turns and a top hat element, loosely themed to the raptors seen in the Jurassic World series. And though we don’t know many specifics about it right now, with the rate construction in this area is going (and Universal’s penchant for getting attractions done quickly), we’ll probably get an announcement sometime next year with an opening potentially as soon as 2021. Earlier this year, Universal also trademarked the name “Velocicoaster”, so this is probably what this roller coaster will be called when it is announced!
3. Universal’s Epic Universe & Super Nintendo World (TBA)
Image: Universal
Earlier this year Universal Orlando Resort confirmed that its newest theme park will be Universal’s Epic Universe. Universal describes this new park as one that will introduce an “entirely new level of experience that forever changes theme park entertainment”.
“Our new park represents the single-largest investment Comcast NBCUniversal has made in its theme park business and in Florida overall,” said Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation. “It reflects the tremendous excitement we have for the future of our theme park business and for our entire company’s future in Florida.”
Image: Universal
Though no IPs or attractions have been confirmed, we can see from the concept art above that this park will have dueling roller coasters, multiple indoor rides, and what looks like an outdoor performance stage. And while we originally thought that Super Nintendo World would be heading to Universal Studios Florida, rumors now indicate that this new land will actually be housed in this new theme park. This development was seemingly confirmed when Chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts Tom Williams said on a recent earnings call that there was nothing to share about the stateside version of Super Nintendo World right now, and he will not be able a timeframe for opening any time soon, which would make sense if this new land is heading to universal’s Epic Universe, which also doesn’t have an official opening timeframe.
4. Unnamed hotels and shopping district (TBA )
Image: Universal
Universal’s Epic Universe will be located on a 750-acre site south of Sand Lake Road and east of Universal Boulevard, and though the centerpiece of this new site will of course be the theme park, Universal has announced that Universal’s Epic Universe will be part of a larger complex, complete with entertainment district, restaurants, hotels and shops (similar to the existing CityWalk area).With this new addition, Universal Orlando Resort will double its current size,even though the location is several miles away from the current Universal Orlando Resort theme park complex.