Universal Orlando Resort is experiencing its most ambitious expansion period in history, transforming the theme park landscape with groundbreaking universal studios new attractions that promise to redefine the entertainment experience for millions of visitors.
DreamWorks Land: The Newest Addition to Universal Studios Florida
Since opening in June 2024, DreamWorks Land has become a must-visit destination within Universal Studios Florida. This colorful themed area brings beloved animated characters to life through innovative attractions and immersive experiences.
The centerpiece attraction, Trolls Trollercoaster, offers a family-friendly adventure aboard the Caterbus as guests escape from evil spiders in a whimsical journey through the Trolls universe. The ride combines gentle thrills with stunning visuals, making it perfect for all ages.
Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp stands out as an innovative water and dry play zone themed after the Kung Fu Panda franchise. This interactive area allows guests to engage in martial arts-inspired activities while staying cool on hot Florida days.
Shrek’s Swamp Meet provides an intimate character experience where visitors can interact with Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey in their swamp setting. This attraction represents Universal’s commitment to creating memorable character encounters that go beyond traditional meet-and-greets.
Epic Universe: The Game-Changing Fourth Theme Park
Opening May 22, 2025, Epic Universe represents Universal’s boldest venture yet. This entirely new theme park will feature five immersive lands, each offering unique attractions and experiences that push the boundaries of theme park technology.
Super Nintendo World
Nintendo fans will find paradise in this meticulously crafted land featuring Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an augmented reality-powered dark ride that lets guests race through iconic Nintendo landscapes. The land also includes Yoshi’s Adventure, a family-friendly omnimover attraction, and the thrilling Donkey Kong Country mine cart coaster.
Dark Universe
Classic movie monster enthusiasts will be drawn to Dark Universe, where Universal’s legendary creatures come to life. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Curse of the Werewolf spinning coaster promise spine-tingling thrills for horror fans.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
This new Harry Potter land expands the magical universe with Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, a cutting-edge dark ride, plus an original stage show inspired by Fantastic Beasts. The land spans both Paris and the British Ministry of Magic, offering unprecedented storytelling opportunities.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Dragon enthusiasts can experience Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a multi-launch coaster, alongside Dragon Racer’s Rally and the family-friendly Fyre Drill boat ride. This land captures the spirit of adventure from the beloved animated franchise.
Celestial Park
Serving as the park’s central hub, Celestial Park features the innovative Stardust Racers dual-track coaster, Constellation Carousel, and Astronomica water play area. This space-themed environment ties together all the other lands with its cosmic aesthetic.
New Hotels and Accommodations
Three new hotels will enhance the Epic Universe experience. Universal Stella Nova Resort opens January 21, 2025, featuring 750 rooms with a celestial theme. Universal Terra Luna Resort follows on March 25, 2025, with planetary-inspired design elements.
The crown jewel, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, opens alongside Epic Universe and offers direct park access with Mediterranean-inspired luxury accommodations. This hotel provides exclusive privileges for Epic Universe guests, including special entrance access.
CityWalk Expansions and Updates
Universal CityWalk is receiving significant upgrades, including an expanded Universal Studios Store featuring dedicated sections for Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. A new Butterbeer counter will satisfy Harry Potter fans’ cravings for the iconic beverage.
Ongoing Changes and Future Attractions
The resort continues evolving with the closure of Rip Ride Rockit in September 2025, sparking speculation about potential replacements, including rumors of a Ghostbusters-themed attraction. These changes demonstrate Universal’s commitment to refreshing its attraction lineup regularly.
Annual events like Halloween Horror Nights continue to evolve alongside the new attractions, running from August 29 through November 2, 2025, offering fresh scares in updated venues.
Planning Your Visit
Universal offers special three-day tickets for Epic Universe’s opening, along with early park admission benefits for multi-day ticket holders. Using crowd calendars helps visitors optimize their experience by avoiding peak attendance periods.
The resort’s rapid expansion establishes Universal Orlando as a leader in next-generation theme park entertainment, combining advanced technology with beloved intellectual properties to create unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.