In a brand new video forward of the grand opening of Epic Universe, Karen Irwin, President & COO of Common Orlando pitches their 3 theme parks, water park, leisure district, and accommodations as a vacation spot hotel. She additionally unearths that Common is already taking a look down the street, past Epic Universe at what’s subsequent in 2026 and past.
That is the newest in a line of new appearances aimed toward each producing pleasure about Common Orlando, and cementing it as an equivalent to Walt Disney Global worthy of holiday time, and no longer only a diversion. We’ll quilt that over the process this publish, however let’s get started with Irwin’s quote about Common Orlando’s long run enlargement plans:
“There are already such a lot of issues within the works now. We’ve a slate of latest points of interest that had been already in construction on for each and every one among our parks. We’re already making plans the following factor at Epic!”
This follows a contemporary piece within the New York Occasions, “Common’s Theme Parks, Lengthy in Disney’s Shadow, Extend at Dizzying Tempo.” The object is largely what the headline suggests, spelling out how Common goes after Disney with new parks in Florida and Texas. plus enlargement in other places and new points of interest at its current gates.
The fast model of the tale is that after Mark Woodbury become Common’s theme park leader in 2022, he noticed a good larger alternative to raise Common out of Disney’s shadow after the theme parks had change into a marvel enlargement engine for NBCUniversal. “How can we change into the vacation spot of selection in every of the markets that we perform in and in all the markets that we make a choice to extend into?” he mentioned all through an interview with NYT.
This isn’t hyperbole. Common is in the course of remarkable enlargement, even sooner than Epic Universe. The corporate opened every other fully-fledged theme park, Common Studios Beijing, only a few years in the past. Along with Epic Universe, the Florida complicated has debuted a number of accommodations and new points of interest lately.
Then there’s the impending Common Youngsters Lodge in Texas, new everlasting Halloween Horror Nights-style revel in in Las Vegas, and recently-opened Tremendous Nintendo Worlds in California and Osaka, Japan. Common additionally has plans for “Depraved” points of interest, enlargement in Hollywood, and a big park for Britain, too.
“We’re going to roll those out around the nation and the sector,” Woodbury instructed the NYT when describing the less expensive regional ideas slated for Las Vegas and Texas. With reference to Epic Universe, he hopes to opposite a longstanding trade dynamic with Walt Disney Global. Woodbury desires households to view the Common Orlando Lodge as a weeklong vacation spot and no longer only a one- or two-day add-on to a Disney holiday. “We wish other folks to consider us first,” he mentioned.
The transparent takeaway from fresh media is that NBCUniversal has top expectancies for Epic Universe, sees abundant alternatives for additional enlargement of its theme park trade, and can proceed to transport aggressively to seize extra marketplace proportion from Disney (one thing that has already came about within the closing decade).
Turning to statement, this sentiment doesn’t marvel me the least bit. Common management expressing this now additionally doesn’t imply it’ll occur. Such a lot hinges Epic Universe and the way neatly it’s gained upon opening. In particular, whether or not its first couple of seasons exceed investor expectancies or fall quick. No longer whether or not fanatics love it or if Common executives do a public victory lap, either one of which might be givens.
In some ways, the debut of Epic Universe jogs my memory of the hole of Celebrity Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Clearly, the dimensions and scope are larger–however so too are the stakes. Without reference to statements on the time through The Bobs, Celebrity Wars: Galaxy’s Edge fell wanting inside expectancies. There’s a explanation why we by no means heard every other phrase about Galaxy’s Edge coming to Paris, because it was once shelved sooner than COVID.
If you’ll be able to remember the fact that a ways again, it’s possible you’ll recall rumors that different tasks for Walt Disney Global had been already on skinny ice–or nixed fully–pre-COVID. Clearly, the closures exacerbated the whole thing and led to much more cancellations, nevertheless it’s no longer truly the purpose to relitigate the have an effect on of COVID on Disney’s enlargement. It’s that what Common is making plans as of late may finally end up being very other in line with how the primary yr is going with Epic Universe. I’m no longer suggesting a preemptive cutback–I’m pronouncing that the variability of results remains to be unknown. Ambitions might be scaled down…or ramped up. Each are imaginable!
Whether or not it in truth happens or no longer–and without reference to ambition ranges–enlargement and reimaginings want to occur at Common Orlando.
I’ve but to revel in it, so clearly I can’t discuss to the “want” for extra points of interest at Epic Universe. On paper, the experience roster does glance at the mild aspect to me, however that’s rather conventional of latest theme parks post-Euro Disneyland. The one fresh exception to this has been Shanghai Disneyland, which was once an anomaly.
Another way, the similar complaint might be levied at Hong Kong Disneyland, Animal Kingdom, Disney California Journey, or even the liked Tokyo DisneySea at opening. Heck, you need to make the similar critique about Animal Kingdom as of late, over twenty years after it opened. Epic Universe does have various enlargement pads between its worlds, and I think a minimum of a type of shall be put to make use of sooner than 2030. Truthfully, I’m extra curious as to whether or not they’ll have to deal with crowd glide constraints first.
Growth at Epic Universe moves me as a just right ‘downside’ to have. If that’s fast-tracked, it’ll probably be that the park is this sort of spoil luck that it wishes extra to assist soak up crowds and build up capability. It’ll be because of overwhelming call for and considerations about Common leaving cash at the desk, no longer the wrong way round. More or less like what we’re lately seeing at Magic Kingdom, however with a brand new park as a substitute of a 50+ yr previous one.
Alternatively, redevelopment on the two current gates, particularly Common Studios Florida, is crucial. It wishes to occur, and once imaginable.
Each time fanatics hype up Epic Universe and declare that it’s going to be what places Common Orlando excessive to assert Walt Disney Global’s throne, or no matter, I will be able to’t assist however marvel after they closing visited Common Studios Florida. To explain a number of of its lands as wanting refreshes could be a real understatement. It makes Tomorrowland at Disneyland appear to be a gorgeous just right land. Dino-Rama could be proper at house in USF. (Ok ok, possibly that’s going too a ways.)
Common Studios Florida has gained a few placemaking tasks lately, neither of which might be the rest particular. Incremental enhancements completed briefly and affordably, so a minimum of there’s that. Islands of Journey is normally in higher form with a greater experience roster and awesome placemaking, however identical (albeit a lot more restrained) criticisms might be levied at that park, too.
The “downside” that Common Orlando goes to have is that, the simpler Epic Universe is, the more serious the 2 current theme parks will glance through comparability. The present plan is to push dear holiday programs to “pressure” other folks to seek advice from Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey, however that’ll best paintings for goodbye.
Sooner or later, natural call for goes to do its factor. And it’s secure to mention that, when that does occur, attendance at Common Studios Florida and (to a lesser extent) Islands of Journey will drop for a few years. There shall be some cannibalization of attendance, which is to be anticipated.
How unhealthy it’ll be most certainly is determined by the standard disparity between Epic Universe and the present gates, phrase of mouth amongst vacationers who seek advice from Common Orlando for the primary time within the subsequent couple of years, what Common Orlando does within the intervening time to assist trap visitors to USF and IoA, and what Walt Disney Global does to seize those self same vacationers’ time and bucks.
We already know that Rip Experience Rockit is being changed. It’s additionally our figuring out that Common Orlando intends upon returning to its cadence of an annual new main opening. That is in line with fresh precedent previous to Epic Universe, and with what executives have steered on income calls and in interviews. It’s additionally what Walt Disney Global shall be doing as soon as once more beginning in 2027. There’s each and every reason why to consider the competition will undertake a identical manner. Epic Universe shall be the marketable attract Central Florida for a few years, however Common clearly doesn’t need their pipeline operating dry as Disney begins bringing new points of interest and lands on-line.
There are rumors that Springfield is subsequent at the slicing block, to get replaced through a Pokémon-themed house. With out realizing the rest or having any insider connections, my wager is that Common Orlando will transfer as briefly as imaginable to construct new Nintendo points of interest in every of the present parks. Nintendo goes to be the marquee draw that will get households reserving journeys to Orlando, so Common would possibly as neatly borrow a web page from its personal Harry Potter playbook and unfold Nintendo out amongst all 3 gates. That’s much more efficient of a strategy to trap vacationers to seek advice from all 3 parks than forcing them to shop for programs. Gotta catch ’em all!
Want travel making plans pointers and complete recommendation to your seek advice from to Central Florida? You’ll want to learn our Common Orlando Making plans Information for the whole thing about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney Global Holiday Making plans Information for the whole thing about the ones parks, motels, eating places, and so a lot more.
Your Ideas
What do you bring to mind the bold plans for additions at Common Orlando? Be expecting it’ll be complete steam forward on enlargement and redevelopment at Epic Universe, Islands of Journey, and Common Studios Florida? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluation concerning the want for brand new points of interest and refreshed spaces on the two current gates? Any questions we will be able to assist you to solution? Listening to your comments—even while you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas underneath within the feedback!
In a brand new video forward of the grand opening of Epic Universe, Karen Irwin, President & COO of Common Orlando pitches their 3 theme parks, water park, leisure district, and accommodations as a vacation spot hotel. She additionally unearths that Common is already taking a look down the street, past Epic Universe at what’s subsequent in 2026 and past.
That is the newest in a line of new appearances aimed toward each producing pleasure about Common Orlando, and cementing it as an equivalent to Walt Disney Global worthy of holiday time, and no longer only a diversion. We’ll quilt that over the process this publish, however let’s get started with Irwin’s quote about Common Orlando’s long run enlargement plans:
“There are already such a lot of issues within the works now. We’ve a slate of latest points of interest that had been already in construction on for each and every one among our parks. We’re already making plans the following factor at Epic!”
This follows a contemporary piece within the New York Occasions, “Common’s Theme Parks, Lengthy in Disney’s Shadow, Extend at Dizzying Tempo.” The object is largely what the headline suggests, spelling out how Common goes after Disney with new parks in Florida and Texas. plus enlargement in other places and new points of interest at its current gates.
The fast model of the tale is that after Mark Woodbury become Common’s theme park leader in 2022, he noticed a good larger alternative to raise Common out of Disney’s shadow after the theme parks had change into a marvel enlargement engine for NBCUniversal. “How can we change into the vacation spot of selection in every of the markets that we perform in and in all the markets that we make a choice to extend into?” he mentioned all through an interview with NYT.
This isn’t hyperbole. Common is in the course of remarkable enlargement, even sooner than Epic Universe. The corporate opened every other fully-fledged theme park, Common Studios Beijing, only a few years in the past. Along with Epic Universe, the Florida complicated has debuted a number of accommodations and new points of interest lately.
Then there’s the impending Common Youngsters Lodge in Texas, new everlasting Halloween Horror Nights-style revel in in Las Vegas, and recently-opened Tremendous Nintendo Worlds in California and Osaka, Japan. Common additionally has plans for “Depraved” points of interest, enlargement in Hollywood, and a big park for Britain, too.
“We’re going to roll those out around the nation and the sector,” Woodbury instructed the NYT when describing the less expensive regional ideas slated for Las Vegas and Texas. With reference to Epic Universe, he hopes to opposite a longstanding trade dynamic with Walt Disney Global. Woodbury desires households to view the Common Orlando Lodge as a weeklong vacation spot and no longer only a one- or two-day add-on to a Disney holiday. “We wish other folks to consider us first,” he mentioned.
The transparent takeaway from fresh media is that NBCUniversal has top expectancies for Epic Universe, sees abundant alternatives for additional enlargement of its theme park trade, and can proceed to transport aggressively to seize extra marketplace proportion from Disney (one thing that has already came about within the closing decade).
Turning to statement, this sentiment doesn’t marvel me the least bit. Common management expressing this now additionally doesn’t imply it’ll occur. Such a lot hinges Epic Universe and the way neatly it’s gained upon opening. In particular, whether or not its first couple of seasons exceed investor expectancies or fall quick. No longer whether or not fanatics love it or if Common executives do a public victory lap, either one of which might be givens.
In some ways, the debut of Epic Universe jogs my memory of the hole of Celebrity Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Clearly, the dimensions and scope are larger–however so too are the stakes. Without reference to statements on the time through The Bobs, Celebrity Wars: Galaxy’s Edge fell wanting inside expectancies. There’s a explanation why we by no means heard every other phrase about Galaxy’s Edge coming to Paris, because it was once shelved sooner than COVID.
If you’ll be able to remember the fact that a ways again, it’s possible you’ll recall rumors that different tasks for Walt Disney Global had been already on skinny ice–or nixed fully–pre-COVID. Clearly, the closures exacerbated the whole thing and led to much more cancellations, nevertheless it’s no longer truly the purpose to relitigate the have an effect on of COVID on Disney’s enlargement. It’s that what Common is making plans as of late may finally end up being very other in line with how the primary yr is going with Epic Universe. I’m no longer suggesting a preemptive cutback–I’m pronouncing that the variability of results remains to be unknown. Ambitions might be scaled down…or ramped up. Each are imaginable!
Whether or not it in truth happens or no longer–and without reference to ambition ranges–enlargement and reimaginings want to occur at Common Orlando.
I’ve but to revel in it, so clearly I can’t discuss to the “want” for extra points of interest at Epic Universe. On paper, the experience roster does glance at the mild aspect to me, however that’s rather conventional of latest theme parks post-Euro Disneyland. The one fresh exception to this has been Shanghai Disneyland, which was once an anomaly.
Another way, the similar complaint might be levied at Hong Kong Disneyland, Animal Kingdom, Disney California Journey, or even the liked Tokyo DisneySea at opening. Heck, you need to make the similar critique about Animal Kingdom as of late, over twenty years after it opened. Epic Universe does have various enlargement pads between its worlds, and I think a minimum of a type of shall be put to make use of sooner than 2030. Truthfully, I’m extra curious as to whether or not they’ll have to deal with crowd glide constraints first.
Growth at Epic Universe moves me as a just right ‘downside’ to have. If that’s fast-tracked, it’ll probably be that the park is this sort of spoil luck that it wishes extra to assist soak up crowds and build up capability. It’ll be because of overwhelming call for and considerations about Common leaving cash at the desk, no longer the wrong way round. More or less like what we’re lately seeing at Magic Kingdom, however with a brand new park as a substitute of a 50+ yr previous one.
Alternatively, redevelopment on the two current gates, particularly Common Studios Florida, is crucial. It wishes to occur, and once imaginable.
Each time fanatics hype up Epic Universe and declare that it’s going to be what places Common Orlando excessive to assert Walt Disney Global’s throne, or no matter, I will be able to’t assist however marvel after they closing visited Common Studios Florida. To explain a number of of its lands as wanting refreshes could be a real understatement. It makes Tomorrowland at Disneyland appear to be a gorgeous just right land. Dino-Rama could be proper at house in USF. (Ok ok, possibly that’s going too a ways.)
Common Studios Florida has gained a few placemaking tasks lately, neither of which might be the rest particular. Incremental enhancements completed briefly and affordably, so a minimum of there’s that. Islands of Journey is normally in higher form with a greater experience roster and awesome placemaking, however identical (albeit a lot more restrained) criticisms might be levied at that park, too.
The “downside” that Common Orlando goes to have is that, the simpler Epic Universe is, the more serious the 2 current theme parks will glance through comparability. The present plan is to push dear holiday programs to “pressure” other folks to seek advice from Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey, however that’ll best paintings for goodbye.
Sooner or later, natural call for goes to do its factor. And it’s secure to mention that, when that does occur, attendance at Common Studios Florida and (to a lesser extent) Islands of Journey will drop for a few years. There shall be some cannibalization of attendance, which is to be anticipated.
How unhealthy it’ll be most certainly is determined by the standard disparity between Epic Universe and the present gates, phrase of mouth amongst vacationers who seek advice from Common Orlando for the primary time within the subsequent couple of years, what Common Orlando does within the intervening time to assist trap visitors to USF and IoA, and what Walt Disney Global does to seize those self same vacationers’ time and bucks.
We already know that Rip Experience Rockit is being changed. It’s additionally our figuring out that Common Orlando intends upon returning to its cadence of an annual new main opening. That is in line with fresh precedent previous to Epic Universe, and with what executives have steered on income calls and in interviews. It’s additionally what Walt Disney Global shall be doing as soon as once more beginning in 2027. There’s each and every reason why to consider the competition will undertake a identical manner. Epic Universe shall be the marketable attract Central Florida for a few years, however Common clearly doesn’t need their pipeline operating dry as Disney begins bringing new points of interest and lands on-line.
There are rumors that Springfield is subsequent at the slicing block, to get replaced through a Pokémon-themed house. With out realizing the rest or having any insider connections, my wager is that Common Orlando will transfer as briefly as imaginable to construct new Nintendo points of interest in every of the present parks. Nintendo goes to be the marquee draw that will get households reserving journeys to Orlando, so Common would possibly as neatly borrow a web page from its personal Harry Potter playbook and unfold Nintendo out amongst all 3 gates. That’s much more efficient of a strategy to trap vacationers to seek advice from all 3 parks than forcing them to shop for programs. Gotta catch ’em all!
Want travel making plans pointers and complete recommendation to your seek advice from to Central Florida? You’ll want to learn our Common Orlando Making plans Information for the whole thing about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney Global Holiday Making plans Information for the whole thing about the ones parks, motels, eating places, and so a lot more.
Your Ideas
What do you bring to mind the bold plans for additions at Common Orlando? Be expecting it’ll be complete steam forward on enlargement and redevelopment at Epic Universe, Islands of Journey, and Common Studios Florida? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluation concerning the want for brand new points of interest and refreshed spaces on the two current gates? Any questions we will be able to assist you to solution? Listening to your comments—even while you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas underneath within the feedback!
