The theme park industry has always been a competitive space, with big players like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando constantly vying for the top spot. Over the years, we’ve seen these two giants go head-to-head, with Disney responding to Universal’s major additions and vice versa. And now, with Universal’s brand new theme park, Epic Universe, set to open in 2025, fans are wondering what Disney’s response will be.
Well, fear not, Disney fans, because today we’re going to explore some potential responses that Disney might have in store for Universal’s Epic Universe.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: The Exciting New Attraction
Firstly, let’s take a look at some projects that are already in the works for Disney parks. We know that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to open at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland in 2024. While this is exciting news for Disney fans, it unfortunately falls short when it comes to competing with the grand scale of the Epic Universe.
Play Pavilion Revival: A Modern Experience for Guests
However, there is one project that could potentially be reimagined and opened before Epic Universe: the Play Pavilion at Epcot. This indoor interactive play area had been in development for quite some time before being scrapped due to the events of 2020. But with Disney’s D23 Expo coming up this summer, there is a possibility that they may announce a revamped version of this project. Perhaps it could even be themed around their recent acquisition of 10% of Epic Games, offering a unique and modern experience for guests.
Zootopia Enhancement: A Themed Replacement for It’s Tough to Be a Bug
Moving on to potential enhancements within existing attractions, we come to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At the last D23 Expo event, there was a blue-sky idea for a Zootopia retheme of It’s Tough to Be a Bug inside the Tree of Life. With Zootopia 2 already in the works and set to release in 2025, this could be the perfect opportunity for Disney to enhance this attraction and draw in more guests.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Expansion: More Missions and Beloved Characters
But perhaps the most exciting potential response from Disney to Epic Universe comes from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. When the Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run was announced, it was revealed that there could be more missions added in the future. This concept, which we explored in the “How to Fix Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” video, would not only provide more replay ability for guests but could also feature beloved characters like The Mandalorian and Boba Fett, making the ride an all-new experience every time.
Of course, these are all just ideas and rumors at this point, and it’s unclear which, if any, of these projects will actually come to fruition before Epic Universe’s opening in 2025. However, one thing is for sure – Disney will need to come up with something big to compete with Universal’s latest addition.
South American Themed Land: A Unique Addition to Animal Kingdom
But what about the long-term response from Disney? What could they possibly do to continue competing with Epic Universe beyond 2025? Well, one option could be the much-rumored but still unconfirmed addition of a South American-themed land at Animal Kingdom. This new land would not only be a unique addition to the park but could also tie in with Disney’s animated film, Encanto, released in November 2021.
Fantasyland Expansion: A Massive Overhaul at Magic Kingdom
Another potential response could be a major expansion of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom. Rumors have been swirling about a massive overhaul of this area, including a possible expansion into the nearby Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster. This would not only add new attractions and experiences for guests but could also help alleviate some of the crowds at Magic Kingdom by spreading them out over a larger area.
Disney’s Potential New Theme Park: A New Era in Theme Park Entertainment
Finally, let’s not forget about the possibility of an entire new theme park from Disney. While this may seem like an unlikely move for them in response to the Epic Universe, it’s definitely not out of the realm of possibility. Disney has shown in the past that they are willing to invest in new parks, as seen with Tokyo DisneySea and Shanghai Disneyland. Plus, with a huge catalog of beloved IPs to choose from, Disney has no shortage of ideas for a new theme park.
So, what will be Disney’s response to Universal’s Epic Universe? While we don’t have any concrete answers yet, there are definitely some exciting possibilities on the horizon. Whether it’s revamping existing attractions, adding new lands, or even building a brand new park, one thing is for sure – Disney will do everything in their power to compete with Universal’s epic new addition in 2025 and beyond.
Do you think Disney should focus on revamping existing attractions or building entirely new lands to compete with Epic Universe?
