ORLANDO, Florida: For years, Universal Orlando played second fiddle to Disney's sprawling empire in Central Florida. Now, with the launch of its new Epic Universe park, Universal is aiming to shift that balance.

Epic Universe marks the most ambitious expansion in Universal's history. This 7 billion euro investment doubles the resort's size and introduces five expansive themed worlds, including new additions like Super Nintendo World and Dark Universe. Backed by Comcast, Universal's parent company, the park signals a bold play for dominance in the fiercely competitive theme park industry.

"This is the one part of the media ecosystem that is not vulnerable to screen-shifting," said Comcast President Mike Cavanaugh. "It would be silly not to be stepping on the gas."

Epic Universe is Universal's largest bet since acquiring complete control of the parks business in 2011. It adds 750 acres and features worlds inspired by Harry Potter, Nintendo, DreamWorks, and original Universal concepts. Executives hope the park's immersive appeal will drive attendance gains and draw visitors who might otherwise spend their entire trip at Disney.

The broader strategy includes expanding Universal's physical footprint nationwide. Later this year, it will open a horror-themed attraction in Las Vegas called Universal Horror Unleashed and, next year, a family-friendly park in Frisco, Texas. A European resort is also in the pipeline, marking Comcast's first theme park venture on the continent.

But the stakes are high. Theme parks are notoriously sensitive to economic slowdowns—a vulnerability that became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts remains confident in long-term investments, citing the runaway success of Universal's original Harry Potter land as a proof point.

"When that Harry Potter opened, I think there was a massive increase in attendance the next day, and it never went backward," Roberts said.

Disney remains the dominant force in Orlando, drawing 48.8 million visitors in 2023 compared to Universal's 19.8 million. But analysts say Epic Universe could begin to close that gap. MoffettNathanson estimates the new park could bring in 9.5 million visitors by 2026 and eventually surpass Universal's other Florida parks in annual attendance.

Disney, meanwhile, is not standing still. The company has pledged €60 billion over 10 years for parks and cruises and has recently added new attractions, such as the TRON Lightcycle Run. It has also introduced pricing incentives, including half-off children's tickets and reduced annual pass-down payments for Florida residents.

Still, the arrival of Epic Universe reshapes Orlando's tourism landscape—and may force Disney to share the spotlight it's long commanded.