Universal’s third theme park in Orlando, Epic Universe, has been delayed until 2025. The attraction’s lapse was conveyed by local news outlet Orlando Sentinel, which published a story on Wednesday confirming that the multibillion-dollar project, whose construction has finally restarted after a year-long hiatus due to the pandemic, would open years later than originally intended. Universal’s Epic Universe is notable in that it will contain not only a localized version of Japan’s still as-of-yet unopened Super Nintendo World, but a smaller version of Nintendo World planned for Hollywood as well.
“Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said Universal recently told him the park’s grand opening is planned for early 2025,” the Orlando Sentinel reported. “Before the pandemic and the construction delay, Universal set a 2023 opening date but did not release a new timeline Wednesday.”
“We have high, high hopes for what it means,” said Comcast CEO Brian Roberts in regard to Orlando’s Super Nintendo World. It’s a whole interactive gaming experience. We’ve been investing in parks and hotels, so as we look at the next 10 years, it’s hard not to see an exciting road map ahead for the parks business.”
Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World theme park was supposed to open last month on February 4, but its debut has been postponed indefinitely by the Japanese government due to the worsening spread of the coronavirus. One of Super Nintendo World’s main attractions is a recreation of Bowser’s Castle, which houses an exciting Super Mario Kart ride in which visitors can don Mario-themed AR headsets and reportedly throw virtual shells at one another.
