Universal’s Big 2025: From Epic Openings to Bittersweet Farewells. 2025 was easily the biggest year for Universal in decades. The company didn’t just add a few rides; they opened an entire fourth theme park in Florida and brought a permanent horror spot to the West Coast. The only thing not included in this list is the new Universal UK park, that is, until we get an official press release. Also, no mention of the possibility of a new Universal Saudi Arabia.
Epic Universe Finally Opens – The biggest news of the year was the debut of Universal Epic Universe on May 22. People have been waiting years for this. It’s a massive 750-acre park with five different worlds.
Instead of a traditional layout, you walk through “portals” to get into the different lands. You’ve got the Ministry of Magic for Harry Potter fans and Super Nintendo World, which finally brought Mario and Donkey Kong to Orlando. There’s also the Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon and a spooky area called Dark Universe filled with classic monsters. It’s the first time a major park has opened in the U.S. in 25 years, and it changed the whole feel of the Orlando resort.
Wicked Comes to the Park – With the Wicked movies being everywhere this year, Universal Studios Florida added Wicked: The Experience. It’s a walkthrough where you can see actual costumes from the movie and walk through sets like Shiz University and the Emerald City. They even added a second “chapter” to the attraction on Halloween to match the second film. If you wanted to feel like you were in Oz, this was the place to do it.
Goodbye to Rip Ride Rockit – Not everything was about new stuff, though. On August 18, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit closed for good. The coaster had a long 16-year run, but it was known for being a bit rough lately. By October, the track was already starting to come down. Universal hasn’t said what’s replacing it yet, but construction is already moving fast in that corner of the park.
Horror Hits Las Vegas – Universal also took a big risk in Las Vegas this year with Universal Horror Unleashed. It’s a permanent, year-round haunt located in a huge warehouse at AREA15. Unlike the seasonal events in Orlando or Hollywood, this stays open all the time. It launched with houses based on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Exorcist: Believer, as well as some original stories, such as Scarecrow: The Reaping.
What’s Next for 2026? – The company is already looking toward next year. They’re building a Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. It’s a smaller park meant for families with little kids. It’ll have lands for SpongeBob, Shrek, and the Minions. It’s a different move for them, focusing on a younger crowd in a totally new part of the country.
