Plans Revealed for 'Epic Universe': the Country's First New Theme Park Since 2001

The Universal Epic Universe, proposed for Orlando, Florida, has aspirations as a transit-oriented theme park.

1 minute read

August 7, 2019, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort / Universal's Epic Universe

The Next Miami reports: "Universal’s Epic Universe will become the first major new theme park built in the U.S. since 2001, when Disney’s California Adventure was completed."

Universal is also lobbying to get a Virgin Trains USA station built near the park. Virgin Trains USA is expanding the train line formerly referred to as the Brightline into Orlando.

Virgin Trains is already planning a station near Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Additional coverage of the initial details of the Epic Universe is available in a separate article by Ken Storey.

Monday, August 5, 2019 in The Next Miami

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

April 15 - Fast Company

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

April 15 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

April 15 - NBC Dallas