Disney World President Jeff Vahle Sends Well Wishes to Universal for Epic Universe Launch

29 days ago in "Universal Orlando Resort"

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Epic Universe

Posted: Wednesday May 21, 2025 10:50am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

With just a day to go before the official opening of Universal Epic Universe, Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle has publicly offered congratulations to the Universal Orlando team—a notable gesture between two of Central Florida’s biggest theme park competitors.

Vahle shared a post on Instagram featuring a stylized image of Florida with a sunburst backdrop and wrote:

“It takes great passion and dedication to bring new projects to life. Best of luck to the Universal Orlando team with the opening of Epic Universe! Another big win for tourism in Florida.”

The message arrives as Universal prepares for a week of high-profile events celebrating the launch of its fourth Orlando theme park, Epic Universe, which officially opens to the public on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD – Super Mario Land

Virtual Grand Opening Events Announced

Universal has invited fans around the world to join in the celebration via two live streams:

Wednesday, May 21 – 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Epic Universe Grand Opening Nighttime Celebration Event
A virtual look into the exclusive VIP party, including celebrity arrivals on the “Celestial Carpet,” interviews with creators of the park, first-look footage of the park’s lands and attractions, and a special commemorative finale moment.

How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk – Hiccup’s Wing Gliders

Thursday, May 22 – Beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Epic Universe Grand Opening Day Live Stream
Coverage of opening day as guests are welcomed into the park for the first time, along with a celebratory moment marking the official debut of Epic Universe.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic

Central Florida Impact

Vahle’s acknowledgment is not just recognition of a major competitor’s milestone, but also underscores the significance of Epic Universe’s opening for the broader tourism industry in Florida. With both Disney and Universal continuing to invest in large-scale projects in Central Florida, the competition is expected to drive increased visitation and spending throughout the region.

Universal Epic Universe features five themed lands: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. Guest previews began on April 17, and demand for access has been strong in the lead-up to the full opening.

Dark Universe

As the park opens its gates this week, all eyes—including some from within Disney—will be watching.

Discuss on the Forums

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Tom Morrow1 hour ago

Yoshi's Adventure is not a dark ride and it should not have been built as it is in Florida.

AidenRodriguez7318 hours ago

I consider that more of a slow baking factory conveyor belt

simon94549 hours ago

There is already omnimover-style dark ride in Epic called Yoshi's Adventure.

mkt16 hours ago

They've got choices. https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/

Andrew251 day ago

A few years back, I was hoping for DreamWorks/Illumination to take over, but UOR decided to replace Kidzone/Minion Land instead. There's not many other IPs I can think of that Universal owns outright that can replace Toon Lagoon. I think SpongeBob is the real only fit for the area that only requires light reskin of existing facilities.

rd8051 day ago

The Spongebob & Nickelodeon retheme of Toon Lagoon is not something I've thought of before, but I do enjoy the idea of it. My only worry is that the best Nick IPs are all super dated now and not sure how that would translate to a modern themed area. **While fully acknowledging that the current Toon Lagoon is quite possibly the worst collection of IP for this day in age, and still is one of my favorite theme park areas in Orlando ha.

Andrew251 day ago

I echo this, but counter with: USF - Rockit Replacement, FF Replacement ,Park Entrance Redo (ala DCA's a few years back) and Springfield replacement IOA - Wicked replaces Lost Continent (bring a much needed stage show to IOA) and SpongeBob/Nickeleodeon retheme of Toon Lagoon EU - Indoor "Classic" Dark Ride (Boat/Omnimover), Nighttime Show, Dark Universe 2nd E-Ticket

rd8051 day ago

If Universal gets these rumored revamps going and completed in the next couple of years, it would be such an amazing win for the parks: 1) The new Roller Coaster in USF will be an incredible upgrade over RRR and is already on it's way 2) Turning Lost Continent into SOMETHING -- I still think Zelda would fit here the best, but an entirely new area for Wicked/Wizard of Oz would also be wonderful. Wicked could work well with a stageshow, as well as some sort of dark ride attraction for Oz. 3) Getting a new indoor attraction completed for Epic in one of the existing world's. The park needs a little extra capacity boost.

MisterPenguin1 day ago

That space up front isn't going to be a portal. It's an event space. There are two 'missing orbs' on the front gate for up to two new portal lands. One of these is between SNW and Dark, the other is between Berk and Potter. So, the small space up front is not one of the new portal lands. (cf. math, QED) It's a 'phase 2' space, just like the unfinished restaurants. Only, this hasn't even begun to be unfinished.