ORLANDO, Fla. – In 2016, Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO, Universal Destinations & Experiences, asked his team to brainstorm the possibilities of another domestic theme park.
Universal Epic Universe started as a doodle on paper; nearly 10 years later, Universal Orlando Resort now has a fourth theme park.
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For those epic worlds to fill dreams, many Central Florida hands were involved to make the park a reality.
Orange County
Epic Universe is the largest single development project Orange County government has ever undertaken.
In order for the project to be kept on track, Orange County needed to be close to the action, so it opened a satellite office just steps from the construction site.
“Opening that satellite office was a game-changer for us,” said Larry Wildermuth, the county’s chief code inspector. “If anything major occurred that needed to be addressed, or if an inspector encountered a problem, it was necessary for us to be close by. Having a hub for communication and operations in one spot, close to the project, made all the difference in the world.”
Epic Universe development by the numbers:
- 750 acres of land
- 1,150 permits
- 34,000 inspections
- $12.6 million in permitting fee revenue to the Building Safety Division, with an estimated job value of $1.6 billion
- Estimated to have cost over $7 billion
In its first year, Epic Universe is expected to bring $2 billion into Florida’s economy and create 17,500 new jobs nationwide.
University of Central Florida
Within the Epic neighborhood sits UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and the school has played a critical role in preparing the workforce behind Epic Universe.
Its themed experience program, part of the College of Arts and Humanities, offers a direct pathway into the heart of the creative industry.
As one of the first programs of its kind in the nation, it equips students with the specialized skills required to design attractions.
Graduates often pursue careers as show set designers, architects, show writers, coordinators, project managers, producers, art directors and even creative directors at leading themed entertainment companies.
In the fall of 2024, UCF’s Pegasus magazine spotlighted UCF alumni behind Epic Universe attractions.
Not only is Epic Universe a place for employment possibilities, it also serves as an educational tool in UCF curriculum, like theme park and attraction management and culinary programs.
Full Sail University
Guest experience is important. To help with that, Universal Orlando turned to the Full Sail community.
According to the private university, graduates, faculty and students helped out with mobile apps, marketing videos and the construction of over a dozen buildings in Celestial Park.
Full Sail University offers various programs with strong ties to Central Florida theme parks, such as Recording Arts, Show Production, and Entertainment Business.