Today at the UBS Global TMT Conference in New York City, NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell confirmed that Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s third theme park will be opened in the summer of 2025. During a question and answer session, Shell stated “We’re right on track. Literally right on track.”

Although he didn’t say exactly when Epic Universe would open he said, “There’s clearly a demand-supply imbalance. I think we’re opening a theme park [at] the right time.” In addition, Shell believes that the new theme park will also appeal to conventioneers.

“It’s also very interesting that the park is very close to the [Orange County] convention center,” Shell stated. “An interesting experiment for us – we believe we can get the attendance we need just on the basis of the demand of the market, but it’s also going to be interesting to see as the convention business comes back, do we … the park is built so that you can come into one land and not the whole park. Are we going to get nighttime convention business? Which is kind of an interesting experiment for us.”

Universal has previously stated that Super Nintendo World will be a part of Epic Universe but has yet to reveal other themes or attractions. It is believed that the park will include a Universal Classic Monsters land, a third The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (with a Ministry of Magic ride), and the “How To Train Your Dragon” land.

Shell talked about NBC’s DreamWorks Animation and Illumination and said their animation business has “giant implications” for the company.

Gabrielle Russon, Florida Politics, stated that he also mentioned Disney and their recently released box office flop, “Strange World.”

“Go back 10 years and say, ‘Is Disney ever going to be challenged in animation?’ I think most people, including me, would say ‘Impossible.’ They are the dominant player in animation. Their position is not going to be challenged ever,” Shell said. “I honestly think that not only are we challenging Disney and animation, but I would take our animation business over theirs.”

Check out some of our other coverage on Epic Universe:

First Track for Dual-Racing Roller Coaster Installed at Universal’s Epic Universe

Universal Files Petition for Epic Universe Street Name

Tracks Take Shape, Show Buildings Go Vertical for Super Nintendo World at Universal’s Epic Universe

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