What’s New at Universal Orlando Resort?

Thirty-five years after the original Universal Studios opened its gates, Universal Orlando Resort has flourished into one of the biggest and most popular family destinations in Florida. And with three world-famous theme parks, one incredible water park, an outstanding dining and entertainment district, no wonder millions visit each year. 

2025 was a huge year for Universal Orlando Resort, with the grand opening of Epic Universe on 22nd May taking centre stage and paving the way for a new wave of unforgettable Orlando getaways in 2026 and beyond. 

What’s New for 2026 Holidays 

The hype for 2026 is firmly focused on Epic Universe; this incredible addition doubled the size of the Resort with its magnificent, themed lands, which include Super Nintendo World™, Ministry of Magic, Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. Celestial Park is the park’s central hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment, and connects each of the lands together in harmony.  

Plus, for the very first time, Universal Epic Universe will be included in multi-park and multi-day admission from 1st January 2026 – more on this below.  

Yet while Epic Universe leads much of the action, there is still plenty of newness in the other parks to get excited about for your next trip... 

DreamWorks Land

If you haven’t been to Orlando in a hot minute, get ready because Universal Studios Florida has something extra magical waiting for you. The vibrant and whimsical DreamWorks Land opened in June 2024 and has quickly become a favourite for families and animated movie fans alike. 

This playful new area brings to life the worlds of Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda with larger-than-life fun for little adventurers. Kids can splash and play in Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres, hop on the Trolls Trollercoaster for a hair-raising ride, and train like a true warrior at Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp. 

With live shows, interactive play zones, and character meet-and-greets around every corner, DreamWorks Land is bursting with energy, laughs, and unforgettable memories. 

Second-generation Interactive Wands 

Casting your own spells is one of the highlights of exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! The recent release of the second-generation interactive wands brings with it a host of new spell locations in Diagon Alley, Hogsmede, and Place Cachée in the all-new Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe.  

Boasting impressive light and haptic effects, as well as personalised features to unlock when using the Universal Orlando App, these brand-new wands take spellcasting to a whole new level! =

Universal Studios Store Expansion

CityWalk has levelled up! To coincide with the opening of Epic Universe and prepare for a mega 2026, the flagship Universal Studios Store received a grand makeover with a huge Super Nintendo World section featuring all-new merch, and for Harry Potter fans, a dedicated Butterbeer counter has joined in the mix for magical on-the-go treats. 

New Dining Location in Celestial Park 

Get your tastebuds ready because rumours are flying about a brand-new dining spot in Epic Universe’s Celestial Park, located between the park’s main entrance and the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk portal.  

The restaurant is said to feature contemporary vibes and teal and white architecture plus plenty of outdoor seating, with this sign out front: “Travelers — pardon our stardust as we ignite a galaxy of flavors and culinary delights. Coming 2026.” We can’t wait for this! 

All Parks Ticket for 2026 

From 1st January 2026, Universal is rolling out the ultimate ticket for thrill-seekers called the All Parks Ticket! This incredible pass will give you access to all four of the Universal Orlando parks - Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and the all-new Epic Universe - meaning you can experience the full adventure, all on one fantastic ticket. 

The ticket will be valid for 14 consecutive days and include a park-hopping element so you can maximise your time in the Resort too! 

Halloween Horror Nights

The long-running, award-winning Halloween Horror Nights events at Universal Orlando Resort are something not to be missed. It has been named the “Golden Ticket Legend for Best Halloween Event” by Amusement Today, and you can be sure that for 2026 and beyond you’ll still be able to get your scare on. 

Whilst details for 2026 are yet to be confirmed, you can expect haunted houses, scare zones and more from the very end of August to early November each year.  

Halloween Horror Nights themes for 2025 include Fallout, WWE, and Five Nights at Freddy’s. It is this mix of pop culture and horror franchises that keep the event fresh and relevant year-on-year. 

Watch this space for more news as we get closer to Halloween Horror Nights 2026. 

Epic Universe 

If you haven’t yet visited Epic Universe, 2026 is your year to see what all the fuss is about! Its five brand-new, immersive lands and three gorgeous hotels that change the game for theme park holidays: 

Celestial Park: otherworldly fun can be had in this central hub, which serves as a portal to the other four lands and features the Stardust Racers roller coaster for white-knuckle thrills. 

Super Nintendo World™: the first of its kind in the US and a truly immersive experience that is dedicated to everyone’s favourite plumber and his original rival, Donkey Kong 

Ministry of Magic: an exciting expansion to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for even more spellbinding fun 

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: a place that brings the Viking village to life, where you can walk among the dragons and feel like you’ve stepped straight into the film franchise 

Dark Universe: a spooky, atmospheric land that blends gothic horror with cutting-edge rides with a modern take on Universal’s classic monstrous characters like Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and more 

Universal Helios Grand Hotel: this impressive Mediterranean-inspired hotel boasts views of Celestial Park and unparalleled access to Epic Universe to beat the queues 

Universal Stella Nova Resort: this cosmic-inspired hotel features a sleek design with galaxy-themed décor like ambient lighting and futuristic touches 

Universal Terra Luna Resort: this sister hotel to Stella Nova resort is a value property which takes influence from natural elements and alien landscapes, with calming earthy tones, organic shapes, and cool vibes throughout 

What’s New for 2027 & Beyond 

While exact attractions and launch dates haven’t been confirmed for 2027, big things are on the horizon for Universal Orlando Resort… 

Replacement for Rip Ride Rockit 

One of the most exciting new developments at Universal Studios Florida is a massive indoor/outdoor roller coaster that is set to replace the now-closed Rip Ride Rockit, which sent its last passengers plummeting in August 2025. This new, world-class attraction is rumoured to open in early 2027 so watch this space! 

Volcano Bay  

Rumblings are happening over at Volcano Bay, and we’ve heard that there is a bit of a makeover planned for the Resort’s amazing water park. During its seasonal operational changes between Oct 2026 – Mar 2027 it’s expected to undergo substantial maintenance including upgrades and replacements of current slides as well as general improvements across the park.  

Spring 2027 will see a reinvigorated water park ready for splashtastic fun, but before the major closure, the park is returning its excellent after-hours events ‘Volcano Bay Nights’ on Friday nights in September and October 2026, which will include live DJs, character appearances and more! 

Lost Continent  

Over at Islands of Adventure, Universal is also gearing up for a major transformation in the Lost Continent area, paving the way for a large-scale expansion with a whole new theme and to replace existing structures, which could open as soon as 2028! 

Set your sights on your next Orlando adventure - check out our latest Universal Orlando Resort holidays and be among the first to experience the excitement of the all-new Epic Universe, and much more!