Epic Universe construction update: Roads, arrival areas
Roads? Where we’re going… we actually might need the roads. It’s time for an Epic Universe construction update detailing the roads and infrastructure surrounding the new theme park.
As Universal Epic Universe’s grand opening date of May 22, 2025 approaches, a lot of the construction projects that would be considered “boring” by some are starting to finish up, including the roads and facility-focused areas outside of the park itself. It’s exciting to watch the infrastructure around a brand-new theme park come into place, as it signals how close the project is to completion.
@bioreconstruct on X served up another round of aerial photos documenting the work being done on Epic Universe, captured on Jan. 17, 2025.
Finished roads near Epic Universe lead to the recently opened Universal Stella Nova Resort. Road work continues around the resort, leading to blocked paths and some confusing routes. Note: If you use Apple Maps, at the time of this writing, the directions to Stella Nova will take you to an adjacent apartment complex. While informing you of continuing progress, we hope this update also helps you find your bearings while navigating the property.
The sign that greets guests to Stella Nova is installed and displays vibrant colors day and night.
A circular roadway will assist guests in finding their way to Epic Universe, with these roads also acting as an exit back to the highway. With no specific name given, I’ll refer to this as the “Celestial Roundabout” (lovingly named after the “Celestial Spin” maneuver found on the Stardust Racers roller coaster).
Leading into the Celestial Roundabout from this angle, we can spot a sign directing traffic toward the Helios Grand hotel, as well as I-4 East & West.
Still in its shipping container is a sign yet to be installed. This sign lists: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Following these signs is an easy way to find the rest of the Universal Orlando Resort property.
Turning around and looking at the Celestial Roundabout from a different angle, signs have been placed directing guests to more Epic Universe specific facilities.
All the way on the left is a sign for Epic Universe parking, valet, and buses. Also on this gantry is another sign steering cars toward Stella Nova and Epic Universe’s ride app drop-off & pick-up. That’s where you’ll want to be when using Uber, Lyft, or anything of the sort (Orlando’s first theme park built with these 21st-century conveniences in mind).
More signs point toward Epic Universe, Stella Nova, and Terra Luna.
Work continues on the parking tollbooth for Epic Universe. Construction crews are actively working on the roof of the structure. It appears that this toll plaza will have six lanes of traffic, which will hopefully be enough to process to presumably large demand for the park. To compare, the parking structure for the rest of Universal Orlando consists of 14 lanes at its tollbooth.
The photo below, captured in October 2024, showed steady progress was underway of the Epic Universe bus stop. Guests traveling via bus will only have a short walk to the park entrance when visiting Epic Universe.
Segueing back to January 2025, crews completed and painted the bus stop roofs. Construction is still moving on this site, but it appears lots of progress has been made.
Epic Universe’s parking lot is still under construction, with portions of the lot, including the pathway to the middle of the park in the photo below, still not paved. Construction crews continue to install lamp posts and planters for trees and other greenery along the pathway.
The photo below shows a different section of the parking lot. This is what the pathway in the previous set of images will look like. These are also not complete, but they offer a look as to how the aforementioned planters will appear when finished.
The entrance to the park, seen below in an image from October 2024, is coming along nicely. Surrounded by trees and the color green, Epic Universe’s entrance is setting the stage for Celestial Park. Universal has promised that “Celestial Park will put the ‘park’ back in ‘theme park.'”
We are now almost three months away from Epic Universe’s grand opening, when you can drive these along those freshly paved roads yourself and walk right into Orlando’s first new theme park in a quarter-century. As your anticipation builds, be sure to check out this video of Epic Universe construction from the sky, filmed by bioreconstruct:
Are you looking forward to visiting Epic Universe? As always, stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for more updates.
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What is going on with the Carrier Drive connector between Kirkman Rd and Universal Blvd? When is that road going to be finished?