What Is Epic Universe?

Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth park (including water park Volcano Bay), and its most ambitious yet. Located on a 750-acre plot near the Orange County Convention Center, this park is just a few miles south of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, creating a second major Universal hub on the I-Drive corridor.

Epic Universe features ultra-immersive lands based on popular franchises including Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and a land themed to Universal’s classic monsters: Dark Universe.

The park features world-class attractions ranging from family-friendly fun to high-speed thrills, including:

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
• Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness
• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

Epic Universe is also home to a brand-new dueling launch coaster, Stardust Racers, reminiscent of Universal’s iconic dueling coaster of the past, Dueling Dragons.

Early previews and behind-the-scenes insights reveal how the park blends storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and themed environments in ways that raise the bar for destination theme parks, with many early visitors already calling it one of the best theme parks in the world.

All of the attractions at Epic Universe utilize the latest and greatest technology from Universal as they continue to push the boundaries on the modern theme park formula, resulting in incredible experiences that guests won’t find anywhere else.

This includes the groundbreaking implementation of augmented reality into Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, allowing players to see and interact with objects in front of them via AR goggles as they race through fan-favorite Mario Kart scenes, and my favorite – the ultra-realistic animatronics used to bring the classic Universal monsters to life in Dark Universe, pictured below.

New Roads, New Traffic Patterns, New Guests

Universal isn’t just building a park—they’re building the infrastructure to support a city-sized influx of travelers.

To support access to Epic Universe, Universal has partnered with Orange County to construct the Kirkman Road Extension, a nearly $300 million roadway project. This major road includes:

• A large, multi-lane traffic circle (unusual for Central Florida)
• Improved access between Universal Boulevard and Kirkman Road
• New multi-modal transportation features like bike lanes and pedestrian walkways
• Direct access routes for guests staying in southern I-Drive, Kissimmee, and Lake Buena Vista

This road isn’t just for theme park traffic—it’s a signal of how Universal is reshaping the entire tourism corridor. With better flow and access, previously underutilized areas will become hot rental markets. We are already seeing major growth in this area with hot new restaurants and hotels hurrying to build new locations near Epic.

What This Means for Vacation Rental Property Managers

1. Demand Is About to Skyrocket

This is the first new major U.S. park in over 24 years—and it's expected to draw millions of additional visitors per year. Many of them will be new to Orlando, booking multi-day vacations and seeking space and comfort. Vacation rentals will be in very high demand.

2. Extended Stays & Larger Groups

Epic Universe is big enough to justify a 3–5 day visit on its own. Add in time for the other Universal parks, Disney World, and other attractions, and your guests will be looking to stay longer—and bring the whole family. That’s a win for large homes, villas, and properties with family-friendly amenities.

3. Higher Nightly Rates in Peak Periods

Theme park openings generate significant media buzz—and higher-than-average travel spend. Just as we saw during the opening of Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epic Universe will likely create pricing surges during opening months and school breaks. Property managers with dynamic pricing tools (like those available within CiiRUS) can maximize revenue in this high-demand window.

4. Upgraded Expectations

This is a big one: Guests visiting new parks expect modern, social media-worthy accommodations. Listings with quality photos, smart amenities, strong reviews, and professional presentation will win more bookings. If you’re not already using tools like the CiiRUS Website Builder or Unified Inbox to present and manage your listings—now’s the time to level up.

5. Guest Assurance Matters

Travelers spending big on bucket-list trips want peace of mind. Offer built-in protection with CiiRUS Protect - with $1 million in damage and liability coverage, plus protection for contents and even bedbug treatment, CiiRUS Protect delivers peace of mind and sets your listings apart as professionally managed and secure.

Position Your Properties for the Epic Universe Boom

Epic Universe isn’t just a theme park opening—it’s a seismic shift that will ripple through Central Florida’s travel patterns, guest expectations, and booking behaviors. Property managers who prepare now will be first in line to capture the wave of new demand.

Here’s how to make sure your business is positioned for success:‍

Optimize Listings for Epic Visibility

Guests searching for “vacation homes near Epic Universe” will begin months before the park opens. Start building SEO relevance now:

• Update your property descriptions to mention proximity to Epic Universe, Universal Orlando, or the Kirkman Road extension.
• Add landmarks and driving times: e.g., “15 minutes from Epic Universe via new Kirkman Road access.”
• Feature family-friendly amenities: high chairs, cribs, stroller rentals, and entertainment options like smart TVs or gaming consoles.
• Include local guides or blogs on your website that highlight the new park, giving your direct booking site a search engine edge.

Refresh Your Visual Storytelling

In an era of immersive theme parks, guests are seeking immersive stays.

• Add drone photography showing the home’s proximity to major attractions and roads.
• Highlight kid-friendly spaces, themed bedrooms, or media rooms—especially if they tie into franchises featured at the park (e.g., dragons, fantasy themes, video games).
• Create short video walkthroughs for social media and listings to boost engagement and conversions.

Communicate the Epic Value to Guests

With new visitors flooding the area, clear and confident communication is key.

• Use the CiiRUS Unified Inbox to provide fast, consistent responses across channels—especially around directions, local attractions, and check-in.
• Set up automated messaging with park tips, crowd calendars, and dining recommendations tailored for Epic Universe visitors.
• Promote guest benefits of your properties like quiet retreats after a long park day, private pools, full kitchens, and washer/dryer access—things hotels can’t compete with.

Use the CiiRUS Toolbox to Stay Ahead

Epic Universe may bring complexity—new traffic patterns, fluctuating demand, and evolving guest needs. With CiiRUS, you're ready.

• Dynamic Pricing & Revenue Forecasting: Stay competitive as rates surge and new market trends emerge.
• Booking Engine & Direct Site Tools: Capture guests before they get to the OTAs.
• Integrated Operations Tools: Keep your team in sync as bookings increase and cleaning schedules intensify.

Final Thoughts

Epic Universe is a catalyst for Central Florida vacation rentals, opening the door to long-term growth, higher nightly rates, and new guests discovering the magic of vacation homes for the first time. If you're ready to ride the wave, CiiRUS is ready to help.

Let’s get ahead of the curve—because when the gates open next month, you’ll want to be front and center.

Heads up – if you’re a theme park fan and a current Universal Orlando Annual Passholder, you can now buy tickets to a special early preview of Epic Universe, running between April 17^th and May 8^th ahead of their May 22^nd grand opening!

📷 Photos courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort and Bioreconstruct.