A new construction permit filed on November 7, 2025, at 1001 Epic Blvd, Orlando, FL (Universal South Campus – Plat 2), the site of Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe theme park, is sparking speculation that the park may be preparing for its first new ride addition since opening on May 22, 2025.
The permit, which covers “site utilities and foundation work,” outlines plans for a new 150,000-square-foot building within Epic Universe. For context, the shared show building for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry and Le Cirque Arcanus spans about 173,000 square feet, while Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment occupies roughly 94,000 square feet, according to Google Earth estimates. The size of the new project places it well within the range of a major attraction.
Media website Behind the Thrills noted that the size of the structure closely matches an empty plot behind The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic area, which also measures about 150,000 square feet. This space, shown in the image below, has long been rumored to have been reserved for a second Harry Potter-themed ride that was delayed or omitted from Epic Universe’s opening lineup.
Of course, this remains speculative. The permit makes no direct mention of a new ride, and Universal has not commented on it. Still, the size of the proposed structure has caught the attention of theme park enthusiasts, sparking speculation about a possible new Harry Potter-themed attraction or another major ride elsewhere in the park. It’s also worth noting that the square footage could just as easily accommodate a large back-of-house facility. Although Universal hasn’t announced details on a specific addition for Epic Universe, the company has previously confirmed that new projects are already in development across all of its parks, including the recently opened Epic Universe.
“There are already so many things in the works now,” said Karen Irwin, President and COO of Universal Orlando. “We have a slate of new attractions that were already in development for every one of our parks. We’re already planning for the next thing at Epic.”
If this project does result in a new high-capacity attraction, it could address some of Epic Universe’s biggest challenges—namely, heavy crowding and the lack of indoor rides. The park’s current lineup has relatively few attractions that can handle large crowds or operate during Florida’s frequent summer storms, leading to long wait times and weather-related downtime.
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