A recent permit could provide the first indication of a future expansion planned for Epic Universe’s Dark Universe, the park’s Universal Monsters-themed world.
According to recent permit activity filed with Orange County, Florida, which was first reported on by Theme Park Wizard, Universal Orlando appears to be moving forward with early development work tied to a possible new attraction project. The newly filed documents currently only reference site work, but several details connect the permit to a previously uncovered project known as “Project 680.”
Earlier permits explicitly described Project 680 as involving “mass grading, utility points of connection, and re-routes for early work purposes of a future attraction.” Comment notes included in the newest permit reference “Area 680,” strongly suggesting the two filings are connected.
The updated permit also references a new structure identified as building 1570. That detail is particularly notable because all buildings numbered in the 15XX range are associated exclusively with Dark Universe, placing Project 680 within that land’s boundaries, according to Alicia Stella of Orlando Park Stop. Dark Universe’s dedicated expansion plot is located between Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and The Burning Blade Tavern.
Interestingly, the original Project 680 permit was later revised to remove any mention of a “future attraction,” instead being simplified to generic “site work” language before ultimately being deleted altogether. Stella notes that the newly discovered permit could now be serving as its replacement.
If the project outlined in the permit is a new attraction, it would become the third attraction in the Dark Universe area.
Early rumors tied to a Dark Universe expansion suggested a possible Creature from the Black Lagoon boat ride could be added to the land. However, Stella reports that newer speculation suggests the rumored project may now instead be themed to Bride of Frankenstein.
Universal Orlando has not confirmed plans for a new Dark Universe attraction and has not commented on the recent permit filings, which are still in the early stages. However, Universal has already announced that expansions for Epic Universe are in development. Additionally, in a recent interview with WESH 2 News, Anisha Vyas, Director of Projects for Universal Creative, said that “there’s always more magic coming out of Epic Universe, especially in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”
Those comments align with a different permit filed late last year for a new 150,000-square-foot building believed to be planned for the park’s Wizarding World area. Based on current indications, a new Wizarding World attraction may open first, with a potential Dark Universe addition arriving later as Universal continues expanding Epic Universe and increasing overall capacity.
Stay tuned to AttractionInsight.com and follow our social media channels for more Universal news and beyond.
