Epic Universe Update: Storm Flooding Gives Way to Increased Construction Progress – Orlando ParkStop

Epic Universe seems to be back on track after a minor setback a couple weeks ago. Flooding from Hurricane Ian has already subsided at the massive work site, and crews have been back to work constructing this new theme park in Orlando.

Thanks to Bioreconstruct on Twitter, we have new aerial photographs taken a little over a week after the storm passed through Central Florida. Comparing these photos to those from the day after our storm in our last update, the difference is night and day.

Wide view of Epic Universe site, showing very little signs of flooding, Photos by Bioreconstruct

Some of the most apparent differences can be seen within the three central water features for Epic Universe. The areas, where these two lagoons and a fountain display are being constructed, were completely filled with water as of September 30th, but now they are not only empty, but work has resumed within them.

Official concept art for Epic Universe with speculated lands labeled

The water features can be seen within the center of the concept art above. The most recent area to start construction is the lower section of lagoon, seen in the photograph below.

Lower section of central lagoon in Epic Universe

This lower section of the central lagoon, which is close to the parks entrance, is where an octagonal-shaped dining location will be located. Rumored to be themed to the ocean, this full-service restaurant and lounge will have large picture windows overlooking the lagoon and rest of the theme park.

Footprint for a dining location taking shape within water feature

Subsided water from within the central areas of the park has also revealed progress within the water feature directly within the center of the theme park.

Ride being constructed within central water feature

This central water feature is expected to contain some type of spinner flat ride. Foundation work looks to be complete and new footings are being installed to support sections of a canopy or some type of enclosure for this attraction.

Ride pit for a flat ride within central water feature

While it is still unknown what type of ride this will be within the center of the park, rumors were originally for some sort of carousel. In our last update we discussed the possibility of a different type of flat ride system being used instead, one that utilizes water.

Possible flat ride seen in official concept art for Epic Universe

We saw plenty of pipes being installed below the foundations for this flat ride, so it is possible water may play a part in some way. Or, those pipes may be for fountains around the perimeter of the ride structure, set within the central water feature itself.

A plumbing permit for this area describes 22,798 linear feet of piping for water feature. The permit also says this project has piping for a pool. Older permits for this attraction described this work as a Ride Pit with an Acid room and Liquid Chlorine room, as well as an Indoor Oil Water Separator to support a Hydraulic Elevator and Lift.

Plumbing permit that may be related to flat ride at Epic Universe, fasttrack.ocfl.net

The final water feature for the new parks central hub is the large Bellagio-style fountain display with amphitheater-like seating surrounding it.

Fountain construction at Epic Universe. Arrow pointing to hotel at back of the park

Foundation work for this fountain was interrupted by the storm, but work can continue now that the water is drying up.

Remnants of the storm flooding still seen within this area

At the very back of the parks central hub will sit a large hotel. With 500 rooms, this hotel will tower over the rest of the park.

Orange dirt seen at top left of photo will be for hotel areas

A tower crane was scheduled to arrive this month, but may have been delayed by the storm.

Number 2 at prep work for hotel site. Number 3 at area readied for tower crane

Major construction is only now starting on the hotel, but a dining location that will face the theme parks hub is taking shape in front of the hotel.

Number 3 at restaurant in front of hotel, 2 is for tower crane, and 4 is unique foundations at hotel entry area

In our last update we discovered new documents that may prove that this hotel at the back of Epic Universe will in fact be named Universals Helios Grand Hotel. Not only is that a trademarked term from Universal, but it appears that the company has selected Helios as the name of the road that will lead to this hotel behind the park.

Three central water features in center of photo, leading to hotel site on far right

Also seeing progress within the parks central hub, is the dual track racing roller coaster. It can be seen branching off of the hub in the photograph above.

Now that the water has cleared from this area, we can see that foundation work is continuing.

Foundation work for hub-facing roller coaster

While no additional track has shown up since the initial shipment, new shipping reports show that several deliveries of track from Mack Rides are on their way. They may be for this ride, as well as a few other attractions at Epic Universe.

Track staged for large dual track racing roller coaster at Epic Universe

Besides the water features within the center of the park, another area that saw a lot of flooding from the storm was the land we believe will be themed to Universal Monsters. It does appear that water has dried up or has been removed from this land.

Universal Monsters land at Epic Universe

With the water in this area now out of the way, we can see prep work for this lands main dining and retail locations have made progress. The lands main dining location is rumored to be named the Stakehouse based on early concepts. This could of course change however.

Monsters lands main restaurant located to right of main ride

After entering the portal into the Universal Monsters land, guests will see the restaurant on their right and retail on their left. These areas will be themed as a village street with multiple facades.

Future location of retail for Universal Monsters

The portal for Universal Monsters itself is the furthest along in the park, with themed elements being constructed atop.

Portal for entering Universal Monsters

In the photo below we can see the walls erected for a windmill-themed lounge for the land on the left. In the backgound is the facade and entry for the lands main indoor ride. And within the center is a long strip that permits call Scene 2 for the lands outdoor roller coaster.

Coasters scene 2, possible launch area, seen in middle of photo

In the photo below you can see the station structure for the roller coaster at bottom, as well as the scene 2 area at top. It is rumored that scene 2 will be either the launch or lift hill for the ride.

Roller coaster area at Universal Monsters

The attraction has been rumored to be a spinning coaster from Mack Rides, but until we see track delivered to the site we have not been able to confirm that yet.

Wide view of Monsters land, with 5 being main ride and 4 being roller coaster area

Moving on to Super Nintendo World, the new sections of Yoshi track that we saw installed in our last update have since been covered.

Wide view of Nintendo at Epic Universe, Yoshi seen in center of image

Recently installed Yoshi track, now covered in yellow material on top

Yoshi at number 2, but Mario Kart and Donkey Kong seen on left

The Mario Kart building continues to be enclosed, so we will not be able to see inside for too much longer. For now, we can see new foundations being poured around the track layout for this indoor two-track dark ride.

Arrow at new foundations inside of Mario Kart ride

Mario Kart ride in foreground, Donkey Kong coaster in background

A new section of track around a major outdoor scene for the Donkey Kong mine cart roller coaster has been installed.

New sections of Donkey Kong track seen at arrow

A closer view of this section of track shows just how banked the U-Turn curve will be, seen on the bottom-right of the photo below.

The sideways coaster track being installed now is what the ride cars will actually be riding on. A false track that appears like regular mine cart track will be installed above, which is what it will look like youre traveling on. That way there can be gaps in the track we think we are riding on which the carts can appear to jump over.

Donkey Kong coaster construction at Epic Universe

Donkey Kong track from center to right of image, as seen from the side

Before we wrap up in Nintendo, the footprint for the lands main entrance is taking shape. The portal for this land will be through a warp pipe. It will be much larger than the portals for the other lands, because this entry will most likely contain escalators inside to bring us to the lands second level. That way we enter the land through Peachs Castle, same as it is in Universal Studios Japan, which already starts on the upper level.

Entry into Nintendo taking shape. Large concrete at bottom for base of Peachs Castle

Over in the parks Wizarding World land, the massive Ministry of Magic ride building continues to be enclosed. Prep work for other structures around the land is continuing as well, which will be for shops and dining along city streets.

Wide view of Wizarding World land, number 3 at main ride, 6 is portal entry

Walls being enclosed on British Ministry of Magic ride

Foundations for dining and shopping at Wizarding World land

In the How to Train Your Dragon land, water has cleared from the lagoon. More work is being done to prepare for the installation of statues and other themed elements within the lagoon.

Foundation work within the How to Train Your Dragon lagoon

Footers for the coasters load area, maintenance bay, and first launch are looking much more complete than in our prior updates.

Coaster footings for How to Train Your Dragon

Were also keeping an eye on construction happening at the Great Hall restaurant within the center of the How to Train Your Dragon land, the outdoor boat ride, and the indoor theater.

Coaster going through lagoon at center, Great Hall seen at arrow

Wide view of Dragons land. Boat ride at number 3, theater at 4

Thats all for now, but be sure to check out our last update for updated site plans for the Universal Monsters and Wizarding World lands, including details on how they have changed since the park first started construction.

A big thank you to Bioreconstruct for providing us with an aerial look at the Epic Universe site so soon after our last update, so we can compare everything to how it looked immediately following the storm. You can follow Bioreconstruct on Twitter for more amazing photography from above, and within, the Central Florida theme parks.

Subscribe to the news feed or enter your email address below to never miss an update. Official Concept Art: Universal Orlando | Aerial Photos: Bioreconstruct | Other Images as Captioned

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Epic Universe Update: Storm Flooding Gives Way to Increased Construction Progress - Orlando ParkStop