Several reputable sources have already reported this.
The expansion plot behind the Wizarding World Paris just happens to be 150,814 square feet. Falcon's Attractions and Mach Rides possibly involved.
My money is on the VR broomstick / Quiddich ride that was intially rumored. Comcast has lots of cash from the Hulu buyout.
I don't know VelocicoasterFan, if this is presumably a final harry potter ride, I would go big, especially for something as important to the franchise as flying on a broomstick. Plus, that space behind the ministry is way too big for a VR ride.
Of all the current lands, Wizarding World desperately needs a new addition, so this is welcome news.
Great news all around! Disney has forced Comcast to spend more money in the Orlando market in order for it to keep pace with the massive WDW expansions at DAK, and MKP -- along with all the "small ball" successes that are already available in the Florida parks: MKP night time parade, Zootopia attraction, DHS Villains show, new Soarin' film, Muppets coaster, etc.
Still, I'm not sure that Comcast has much of that Hulu cash left. After all Comcast's debt load still hovers around $100 billion. They also have to pay for their Texas carny, the struggling Vegas experiment, the soon to open Chicago (really?) haunted house and (if it actually happens) the UK project.
Of course Variety has reported that Comcast didn't make the revenue it wanted when it came to handing over Hulu to Disney (06/09/25): "After more than two years of haggling, Disney has finally closed its deal with Comcast to buy out NBC/Universal's one-third stake in Hulu -- and Disney is paying much less than it would have if NBCU had its druthers."
Same article continues: "The total price Disney will have paid for Hulu is approximately $9 billion, implying a valuation of $27 billion overall for the streaming company. If the price had been determined by the bank hired by Comcast to assess the values at stake, that would've resulted in an additional $5 billion payable by Disney".
It's also reasonable to note that Disney is currently enjoying a healthy windfall from its commitment to Hulu. Under the headline, 'Disney+ Adds 3.8 Million Subscribers, Hulu Packs on 8.6 Million Amid Kimmel Controversy and ESPN Unlimited Bundle Promo in September Quarter', Varierty also reports (11/13/25) "Disney closed out its 2025 fiscal year on a streaming high note, delivering healthy quarterly subscriber growth for Disney+ and Hulu — the final quarter the media giant will report subscriber figures — and a 39% increase in direct-to-consumer operating income. The Mouse House reported a combined 195.7 million Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions as of Sept. 27, an increase of 12.4 million for the three-month period, which topped Wall Street estimates by 2.1 million".
It's great that Comcast has the cash to expand Epic Universe and (finally) move it away from its disappointing reputation of being a half-day park. It's even greater that (Kimmel debacle aside) the WDC seems to have found its footing (profits) in streaming with its total acquisition of Hulu -- turning it into a stronger than expected source of revenue.
The unfortunate thing is that Comcast had to pay the bank that failed to negotiate a better outcome on the Hulu deal. If they'd earned a little more money or avoided the consulting fees they paid to those bankers, they could've afforded to buy some shade trees at Epic Universe.
NEXT!
I respond - Thanks for the free theme park, Disney.
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression... we will never see that fifth stage of grief, however.
Odd, none of the Pixie Dusters ever mention the 14 billion dollar (and counting) loss from Disney Plus. Some of us live in Fantasyland.
Wasn't there a failed billion dollar Galactic Starcruiser LARPing experience in there somewhere? The lobby line dancing lessons & blue / green milk were pretty Epic.
Yeah, the streaming service is pretty rough for everybody. I mean consider Comcast's balance sheet for Peacock -- Yahoo Finance (Sportico 07/30/25): "A seasonal dearth of live sports content contributed to a mixed bag for Comcast’s streaming service, as Peacock subscribers remained flat at 41 million, while losses narrowed to $101 million in the second quarter of 2025. While that marked a not-insignificant improvement compared to the $348 million hit the platform took in the year-ago period, Comcast’s latest results pushed Peacock’s cumulative losses past the $10 billion mark".
Holy guacamole! Total loses now more than $10 billion? And that doesn't count the $217 million dollar loss published by The Hollywood Reporter a few weeks ago at the end of October. And when you add in that extra $5 billion that Comcast lost in the Hulu negotiations with Disney (posted and sourced earlier on this thread) the "free theme park" assertion looks pretty silly.
And (also posted and sourced in my comment earlier in this thread) to add insult to injury, the Hulu streaming service now seems to be doing okay -- adding 8.6 million according to the final quarterly report of the year.
Ah well ... once the new Potter ride opens everything will be okay. I'll bet it will use that new kind of state-of-the-art technology that will actually let guests cross their legs while riding.
Twenty years ago we were railing against Disney for the Katzenberg debacle and Universal for playing "Who's My Owner?" while little investment was being done in the domestic parks. Now we argue about who's making or losing more money in the entertainment industry while we get to enjoy these incredible parks and rides being built by both these companies throughout the world.
Gold stars on the report card for both Disney and Universal!
I respond - Deflect, deny, rinse, repeat with a sprinkle of self gaslighting and pure delusion.
Your beloved company who had a monopoly on Orlando tourism since the 70s is slowly dying from a baffling string of bad decisions from CEOs all named Bob.
Nobody mentioned Disney until you started foaming at the mouth and exercised a complete lack of emotional and impulse control. A multi-paragraph diatribe that has nothing to do with the new expansion permit... makes so much sense.
As Universal Creative most certainly says in every meeting, "Thank you Disney for fumbling the ball on all things Harry Potter". They picked it up, ran it back 99 yards, and have been dancing in the end zone setting wheelbarrows full of Butterbeer cash on fire since 2010.
NB is in full tantrum/meltdown.
Rent free, sir. Rent free. Universal has you on tilt. What's going to happen when they fill in all the current land's expansion, add the final two portals and build the CityWalk style shopping / food district and sister park?
I think it will be great for all of Central Florida and it will be great for Comcast ... assuming Comcast still owns the parks when those expansions are complete.
Is there a deal for another company to buy NBC Universal from Comcast I am unaware of?
TH, It's funny that you call EU a half-day park even though AK is notoriously short on attractions even after years of chances for Disney to give it significant investment. And DHS opened with just two rides, so we're lucky that EU has 11.
VelocicoasterFan - I was going to post the same thing, but I'm pretty sure he knows that already. MK is the crown jewel. Epcot still gets people to hang around after dark, and the other two are half day at best unless you want to see Avatar or The New Order Star Wars at night.
When I was at Epic, it was still packed after dark. Probably one of the best lit parks in the world. They did their homework and hired the right people.
Dark Universe at night is a must.
@ V-Coaster: DAK is a half-day park. DHS once was a half-day park.
. . . That's what I said.
@ V-Coaster: Right. And after you called me out -- for lord knows what reason ("TH") -- I agreed with you.
Now you have issues with me when I agree with you?
(Insert eyeroll).
@NBC: The Universal parks have a history of changing ownership (MCA, Blackstone, Seagrams, Rank, Vivendi, etc.). It's certainly not out of the question that they may sell the parks to another company.
Considering the massive debt Comcast currently carries (nine figures deep), and their continued failure at managing their streaming footprint ($10 billion lost ["and counting"]), $5 billion left on the table related to the Hulu debacle, continued quarterly reports awash in red ink) they might have no choice but to cut and run.
Huge new permit in Epic and now Intamin reveals new multi-dimensional dark ride system...
Sounds like a match to me....
"Huge new permit in Epic and now Intamin reveals new multi-dimensional dark ride system...
Sounds like a match to me...."
I thought the same thing.
@NB Creative and Brian - Do you really think Universal would use another multi-dimensional dark ride system for an attraction that is likely going right next to BotM in MoM? Even if it were something for the rumored SNW Portal expansion or the Lost Continent replacement, it seems unlikely for UC to go in this direction - perhaps this could be for the eventual replacement for The Simpsons Ride.
I certainly wouldn't put it past UC to give this platform a look, but unless this system from Intamin is going to significantly reduce the development costs of an attraction, this just doesn't seem to be something a company with the resources and staff that UC has would buy.
I concur with Russell. Especially when it comes to Comcast, cost is a primary issue.
Well I concur with NB Creative and Not Russel and TH creative....
So there....
@Brian - You can certainly disagree, but do you really think it makes sense to put an attraction based around this ride system right next to BotM? The early rumors for the new HP attraction indicate it will be the long-rumored broomstick attraction, which either means a theater-based attraction (like FoP) or an indoor coaster (like Tron).
Russel, I have no idea what is actually going in (eventually). I am actually more interested in the space between Nintendo and Dark Universe, and the other space between Ministry of Magic and Stardust Racers.
The walk from Nintendo to Dark Universe when going clockwise is a whole lot of nothing. Feels so empty. I was there in June.
@NB - Those are the 2 expansion pads for addition portals. At this point, I don't think Universal is ready to commit to another IP in Epic, but there have been plenty of rumors on what could eventually go on those pads, which include LotR, Pokemon (though this has been more heavily hinted for the replacement for Springfield), Jurassic World, and others.
Back on topic: What's missing from the discussion is time-line. Disney and Comcast appear to be embracing a cycle of "you go then I'll go". And it benefits both companies. I suspect, if Comcast pulls the trigger on a new HP gate-crasher, serious work on site would not begin until early 2027 -- leading to a 2029 opening. Befire that we will see the DHS and DAK up and running. In fact, I suspect the Pokémon IOA footprint could be open by then -- around 2028.
The Florida Theme Park Industry does seem to show the "Idealistic" version of how capitalism is said to work, with the parks competing to continue to improve.
(It does also have the underbelly of people not being paid a living wage, but no need to go there...)
That’s huge - 150,814 sq ft is a significant footprint for the expansion at Epic Universe. Considering the size, a full-blown VR broomstick or Quidditch attraction would make sense-wide-open space needed for immersive ride dynamics.
If Falcon’s Attractions and Mach Rides are involved, we could be looking at something with high-end tech and big thrills. The Wizarding World’s brand pull + a cutting-edge ride combo = huge.
My guess: It’ll be a multi-phase attraction—maybe a VR theater portion paired with a motion-base ride or flying simulator. Either way, this size and investment point to a major headline attraction for Epic Universe.
Rumours abound that Universal might buy Warner Bros.
If they do then just imagine the possibilities available for this big space.
Lord of the Rings springs to mind.
That sounds like a solid guess. The size of the permit lining up with that expansion plot feels a bit too perfect to be a coincidence. A VR broomstick or Quidditch style attraction would make sense too, especially with Falcon’s and Mach involved since both have the tech to pull it off. With Comcast sitting on a big chunk of cash now, this could be the moment they decide to go all in on something flashy for Epic Universe.
This is definitely an exciting development, A 150K+ sq ft footprint is huge for an immersive Wizarding World experience. If Falcon’s Attractions and Mach Rides are involved, it could combine VR and motion-based elements for a fully interactive broomstick/Quidditch ride. Given the space and tech, it might even be a multi-phase attraction, mixing a theater portion with a flying simulator. If executed well, this could become the headline experience that Epic Universe has been missing and really elevate the park’s profile.
This is definitely an exciting development, A 150K+ sq ft footprint is huge for an immersive Wizarding World experience. If Falcon’s Attractions and Mach Rides are involved, it could combine VR and motion-based elements for a fully interactive broomstick/Quidditch ride. Given the space and tech, it might even be a multi-phase attraction, mixing a theater portion with a flying simulator. If executed well, this could become the headline experience that Epic Universe has been missing and really elevate the park’s profile.
A good news finally. Some new additions were desperately needed. Time to come back. I found it all of a sudden. So excited!
Many years ago we had a contract working on the air con at the Mars chocolate factory here in the UK. We were told to help ourselves to as much chocolate as we liked knowing that by day 3 we'd be sick of the sight of it. They were right.
Now I feel the same way about Harry Potter as an IP.
Just how much Harry Potter is too much Harry Potter and will people get sick of something they always thought they liked ?
New ideas for this expansion please. Harry's been done to death despite having a new TV show.
@Rob P - I think HP has staying power, and is about as "evergreen" any modern IP is today. However, I think the biggest issue is that Universal keeps overreacting to guests' impressions as each WWoHP land has opened. The principles interviewed on Peacock's Epic documentary went through the chronology of the IP's application at Universal parks. They talked about how they worked so hard to make sure Hogsmeade was immersive, but they were shocked that the massive lines were mostly for the retail experiences while the actual ride lines were lower than expected. Diagon Alley compensated for this by having larger stores and duplication of experiences across the 2 lands to meet anticipated demand. Ministry takes the frustration from guests wanting to watch the small stage shows and puts its show in an actual theater with seating. However, each successive application of HP has reduced the number of actual rides (Hogsmeade had 3, Diagon Alley had 2, though that second was behind a "paywall", and now MoM has just 1). Universal was so enamored with the success of their retail and non-ride experiences within the various WWoHP lands, they completely whiffed on the need for the land to have rides to keep people busy, especially when the only ride is a technological cluster. Universal should have already seen the need for additional ride capacity at Diagon Alley (and perhaps those original plans for Ministry of Magic taking over Fear Factor was their solution that got ported over to Epic), and now with BotM struggling to meet demand, Universal has to do something to fill out what is an empty land in a multi-billion dollar park.
In a way, they increased demand for non-ride offerings by making them more prominent when rides became the second focus. They're digging their own hole.
That's my point VelocicoasterFan. Mark Woodbury said that they were shocked when Hogsmeade opened and that the line extending beyond the land that they thought was for FJ was actually for the Butterbeer cart and another line winding through the land was for Honeydukes. Obviously Universal not only saw this as a success in design and the appeal of non-ride options, but they saw $$$$, because not only were guests paying money to get into the park, they were spending even more when they got into WWoHP. You can clearly see that change in decisions that were made in the design of Diagon Alley and MoM (and other newer offerings throughout Universal parks around the world - and Disney as well, Blue/Green milk anyone or "The Grey Stuff") to optimize and maximize space for upcharges, retail, and food.
Do you think that Universal might also consider building a "Kid's World" in that space along the lines of the one they're opening in Texas ?
Do you think that Universal might also consider building a "Kid's World" in that space along the lines of the one they're opening in Texas ?
A second theme park, water park, or kids park is in the cards for the epic property footprint along with a multi-story garage and eating / shopping district similar to Citywalk.
Someone posted a viable route for a Universal monorail connecting The Epic Property and Universal / IOA. I could see it happening in the next decade. Literally above and down the middle of Kirkman Rd.
If Universal did add a kids world to Orlando, it might not be out of the question for them to add a horror unleashed there too. Plus more hotels, shopping district, etc.
My pipe dream ride is a vekoma new-gen flying coaster themed to the quidditch world cup. That's probably not going to happen, but I do think this will be themed to broomsticks in one way or another.