Universal’s Massive New Park Sparks a Shocking Disney World Twist

Universal Orlando’s newest theme park has given Central Florida another major attraction competing for vacation days, hotel bookings and spending.

Its first annual attendance figures offer a chance to assess how the region’s established parks performed once the new addition entered the mix.

The results provide a more complicated picture of Disney-versus-Universal.

They show where attendance moved during 2025, but they do not establish exactly why visitors chose one park over another.

2025 TEA Index Tracks 4.3% Central Florida Attendance Increase

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) released its 2025 Global Experience Index on October 27, providing estimates for the world’s leading theme parks and other attractions.

The report puts combined attendance at the 25 most-visited theme parks at 245.4 million visits, down 0.2% from 245.9 million in 2024.

Universal Epic Universe recorded an estimated 4 million visits during its first year, having opened in May 2025. Its debut helped lift combined attendance at Central Florida’s leading theme parks by 4.3%, according to TEA’s official report announcement.

That regional increase did not translate into higher attendance at every park. The figures reveal a split between the newest addition to Universal Orlando and several established attractions elsewhere in the market.

Magic Kingdom Draws 17.8M as Universal Legacy Gates Drop Over 2%

Magic Kingdom remained the world’s most-visited theme park, attracting an estimated 17.8 million visits in 2025. That was a 0.2% decline from the previous year.

All four Walt Disney World parks recorded the same estimated percentage decrease.

EPCOT received 12.1 million visits, Hollywood Studios drew 10.3 million, and Animal Kingdom attracted 8.8 million. Together, the four parks remained close to their previous year’s attendance level.

Universal’s two established Orlando theme parks experienced larger declines.

Universal Studios Florida recorded 9.3 million visits, down 2.1%, while Islands of Adventure received 9.2 million, a 2.6% decrease. Epic Universe’s 4 million visits added a substantial new attraction to the resort’s overall attendance.

The park-by-park figures were detailed by Disney Tourist Blog, which analyzed the report and its implications for Orlando’s competition.

4 Million Epic Universe Visits Expand the Central Florida Market

The estimates suggest Epic Universe helped expand Central Florida’s overall theme park attendance without a corresponding collapse at Disney World.

They also show that Universal’s established parks lost visits during the same year its newest park attracted millions.

However, the figures cannot demonstrate that Epic Universe caused the declines at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, or that it had no effect on Disney World. Ticket prices, promotions, attraction availability, weather and other factors can influence attendance.

The TEA report relies on information from operators and other research sources, including historical figures, financial reports, tourism organizations and professional estimates.

“This year’s findings show both the resilience of established markets and the growing importance of destinations that bring together a range of experiences,” said Melissa Ruminot, CEO of TEA, in the association’s announcement.

More Theme Park News

This story was originally published by TravelHost on Oct 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the Theme Parks section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.