UCF Knights and Universal Epic Universe: A Powerful Partnership Shaping the Future of Entertainment
The opening of Universal Orlando Resort’s Universal Epic Universe in mid-2025 promises to bring new thrills to Central Florida residents and tourists alike. This innovative theme park has not only captured the imagination of the world but has also forged a strong partnership with the University of Central Florida (UCF), particularly its Rosen College of Hospitality Management, creating unparalleled opportunities for students and driving economic growth in the region.
A Living Laboratory for Hospitality and Themed Entertainment
Located less than a mile from Epic Universe, UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management has embraced the park as a living case study for its students. Ranked No. 1 in the world for hospitality education by CEOWORLD magazine, the college provides hands-on learning in hospitality, themed experience, engineering, and beyond.
Carissa Baker ’08MA ’18PhD, assistant professor of hospitality, has integrated Epic Universe into multiple courses across the theme park and attraction management curriculum. In one course, students analyze the park’s community and economic impacts. In another, they follow the site creation process from research and development to operations and guest experience. “Several of my students were involved in design, construction and operations development for the park,” Baker says.
The timing of the program's launch was serendipitous. "We just started our program in fall of 2023, and it was just perfect timing. We swear it wasn't on purpose to coincide with the opening of Universal Epic Universe, but it started with our students brand new in this program and then seeing a dirt lot across the street," she said.
Culinary Innovation and Themed Experiences
Epic Universe is also reshaping UCF’s approach to culinary education. Judy, a faculty member at Rosen College, explains, “Our students aren’t just studying the industry. “When Universal Orlando announced the themes for the various worlds, my students created sample menus based on the IP for each world. We have also used Epic extensively as a class discussion topic,” Judy says. “Watching a park like Epic Universe launch is a masterclass in themed food innovation."
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UCF’s themed experience M.F.A. program, based in the College of Arts and Humanities, is providing a direct pathway into the creative engine of the industry. The programs teach students the unique creative skills, processes, and concepts needed to design and produce themed environments and attractions. “Our students, alumni and even faculty have worked for years to help make Epic Universe a reality,” Weishar says.
Engineering the Future of Theme Parks
At the intersection of innovation and imagination, UCF’s STEEL Club - the Society of Themed Entertainment Engineers and Leaders - is creating new pathways for engineering students to enter the attractions industry. Focused on disciplines like ride control, show systems, mechanical safety and systems integration, the club regularly hosts industry speakers from Universal Creative, Disney, SeaWorld, and third-party vendors. “We’re building a great program,” says Mikel Garner, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student and STEEL Club vice president.
The club recently competed in the Ride Engineering Competition, where student teams design and build operational ride models under strict time and size constraints. Beyond competitions, STEEL students are attending industry events like the ASTM F24 Conference, which develops global engineering safety standards for amusement rides and devices.
A Minute Away From Dreams
The proximity of Epic Universe to UCF has ignited the dreams of many students. As UCF senior Elisa Saldias-Leon said, "People are like, 'Oh, my dreams are, like, in my hands.' And my dream is within like a minute, like two-minute walk that way. I'm like, what is that? It's insane," Saldias-Leon said.
Universal Creative Lab
Students in the theme park program also get to partake in the UCF/Universal Creative Lab, where they work directly with Universal Creative’s show producers, engineers and designers, gaining rare access to behind-the-scenes development processes. Students present their attraction ideas directly to Universal Creative executives.
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Economic Impact and Regional Growth
The development of Epic Universe represents a significant investment in the Central Florida region. The park’s projected $7 billion investment and estimated 17,000 new jobs could generate up to $2 billion in economic impact in its first year, while driving new infrastructure and expanding the region’s global tourism appeal.
The growth extends beyond the park itself. New resorts like Stella Nova, Terra Luna, and Helios Grand have officially opened as part of the expanding Universal Orlando area. ICON Park continues to evolve as a hub for dining and entertainment, offering students a front-row seat to the future of the industry. The Pointe, with new spots like Sports & Social and PBR Cowboy Bar, provides opportunities to observe hospitality in action.
Epic Universe: A Glimpse into the Worlds
Universal Epic Universe is divided into several distinct worlds, each offering unique experiences:
Celestial Park: As the nexus of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is an astronomy-inspired hub that provides portals to the other worlds. The attraction includes a roller coaster, carousel ride, entertainment, themed dining and shopping. Ever since Universal Epic Universe opened earlier this year, people had been hoping one day they would be able to step into a winter wonderland in their favorite world, Celestial Park.
Dark Universe: Monsters from classic Universal Pictures films and new spooky creations are brought to life in Dark Universe. Guests discover an immersive world where the monsters are real. “We designed the queue as part of the story [to] build up [anticipation and] why you should be afraid of these monsters,” Hall says.
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Isle of Berk: Guests discover an island where Vikings and fire-breathing dragons exist in harmony at Isle of Berk. “You’re transitioning that presentation to a new audience."
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: The sights and sounds of beloved video games and characters come to life through SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. “You have a physical set around you, [but] you’re in a [virtual reality] … playing real-time video games, and it’s never the same. You and the players next to you can change the outcome."
Holiday Magic at Epic Universe
Even before its official opening, Epic Universe was preparing to bring holiday magic to its visitors. In 2019 - before Universal Epic Universe was announced to the public - holly-jollies and fa-la-las were already up for discussion. Curtis Hopkins, senior scenic manager with Entertainment Art and Design, has been supporting Epic Universe’s Holiday program since its inception. Lindsey hand-drew many of the concepts for decorations you’ll see displayed throughout Celestial Park. “I picked apart what makes each part of Celestial Park special and tied that in with the holiday,” Lindsey says.
Stephanie says, “For this project I tried to make both Lindsey and Curtis happy,” Stephanie says. “It’s their vision and their dream."
Lindsey adds, “One of the highlights of this job is going into the decor warehouse and seeing something I made on the computer as a real product, and it’s so gorgeous."
“This is not something you can buy off the shelf,” Stephanie says. “These are custom items made just for Epic Universe."
“The level of detail that all of these teams have been producing for Epic Universe is going to trickle into Holiday product that is going to be at our other parks moving forward,” Curtis says.
Leading the very important task of holiday décor installation are Mary Camacho and Jacquie Perry, art managers, who take their merry roles very seriously. “Every year we have an opportunity to make [the décor] better,” Jacquie says. “When we take our decorations down in January, we start working right away on fixing them up." This year, Mary and Jacquie were tasked with taking Lindsey’s designs off the page and into the world of Celestial Park.
“My favorite part is brainstorming with other people and coming up with solutions,” Mary says. “All of the crew has very special feelings about seeing their work on a building,” Mary says. “I went to the park with a friend who said, ‘Oh, I really love those berries,’ and I remembered exactly how they came to be that way and who did it."
UCF: A Preeminent University Driving Innovation
UCF has met the 12 metrics required to earn the Preeminent State Research University designation from the Florida Board of Governors, the highest designation for state research universities. The university continues to expand its influence in various sectors, including space, artificial intelligence, and healthcare.
The university-wide celebration showcased all the ways Knight Nation is advancing space research, supporting Florida’s fast-growing space economy, and preparing the next generation of explorers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. UCF’s impact also extended into human health in space. As the top talent provider to the nation’s aerospace and defense industries, UCF also launched a new online space MBA program to meet the expanding needs of the booming space industry on Florida’s Space Coast and around the world.
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