Disney fans long assumed Walt Disney World would be first to add another park, but a new twist suggests Universal may beat them to the punch.
Suspicious construction activity along Universal Boulevard has sparked rumors that a fifth gate could be in the works. And if that’s true, the balance of power in Orlando might be shifting faster than anyone imagined.
Universal’s Strong Foundation
Before diving into what’s next, it’s worth remembering what Universal Orlando Resort already brings to the table. Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990 as a mix of Hollywood sets and movie-themed attractions. It delivered immersive experiences that let guests step into blockbusters like E.T. and Back to the Future.
Then came Islands of Adventure in 1999, a bold park that broke ground with lands themed to Marvel superheroes, Jurassic Park, and, later, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Not to be left behind in the water park category, Universal launched Volcano Bay in 2017. With its centerpiece Krakatau volcano, it’s more than a traditional water park; Universal calls it a “water theme park.” These three destinations created a powerhouse resort that has steadily chipped away at Disney’s dominance.
Epic Universe Joins the Battle
And then came the project no one could ignore: Epic Universe. Opening in May 2025, it instantly became Universal’s most ambitious park. Designed not just to expand the resort but to redefine it, the new gate sprawls across acres of themed lands connected by a central hub that feels like a world of its own.
Guests can already explore SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, racing through Mario Kart and interacting with the land in ways that make video games come alive. Families have flocked to the How to Train Your Dragon area, where rides and attractions bring Berk’s skies and seas to life.
Classic horror lovers are drawn to the Universal Monsters land, a gothic playground of creatures and legends. And of course, the new Wizarding World section has given Harry Potter fans yet another place to immerse themselves in magic.
Epic Universe is such a colossal project that many assumed Universal would take a breather afterward. After all, building an entirely new theme park from the ground up requires staggering investments of money, time, and creative resources. Yet, despite just cutting the ribbon on this massive addition, recent signs suggest Universal may already be gearing up for something even bigger.
A Curious Filing Raises Eyebrows
In mid-August, Universal submitted an application to the South Florida Water Management District regarding over 50 acres of land along Universal Boulevard. At first, the company dismissed the move as routine property maintenance.
However, the filing itself told a more curious story. The permit type wasn’t categorized as maintenance—it fell under new construction and operation. Even more telling, the work involved “mass grading,” a process where land is reshaped and leveled in preparation for major buildings.
And perhaps the most intriguing detail? Some documents tied to the filing were withheld from the public record. That doesn’t prove a new park is coming, but it certainly adds fuel to the speculation that Universal has bigger plans than just mowing grass and fixing sidewalks.
Disney’s Different Direction
On the other hand, Disney World has had rumors about a fifth gate swirling for decades. Fans have speculated about ideas ranging from a villain-themed park to lands focused on international cultures that didn’t fit at EPCOT. But Disney’s current trajectory looks very different.
Instead of launching a new gate, Disney has poured resources into reimagining existing attractions and expanding current parks. EPCOT’s transformation has been one of the most visible, with new neighborhoods, a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, and updated festivals.
Magic Kingdom welcomes Piston Peak and Villains Land, while Animal Kingdom prepares for new expansions tied to Encanto and Indiana Jones. Rather than break ground on a fifth park, Disney appears committed to enhancing what it already has.
This makes sense from a business standpoint. Disney’s parks are still the most visited in the world, and major refurbishments keep them fresh without the risk of starting from scratch. But it also allows Universal to steal the spotlight by doing what many thought Disney would do first: announce a fifth gate.
Could Universal Really Make the Leap?
So, what could a fifth Universal park actually look like? Speculation runs wild, and the possibilities are enough to make fans dream big. One idea that constantly pops up is a retro-themed land that brings back classics like Back to the Future and Jaws. These attractions still hold legendary status among longtime parkgoers, and reviving them in a nostalgic setting would instantly draw crowds eager for a taste of Universal’s past.
Others imagine a land devoted to The Legend of Zelda, with sprawling kingdoms, dungeons, and interactive quests that could rival SUPER NINTENDO WORLD in scope. A fully realized Lord of the Rings land has been a fan favorite for years—Hobbit holes, towering fortresses, and epic battles could transport guests straight into Middle-earth.
There’s even chatter about a Fantastic Beasts expansion, giving The Wizarding World of Harry Potter franchise a new angle with magical creatures and stories that stretch across the parks.
With such a wide range of options, Universal has the chance to either indulge in nostalgia, delve deeper into existing franchises, or expand into new territory that fans have been craving for decades.
The Race Is On
Disney has been the undisputed leader in Orlando’s theme park wars for decades, with Universal as the challenger. But that narrative may be changing. With Epic Universe now open and fresh construction filings raising eyebrows, Universal could be positioning itself to do what Disney has resisted: launch a fifth gate.
Whether it’s DreamWorks, Middle-earth, or another property altogether, the prospect of a new Universal park is electrifying. If it happens, Disney may find itself reacting rather than leading—a role reversal few saw coming.
Fans can only watch the land along Universal Boulevard and wonder for now. Is this the beginning of Orlando’s next great theme park chapter? Or just a clever bluff? One thing’s for sure: the race between Universal and Disney is far from over, and the stakes have never been higher.
The post Why Universal May Build a Fifth Gate Before Disney World appeared first on Inside the Magic.
