Aerial Photos Reveal Mass Grading at Universal's Epic Universe Site

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Aerial photography has captured the early stages of construction at Universal's Epic Universe theme park site in Orlando, Florida. Dump trucks have been seen unloading large quantities of sand across a sizable plot of land owned by Universal, indicating the start of mass grading work to level and prepare the site for future development.

Why it matters

The mass grading work signals the next phase of progress on the highly anticipated Epic Universe project, which will be Universal's largest theme park investment in Florida. The scale and location of the earthwork suggest this could be for a significant new addition to the resort, though details remain unknown.

The details

The aerial photos show dump trucks unloading sand over a large area of land southeast of the current Universal Orlando Resort properties, near a Topgolf facility and across the street from Pointe Plaza Ave. Mass grading, the process of spreading and shaping sand to create a level foundation, is a common first step for major construction projects like new theme parks. This helps control drainage, slope, and prepare the site for future roads, utilities, and building foundations.

• On April 4, 2026, aerial photos captured the start of mass grading work at the Epic Universe site.

What’s next

Universal has not yet announced specific details or a timeline for the Epic Universe project, so the next steps in the development process remain unclear. However, the mass grading work suggests major construction is underway and the park could be nearing the next phase of development.