Disney and Universal are two juggernauts in the global theme park industry, competing to draw more visitors to their respective sites; to do that, they constantly introduce changes and even build new properties with advanced tech and never-before-seen ideas. Universal Orlando boosted its offering by debuting Epic Universe in May 2025, giving visitors another place to visit in Florida.
The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) recently released its 2025 Global Experience Index, which estimates Universal Epic Universe drew 4 million visitors, increasing Central Florida’s leading park attendance by 4.3 percent overall. That said, Epic Universe drew massive crowds in its first year.
Universal & Disney saw decline at their established destinations
Despite Epic Universe’s strong opening year, some established Universal properties saw a decline.
Disney’s Magic Kingdom remains the world’s most visited theme park, with approximately 17.8 million visits, but it fell 0.2 percent from the previous year. Overall, Disney’s four Walt Disney World parks recorded an estimated 0.2 percent decline in footfall from last year. However, Universal Group’s established ventures experienced a larger fall in attendance in 2025.
Universal Studios Florida attracted over 9.3 million visitors in 2025, down 2.1 percent from last year’s footfall. Meanwhile, Islands of Adventure reportedly attracted 9.2 million visitors, down 2.6 percent in gate attendance. That said, while Disney continues to dominate the market, Universal Group has made its impact felt with a new project adding 4 million new visitors to its brand.
TEA CEO Melissa Ruminot shared her thoughts on the growth:
“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 (H/T: Yahoo Travels)
This year might motivate them to keep innovating while improving their current product and maintaining its pace. That said, do you think Universal Epic Universe is a must-visit? What overall improvements must the group make to boost attendance?
