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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Meghan L. Hall

NBCUniversal unveils new details about Epic Universe, including its Nintendo area and facial recognition

Going to a theme park as a kid is an adventure. Going to a theme park as an adult is an investment. NBCUniversal wants to ensure that visitors walk away with priceless memories no matter where they fall on that spectrum.

On Thursday, the company unveiled new details about a theme park opening 2025 in Florida. It’s appropriately named Universal Epic Universe and pushes the envelope on conventional theme parks and attractions.

“It’s the most technologically advanced park we’ve ever done,” Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, explains. “And that speaks to both the attractions themselves, the next generation of robotics drone technology, all the way through to the guest experience. The full guest journey is really being taken to a whole new level.”

The park will feature “facial recognition” and “photo validation technology,” allowing guests to have a “frictionless” experience. However, that’s not all that Epic Universe will bring to Florida. NBCUniversal confirms that the park will have themed areas, including Nintendo Land, with a bigger footprint than similar spaces in Japan and California.

Ultimately, Woodbury hopes that adding Epic Universe to its other parks and properties will entice visitors to stay for at least a week.

“[It’s] an opportunity for us to look at: how do we expand visitation to the Orlando market that would garner us a full-week vacation? Right now, we get a good three days.”

Say less, NBCUniversal. I’m already planning future vacations.

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