A Truly Epic Collaboration: Orange County Played Monumental Role in Universal’s New Theme Park

Even before construction finished, Epic Universe was already shattering local records.

To make the giant theme park a reality, Orange County Government issued 1,150 permits and conducted nearly 34,000 inspections across the 750-acre property — making it the largest single development project the County has ever undertaken.

As Epic Universe nears its grand debut, Orange County and Universal Orlando Resort are toasting a cosmic-level collaboration that redefined what’s possible in theme park development.

"This has been, and continues to be, a true partnership with the amazing Orange County employees," said Michael Denny, Universal's Vice President of Development and External Affairs. "I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Orange County employees who helped me successfully navigate the process of permitting for Epic Universe."

For Alan Plante, Manager of Orange County’s Division of Building Safety, being part of Epic Universe has been nothing short of extraordinary.

"I've been so excited about this," he said. "It's not every day you get to help build an entire theme park from the ground up-it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

To help keep the massive project on track, the County went above and beyond. Orange County worked hand-in-hand with Universal, opening a satellite office just steps from the construction site to provide quick, responsive service. Staffed by both the Division of Building Safety and the Office of the Fire Marshal, the team was able to fast-track inspections and keep the momentum going.

This kind of hands-on, high-speed support reflects Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings’ Customer-First Initiative — a commitment to streamlining development and delivering customer service that’s truly out of this world.

"Opening that satellite office was a game-changer for us," said Larry Wildermuth, the County's Chief Code Inspector. "If anything major occurred that needed to be addressed, or if an inspector encountered a problem, it was necessary for us to be close by. Having a hub for communication and operations in one spot, close to the project, made all the difference in the world."

Given the sheer scale of Epic Universe, Orange County had to think big-and act fast. To support a project of this magnitude, the County rolled out several new processes designed to keep things moving smoothly:

• A dedicated escrow account was set up to handle fee payments quickly and efficiently, cutting down on delays and red tape.
• The project was officially included in the Major Economic Development Plan, approved by the Board of County Commissioners. That designation isn't handed out lightly-it's reserved for major projects with a price tag of at least $1 billion and development on 500+ acres of previously untouched land. As part of the agreement, Universal Orlando Resort committed to submitting plans electronically and not using private providers, streamlining the process even more.
• Plan reviews were fast-tracked to keep up with the pace of construction. Initial reviews were completed in just 15 days, with revisions turned around in as little as five.

These new systems helped Orange County and Universal stay in sync—and stay on schedule—for one of the biggest developments the region has ever seen.

The impact has been astronomical. As of March 13, the project has generated $12.6 million in permitting fee revenue to the Building Safety Division, with an estimated job value of $1.6 billion.

In its first year, Epic Universe is expected to pump $2 billion into Florida’s economy and spark the creation of more than 17,500 new jobs across the country.

"This wouldn't have happened without the great work of our Building Division," Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said. "We appreciate our staff, and we appreciate the wonderful economic opportunity that Universal has created for our community."

Epic Universe is more than just an entertainment destination-it represents a new model for collaboration between local government and private industry. By prioritizing direct communication, streamlining processes, and dedicating specialized resources, Orange County and Universal Orlando Resort have set a precedent for future large-scale developments.

The success of this partnership stands as a testament to what can be achieved when public and private entities work together toward a shared vision. With its innovative approach and commitment to efficiency, this project has truly lived up to its name - "epic" in every sense of the word.