Is Pokémon Coming to Universal Orlando? What Families Should Know Before Planning
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Universal just confirmed that Pokémon is officially coming to Universal Orlando — and while the announcement itself was brief, the planning impact is anything but.
This isn’t a limited-time event or seasonal overlay. Pokémon is being developed as a major, permanent theme park expansion, and it has the potential to change how families think about Universal Orlando trips in the coming years.
Here’s what we actually know so far — and, more importantly, what this means if you’re planning a trip.
If you’re brand new to Universal trip planning, start here first — our complete Universal Orlando Planning Guide explains park tickets, Express Pass, park differences, and how to structure a multi-day visit.
What Universal Actually Announced
Universal confirmed it has secured theme park rights to Pokémon and has begun development on a dedicated Pokémon experience at Universal Orlando Resort.
While Universal hasn’t released ride names, land maps, or an opening date yet, the language used makes it clear this is a long-term investment, similar in scale to Wizarding World and Super Nintendo World — not a temporary attraction.
In other words: Pokémon is here to stay.
Where the Pokémon Land Will Likely Be Built
Universal has not confirmed an exact location, but based on available expansion space and past development patterns, the most likely scenarios are :
Universal Studios Florida, potentially utilizing or expanding the former KidZone / adjacent park footprint.
If Pokémon does land in Universal Studios Florida, it would significantly change how guests tour that park. Our Universal Studios Florida park guide explains current attractions, layout, and touring strategy.
Some theories have pointed to the Lost Continent area of Islands of Adventure due to the large closed show buildings there, but all of this is still speculation. No official permits or announcements have identified a locations. Until construction details are released, the exact placement remains unconfirmed — and we’ll update this post as soon as real information becomes available.
This matters strategically. Universal intentionally spreads its biggest intellectual properties across different parks (just like it did with Harry Potter) to encourage multi-day, multi-park tickets — and Pokémon fits that model perfectly.
Universal is already expanding rapidly with the opening of Epic Universe. If you haven’t looked at what that park includes yet, our full Epic Universe park guide walks through the lands, rides, and how many days you actually need.
What the Pokémon Experience Is Expected to Include
While official details are still limited, several elements are widely expected based on Universal’s Nintendo partnership, existing patents, and international testing.
A Flagship Interactive Attraction
Rather than a passive ride, the main attraction is expected to be highly interactive, allowing guests to “train,” “battle,” or “collect” Pokémon using ride technology and wearable or handheld devices.
Think less traditional dark ride — more immersive gameplay.
High-Demand Character Meet & Greets
Pokémon characters are instantly recognizable across age groups. Expect:
Pikachu (almost certainly)
Eevee
Rotating starter Pokémon
Possibly special or seasonal appearances
For families with younger kids, this alone is a major draw.
Park-Style Gameplay & Collectibles
Universal has been testing large-scale interactive play through Power-Up Bands in Nintendo World. Pokémon is uniquely suited for this style of experience, potentially allowing guests to:
collect Pokémon
scan locations
complete challenges
earn badges
Essentially, a theme-park-scale version of Pokémon GO.
Merchandise & Food
Pokémon merchandise is historically one of the highest-performing licensed retail categories worldwide. Expect themed snacks, collectible popcorn buckets, plush builds, and exclusive trainer gear.
When Could Pokémon Open at Universal Orlando?
Universal has not announced a timeline yet, but based on typical development cycles:
Early planning + permitting: 2025–2026
Construction period: ~3 years
A realistic opening window is 2028–2029.
That may feel far off — but history shows that planning behavior changes years before opening, especially for families timing milestone trips.
Why This Announcement Is a Big Deal for Families
Pokémon quietly solves one of Universal Orlando’s biggest gaps.
While Universal excels with thrill rides and teen appeal, it has traditionally been harder to plan for younger kids. Pokémon changes that instantly.
Pokémon is:
familiar to toddlers
exciting for elementary-age kids
nostalgic for parents
popular year-round (not trend-based)
That makes this one of Universal’s most family-balanced expansions ever.
Should You Wait to Visit Universal Orlando Because of Pokémon?
For most families, no — not yet.
Pokémon is still several years away, and Universal Orlando already offers enough to justify a trip today, especially with Epic Universe now open.
However, you might consider waiting if:
Pokémon is a core interest for your child
You’re planning a once-in-a-decade trip
You want Universal to feel equal in weight to Disney World
For families planning multiple trips over time, Pokémon may become the reason a future visit looks very different than one planned today.
How Pokémon Could Change Disney + Universal Trip Planning
This is where the announcement really matters.
Once Pokémon opens:
Universal will feel like a true multi-day destination for families
Adding Universal to a Disney World trip will make more sense for younger kids
Crowd patterns at Disney parks may subtly shift during peak seasons
It’s also likely that Universal-focused trips become more common, rather than Universal being treated as an “extra day” add-on.
Many families combine Universal with a Walt Disney World vacation. If you’re still deciding how to structure a split trip, our Walt Disney World Planning Guide explains how park days, tickets, and timing work together.
What We’ll Be Watching Next
As Universal releases permits, concept art, and construction updates, we’ll be updating this post with confirmed details, timelines, and planning guidance.
If you’re deciding when to visit Universal Orlando — or whether to pair it with a Disney trip — Pokémon is now officially part of that conversation.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Big expansions like this influence pricing and crowds long before opening. Even if Pokémon is years away, it’s smart to plan future trips with flexibility — especially if Universal is becoming a bigger priority for your family.
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, Kim
P.S. Thinking about adding Universal Orlando to a future trip? I don’t just give advice — I help my clients book their park tickets, resorts, and vacation packages at no extra cost to you. If you want help setting up the trip correctly from the start, you can learn more about booking your vacation with Bren here.
