Epic Universe Is Right Next To A Sewage Treatment Plant - Does It Smell?

Epic Universe might just be Universal’s most ambitious project yet… but it’s got one very unexpected neighbor.

Yep — if you didn’t know, Epic Universe has been built right next to a sewage treatment plant in Orlando. That’s not a joke, not an exaggeration, and not the name of a themed restaurant (although now we kind of wish it was). The big question on everyone’s mind is: “Does it smell?” We’ve got the inside scoop from our reporters who’ve been to Epic Universe multiple times, and here’s what you really need to know.

So, First Things First: Why Is There a Sewage Plant Next to Epic Universe?

Let’s just be honest — land in Orlando that’s large enough for a whole new theme park doesn’t come easy. When Universal started putting Epic Universe together, they had to work with what they had. That happened to include a plot of land that sits very close to the South Water Reclamation Facility (SWRF). It’s a sewage treatment plant, and it’s not some tiny backlot operation — it’s big, and it’s real close.

If you’ve driven around that area or checked out Google Maps, you’ll see it for yourself. And yeah, the idea of walking into a billion-dollar theme park and catching a whiff of something foul doesn’t exactly scream “magical experience.”

But Seriously — Does It Smell?

Here’s what we can tell you: We’ve had multiple reporters visit Epic Universe, and every single one of them came back with the same takeaway — the park does not smell bad. In fact, they were genuinely surprised at how much of a non-issue it turned out to be.

One team member who’s been there over a dozen times told us they’ve never once noticed a smell while walking around the park. Another pointed out that while they absolutely know how close that plant is — and can definitely smell it if you’re outside the resort driving nearby — it’s a different story once you’re inside the Epic Universe bubble.

The air in the park? Clean. Fresh. Completely unremarkable — and that’s a good thing.

So What’s Going On Here? How Is That Even Possible?

It’s likely a combo of good design, smart planning, and maybe a little theme park magic. Universal probably knew this was going to be a concern, so it’s not a stretch to imagine they factored that into construction. Whether it’s landscaping, airflow, or some kind of behind-the-scenes engineering wizardry, it’s clearly working.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic Entrance

Also, remember: Theme parks are usually pretty noisy. Between music loops, water features, and all the immersive theming, your senses are already overloaded — in a good way. Smell? Not really at the forefront.

And no, they’re not pumping in “fresh baked cookie” scents on every street corner to cover it up (at least as far as we can tell).

Should You Be Worried About It?

Short answer: No. Long answer: Seriously, no.

We totally understand that knowing there’s a sewage plant nearby might throw you off a bit. It feels weird. But Epic Universe isn’t giving off any bad vibes — or bad smells — once you’re inside. If you’re walking around the perimeter or driving by on a hot day with your windows down, yeah, you might catch something unpleasant. But once you’re through those gates? You’re good.

Our Verdict

If you were hesitating about visiting Epic Universe because of this whole sewage situation, don’t let it be the thing that keeps you away. We’ve done the legwork (and the nose work), and it’s just not something that’s affecting the guest experience.

Universal clearly knows what they’re doing, and we’re genuinely impressed by how well this has been handled. The park smells like… nothing. Which is exactly what you want in this case.

Still a Little Skeptical?

Hey, we get it — if you’re super sensitive to smells or just want to be extra cautious, maybe plan to check it out for a half-day visit first and see for yourself. But based on what we’ve experienced time and time again, this is just not something that needs to be on your worry list.

So go ahead and geek out over that How to Train Your Dragon land. Ride that new dual-launch coaster. Get excited for everything Epic Universe is bringing to the table. Just don’t worry about needing to pack a nose plug.