More than eight years in the making, Epic Universe ups the competition with neighboring Disney World and gives theme-park fans everywhere a new destination for their bucket list.

Epic Universe is the fullest statement yet of what theme parks are today: separate immersive lands based on IP, without an overarching theme.

Universal's new theme park pushes the boundaries of what's being done with animatronics today -- especially in extreme Florida heat. The design teams behind Epic Universe's attractions talk about bringing the tech to life and future stunts for guests (spoiler: it's drones).