Universal Epic Universe is the theme park resort's biggest bang yet in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — From Harry Potter to Super Mario Bros. to Frankenstein's monster, Universal Orlando Resort is pulling out all the pop culture stops at its newest and largest theme park in Florida.

With five distinctively-themed sections and a 500-room hotel, the multibillion-dollar Universal Epic Universe is slated to open to the public on May 22, just in time for the start of summer, when the Orlando area's theme parks are usually jammed with families and young park-goers fresh out of school.

It's the first major, traditional theme park to open in Florida since 1999, when Universal Islands of Adventure debuted, though Universal opened a themed Orlando water park, Volcano Bay, in 2017. The addition of Epic Universe brings the total number of parks at the Florida resort to four, including Universal Studios.

The opening also raises the stakes in Universal's competition with crosstown rival Walt Disney World for a greater share of Orlando's annual influx of 74 million tourists.

Universal officials also describe Epic Universe as the company's most technologically advanced theme park. For example, it uses a facial recognition system for ride express lines.

Universal's owner, Comcast NBCUniversal, also announced plans this month for its first Universal-branded theme park and resort in Europe, at a location north of London. A year-round horror entertainment experience in Las Vegas should open later this year and a family-oriented theme park is slated to open next year in a Dallas suburb.

Epic Universe is making its big bang, with single-day tickets starting at $139 for adults and increasing to $199 during peak periods, just as the Trump administration stirs up economic uncertainty.

U.S. tariff announcements threaten to limit the desire of some Americans to spend on vacations. And the rough treatment that some U.S. visitors have experienced on arrival, as well as a boycott of the United States by some Canadians, are raising fears that international tourists will stay away.

Tax receipts show Orlando's tourist economy was booming last year, with Orange County collecting a record $359 million in tourist taxes.

Here's a look at Epic Universe's different sections.

Celestial Park is the hub in the spoke-like design of Epic Universe, connecting the other “worlds.”

The astronomically-themed section is the only one with original characters not based on pre-existing intellectual property. Centered around a football field-sized water fountain and filled with abundant, colorful flowers, it's an oasis of calm between the sensory overload of the four sections.

That's not to say excitement can't be found in Celestial Park, which is home to a 133-foot (40.5-meter) high dual launching roller coaster, Stardust Racers, and an enormous carousel.

Super Nintendo World is the definition of sensory overload, from its bright primary colors that scream “Look at me!” to the loudness of the steel-drum-thumping syncopated calypso music.

It has two levels — rare for theme parks — and creates a completely immersive experience since nothing outside Super Nintendo World can be seen beyond the towering walls of Peach's Castle and Mt. Beanpole. There is an augmented reality dark ride, a kid-friendly, slow-moving omni-mover ride and a Donkey Kong-themed coaster. Character performers dressed as Mario and Luigi greet members of the crowd in a roped-off area.

Dark Universe is a throwback to Frankenstein's monster, Dracula and the Invisible Man movies that launched Universal's career in horror franchises.

Visitors enter through a recreated central European village that has a storyline about vampires inhabiting the ground underneath. There is a dark ride through Frankenstein's castle, a family-friendly coaster based on the werewolf legend and a tavern topped by a windmill with blades engulfed by flames every few minutes.

This is the third installment of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions that turbocharged the Florida resort into a genuine challenger to Disney World's dominance.

The arched doorways, wrought-iron balconies and cobblestoned streets make visitors feel like they have parachuted into the Fantastic Beasts films set in 1920s Paris. The land's highlight is the Battle at the Ministry's omnidirectional lift ride, whose green-tiled, faux-gold-plated atrium is on a scale reminiscent of New York's Grand Central Terminal.

Next-generation animatronic dragons are the stars in this section, based on the “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise.

Anchored by a lagoon at its center with Viking statues, the Viking-inspired land has a coaster, a boat ride and meet-and-greets with the surprisingly agile dragons, these aren't your father's animatronics.

Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky at @mikeysid.bsky.social.

Guests ride the Mine-Cart Madness coaster in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests arrive at the main entrance to Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

How To Train Your Dragon – Isle Of Berk world is seen at Epic Universe theme park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests stroll through the streets of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guest ride a roller coaster in the How To Train Your Dragon – Isle Of Berk at Epic Universe theme park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter-Ministry Of Magic is seen in the Epic Universe theme park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A view of Celestial Park is seen at the Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests enter the The Frankenstein Castle in Dark Universe at Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Entrance to the Burning Blade Tavern is seen in Dark Universe at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests tour the Dark Universe at Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A guest interacts with characters in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests ride the Constellation Carousel in Celestial Park in Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests stroll around the various parts of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Park guests ride the Fyre Drill boat ride at How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Street musicians perform for guests at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The invisible man interacts with a guest in Dark Universe at Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests ride on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A guest interacts with a character in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A shopper looks over merchandise for sale in a gift shop at Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests stroll around the various parts of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests stroll around the various parts of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests stroll around the various parts of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests check out the various parts of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests arrive at the main entrance to Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Guests check out the various parts of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The Universal Helios Grand Hotel overlooking Celestial Park at Epic Universe Theme Park is seen at Universal Resort Orlando Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

STARKE, Fla. (AP) — An Army combat veteran whose Gulf War experience triggered severe mental problems was executed Thursday evening in Florida for the 1998 shotgun slayings of his girlfriend and her three young children.

Jeffrey Hutchinson, 62, was pronounced dead at 8:15 p.m. following a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. He was the fourth person executed this year in the state under death warrants signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, with a fifth execution set for May 15.

Hutchinson had no last statement but appeared to be mumbling to himself as the procedure started just before 8 p.m. His legs shook sporadically, and he seemed to have body spasms for several minutes and then was still. The process took a little more than 15 minutes.

The execution was carried out soon after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a final appeal without comment.

Hutchinson had long claimed that he was innocent and that two unknown assailants perpetrated the killings under a U.S. government conspiracy aimed at silencing his activism on claims including Gulf War illnesses involving veterans. Hutchinson served eight years in the Army, part of it as an elite Ranger.

Court records, however, showed that on the night of the killings in Crestview, Hutchinson argued with his girlfriend, 32-year-old Renee Flaherty, then packed his clothes and guns into a truck. Hutchinson went to a bar and drank some beer, telling staff there that Flaherty was angry with him before leaving abruptly.

A short time later, a male caller told a 911 operator, “I just shot my family” from the house Hutchinson and Flaherty shared with the three children: 9-year-old Geoffrey, 7-year-old Amanda, and 4-year-old Logan. All were killed with a 12-gauge shotgun that was found on a kitchen counter. Hutchinson was located by police in the garage with a phone still connected to the 911 center and gunshot residue on his hands.

Darran Johnson, the brother of Renee Flaherty, said after the execution that justice was done but the family’s pain will never end.

“Not a day goes by that we don’t think about the loved ones that were taken from us,” Johnson said.

At his 2001 trial, Hutchinson’s defense was based on his claim that two unknown men came to the house and killed Flaherty and the children after he struggled with them. A jury found him guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, and he received life in prison for Flaherty’s killing and three death sentences for the children.

Hutchinson filed numerous unsuccessful appeals, many focused on mental health problems linked to his Army service. In late April his lawyers sought to delay his execution by claiming he was insane and therefore could not be put to death.

Bradford County Circuit Judge James Colaw rejected that argument in an April 27 order.

“This Court finds that Mr. Hutchinson’s purported delusion is demonstrably false. Jeffrey Hutchinson does not lack the mental capacity to understand the reason for the pending execution,” the judge wrote.

In their court filings, Hutchinson’s lawyers said he suffered from Gulf War Illness — a series of health problems stemming from the 1990-1991 war in Iraq — as well as post-traumatic stress disorder and paranoia related to his claim that he was targeted by government surveillance.

Florida’s lethal injection protocol uses a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections.

So far this year, 15 people have been put to death in the U.S. including Hutchinson.

A fifth Florida execution is scheduled May 15 for Glen Rogers, who was convicted of killing a woman at a motel in 1997. Rogers also was convicted of another woman’s murder in California and is believed by investigators to have killed others around the country.

This image provided by the Florida Department of Corrections shows Jeffrey Hutchinson. (Florida Department of Corrections via AP)