These days, when I talk to friends in Orlando, there's a recurring topic: finding jobs at theme parks is not what it used to be.

Epic Universe opened on May 22, 2025, so it has already been over a year and a few months. It was the first major theme park to open in Orlando since Islands of Adventure in 1999.

So today, I want to summarize how theme park jobs have actually changed one year after the opening, focusing on confirmed numbers.

First, let's look at the scale. Universal projected that Epic Universe would generate a $2 billion economic impact in Florida in its first year and create over 17,500 jobs across the United States.

The company revealed that 65,000 jobs were created just during the construction period. Honestly, I was a bit surprised by this number.

Tourism also followed suit. During the first year of operation, Orange County's tourism tax revenue reportedly increased for 12 consecutive months compared to the previous year.

A Universal representative mentioned that 11,000 hotel rooms in Orlando are nearly fully booked every day. As guest numbers increase, more hands are needed.

I also looked at labor statistics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the leisure and hospitality sector in the Orlando metropolitan area was 291,800 in December 2025.

A mid-2025 real estate research report analyzed that employment in this sector increased by 4.8%, or 13,800 jobs, over the year. A significant portion of that increase was attributed to the opening of Epic Universe.

However, the atmosphere isn't all hot. The Orlando Economic Partnership pointed out in its Q1 2026 report that the labor market is continuing to cool.

In February 2026, the unemployment rate in the Orlando metropolitan area was 4.7%. It seems that the days of hiring anyone right after the opening are over.

Now, let's move on to the most curious topic: pay. The game changed in 2023.

Disney World raised its minimum wage from $15 to $18 in March 2023 through a contract with the union. This contract applied to many service positions at Disney, and 97% of voters supported it.

According to reports at the time, this contract was structured to gradually increase, ensuring that new hires after December 2023 would earn $20 an hour by October 2026. Since we are at that point now, those interested should definitely check the actual amounts.

Universal does not have a union, but it raised its starting wage to $17 on June 4, 2023.

Local fan media reported that it increased to $18.50 starting September 2025. However, since this was based on anonymous sources, I couldn't find an official company announcement.

Additionally, Florida's minimum wage will increase to $15 an hour starting September 30, 2026. For tipped positions, the cash wage is $11.98.

This means that the gap between the starting wage at theme parks and the state minimum wage has narrowed significantly compared to before. I find this a bit disappointing.

Ultimately, if the pay is the same, benefits become the deciding factor. Universal announced that during the 2023 increase, it expanded 401K matching, increased tuition assistance, and doubled parental leave.

Looking at job postings before and after the opening of Epic Universe, the range of positions was quite broad. Field positions like attractions, food and beverage, merchandise, cleaning, and warehousing were the basics.

There were also many technical positions listed, such as ride and show technical manager, safety control engineering, and lighting system technician. This means that even if your English isn't very fluent, having skills can still provide opportunities.

Office positions in IT, marketing, finance, and digital analytics are also consistently available. Those who have built experience in Korea should definitely look into these areas as well.

Seasonal hiring should not be overlooked either. Universal has been hiring haunted house staff and food and beverage personnel every year during the Halloween Horror Nights season.

Applications are usually submitted online through the Universal hiring site, and if selected, you will schedule an interview. Some positions require applicants to be at least 18 years old.

If I were applying now, I wouldn't just look at the hourly wage. I would compare the potential for full-time conversion, work schedule, and tuition assistance.

Be sure to consider the commute distance as well. Rent around the park is expensive, and if your round trip takes over an hour, a $1-2 difference in hourly wage can quickly disappear in gas costs.

Especially, starting part-time and aiming for internal transfers is more realistic than expected. Larger companies often prioritize internal applicants.

If I had one wish, it would be for the wages to keep up with the cost of living in Orlando. As the number of tourists increases, the benefits should also be fairly distributed to the frontline staff.

One year after the opening of Epic Universe, jobs have certainly increased, but competition has also intensified. I still think it's a good time for those who are prepared.