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ORLANDO, Fla. – A special group of 143 children from the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida were treated to an exclusive preview of Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park, giving them an unforgettable adventure and a glimpse of new possibilities.
The day was filled with excitement as the kids explored the immersive worlds of Epic Universe before its official opening on May 22, 2025.
One child shared his enthusiasm, telling News 6 “And I was hitting Bowser so much, that was so much fun.”
Another expressed anticipation, saying he was “super excited to see the portal as well,” while a third said the best part was “all the way up there how it was going super fast” and that it was “the best part I liked.”
When asked how he felt, a student replied simply, “Good!” and added, “I forgot that I was nervous” after the experience.
Jamie Merrill, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida, highlighted the importance of such opportunities for the children.
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“80% of [our kids] are coming from some single parent home making an annual income of $40,000 a year for an entire family, that’s not a lot to support a family,” Merrill said. “So bringing them to explore the world not only in our club but outside, having partners support them, help them to thrive and live out their dreams, show them what’s out there, they can be whatever they want. Because they’ve never had an opportunity to dream and now they do, so they can go out and change the world.”
The Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida, established in 1944, serves more than 11,000 youth annually across 39 locations in five counties. The organization focuses on providing safe spaces, mentorship, and opportunities for children from under-resourced communities, many of whom come from single-parent households with limited income.
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For these children, the preview was more than just rides and games; it was an opening of doors to new possibilities and a chance to dream bigger.
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