Universal Orlando Closures & Refurbishments (2026–2027)
Updated: Oct 25
October 25, 2026
Planning a trip to Universal Orlando? Here’s your up-to-date list of temporary closures, seasonal refurbishments, and permanent ride retirements at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay.
🛠️ About Universal Orlando Ride Closures
Theme park attractions are routinely taken offline for maintenance and refurbishment to keep them running safely and smoothly. This includes everything from mechanical repairs and software updates to structural inspections and control system checks.
Whether it’s a short downtime or a permanent retirement, we’ve rounded up the most current list of ride closures and refurbishments at Universal Orlando Resort, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Epic Universe.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Bookmark this page and check back often. Universal updates their refurbishment schedule frequently, and we’ll keep this post current with any new closures or reopenings. And we recommend double-checking the Universal Orlando app or website before your visit, as dates can shift without much warning!
📄 Need an easy way to keep track of rides, shows, and spells? Grab our Universal Studios Cheat Sheets—they’re printable, phone-friendly, and full of Pixie Dust Pro Tips.
🎬 Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida ride closures can pop up throughout the year for seasonal maintenance or full refurbishments. Here’s what to expect in 2025:
Universal Orlando's Horror Makeup Show - Closed May 12, 2026 - Winter 2026 will return as the Universal Horror Make-Up Show featuring Blumhouse
Animal Actors On Location! - Final performances November 2, 2026. Permanently closed beginning November 3 to make way for a new experience.
Po Live! - Closed beginning October 3, 2026; reopening date not listed.
Hogwarts Express - Closed on November 4, 2026 only
On November 4 guests will need to walk through Universal CityWalk to change parks
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill - Closed January 12, 2026–Winter 2026
Fast & Furious – Supercharged - Permanently closed on August 17, 2026 and will be replaced by the upcoming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster, expected in 2027.
🎬 Planning on visiting Universal Studios Florida? Start with our Complete Guide to Universal Studios Florida to get the inside scoop on attractions, entertainment, dining, and more.
Islands of Adventure
Refurbishments at Islands of Adventure are often scheduled during slower travel months—but they can still affect your favorite thrill rides. Here's the current list of closures and reopening dates:
Jurassic Park River Adventure - January 5, 2026 – December 16, 2026, with reopening scheduled for December 17.
Hogwarts Express - Closed on November 4, 2026 only
On November 4 guests will need to walk through Universal CityWalk to change parks
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges - Closed January 4 – February 2, 2027
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - February 8–19, 2027.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong - Open with a modified ride experience while the large King Kong animatronic undergoes repairs. A return date for the complete finale has not been announced.
Thunder Falls Terrace - Closed July 20, 2026, for transformation into a new signature full-service restaurant expected in 2027. Exact opening date and final concept have not been announced.
Lost Continent / Mythos - scheduled to close permanently in 2027, the exact date has not been announced.
Exploring Islands of Adventure? Don’t miss our Islands of Adventure Park Guide for ride rankings, crowd strategies, and where to find the best snacks.
Universal’s Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay’s seasonal closure schedule and attraction refurbishments help keep the water park safe and clean for guests. Here’s what’s ahead:
Seasonal Closure — October 26, 2026 with a planned reopening on or before April 1, 2027
🌌 Epic Universe
Fyre Drill - Closed January 25 through February 4, 2027 for a brief refurbishment
🧭 Need help navigating it all? Our Epic Universe Park Guide has everything you need to know—from spell locations in the Wizarding World’s Ministry of Magic to ride strategies and food tips for Super Nintendo World.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Keep checking back—we’ll update this list with any temporary closures or ride changes as the park continues to evolve.
Planning Around Closures
While a favorite attraction might be down during your trip, there’s still plenty of excitement to be found across all four Universal Orlando parks.
🎢 Use our Universal Studios Orlando Park Guide and Islands of Adventure Guide to plan your day efficiently, even with a few closures.
🗺️ Don’t forget to grab our Printable Cheat Sheets for quick access to wait times, rides, and pro tips!
🌌 And if you’re headed to Epic Universe, check out our Complete Park Guide for all the need-to-know info.
🎟️ Still figuring out your plans? Bren is happy to work with you to make your Universal vacation practically perfect—especially if you're traveling with accessibility needs, mobility considerations, or a large group.
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim 🧚♀️
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