Universal Orlando regularly closes rides and attractions for routine maintenance, which guests may want to be aware of before their visit. This is especially true for refurbishments at Universal Epic Universe, considering most guests are visiting the new theme park for the first time on any given day.
Future refurbishments at Universal Orlando include three attractions at Epic Universe, two of them in the park’s Super Nintendo World. We list all upcoming and ongoing refurbishment dates across the Universal Orlando theme parks, and what to expect from any potential changes. Mickey Visit brings you the latest theme park news and planning resources, including a new Express Pass option at Universal Orlando and changes coming to Halloween Horror Nights for 2026.
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Attraction Refurbishments at Universal Orlando
All of the parks at Universal Orlando Resort have refurbishments planned in the near future.
Me Ship, The Olive, is a walkthrough attraction in Toon Lagoon at Universal Islands of Adventure themed to Popeye’s boat. It will be closed from May 26 through June 9, 2026, and will reopen on June 10.
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The interactive blaster ride MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack at Universal Studios Florida will be closed from June 1–16, 2026, and will reopen on June 17.
We expect both of these refurbishments to consist of standard maintenance rather than noticeable changes.
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Three attractions at Universal Epic Universe will close for brief refurbishments in the coming weeks.
Yoshi’s Adventure, a slow-moving, family-friendly ride, will be closed from April 21–23, 2026, and will reopen on April 24.
Mine-Cart Madness, the Donkey Kong roller coaster in which ride vehicles appear to jump over gaps in the track, will be closed for a one-day refurbishment on May 3, 2026.
Yoshi’s Adventure and Mine-Cart Madness are both part of Super Nintendo World. This area of Epic Universe is extremely popular and a huge draw for many guests. Even though the rides’ closures are brief, guests visiting Epic Universe mainly to experience the Nintendo rides will want to ensure their visit doesn’t coincide with one of these closures.
With as short as the refurbishments will be for Yoshi’s Adventure and Mine-Cart Madness, the closures are likely to address routine maintenance and general upkeep that can’t be accomplished overnight.
The other attraction in Super Nintendo World, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, is expected to remain open on all dates in the foreseeable future and does not currently have a refurbishment listed on Universal’s calendar.
On the other side of Epic Universe, in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, the Viking Training Camp play area will be closed from May 4–22, 2026. It will reopen on May 23. Viking Training Camp may not be a main attraction of Epic Universe, but it’s nonetheless one of the park’s few activities for young kids.
Given the two-week closure of Viking Training Camp, that may be enough time to install new playground-style components to the area, or the refurbishment could simply be a thorough check-up on the attraction’s safety features and cosmetics.
In contrast to the short-term refurbishments listed above, a few attractions are currently closed for multiple months as Universal crews perform extended work.
Long-Term Downtime for Attractions
Several attractions at Universal Orlando are currently closed for significant refurbishments lasting several months.
Jurassic Park River Adventure at Universal Islands of Adventure closed for refurbishment on January 5, 2026. It will reopen on November 20, 2026. During the eight months of downtime, we expect Universal to upgrade the attraction’s technology, sets, and animatronic dinosaurs. We do not anticipate Universal changing the Jurassic Park theming to the newer Jurassic World aesthetic.
Nearby in the same land, Pteranodon Flyers, the gentle roller coaster with no hills that can only be experienced by families with young children, closed on February 27, 2026, and will reopen on May 15.
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill, the Irish pub-themed restaurant at Universal Studios Florida, closed on January 12, 2026. It will reopen sometime in winter 2026. Universal has not announced a specific reopening date.
5-Month Water Park Closure
Universal Volcano Bay, the water park at Universal Orlando, will close for an extended refurbishment starting October 26, 2026. The final day to visit Volcano Bay before the closure is October 25.
Universal says the water park will reopen on or before March 24, 2027.
This is the first major refurbishment period for Volcano Bay since it opened in 2017. The park occasionally closes for cold weather, but Universal hasn’t planned a multi-month closure like this before. By comparison, both of Disney World’s water parks close for multiple months every year.
Continue planning your Universal Orlando trip with details about a new Express Pass option that just launched and what’s changing this year at Halloween Horror Nights.
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