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Amazing night views of EPIC Universe from Bar Helios at night
Amazing night views of EPIC Universe from Bar Helios at night

Find the latest news and updates from Universal Orlando here, all in one place.

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Happening at Universal Orlando This Week

  • HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS 2025
  • Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, located at the new EPIC Universe theme park, officially has express pass access.
  • Mine-Cart Madness, located at the new EPIC Universe theme park, now has express pass access.
  • Rip Ride Rockit has now CLOSED PERMANENTLY.
  • Universal’s Horror Unleashed: Las Vegas is now OPEN.
  • EPIC Universe, Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, is OPEN.
  • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ officially has express pass access.

News from Universal Orlando Resort

  • New complaints and lawsuits are emerging every day over the safety of Stardust Racers, the new EPIC Universe coaster. Universal Unlocked remains neutral and will not be covering this story in depth. We will, however, continue to report new updates. The coaster remains closed with no reopening date. See more below.

  • TapuTapu wearable bands, the convenience devices that did everything from open lockers to save your place in line at Universal’s Volcano Bay water park, are officially no more. For reasons known only to themselves, Universal Orlando decommissioned use of the popular bands as of October 1, 2025. Click here to learn more. Learn more about TapuTapu here.

  • Rock the Universe—the biggest Christian music festival in Florida—will return to Universal Orlando Resort January 23–24, 2026. The festival launched in 1998 and was held in September until it moved to January in 2019. Two (2) nights of concerts, worship experiences, and rides are included with admission. The lineup will feature Forrest Frank, Phil Wickham, Switchfoot, and Lecrae. Rock the Universe is held inside Universal Studios Florida as an after-hours event. The concerts and activities take place on stages within that park (e.g., Music Plaza, Hollywood). Click here to get tickets.

  • Universal has announced a nearly eleven (11) month closure of Jurassic Park River Adventure, the long running water ride in the Jurassic Park area of Islands of Adventure. The ride will be closed from January 5, 2026, through November 19, 2026. The length of the closure suggests a massive refurbishment of the ride, something fans have been asking for quite loudly. As with any big update, this suggests that Universal has faith in the attraction, and fans should not expect a permanent closure anytime soon. (Universal last did a long term refurbishment with the Revenge of the Mummy attraction at Universal Studios Florida in 2022.) Click here to read our thoughts on Jurassic Park River Adventure.

  • A tragic incident occurred at EPIC Universe on September 17, 2025, when a 32 year old guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and later passed away. The medical examiner ruled the death an accident caused by multiple blunt-impact injuries. Universal has stated the ride system functioned as intended. The coaster remains closed pending review. Out of respect for the family and to avoid speculation, we waited to cover this story until further details were shared by Universal and Orlando officials. Our thoughts remain with those affected. We will update this space with any news regarding the status of Stardust Racers. Click here to read more.

  • Universal has officially filed permits to demolish most of the Lost Continent area of Islands of Adventure. Attractions in this area have slowly closed over the years. Edifices and restaurants are most of what remains. There is no confirmation about which parts of the land will be demoed. But we would be shocked if Mythos doesn’t survive the purge. It’s one of the most popular theme park restaurants in the world. Our guess is they will re-theme it but keep details largely the same.

  • Universal Orlando won five (5) 2025 Golden Ticket Awards. EPIC Universe earned four (4), including Best New Attraction for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Volcano Bay also received recognition, highlighting Universal’s strong industry presence.

  • Universal Destinations continues to tease upcoming expansions in all parks. No details have been confirmed.

  • Halloween Horror Nights officially kicks off THIS FRIDAY, August 29. Click here to find out everything you need to know before the 2025 scares begin.

  • Universal has introduced a new “Deathly Afraid Necklace” HHN product available for purchase for $20 plus tax. The product is aimed at guests who prefer a milder scare experience. Wearing the necklace will keep scare actors away as you move throughout the park through the scare zones. However, the necklace will not work inside the haunted houses, where you should still expect a full scare experience. The necklaces are available for purchase at the Universal Studios Store, HHN Tribute Store, and the Men In Black: Alien Attack! exit shop. Click here to read more. (We’re PUMPED about this news, given that we’re only going as reporters and don’t love to be scared! UPDATE: It worked really well. We loved it.)

  • Universal is giving fans an exclusive first look at a secret character from Amazon’s Fallout Season 2 inside the Halloween Horror Nights haunted house. The experience also recreates recognizable locations like Ma June’s Sundries, blending in video content produced by Amazon that teases the upcoming season, which premieres December 17, 2025.

  • Speaking of Halloween Horror Nights premiere week, a recent editorial calls on Universal (and Disney) to reconsider stretching Halloween-themed events into mid-summer. Dirk Libbey argues that early rollouts—such as Halloween Horror Nights beginning in late August—displace beloved summer shows (like Universal Orlando’s Cinesational) and reduce seasonal variety, warning that a “year-round Halloween” vibe risks diluting overall park experience. Click here to read it.

  • Rumors are swirling that Universal will begin including EPIC Universe in the annual pass theme parks as soon as November, after Halloween Horror Nights concludes. Watch this space for updates.

  • Universal has added Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™ and Mine-Cart Madness™ to the list of EPIC Universe rides with express pass access. This leaves Dragon Racer’s Rally as the only ride at the new EPIC Universe theme park without express pass access. Click here to find every Universal Orlando ride with express pass access in our Universal Orlando Ride Guide.

  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit has shuttered permanently. Construction on a replacement experience has been underway for weeks and will likely start in earnest in the coming weeks. No news yet about the replacement attraction. Watch this space for updates.

  • Universal’s Horror Unleashed attraction in Las Vegas, Nevada is OPEN. It’s a year round Halloween Horror Nights installment and the first of multiple venues opening around the country. It’s a full‑time, immersive horror experience at AREA15. Fans can explore walk‑through haunted houses, themed bars, and live entertainment all year round. Click here to get tickets. Click here to read more about these installations.

  • MAJOR changes are coming to Halloween Horror Nights Stay & Scream. Click here to read more in our HHN34 FAQ. Click here to read Main Street Magic’s detailed article about it.

  • Two safety incidents occurred at Universal Orlando in July. Two buses caught fire at the EPIC Universe bus depot on July 28, 2025. No injuries were reported. On Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure, a boat on the water ride started sinking with guests aboard. No injuries were reported.

  • Bigfire at Universal Orlando CityWalk has a brand new brunch menu. Check it out here.

  • Universal Orlando has announced its 2025 Universal Orlando Passholder Appreciation days. From August 15, 2025, through September 30, 2025, annual passholders will enjoy exclusive merchandise, food, and events. Read more here.

  • Universal Orlando Resort is offering butterbeer outside a Wizarding World for the first time. The Universal Studios Store at CityWalk Orlando has expanded to open a butterbeer counter that guests can access without a park ticket. Get all the details here.

  • Universal Orlando has announced a temporary seasonal closure of its water park, Volcano Bay, from October 2026 to March 2027. Click here to learn more.

  • The Universal Orlando Mega Movie Parade is returning in April and will run from April 12 to November 13, 2025. Click here to read more.

Major Upcoming 2025 and 2026 Dates at Universal Orlando Resort

  • January 21, 2025: Universal Stella Nova Resort is NOW OPEN. This new hotel, co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co., is part of the Prime Value on-site hotel category and offers 750 guestrooms. It is located adjacent to the forthcoming Universal EPIC Universe theme park on Universal Orlando Resort’s new south campus. Book your stay here.

  • March 25, 2025: Universal Terra Luna Resort is NOW OPEN. This new hotel, co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co., is part of the Prime Value on-site hotel category and offers 750 guestrooms. It is located adjacent to the forthcoming Universal EPIC Universe theme park on Universal Orlando Resort’s new south campus. The opening of this second of the two newest on-site sister hotels was pushed back by delays and had previously been scheduled for a February opening. Book your stay here.

  • April 16, 2025: The Universal Helios Grand Hotel is NOW OPEN. This new hotel, co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co., is part of the on-site hotel Signature Collection and offers 500 guestrooms (including suites themed around the “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise). It is located inside the forthcoming Universal EPIC Universe theme park on Universal Orlando Resort’s new south campus and has a dedicated park entrance for hotel guests. Book your stay here.

  • May 22, 2025: Universal EPIC Universe is NOW OPEN. Universal Orlando Resort’s highly anticipated fourth theme park officially opened its doors to park-goers, complete with a grand opening celebration and low wait times. Across the board a huge success. The innovative theme park contains five immersive worlds, including: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – The Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, and Dark Universe. Get tickets here.

  • August 29, 2025, through November 2, 2025: Halloween Horror Nights. The global Halloween phenomenon offers guests a spine-chilling experience with haunted houses, scare zones, and live entertainment. Get details at the official site.

  • November 22, 2025, through December 31, 2025: Holidays at Universal Orlando. Christmas returns to Universal Orlando, bringing tons of Christmas decorations throughout the resort, special events like Grinchmas, character meet and greets, the Universal Orlando Holiday Tour, the Macy’s Holiday Parade, and so much more. Get details at the official site.

  • January 23, 2025, and January 24, 2025: Rock the Universe. The biggest Christian music festival in Florida will return to Universal in January. Get tickets here.