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Universal Orlando Snapshot: Current Ride Closures, Park Promotions, & Special Events

At Orlando Informer, we work diligently to keep information up to date. This page was last updated on March 27, 2023.

On this page, you’ll find our up-to-date one-stop shop for everything that is currently happening at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and all of Universal Orlando Resort! (Yeah, this is a good page to bookmark.)

By the way, we’re very happy to let you know that this is just one page out of over 300 we have in our next-generation encyclopedia of obsessively-updated Universal Orlando vacation-planning info.

Want even more updates? Sign up for our free newsletter, join our community in our Facebook group, or join us on any of these social networks:

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The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure
The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure

Live tweeting and Facebook live streaming from Universal Orlando

We visit Universal multiple times every month to bring our fans live in-park photo and video updates direct from Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and CityWalk! To see all of our photo updates as they happen, we invite you to follow us on Twitter.

We also do Facebook live streaming from in-park, as well, both on our page and in our community.  To be a part of these broadcasts, like our Facebook page here and join our private community here.

Current Ride Closures

Islands of Adventure

  • Me Ship, The Olive: 2/3/23 – 4/21/23
Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida

Current promotions and resort-wide changes

Illumination’s Villain-con Minion Blast
Illumination’s Villain-con Minion Blast is slated for hijinks to begin at Universal Studios Florida in Summer 2023, along with a neighboring Minion Cafe. These locations respectively fill the vacancies that Shrek 4-D and Monsters Cafe left behind. Read our announcement here.

Epic Universe
Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, is back on track! After originally being announced in August 2019, all construction was halted in July 2020 thanks to the coronavirus pandemic – but, on March 3, 2021, Universal was happy to reveal that it was starting everything back up. Although it’ll take the next several months for the process to get back to where it was at the beginning of 2020, it’s still good news – and an even better indicator of where businesses think our economy will be as we finally start to look past COVID-19.

To learn even more, you can read the big announcement or do a deep dive into Epic Universe in our complete guide. Universal Orlando’s fourth park is currently expected to open in summer 2025.

Early Park Admission
This perk is currently available at Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay. Select dates for Early Park Admission are available at Universal Studios Florida. Prior to your visit, please check that you are eligible for Early Park Admission.

The following attractions are available for Early Park Admission at Universal Studios Florida from March 12 – April 17:

The following attractions are available for Early Park Admission at Islands of Adventure from March 6 – April 30:

The following attractions are available for Early Park Admission at Volcano Bay:

Upcoming annual events and special celebrations

Mardi Gras 2021 performer at Universal Studios Florida
Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval

Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval
The fan-favorite Mardi Gras celebration is slated to let the good times roll daily from February 4 through April 16, 2023. This year’s theme is Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval, which will combine aspects of Carnaval celebrations from all over the world! Enjoy a variety of delectable cuisines and an exciting parade similar to what you would find in New Orleans – beads included! This party gets even better with live concerts on select evenings. Find out more in our guide here. 

Universal Studios Florida

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone Permanent Attraction Closures – The adventures of Fievel’s Playland, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, DreamWorks Destination, and Shrek and Donkey’s Meet & Greet have come to an end with their closure on January 15, 2023. Some of these attractions have been in operation for over 20 years, it is a bittersweet goodbye, but we look to the future to see what is next for Universal Studios Florida. 

The Bourne Stuntacular – Universal Orlando’s new stunt show opened on June 30, 2020! You can get our overview of the attraction here and read our review here.

TODAY Cafe – set foot on the set where The TODAY Show is filmed and chow down on a smorgasbord of delicious food and drink options, including an exclusive coffee blend, pastries, lattes, beer and wine, and a host of other New York-inspired dishes. You can read all about it over on the OI Blog.

The list above is only a summary of the current ride refurbishments, openings, and closings at Universal Studios Florida. For a complete list of the park’s attractions, scroll to the bottom of this page or visit the OI Universal Center table of contents.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure

Jurassic World VelociCoaster – the apex predator of roller coasters has arrived! Get the complete rundown here.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – find out everything there is to know about the newest Harry Potter ride over on our guide page.

The list above is only a summary of the current ride refurbishments, openings, and closings at Islands of Adventure. For a complete list of the park’s attractions, scroll to the bottom of this page or visit the OI Universal Center table of contents.

Volcano Bay

Krakatoa Katy’s – Originally only a gift shop at the front of Volcano Bay has now been transformed to be part gift shop and part bar. It is a great alternative spot to get a drink if the normal bar lines are too long.

A look inside of Jurassic World: ESCAPE in Universal's Great Movie Escape
A look inside of Jurassic World: ESCAPE in Universal’s Great Movie Escape

CityWalk

Pat O’Brien’s Mardi Gras Celebrations – The good times don’t just roll in Universal Studios Florida! Don’t let your feet fail you as you head over to Pat O’Brien’s Mardi Gras After Party, happening on select nights from February 4 through April 16. Enjoy a variety of entertainment and exclusive food and drink offerings. Admission is complimentary, but reservations are encouraged. Make a reservation here or call 407-224-3663.

Cursed Coconut Club – The spirits of the Cursed Coconut Club have taken over Red Coconut Club and are crafting some delicious concoctions in celebration of Mardi Gras. Learn more about this temporary offering here. 

Universal’s Great Movie Escape – First-of-its-kind escape adventures kicked off at Universal CityWalk on December 9, 2022. Travel through time within the Back to the Future universe in Back to the Future: OUTATIME, or flee from the grasp of an apex predator in Jurassic World: ESCAPE. Read our spoiler-free review here.

Bigfire – CityWalk’s newest restaurant, which replaces Emeril’s, opened on June 26, 2019. Bigfire cooks all of its food on a giant wood-fire grill in the center of the venue, using different types of wood to bring out different smoky flavors. You can get all the details over in the OI Universal Center.

Looking for CityWalk events? They are included in our events section near the top of the page — skip up there.

For more information about Universal CityWalk, scroll to the bottom of this page or visit the OI Universal Center table of contents.

Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites

Universal Orlando’s hotels

Upcoming Velvet Sessions at Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando – Velvet sessions are making a rockin’ return to Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort. On March 30, Everclear will be filling the lobby with some of their alternative rock hits. These concerts are held in an intimate setting that allows guests to hear performances by some of their favorite artists while enjoying cocktails and small plates.

Harbor Nights Primavera at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Immerse your senses in the cuisine and music of Italy with Loews Portofino Bay’s Harbor Nights Primavera, returning on April 21. Enjoy Italian fare, select wines, live music, and traditional opera performances on the hotel’s piazza, which sets a beautiful backdrop to this enchanting evening.

Shakes Malt Shoppe – Cabana Bay Beach Resort just got a little sweeter! A new quick-service location has opened up that offers smoothies, shakes, scoops, and so much more! Learn more here.

Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites – the second half of Universal’s new hotel complex was initially delayed thanks to COVID-19, but finally had its grand opening on December 15, 2020. You can learn more about the eighth property at Universal Orlando here.

Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites – the other half of Endless Summer Resort opened on June 27, 2019. You can learn all about the hotel here.

Epic Universe

Epic Universe, Universal’s newest theme park, was announced in August 2019, indefinitely delayed a year later (thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic), and put back on track in March 2021. Find out everything there is to know about the park’s past and future over in the Universal Center

Looking for hotel events? They are included in our events section near the top of the page — skip up there.

The list above is only a summary of the current projects relating to the Loews hotels at Universal Orlando. For complete details about these properties, check out the links below or visit the OI Universal Center table of contents.

Do you have a question about the information on this page or would you like to provide feedback? Please let us know by posting in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

See everything else you’ve been missing

Overview and Introduction:

Tickets and Planning

Insider Tips on Your Vacation

These guide pages will give you the inside scoop on how to get the most out of your vacation to Universal Orlando Resort. From internet access to mobile food ordering, all your questions can be answered here. Perusing these pages now will save you countless hours later, allowing you to spend more time on what’s important – your trip!

Insider’s Guide to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

With Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village, Universal Orlando changed the game for what it meant to be immersed in a theme park. These guide pages will cover our best insider tips on getting the most out of your visit to the Wizarding World.

Annual Events at Universal Orlando

There’s more to do than just rollercoasters! The following guide pages provide information on annual events at Universal Orlando Resort. Check here periodically for updates and news.

Universal Orlando Touring Plans

We combined our years of expertise and insider experience to build the best touring plans for you so you don’t have to! Whether you’re staying one day, or all week, we’ve got you covered!

Universal Studios Florida – Complete Guide and History

Universal Studios boasts The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Men in Black, Springfield, U.S.A, and more. Use these guide pages to help plan your ultimate vacation.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure – complete guide and history

Islands of Adventure features lands such as Seuss Landing, Jurassic Park, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade Village. That means you can ride The Cat in the Hat, come face to face with dinosaurs, and attend Hagrid’s magical creatures lesson. These pages contain great insider tips and tricks to make sure you have a great vacation.

Universal’s Volcano Bay – complete guide and history

The water theme park at Universal Studios, Volcano Bay takes your vacation to a whole new level of relaxation and excitement – all in the same day! Go with the flow in a raft, or climb to the top of Krakatau volcano just to slide back down again! But whatever you do – use our guide pages to plan your day at Volcano Bay and maximize your trip.

Park-wide tips

Universal’s Epic Universe – complete guide and history (opening expected in 2025)

Epic Universe will be Universal Orlando Resorts’ biggest park, housing three major intellectual properties: DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, and Nintendo.

Universal CityWalk Orlando

These guide pages will walk you through everything you need to know about Universal City Walk and all you can find there! With formal dining options, to-go pizza, and even a tattoos parlor, you’ll find what you need (and more) at City Walk.

Universal Orlando’s hotels (general information)

Universal Orlando Resort boasts eight hotels, and each has something the others don’t! Use these guide pages to read about each one and decide which is best for you and your family on your unforgettable vacation.

The Prop Graveyard: TOURING THE EXTINCT ATTRACTIONS

Unfortunately, even good things must come to an end. Universal Orlando Resort opened more than 20 years ago, and in their journey to keep things fresh and updated, sacrifices had to be made along the way! Use these guide pages to read up on the attractions of days gone by.

When we say that Orlando Informer is the world’s leading resource for Universal Orlando vacation planning, we’re not just blowin’ smoke. Start your journey through our knowledge by following any link below.