As Epic Universe nears its 10-month mark of its grand opening – and its first spring break season unfolds – just how is the park doing? In five words: “It’s done everything we wanted.”
That’s what Mike Cavanagh, co-CEO of Comcast Corp. told market analysts at a Morgan Stanley conference this month.
He cited larger attendance at Universal Orlando, increased per-capital spending by visitors and a bump in hotel stays and length of stays in the Epic era.
“Where do we go from here?” Cavanagh asked. “I think it’s continue to see the park and the workforce in the park mature. So, ride flow and capacity ultimately gets to its maximum potential, as we come to the one-year anniversary, where we’ve made great strides.”
Some Epic visitors have complained about hours-long waits for major rides, particularly Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, a dark ride in the park’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter area. And the shut-down of the Stardust Racers roller coaster that began in mid-February was extended to April 5.
“Stardust Racers is undergoing its first annual planned inspection and maintenance process,” Universal said in an official statement this week. “We are efficiently completing the work all at once and are also making additional capacity and through-put enhancements, which is extending the temporary closure period.”
The attraction was closed for two weeks after a man died after riding it in September. The current maintenance work “is not related to the incident last year or the safety of the ride,” Universal said.
Universal Orlando, like most theme-park companies, does not publicly share figures for attendance or capacity restrictions or schedules. This week, traditionally a busy tourism period as schools observe spring break, single-day tickets to Epic sold out. Universal’s website indicates one-day Epic availability through the end of the year, with ticket prices ranging between $164 and $209.
The company also sells multiday packages, some of which include “free travel” between Epic and sister parks Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
Islands of Adventure visitors splash down at the Jurassic Park River Adventure ride, which is slated to return to service in November. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
News, notes, nuggets
• Universal has other extended closures, particularly at Islands of Adventure, where Pteranodon Flyers is down through May 14 and Jurassic Park River Adventure closed through Nov. 19. The renovation for Finnegan’s Bar & Grill at Universal Studios is set to end sometime next winter.
At Walt Disney World, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, closed since August, returns to the Magic Kingdom lineup April 8. Sister attraction Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s refurbishment continues to be listed as reopening in spring of this year.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is now closed and scheduled to return as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets sometime this summer.
Also without a return date are two Epcot films shown at the Palais du Cinema in the France pavilions. “Impressions de France” and the “Beauty and the Beast” sing-along have not been seen since Feb. 21.
• Epic Universe and Disney Destiny, the Disney Cruise Line ship, were named as two of Time’s “world’s greatest places” for 2026. There were 100 picked worldwide, but among the other U.S. selections were the Reefline, an underwater art installment at Miami Beach, Counterculture Museum of San Francisco and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
• Universal is promoting “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” with Yoshi meet-and-greets at Epic Universe and a photo op at Universal CityWalk. The movie comes out April 1, and the experiences remain in place through April 13.
A photograph by May Pang, shows John Lennon at Walt Disney World in December 1974. (Courtesy Scott Segelbaum)
• The legendary last legal gasp of the Beatles happened at Disney’s Polyneisan Village Resort when John Lennon signed paperwork in 1974. His companion was photographer May Pang, and she will be at the Grotto at Stoneybrook West with the exhibition “The Lost Weekend – The Photography of May Pang.” She has several images from that WDW trip in the exhibit, and she will meet and greet with customers Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More info: thegrottoatstoneybrookwest.com.
• WonderWorks Orlando has added two exhibits at the International Drive “edu-tainment” attraction. Magic Canvas AI takes finger-created images from a small screen, enhances them and tosses them to a big screen. SuperBlaster is a competitive mix of laser tag and simulator. Details: wonderworksonline.com.
• Puzzle Corp. Escape Rooms on I-Drive is offering 25% off one of their six challenges through April 13. Book at puzzlecorpescaperooms.com (Discount code is SPRINGBREAK25).
Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel
Museum of Illusions workers show off an effect at the Icon Park attraction, which will have special April 1 pricing. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
• Museum of Illusions Orlando is having special April Fool’s Day pricing of $20, good only on April 1. More info: MOIOrlando.com.
• Brevard Zoo is hosting Illumi-Nature, an after-dark illumination of 1,000 nature-inspired sculptures, daily through March 29, then select dates between April 2 and May 10. More info: brevardzoo.org.
• Kennedy Under the Stars: Yuri’s Night Edition is set for April 3 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. It aligns with worldwide parties in commemoration of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. It includes panel discussions, live DJ, stilt walkers and “cosmic glow mini golf” under the Saturn 1B rocket in the Rocket Garden. More info: kennedyspacecenter.com.
Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.