As Epic Universe nears 10 months since its grand opening and its first spring break season begins, how is the park faring? In five words: “Everything we hoped for.”
That’s what Mike Kavanaugh, Comcast’s co-chief executive officer, told market analysts at a Morgan Stanley conference this month.
He cited increased attendance at Universal Orlando, increased per capita tourist spending, and increased hotel stays and length of stay during the Epic era.
“Where do we go from here?” Cavanagh asked. “I think the park and the workforce within the park continue to mature, so ride flow and capacity will finally reach its full potential as we approach our one-year anniversary of significant progress.”
Some Epic visitors have complained of hours-long waits for major rides, especially Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry, a dark ride in the park’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter area. and, stardust racers The roller coaster ride, which started in mid-February, has been extended until April 5th.
“Stardust Racers is undergoing its first annual planned inspection and maintenance process,” Universal said in an official statement this week. “We are extending our temporary closure period because we are efficiently completing work one at a time, and we are also adding additional production capacity and increasing throughput.”
The attraction was closed for two weeks in September after a man died after riding it. Universal said the current maintenance work is “unrelated to last year’s incidents or to ride safety.”
Universal Orlando, like most theme park companies, does not release numbers on attendance, capacity limits or schedules. Schools are on spring break this week, traditionally a busy season for tourists, and single-day tickets to Epic are sold out. Universal’s website shows single-day ticket prices for Epic will be available through the end of the year, ranging from $164 to $209.
The company also sells multi-day packages, some of which include a “free trip” between Epic Park and its sister parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
News, notes and nuggets
• Universal has extended other closures, including Islands of Adventure, with Pteranodon Flyers closed until May 14th and Jurassic Park River Adventure closed until November 19th. Renovations to Universal Studios’ Finnegan’s Bar & Grill are scheduled to be finished next winter.
At Walt Disney World, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will return to the Magic Kingdom lineup on April 8 after being closed since August. Renovations to sister attraction Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remain listed as scheduled to reopen this spring.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster,” starring Aerosmith, is currently closed and is scheduled to return later this summer as “Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets.”
Additionally, the return dates for the two Epcot movies shown at the Palais du Cinema in the France Pavilion have not yet been determined. The choruses of “French Impressions” and “Beauty and the Beast” have not been seen since February 21st.
• Epic Universe and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Destiny have been named two of Time Magazine’s 2026 “World’s Greatest Places.” While 100 properties were chosen from around the world, other U.S. venues included Reefline, an underwater art installation in Miami Beach, the Counterculture Museum in San Francisco, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
• Universal is promoting “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” with a meet-and-greet with Yoshi at Epic Universe and a photo op at Universal CityWalk. The movie will be released on April 1st and the experience will remain in place until April 13th.
• The Beatles’ legendary last legal gasp occurred at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in 1974 when John Lennon signed the papers. Accompanying him is photographer May Pan, who will be opening the exhibition “Lost Weekend – May Pan’s Photography” at the Stony Brook West Grotto. She has some photos from her WDW trip on display and will be meeting and greeting customers Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More information: thegrottoatstoneybrookwest.com
• WonderWorks Orlando has added two exhibits to its International Drive “edutainment” attraction. Magic Canvas AI takes the images you create with your fingers from the small screen, enhances them, and displays them on the big screen. SuperBlaster is a competitive combination of laser tag and simulator. More information: wonderworksonline.com.
• Puzzle Corp. Escape Rooms at I-Drive is offering 25% off one of six challenges through April 13th. Book at puzzlecorpescaperooms.com (discount code SPRINGBREAK25).
Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel
Museum of Illusions employees will be showing off effects at Icon Park attractions with special pricing on April 1st. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
• Orlando Museum of Fantasy is offering a special April Fool’s Day price of $20 on April 1st only. More information: MOIOrlando.com
• The Brevard Zoo is hosting Illumination Nature, a night-time illumination of 1,000 sculptures inspired by nature, every day through March 29. Then select dates from April 2nd to May 10th. More information: brevardzoo.org
• Kennedy Under the Stars: Yuri’s Night Edition will be held on April 3 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. This coincides with the worldwide commemoration of Yuri Gagarin, the first man to fly into space. It will include panel discussions, a live DJ, stilt walkers, and “Cosmic Glow Mini Golf” under the Saturn 1B rocket in Rocket Garden. More information: kennedyspacecenter.com
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