A woman has filed a lawsuit claiming she was injured on the Stardust Racers ride at Universal's Epic Universe, the same ride where a man was found unresponsive and later died from blunt impact injuries. The lawsuit alleges improper restraint and safety concerns, while Universal states the ride was functioning properly. An investigation into the man's death is ongoing, and the case highlights safety issues at the theme park.
A man with a spinal disability died after riding a roller coaster at Universal Orlando, with lawyers stating his death was caused by blunt force trauma from head strikes during the ride, not his disability. The ride was found to have functioned properly, and investigations are ongoing to review safety measures.
A man named Kevin Zavala died after becoming unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando's Epic Universe park. The autopsy ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries, and it was deemed an accident. Zavala, who had a preexisting spinal condition, was remembered by his family for his resilience and spirit. The park is cooperating with investigations, and safety protocols are being reviewed.
A man in his 30s died from blunt impact injuries after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando's new Epic Universe park, with the death ruled an accident by the medical examiner. The incident has raised questions about the cause of injuries, and the ride remains closed as investigations continue.
A man in his thirties became unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal's Epic Universe in Orlando and later died in the hospital. The ride is currently closed as authorities investigate the incident.
Universal Orlando Resort has unveiled the first images of the 'Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry' ride, a key attraction at the upcoming Epic Universe park. The ride takes guests through the Ministry of Magic, featuring a trial of Dolores Umbridge and a new character, Higgledy, Umbridge's former house-elf. Visitors will experience the ride in omnidirectional lifts with red leather seats. The park will also include attractions like Le Cirque Arcanus and themed dining and shopping experiences. Epic Universe is set to open on May 22, 2025.
Universal Orlando Resort announced a new haunted house for Halloween Horror Nights based on the film series "A Quiet Place," featuring American Sign Language for the first time. The attraction will recreate iconic scenes from the films, emphasizing silence and suspense. Halloween Horror Nights runs from Aug. 30 to Nov. 3, with tickets on sale now.
Universal Orlando unveils details of its upcoming theme park, Universal Epic Universe, set to open in 2025, featuring five immersive worlds including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. The park will offer 50 dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences, with attractions such as Starfall Racers and Constellation Carousel in Celestial Park, and dining options like Atlantic and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant. CEO Brian Roberts expressed excitement about the project, calling it "completely original" and "the most exciting project" since NBCUniversal's acquisition.
Universal Orlando has revealed details about its upcoming Epic Universe theme park, set to open in 2025, including a dueling coaster, a new Wizarding World of Harry Potter land, roaming monsters, and "How to Train Your Dragon" attractions. The park will feature Celestial Park as its first area, serving as a portal to four other lands. Additionally, the park will include themed hotels, unique dining options, and interactive experiences, aiming to transform Universal Orlando into a weeklong vacation destination.
Singer Elle King has been removed from the Universal Orlando Mardi Gras concert lineup following a profanity-filled performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Singer-songwriter Nessa Barrett has replaced King on the lineup, joining headliners such as DJ Khaled and Queen Latifah. King's controversial performance has led to backlash, with the Grand Ole Opry issuing an apology, and King rescheduling some of her upcoming shows.
Universal Orlando Resort has announced the lineup for its 2024 Mardi Gras concert series, featuring performances by DJ Khaled, Luis Fonsi, Queen Latifah, and more. The concerts, held at Universal Studios Florida, are included with park admission and run from Feb. 3 through April 7. In addition to the live shows, guests can enjoy a Mardi Gras parade and event-exclusive snacks inspired by Carnaval celebrations around the world.
Riders on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit rollercoaster at Universal Studios in Orlando were stuck in a vertical position for nearly an hour on Thanksgiving night. The Orlando Fire Department confirmed that there were no injuries and the Orlando Police Department initiated the emergency call. The steel coaster features a 167-foot-tall vertical lift, and photos shared on social media showed the train stopped near the top. Universal Studios and the Orlando Police Department have been contacted for more information.
Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights has returned with its 32nd edition, featuring a variety of haunted houses and scare zones. One of the standout attractions is "Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate," which pays homage to the beloved roller coasters from Islands of Adventure. The house takes guests on a thrilling journey through the battle between fire and ice dragons, offering multiple paths and endings. Other top-tier houses include "Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count," "The Darkest Deal," and "Dr. Oddfellow: Twisted Origins." The event runs until October 31st.
Universal Orlando has opened its new interactive attraction, Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast, in Minion Land. The attraction, based on characters from the "Despicable Me" films, is designed to be highly repeatable, appealing to annual passholders, fans, and video game enthusiasts. Visitors can use handheld E-liminator blasters to compete for a spot among the Vicious 6 supervillains, with scores displayed on the blaster and additional data available through the Universal Orlando app. The more rounds played, the more options and customization become available, including seasonal variations. The overall objective is to cause as much destruction as possible, with additional features for those who want a deeper experience.
Universal Orlando has announced that the former KidZone section of Universal Studios Florida will be transformed into a new land based on DreamWorks Animation, featuring franchises like Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. The new area will include themed play spaces, interactive attractions, and character meet-and-greets. Construction is underway, with a potential opening in Summer 2024. Rumors suggest that the land may include a Shrek-themed mini-land, a Trolls section with a rethemed coaster, and a Kung Fu Panda area. There are also rumors of interactive character experiences and purchasable wearables. Universal Orlando is also planning other entertainment experiences for 2024, including a new parade and nighttime show. Additionally, Universal is working on a separate Universal Kids amusement park in Frisco, Texas.
