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Catastrophic Flooding Hits Universal Orlando Resort

in Theme Parks, Universal Orlando

Posted on by Eva Miller 7 Comments
A dramatic scene at Universal Orlando Resort features a large roller coaster with loops and turns, set against a cloudy sky. In the foreground, a smaller circular section highlights an image of an overturned boat floating in water, hinting at catastrophic flooding.

Credit: Inside the Magic

Orlando, Florida’s weather is known for its variability throughout the year. Situated in Central Florida, Orlando experiences a subtropical climate characterized by hot and humid summers with frequent afternoon showers and thunderstorms. This kind of weather was on full display at Universal Orlando Resort, one of the region’s most popular theme park resorts.

In an unprecedented turn of events, Universal Orlando Resort was struck by extreme flooding on Thursday, August 1, causing significant disruption and damage across the sprawling theme park. The unexpected deluge began this afternoon, quickly escalating from heavy rain to a full-blown flood, leading to widespread chaos throughout the park.

Related: Significant Portion of Universal Orlando Closed Down Without Warning

Scenes of Devastation 

Guests and staff at Universal Orlando Resort were met with a harrowing scene as rain showers transformed into torrential downpours. The park’s usually vibrant walkways and attractions were submerged under several inches of water, with some areas experiencing more intense flooding.

The floodwaters have caused significant disruptions to park operations. Several attractions and rides are temporarily closed as crews work to remove debris and assess structural impacts. Restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues have also been affected, leading to the suspension of many planned activities.

As of now, Universal Orlando Resort has not commented on the flooding, and from its appearance, no major damage has been caused to the current parks or to the construction of Epic Universe, the resort’s upcoming theme park. The theme park is built to handle storms like this, so hopefully, with proper drainage, everything will recover smoothly.

Universal Orlando Resort
Credit: Universal

Weather Conditions and Future Forecast

The severe weather conditions were caused by a sudden and intense weather system that impacted the central Florida region. This weather is shocking but not uncommon in the area, and many witnesses of flooding were unphased. This is not the first and not the last major rainstorm that will hit these theme parks this season.

As cleanup efforts continue, Universal Orlando Resort remains focused on addressing the immediate needs of guests and staff, with the hope of resuming normal operations in the near future. Visitors are advised to stay informed through official channels for updates on park status and safety information.

This post originally appeared on Disney Dining. 

in Theme Parks, Universal Orlando

Tagged:Central Florida

Eva Miller

Eva was born and raised in the beautiful state of Oregon but has since relocated and lives in New York City. Since she was young, Eva has loved to perform in musicals, especially Disney ones! Through performing, Disney’s music became the soundtrack of her childhood. Today, Eva loves to write about all the exciting happenings for the Walt Disney Company. In her free time, Eva loves to travel, spend time in nature, and go to Broadway shows. Her favorite Disney movie is 'Lilo and Stitch,' and her favorite Park is Disney's Animal Kingdom.

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