Credit: Universal Studios JapanIndefinite attraction closures are affecting one Universal Studios theme park, with no reopening date in sight.
Attraction closures are an unavoidable part of theme park operations, Universal included. To ensure smooth operations, rides and shows must frequently undergo refurbishment, receiving the necessary care to uphold the park’s reputation for delivering high-quality, immersive entertainment.
Not that that makes the closures any less frustrating in the meantime.
For the most part, Universal closes a small number of its attractions at a time, in order to mitigate the impact that has on parkgoers. However, one theme park has shuttered over half a dozen of its attractions indefinitely – some for years now – with no reopening date in sight.
Universal Studios Japan Shutters Rides En Masse
The Osaka theme park, which recently debuted Donkey Kong Country – its newest Nintendo-themed land – has an unfortunate reputation for closed attractions in recent years.
That’s despite its other reputation for massive crowds, which have made headlines on countless occasions.
The following eight attractions are currently or soon to be listed as closed indefinitely on the Universal Studios Japan website:
- Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic
- Shrek’s 4-D Adventure
- Snoopy’s Sound Stage Adventure
- Jurassic Park – The Ride
- Wand Studies
- Ernie’s Rubber Duckie Race
- Sesame’s Big Drive
- Universal Spectacle Night Parade: The Best of Hollywood
This is nothing new for many of these attractions. Ernie’s Rubber Duckie Race, Sesame’s Big Drive, and Universal Spectacle Night Parade: The Best of Hollywood have all been closed since June 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the region’s theme parks.
Meanwhile, Jurassic Park – The Ride closed for a thorough refurbishment (which apparently won’t see it become Jurassic World – The Ride like Universal Studios Hollywood, as was previously theorized) in September 2023. Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic and Shrek’s 4-D Adventure close indefinitely in January 2025.
Frustrations Over Ride Closures
While this list already seems lengthy, these are in addition to other, less long-term closures. The likes of JAWS, Hollywood Dream – The Ride, and Elmo’s Go-Go Skateboard are all also scheduled for temporary closures in 2025, with many more sure to come.
Some of the above indefinite closures may have made sense at the peak of the pandemic when social distancing was a top priority. However, with theme parks (largely) back to normal, the decision to keep several of these attractions shuttered long-term is becoming increasingly tough to justify.
Notably, Universal Studios Japan has struggled with staffing shortages in recent years, which has likely played a role in the decision to reduce attraction numbers. Theme parks, in general, have also slashed budgets. But with Universal Studios Japan beating out Tokyo Disneyland for Japan’s most-visited theme park for the second year in a row in 2024 (attracting approximately 16 million visitors versus Tokyo Disneyland’s 15.1 million), a little extra capacity would go a long way.
Have you ever visited Universal Studios Japan?