A terrifying incident occurred on the night of February 2, 2025, for Universal Orlando Resort guests at one of the newest Epic Universe Resort hotels.

Universal Introduces New Line of Electric Buses
Universal Orlando Resort recently introduced a brand-new fleet of electric buses to accommodate the increased transportation demands brought on by the upcoming grand opening of its highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park. These state-of-the-art electric buses were designed to offer a more sustainable and efficient way to transport guests between Universal’s hotels, theme parks, and CityWalk.
However, just as excitement builds for Epic Universe’s 2025 debut, an unexpected incident involving a different electric bus has raised concerns about transportation safety.
While electric vehicles are widely regarded as the future of sustainable transportation, incidents like this highlight the importance of thorough testing and safety protocols. Universal has not yet provided an update on whether this incident will impact their long-term electric bus program, but it raises questions about what measures are in place to prevent similar situations in the future.
For guests visiting Universal Orlando Resort, safety remains the top priority. Whether riding an electric bus, navigating crowded CityWalk, or experiencing high-speed attractions, it’s essential to remain vigilant and follow all safety guidelines provided by the resort. In the event of an emergency, guests should follow evacuation procedures and listen to instructions from Universal team members.

MEARS MCO Electric Bus Catches Fire at Stella Nova Resort
Social media was abuzz late last night when X user @AnniesUniUpdate shared photos depicting a shocking scene outside Universal’s newly opened Stella Nova Resort. The images, taken from a distance, appeared to show a MEARS MCO electric bus engulfed in flames at the hotel entrance.
If you’re staying at Stella Nova tonight, do not expect to be able to get there very soon. A bus caught fire in front of the hotel. – @AnniesUniUpdate on X
If you’re staying at Stella Nova tonight, do not expect to be able to get there very soon. A bus caught fire in front of the hotel. pic.twitter.com/Xjy2YHRuYj
— Adventuring with Annie (@AnniesUniUpdate) February 3, 2025
“If you’re staying at Stella Nova tonight, do not expect to be able to get there very soon. A bus caught fire in front of the hotel,” @AnniesUniUpdate posted.
Though no official statements have been released by Universal Orlando or local fire departments at this time, the post has already gone viral, leading to speculation about what might have caused the blaze.
Notably, this incident did not involve Universal’s newly introduced electric buses but rather a MEARS MCO-operated vehicle. Despite this distinction, many guests remain concerned about the overall safety of electric transportation at the resort.

CityWalk Bus Operations Halted as Guests Face Long Wait Times
The effects of the incident were not limited to Stella Nova Resort. Over at Universal CityWalk, X user @Sami_Parks shared a photo showing large crowds of Universal guests waiting for bus transportation. In their post, they reported that all bus operations had come to a standstill, except for those serving Dockside Inn and Surfside Inn & Suites.
Situation at City Walk bus Station.
All Buses are Stopped operation except for Dockside & Surfside. Very long Waiting Line fir Stella Hôtel. pic.twitter.com/P6ae4Yqqzb
— Sami_Parks 🎢 (@Sami_Parks) February 3, 2025
Situation at City Walk bus Station. All Buses are Stopped operation except for Dockside & Surfside. Very long Waiting Line fir Stella Hôtel. – @Sami_Parks on X
“Situation at CityWalk bus station. All Buses are Stopped operation except for Dockside & Surfside. Very long Waiting Line fir Stella Hôtel,” @Sami_Parks wrote.
As of now, it remains unclear whether this temporary halt in bus services was a direct response to the fire or an unrelated issue. However, guests staying at Universal’s premier resorts, including Stella Nova, appear to be facing significant transportation delays.

Universal Orlando Resort Remains a Safe and Fun Destination for Millions
With Epic Universe set to open in just over a year, Universal will need to address concerns about the safety and reliability of its transportation options. Since this fire was allegedly caused by a MEARS MCO electric bus and not Universal’s fleet, the resort may still proceed with its planned rollout.
However, this incident could prompt further safety evaluations across all transportation services operating in and around Universal Orlando Resort.
For now, guests should anticipate potential delays in Universal’s transportation services while authorities and Universal’s operations team assess the situation. As more details emerge, Universal is expected to provide an official statement addressing the incident and any changes to its bus system.
Have you been on one of the new Universal electric buses lately? What are your thoughts on them? Sound off in the comments below!