Guests in Uproar After Another Universal Roller Coaster Incident Reported

One Universal Studios theme park has officially apologized after a recent incident involving a roller coaster.

Universal is known for its lineup of high-thrill rides, often positioning itself as the more adrenaline-driven counterpart to Disney. While Disney focuses heavily on themed storytelling, Universal consistently leans on speed, loops, and immersive worlds to captivate thrill-seekers worldwide.

Standout attractions include the record-breaking Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure, The Flying Dinosaur in Japan, and the upcoming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood.

However, the theme-park group’s coasters have found themselves in the headlines for all the wrong reasons as of late. At its newest theme park, Epic Universe, the coaster Stardust Racers became the site of a fatal accident in September. A 32-year-old man, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, was found unresponsive after riding the attraction and subsequently died. An autopsy ruled his cause of death as “multiple blunt impact injuries.”

Multiple other roller coasters at the Florida resort were implicated in the latest edition of the state’s theme park accident report, with guests hospitalized after medical incidents aboard The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and Revenge of the Mummy.

Universal Studios Beijing Roller Coaster Sparks Backlash

Further afield, another Universal roller coaster has generated controversy in recent weeks.

Universal Studios Beijing, which opened in 2021, brought the brand’s next-gen coaster lineup to China. Its standout thrill rides include Decepticoaster and Jurassic Flyers, a Mack Rides inverted powered coaster themed to Jurassic World that sends guests soaring over Isla Nublar.

Recently, several tourists were left stranded on Jurassic Flyers after the attraction suffered an equipment failure. Guests were suspended in the rain for about 40 minutes as ground staff constructed a makeshift ladder, and the ride stalled repeatedly during its descent.

Mr. Song, one of the riders, reported the attraction hung sideways at its highest point (via Sina). He said there were no announcements or reassurances from staff, and the group ultimately called the police themselves. He described a burning circuitry odor as the ride finally descended.

According to Song, park management offered only small toys like wands and dolls as compensation. Refund requests were denied, and no formal apology or explanation was given. Guests were told to accept the gifts and leave the premises immediately.

The group later filed a complaint through China’s government hotline. Officials attributed the malfunction to a mechanical failure caused by the weather. Universal staff told reporters they would escalate the incident but offered no further updates.

Song also noted this was not his first experience with stalling rides at the park. In June last year, he was trapped on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (which was previously named in a lawsuit against Universal Studios Hollywood after a guest suffered a crushed spine) after a sudden hovering issue. Other guests have reported similar stoppages online.

Have you ever experienced a similar issue at a theme park?