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Like Disney, Universal Orlando Immediately Shuts Theme Park Gates

in Theme Parks, Universal Orlando

Posted on by Thomas Hitchen 2 Comments
The entrance to Universal Orlando Resort's Universal Studios Florida

Credit: LunchboxLarry, Flickr

Following the closure at the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort has also closed its theme park’s gates due to reasons beyond its control.

Cinderella Castle at dusk
Credit: Inside the Magic

The winter season may bring holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year to the theme parks of Central Florida, but it also creates closure risks due to cold weather, and this week is no different. Following a turbulent November and December so far for the water parks at both Disney and Universal, a new cold front has caused the immediate closure of Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park.

The closure confirmation comes shortly after the Walt Disney World Resort quietly revealed that its own Typhoon Lagoon water park–the only one currently operating, as Disney temporarily shuttered Blizzard Beach months ago– would not be operating on Monday, December 15, 2025.

Mickey Mouse in front of the pool at Typhoon Lagoon
Credit: Disney

“As the cold front arrives on Sunday, expect a few more clouds and the chance for isolated showers, mainly along the coast late in the day,” Click Orlando reported in last week’s weather outlook. “By Monday, Central Florida will likely wake up to chilly and breezy conditions. North winds are forecast to pick up, ranging from 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph possible.”

The closures come at a key time, when theme parks across the Central Florida district are inching closer to the busy Christmas and New Year’s period. For the Walt Disney World Resort, the week between the two is the busiest of the year.

If water park closures continue to occur throughout the season due to cold weather in the Sunshine State, it may mean that the four other parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios) will be busier than usual.

Aerial view of Volcano Bay
Credit: Universal

As for Universal, the closure of Volcano Bay could result in an increase in guest activity at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and the newest addition to the theme park portfolio, Universal Epic Universe.

How do you feel about the closures hitting the two most prominent theme park resorts in Florida this season? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!

in Theme Parks, Universal Orlando

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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