Credit: Andrew Boardwine, Inside the MagicOn March 9, guests arrived at Universal Epic Universe to find that one of the four portals into the immersive theme park lands was closed and barricaded. Here’s what we know about the sudden shutdown.
Universal Epic Universe Portals
Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Universal Epic Universe, opened on May 22, 2025. Guests’ adventures begin in Celestial Park, the central land. From there, they can choose to travel through one of four portals into How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Dark Universe, or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
Unfortunately, this week, Universal Orlando Resort guests found one of those portals unexpectedly closed.
How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk Portal Closed
On Monday, X (formerly known as Twitter) user @thatdisneyboi shared several photos of the barricaded portal to How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. The portal was closed on both the Celestial Park side and the How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk side. Signage directed guests to alternate, less-immersive routes for entering and exiting the land.
Portals closed 💀
Portals closed 💀 pic.twitter.com/Yo5axrjR1m
— Ethan 💫 (@ThatDisneyBoi) March 9, 2026
Universal Orlando Resort did not publicly respond to the photos of the closure of one of four Universal Epic Universe portals. However, Universal Parks fans indicated that the area was closed for planned maintenance, with crews repairing the LED lights and other fixtures inside the structure that guide guests into and out of How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. From @DerekWMCook:
I imagine they are repairing the portal’s LEDs before Spring break season. I recall the lower LEDs of Burk were particularly damaged badly by guests and not working.
I imagine they are repairing the portal’s LEDs before Spring break season. I recall the lower LEDs of Burk were particularly damaged badly by guests and not working.
— Derek Cook (@DerekWMCook) March 9, 2026
“The walls are themed. It’s planned maintenance inside the portals,” @Bentleys_Enigma added. “You can still enter the portal through the exit.”
The walls are themed. It’s planned maintenance inside the portals. You can still enter the portal through the exit.
— YoBentley (@Bentleys_Enigma) March 9, 2026
It’s unclear when the How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk portal will reopen. Guests can still enter and exit the land through an alternate walkway nearby.
Has an unexpected closure ever impacted your visit to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, or Universal Epic Universe? Share your story with Inside the Magic in the comments!