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Credit: UniversalUniversal Orlando’s highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park has been making headlines with its innovative attractions, and one of the most thrilling additions is Stardust Racers, a dueling roller coaster that promises high-speed, gravity-defying excitement. However, just as the ride continues testing ahead of the park’s grand opening in 2025, an unexpected issue required a massive crane to step in and assist.
Earlier this week, one of Stardust Racers’ coaster trains became stuck in a low valley on the track after failing to generate enough momentum to crest the next hill. Theme park enthusiasts and aerial photographers quickly spotted the stalled train, leading to speculation about what might have caused the issue.
While some initially believed it was part of an evacuation drill, it soon became clear that this was an actual operational hiccup that required a crane to lift the train back onto the track.
Located in Epic Universe’s Celestial Park, Stardust Racers is a high-speed, dueling roller coaster featuring two separate tracks that intertwine as they race across the sky.
Over the past few weeks, the ride has undergone extensive testing, often running at full speed both during the day and at night with its signature lighting package. Guests have been eager to see how this attraction would perform, especially since it’s designed to simulate an intense space race between two competing coaster trains.
However, during a recent test run, one of the coaster trains failed to complete a key element of the track, getting stuck in a valley between two hills. The cause of the incident appears to be related to a combination of factors, including recent modifications to the track and unpredictable weather conditions.
Strong winds in the area may have impacted the train’s velocity, preventing it from reaching the necessary speed to complete the next hill.
Adding to the speculation, some theme park fans pointed out that recent trim brakes were installed at the top of the coaster’s “top hat” element. Trims are often used to control speed and improve ride safety, but in this case, they may have reduced the train’s momentum too much, causing it to stall before completing the circuit.
With the train stuck in a difficult position, Universal’s operations team quickly moved to resolve the issue. Early in the morning, a large crane was brought into the area, marking the first time such equipment had been seen near Stardust Racers. Aerial photos captured the massive piece of machinery being positioned next to the ride, and by nightfall, it was fully operational.
Here are a few different angles of a Stardust Racers train being lifted up by a crane tonight.
This train is being pulled back over the top hat element pic.twitter.com/lemRTQf4Uq
— Ethan Hershaft (@EthanHershaft) March 8, 2025
Images shared online showed the crane carefully lifting the stalled coaster train over the crest of the next hill, allowing it to continue along the track. The process was meticulous, requiring precise coordination to ensure the train was moved safely without causing damage to the ride structure.
Several angles of the crane operation were shared on social media, with theme park fans debating whether this was a one-time issue or an indicator that further modifications might be necessary before Stardust Racers can operate reliably. Some commenters speculated that Universal might need to revisit the design of the coaster or adjust the trim brakes to prevent similar issues in the future.
As Epic Universe approaches its May 22, 2025, grand opening, Universal is in the final stages of testing its attractions. While setbacks like this are common for new coasters, the incident does raise questions about whether Stardust Racers is ready for guests. The dueling coaster is a major selling point for Celestial Park, and ensuring smooth operation is crucial for Universal’s ambitious new theme park.
This incident also underscores the importance of rigorous testing in the lead-up to a park opening. Theme park engineers routinely push rides to their limits before allowing guests to board, ensuring that all elements function as intended. Universal has likely taken note of this issue and may implement adjustments to improve ride performance before Epic Universe welcomes the public.
For now, it remains to be seen if additional modifications will be made to Stardust Racers. Whether it’s adjusting the trim brakes, modifying the track, or simply tweaking ride operations, Universal will undoubtedly take steps to ensure this high-profile coaster runs smoothly when guests finally get to experience it.
Despite this hiccup, excitement for Stardust Racers and Epic Universe remains high. Universal has invested heavily in making this park a groundbreaking experience, and the attraction lineup is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in theme park history.
Alongside Stardust Racers, guests can look forward to lands themed to How to Train Your Dragon, Dark Universe, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
As Universal works to fine-tune Stardust Racers, fans will be watching closely to see if any further issues arise during testing. While a stuck coaster train requiring a crane isn’t ideal, it’s all part of the process of making sure the ride is ready for the public.
With months left before the park’s official debut, there’s still time to iron out any last-minute problems and ensure that Stardust Racers delivers the thrilling race through the cosmos that Universal has promised.
For now, theme park enthusiasts can only speculate on whether adjustments will be made or if this was simply a rare occurrence. One thing’s for sure—when Stardust Racers finally opens, guests will be in for one of the most exhilarating coaster experiences in Epic Universe.