Credit: LunchboxLarry, FlickrWhen deciding to purchase theme park tickets, visitors weigh admission costs against available attractions and experiences to determine if the value is reasonable. Universal Orlando Resort features four parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay, with multi-park tickets priced for the full range of attractions.
Although single ride closures for maintenance usually have a minor impact on guest experiences, simultaneous closures of major attractions can significantly diminish value.
In February 2026, Universal Orlando Resort faced this issue, with seven rides across all parks closed, prompting questions about whether guests should visit now or postpone their trips until more attractions reopen and the value justifies the ticket price.
EPIC Universe: Fyre Drill Closure
Universal Orlando Resort’s newest park, EPIC Universe, will see its first ride refurbishment with Fyre Drill closing from February 1-7, 2026. This closure isn’t particularly surprising, as water rides across both Universal Orlando Resort and Disney resorts frequently close during winter months when cooler temperatures reduce demand for splash attractions and create opportunities for maintenance on ride systems where water and electronics interact, which benefit from regular inspection and servicing.
The relatively brief one-week closure minimizes impact on EPIC Universe’s overall attraction lineup, though guests visiting specifically during that February 1-7 window will find one fewer experience available in the park.
Islands of Adventure: Jurassic Park River Adventure Extended Closure
The most significant closure affecting Universal Orlando Resort in February 2026 is the extended refurbishment of Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure. The attraction closed January 5, 2026, and won’t reopen until November 19, 2026, representing nearly a full year of unavailability for one of Islands of Adventure’s signature water rides.
This extended timeline indicates substantial work beyond routine maintenance, likely involving major ride system updates, scene refurbishments, or technology improvements that require extended downtime to complete properly. While the eventual reopening will presumably deliver enhanced experiences justifying the lengthy closure, guests visiting anytime between January and November 2026 will lose access to a major Islands of Adventure attraction that has been a park staple since opening.
For families with young children who love dinosaurs or guests specifically wanting to experience Jurassic Park attractions, this year-long absence represents a genuine loss that diminishes Islands of Adventure’s value proposition throughout 2026.
Hogwarts Express: Two-Week Closure
The Hogwarts Express, which connects Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure by traveling between the two parks, will close February 9-23, 2026. This closure affects both parks simultaneously, since the attraction serves as transportation between them rather than operating independently at either location.
During the closure, guests wanting to travel between parks must exit whichever park they’re currently in, walk through a portion of CityWalk, and enter the other park through its main entrance. This eliminates the immersive transportation experience in which guests board at King’s Cross Station in Universal Studios Florida or Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure and travel through the English countryside, encountering different scenes and perspectives depending on the direction of travel.
The two-week closure removes a beloved experience that many Wizarding World fans consider essential to their Universal Orlando Resort visits, forcing them to choose between visiting during February, when the Hogwarts Express is unavailable, or postponing trips to periods when the attraction operates normally.
Universal Studios Florida: Multiple Ride Closures
Universal Studios Florida experiences the most closure activity in February with three separate attractions unavailable during various windows throughout the month.
The Hogwarts Express closure affects Universal Studios Florida from February 9-23, as previously mentioned. Revenge of the Mummy is closed from January 27 through February 2, representing a relatively brief one-week refurbishment window for the popular indoor coaster. Given the ride’s popularity and frequent long wait times, any period of unavailability disappoints guests who specifically want to experience this attraction during their Universal visit.
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast closes for just one day on February 5, 2026. The single-day closure suggests either addressing a specific technical issue or conducting work that requires the attraction to be unavailable to guests but doesn’t necessitate extended downtime. The brief closure minimizes guest impact compared to longer refurbishments.
Additionally, Finnegan’s Bar & Grill closed January 12, 2026 and will remain closed through Winter 2026. While not a ride, the dining location’s extended closure reduces food and beverage options available to guests visiting Universal Studios Florida during this period.
Volcano Bay: Water Ride Closures
Universal’s water theme park, Volcano Bay, will have two attractions closed from January 5 through February 12, 2026. Both Maku of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides and Puihi of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides will be unavailable during this window, representing a more than a month-long closure affecting water slide options.
While February isn’t peak water park season due to cooler temperatures, Florida weather can still produce warm days where guests want to visit Volcano Bay. The dual closures reduce available attractions for anyone choosing to visit the water park during early February before the rides reopen February 12.
The Cumulative Impact
Individually, each closure represents manageable inconvenience that most guests can work around by adjusting touring plans and focusing on available attractions. However, the cumulative effect of seven rides closed across all four Universal Orlando parks throughout February creates a situation where guests paying full-price admission receive notably reduced experiences compared to visiting during months when all attractions operate normally.
For guests with flexibility in travel dates, postponing Universal Orlando visits until after February when more attractions have reopened makes financial sense. Why pay full price for diminished experiences when waiting a few weeks or months provides access to complete attraction lineups?
Planning For These Ride Closures
Guests with non-refundable February 2026 Universal Orlando reservations should review which specific attractions will be closed during their exact travel dates and evaluate whether the unavailable experiences significantly impact their trip priorities. Those visiting primarily for Wizarding World experiences during the February 9-23 Hogwarts Express closure lose a signature attraction. Families wanting Jurassic Park River Adventure face year-long unavailability.
For guests still in planning stages without committed reservations, seriously consider whether February represents the best time to visit Universal Orlando or whether March and beyond offer better value with more attractions operational.