Credit: UniversalUniversal Orlando Resort has scheduled a temporary closure for one of Toon Lagoon’s most recognizable walk-through attractions.
Me Ship, The Olive, located inside Universal’s Islands of Adventure, is officially set to close for refurbishment in April 2026, giving guests a short window of time before the popular play structure goes offline.
While the closure is expected to be brief, it still marks a notable change for Toon Lagoon, an area of the park that often flies under the radar compared to the resort’s more modern expansions but remains an important part of the Islands of Adventure experience.
Me Ship, The Olive Scheduled for April 2026 Refurbishment
Universal has listed Me Ship, The Olive for refurbishment beginning April 19, 2026, with the attraction expected to reopen on April 25, 2026.
As with most theme park maintenance schedules, those dates are subject to change depending on weather, construction needs, and operational priorities. Still, the timeline suggests Universal is planning a routine refurbishment rather than a long-term project or overhaul.
Even so, a closure like this is significant for a land like Toon Lagoon, which relies heavily on its interactive environments and outdoor spaces to keep crowds moving through the area.
Why This Closure Matters More Than Guests Might Expect
Unlike major rides that drive attendance, Me Ship, The Olive isn’t the type of attraction guests typically rope drop. However, it’s one of those experiences that ends up becoming part of the day almost accidentally—especially for families.
The structure is a multi-level walk-through play area themed after Popeye’s ship, packed with climbing spaces, stairs, bridges, and scenic lookout points. For younger guests, it offers a rare kind of theme park freedom: the ability to explore without a wait time or a ride vehicle.
For adults, it’s also a surprisingly useful “break” location. It gives families a chance to slow down, regroup, and enjoy the atmosphere without feeling like they’re losing valuable touring time.
Because it sits so prominently in Toon Lagoon, the closure will likely be noticeable even to guests who don’t intend to enter the attraction. It’s not tucked away in a corner—it’s part of the land’s identity.
What Guests Can Expect During the Downtime
Universal has not released specific details about what work will be completed during the refurbishment period, but a short closure like this usually signals standard maintenance rather than major changes.
That could include repainting, structural repairs, safety updates, cleaning, replacement of worn materials, or minor enhancements designed to keep the attraction operating smoothly for another season.
This type of work is especially common for outdoor play areas, particularly in Florida, where intense heat, daily rain, humidity, and storms can wear down surfaces faster than guests realize. Toon Lagoon is also a water-heavy land by design, which adds another layer of maintenance challenges. Even attractions that aren’t directly water rides still face constant exposure to moisture in the environment.
How This Impacts Touring Islands of Adventure
For most guests, this closure will not drastically alter a trip to Islands of Adventure. The park’s biggest crowd magnets will still be fully operational, and Toon Lagoon is not usually the main reason people buy a ticket.
However, it may affect how families plan their day.
Me Ship, The Olive is one of the more convenient “energy release” areas in the park, especially for kids who need a break from long lines. Without it, parents may need to rely more heavily on other play areas like Camp Jurassic, or build more downtime into their schedule. Just for reference, Camp Jurassic just recently fully reopened after being under refurbishment.
It also reduces the number of experiences in Toon Lagoon during that specific week. While Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls remain the main attractions in the land, Me Ship, The Olive plays an important supporting role in making Toon Lagoon feel active and immersive.
In other words, it’s not a headliner, but it helps fill the space.
A Reminder That Universal Is Still Maintaining Its Classic Lands
Even as Universal expands at a rapid pace, the company still has to keep its original parks in top shape.
Islands of Adventure remains one of the most visually impressive theme parks in the world, but maintaining that level of detail is not easy—especially in lands built around water effects, interactive sets, and outdoor environments.
While much of the theme park conversation lately has centered around new additions, new lands, and large-scale resort growth, closures like this show that Universal is still investing time into upkeep.
And in the long run, this kind of routine refurbishment is exactly what keeps the park from feeling outdated.
Toon Lagoon may not be the newest land on property, but it continues to hold its own because Universal has historically done a solid job keeping it presentable.
The Bigger Question: What Happens to Toon Lagoon Long-Term?
For years, theme park fans have speculated about Toon Lagoon’s future.
The land is heavily themed around classic comic strip and cartoon characters, including Popeye, Dudley Do-Right, and Betty Boop. While these properties have historical value and still appeal to longtime theme park fans, they are not necessarily the most recognizable characters for younger guests today.
Because of that, Toon Lagoon has often been viewed as a potential candidate for modernization.
One rumor that has circulated for years is the idea that Universal could eventually update Toon Lagoon to reflect more modern cartoon franchises. Among the most frequently mentioned possibilities is SpongeBob SquarePants, largely because the character remains culturally relevant and already has a history with theme park entertainment.
The idea of SpongeBob-themed attractions in a bright, water-focused land has always sounded plausible on paper, which is why the rumor never seems to fully go away.
However, it’s important to point out that there is currently no confirmed evidence Universal is planning a SpongeBob conversion of Toon Lagoon. The land remains intact, its major attractions continue operating, and this Me Ship, The Olive closure appears to be strictly a short refurbishment.
If Universal were truly preparing for a full Toon Lagoon replacement, the signs would likely be far more obvious. A transformation of that scale would involve long-term closures, phased construction, and multi-year planning.
Even if Universal ever does decide to modernize Toon Lagoon, it would likely be a long-term project that wouldn’t happen quickly. Based on how major theme park expansions typically work, something like that would almost certainly be years away.
For now, Toon Lagoon remains what it has always been: a colorful, water-soaked section of Islands of Adventure that provides a mix of thrills, nostalgia, and classic theme park charm.