If you’re planning a trip to Universal Orlando in 2026, you may want to take a second look at your must-do list—because the refurbishment calendar is starting to fill up.
Universal has quietly added more ride closures to its schedule, layering onto what was already shaping up to be a busy year for maintenance and updates. While refurbishments are a normal part of theme park operations, the growing number of affected attractions could have a noticeable impact on your day in the parks.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s changing.
Your next trip to Universal Orlando Resort might look different from what you initially planned. Often, theme parks make decisions to take rides and attractions out of service for necessary checks and repairs, and there are several coming up that you’ll want to be aware of before your next visit.
The biggest closure to be aware of is Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure—and this one is significant.
The attraction is scheduled to be closed from January 5 through November 19, 2026. That’s nearly the entire year, making it one of the longest refurbishments we’ve seen at Universal Orlando in quite some time.
Universal hasn’t shared specifics on what’s being updated, but a closure of this length usually points to more than routine maintenance. Whether it’s major ride system work or show element upgrades, this is one absence guests will definitely feel.
More Closures Are Quietly Being Added
Beyond that extended refurbishment, Universal has continued to add shorter closures across both parks. Men In Black Alien Attack has just been added to the refurbishment schedule and will be closed between June 1 and 16, 2026.
At Islands of Adventure, Pteranodon Flyers is expected to go down for a seasonal refurbishment from Feb. 27 – May 14, 2026, while over in Universal Studios Florida, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is scheduled for a brief closure between March 24-25, 2026. On their own, these are fairly typical—but combined with longer downtime elsewhere, they start to add up.
It’s the kind of situation where you may not notice one ride being closed—but you’ll definitely notice several.
Even Short Closures Can Have a Big Impact
There are also a handful of shorter refurbishments and temporary closures that could still affect your plans in a bigger way than you might expect.
For example, the Hogwarts Express is slated for a temporary closure, which doesn’t just impact a ride—it affects transportation between parks. Attractions like Revenge of the Mummy are also scheduled for brief downtime, and even select dining locations, including Finnegan’s Bar & Grill, will be unavailable for a period.
Individually, these might seem minor. But when they overlap, they can change how you navigate your entire day.
What This Means for Your Visit
Refurbishments are a sign that Universal is investing in its attractions—but they also make planning a little more important.
With multiple rides down at once, you may find fewer options available during your visit, especially if you’re traveling during one of the longer closures. It also puts more pressure on the remaining attractions, which can mean longer wait times and busier pathways throughout the parks.
And as always, these dates aren’t set in stone. Refurbishment schedules can shift, sometimes with little notice, so it’s worth checking for updates as your trip gets closer.
While it can be frustrating to miss out on a favorite ride, these closures are part of a larger cycle of keeping the parks running at their best. In some cases, refurbishments lead to noticeable improvements—or even refreshed experiences—once attractions reopen. And with so much happening across Universal Orlando right now, it’s clear the resort is continuing to invest in both maintenance and future growth.
Universal Orlando’s 2026 refurbishment calendar is continuing to evolve, and it’s something guests will want to keep on their radar. Because while one ride closure is easy to work around, a full lineup of them can completely change how your day in the parks looks.
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