Home » Universal Orlando Resort Guide: What’s New in 2026, Coming in 2027 and the Year’s Events
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Universal Orlando Resort Guide: What’s New in 2026, Coming in 2027 and the Year’s Events
By Philip Hernandez·Updated Nov. 9, 2026
The Universal globe at Universal Studios Florida. Image: Universal
Orlando, FL — Universal Orlando Resort has three theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe, which opened in May 2025, plus the Volcano Bay water park and Universal CityWalk.
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In a Nutshell
Epic Universe drove Comcast’s theme park growth after it opened, and in the first quarter of 2026 Theme Parks revenue rose 24.2%. After Orlando slowed, Theme Parks revenue fell 4.4% in the third quarter, and Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh said competitors “were quicker to anticipate and recognize softness in demand” while Universal works through “capacity challenges and ride throughput at Epic Universe” (my story on the quarter). Universal is still building: a Fast & Furious coaster at Universal Studios Florida in 2027, a new indoor coaster for Epic Universe’s Dark Universe, and Volcano Bay’s reopening by April 1, 2027.
Theme parksUniversal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe
Opened1990, with Universal Studios Florida
LocationOrlando, Florida
OwnerComcast (NBCUniversal)
Park-to-park tickets for U.S. and Canadian residents are sold through Fever, from 1 day to 5 days, with no booking fees.
New at Universal Orlando Resort in 2026
Universal Celestial Goodnight, which debuted at Epic Universe on July 7, 2026. Image: Universal
May 12, 2026ChangedUniversal Studios Florida: The Universal Horror Make-Up Show closed for a reimagined version featuring Blumhouse. My story
July 7, 2026NewEpic Universe: Universal Celestial Goodnight, a nighttime spectacular, debuted.
Aug. 28, 2026AnniversaryUniversal Studios Florida: Halloween Horror Nights 35 opened for 49 select nights, and Universal stopped selling Fear with Express passes for it. My story
Sept. 5, 2026ReturnsIslands of Adventure: Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle returned on select nights, after not running in 2025. My story
Oct. 3, 2026NewEpic Universe: Universal Nights, an after-hours event that needs a separate ticket, began on select nights.
Nov. 14, 2026NewEpic Universe: Snoggletog, a How to Train Your Dragon holiday celebration, is new for 2026, along with the first holiday decor in Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World. My story
Dec. 16, 2026ReopensIslands of Adventure: Jurassic Park River Adventure reopens after closing Jan. 5 for refurbishment.
Coming to Universal Orlando Resort in 2027
Jan. 4, 2027ClosesIslands of Adventure: Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges closes for refurbishment.
Jan. 25, 2027ClosesEpic Universe: Fyre Drill closes for refurbishment.
Feb. 8, 2027ClosesIslands of Adventure: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey closes for refurbishment.
By April 1, 2027ReopensVolcano Bay: The water park, closed for maintenance, is set to reopen on or before April 1, 2027.
2027ComingUniversal Studios Florida: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a version of Hollywood’s coaster, on the site of the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. My story
2027ComingIslands of Adventure: A new full-service restaurant in Jurassic Park.
Late 2027ComingUniversal CityWalk: Category 10, Luke Combs’ music and entertainment venue.
Announced for 2028 or later, or with no date yet (1)
No date yetComingEpic Universe: A new indoor coaster in Dark Universe, next to Monsters Unchained, with a new Universal Monsters story. Construction is underway. My story
Universal Orlando Resort Seasonal Events and Dates
Each seasonal event in calendar order, at the latest dates announced. When the next year’s dates aren’t out yet, the last edition shows with its year.
Jan. 22 to Jan. 23, 2027Rock the UniverseUniversal Studios FloridaSeparate ticket
Feb. 6 to March 27, 2027Universal Mardi GrasUniversal Studios FloridaIncluded with park admission
Select nights, Aug. 28 to Nov. 1, 2026Halloween Horror NightsUniversal Studios FloridaSeparate ticket
