Another closure is officially coming to Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Universal Orlando has spent considerable time updating its theme parks, and Islands of Adventure is currently home to several significant projects.
Now, guests planning an early 2027 vacation have another closure to put on their calendars.
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges in Toon Lagoon is scheduled to shut down for nearly a month.
Toon Lagoon Attraction Closing in January
Universal has confirmed Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges will close on January 4, 2027.
The attraction is scheduled to remain closed through February 2, 2027.
That means guests visiting during most of January won’t have access to one of Toon Lagoon’s biggest attractions.
The good news is that this isn’t permanent.
Universal has identified the closure as an annual refurbishment. Water rides commonly undergo maintenance during Orlando’s cooler months, making January a reasonable time to temporarily take Bilge-Rat Barges offline.
The attraction is famous for leaving riders drenched as their raft travels through rapids and other water effects. Its storyline follows Popeye’s attempt to rescue Olive Oyl from Bluto, with plenty of chaos happening along the way.
Universal Is Working Across Islands of Adventure
The Toon Lagoon project comes as another Islands of Adventure water ride remains unavailable.
Jurassic Park River Adventure has been closed for almost the entire year while Universal completes an extensive refurbishment.
The attraction is expected to finally reopen in November, meaning it should be operating again before Bilge-Rat Barges begins its January closure.
But refurbishments aren’t the only thing changing around the park.
Universal has also confirmed the permanent closure of The Lost Continent.
Parts of the land are already being demolished as Universal begins preparing the area for its future. Mythos remains one of the most significant locations still operating there, but the restaurant is expected to close in 2027.
Once that happens, another chapter in Islands of Adventure history will effectively come to an end.
Islands of Adventure Has a Busy Year Ahead
There is an important difference between those projects and what’s happening in Toon Lagoon.
Nothing currently suggests Bilge-Rat Barges is going anywhere permanently.
Universal has provided both a closure date and an expected end date for the refurbishment, making this a temporary shutdown rather than another attraction removal.
Still, it could affect vacation plans.
Guests visiting between January 4 and February 2 won’t be able to experience the ride, removing one of Toon Lagoon’s major attractions from their day.
The closure also becomes another piece of what could be a particularly active year for Islands of Adventure.
Between the changing Lost Continent, the lengthy Jurassic Park River Adventure refurbishment, and upcoming work in Toon Lagoon, Universal will continue making significant changes around the park heading into 2027.
