Visitors heading to Universal Orlando Resort right now may want to take a closer look at the list of attractions before buying tickets.
The resort is in the midst of an aggressive expansion and redevelopment period, but that progress comes with a downside for guests visiting in 2026. Five notable attractions are currently unavailable across Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
Two have closed permanently. Two are undergoing planned work. Another went down unexpectedly and still doesn’t have a reopening date.
Those absences become even more important when families consider how much they’re spending just to get through the gates.
Admission Is Only the Beginning
Getting into Universal Orlando can already cost a family hundreds of dollars.
Universal uses date-based pricing, with one-day admission costing between $119 and $174, depending on the park, date, and ticket option. Epic Universe can charge particularly high admission prices on high-demand dates.
Universal does offer multi-day promotions, packages, and other discounts at times, which can lower the average daily cost.
But tickets represent only one part of a Universal vacation. Families may also need to budget for hotels, parking, meals, merchandise, and other expenses.
That makes the current lineup of attractions important, especially since some of the missing experiences aren’t coming back.
Universal Studios Florida Has Already Lost Two Rides
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit permanently closed in August 2025 after nearly 16 years of operation.
Universal isn’t leaving the coaster’s former area empty forever. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is expected to open at Universal Studios Florida in 2027, bringing a new outdoor roller coaster to the park.
For 2026 visitors, however, Rockit is simply gone.
The park experienced another permanent loss in August when Fast & Furious – Supercharged closed for good.
Both closures represent Universal’s efforts to prepare the park for what’s next, but there’s an awkward period between the removal of older attractions and the opening of their replacements.
Current visitors are experiencing that period now.
Another Original Experience Is Temporarily Gone
Not every closure at Universal Studios Florida is permanent.
Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show closed in May 2026 for a major reimagining. The longtime show has been part of the park since its opening year and became known for combining comedy with demonstrations of practical horror effects.
Universal expects the experience to return in winter 2026.
That gives fans something to look forward to, but it doesn’t help visitors arriving before the reopening.
Meanwhile, Islands of Adventure is dealing with two major attraction closures of its own.
A Planned Closure Has Stretched Across Most of 2026
Jurassic Park River Adventure hasn’t operated since January 5.
Universal closed the attraction for an unusually long refurbishment that is scheduled to continue until November 2026.
That’s a significant absence for Jurassic Park. River Adventure has remained one of the area’s signature rides, with its massive final drop making it instantly recognizable to many longtime Universal visitors.
Anyone traveling before its scheduled November return will have to experience Islands of Adventure without it.
Guests have at least been able to plan around that refurbishment. The same can’t necessarily be said about another attraction.
One Closure Came Without Much Warning
Skull Island: Reign of Kong remains unavailable following an unexpected extended shutdown.
Universal confirmed that the enormous King Kong animatronic sustained damage during routine maintenance. Repairs are now underway.
Universal has said it looks forward to welcoming guests back once those repairs are complete, but the company hasn’t announced when that will happen.
There is currently no reopening date and no public timeline for how long the repairs will take.
That means Islands of Adventure is temporarily operating without both Kong and Jurassic Park River Adventure, removing two substantial experiences from the park at once.
Another Permanent Goodbye Is Already Coming
The current five closures aren’t the only changes visitors need to consider.
Universal’s refurbishment calendar can evolve, technical problems can unexpectedly take rides offline, and another longtime attraction already has its final date.
Animal Actors On Location! will permanently close at Universal Studios Florida following its final performances on November 2, 2026. Universal says the area will eventually become home to a new experience.
Guests should therefore check operating schedules for their vacation dates rather than relying on what was available months earlier.
Universal Is Caught Between Old and New
Universal Orlando Resort is clearly building toward its future.
Epic Universe is already open. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is scheduled for 2027. Other attractions are receiving significant updates.
But visitors paying today’s prices are experiencing the resort during that transformation.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Supercharged are permanently gone. Horror Make-Up Show and River Adventure remain unavailable during planned work, while Reign of Kong has no announced return date.
For families spending well over $100 per person on admission, five missing attractions could make the timing of a 2026 Universal Orlando vacation just as important as the price.
