Epic Universe’s debut has fundamentally altered Universal Orlando’s operational landscape. What was once a one or two-day addition to Disney-centric vacations has transformed into a legitimate multi-day destination resort commanding week-long visits from guests who previously would have allocated minimal time to Universal properties.
The new park’s success extends beyond its own gates, driving unprecedented attendance at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure as visitors maximize their Epic Universe trips by experiencing the entire Universal Orlando portfolio.
This attendance surge validates years of strategic planning and massive capital investment, positioning Universal as a true competitor to Walt Disney World rather than merely a supplementary experience. However, increased traffic accelerates wear on attractions and infrastructure across all properties.
Maintaining quality standards during peak visitation requires strategic scheduling of necessary maintenance work, balancing guest access with operational requirements that keep attractions functioning properly and safely for the millions experiencing them annually.
Universal Islands of Adventure has announced temporary closures for Me Ship, The Olive and Ollivander’s Wand Shop, along with continued refurbishments of Jurassic Park River Adventure and Hogwarts Express. The closures come as Universal manages record attendance driven by Epic Universe’s successful opening.
Brief April Closure for Toon Lagoon Play Area
Me Ship, The Olive will close April 19-25 for scheduled maintenance. The Toon Lagoon attraction features three decks of interactive elements designed to replicate Popeye’s ship, including climbing nets, slides, passageways, horns, and an interactive piano popular with younger guests.
The structure also serves a dual function as an interactive element for the adjacent Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges water raft ride. Guests aboard the ship operate water cannons targeting riders floating below, creating cross-attraction engagement that enhances both experiences. The seven-day closure window suggests routine maintenance rather than significant reimagining, with the attraction expected to return unchanged on April 26th.
While the brief timeframe minimizes guest impact, families specifically planning visits around this play area may want to avoid the April 19-25 window. The raft ride will continue operating during the ship’s closure, though without the water cannon interaction component.
Ollivander’s Begins Indefinite Refurbishment
Ollivander’s Wand Shop in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure closes February 26th for refurbishment with no announced reopening date. The absence of a specific timeline suggests more extensive work than the brief Me Ship, The Olive closure, or alternatively indicates Universal is maintaining scheduling flexibility to ensure quality completion before resuming operations.
The attraction recreates the iconic wand-selection scene from Harry Potter films, where one guest per show participates in a theatrical ceremony where a wand “chooses” them through special effects and wandmaker dialogue. The intimate experience takes place in a detailed recreation of the Diagon Alley shop’s cluttered, mysterious atmosphere.
A second Ollivander’s location in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida remains open throughout the Islands of Adventure closure, providing an alternative for guests seeking the wand-choosing ceremony. The Studios location offers an identical experience in a different physical space, maintaining accessibility to this signature Wizarding World attraction even as the Islands of Adventure version undergoes work.
Wand purchases continue at other Hogsmeade retail locations during the closure, ensuring merchandise availability independent of the ceremonial experience.
Extended Refurbishments Continue
Jurassic Park River Adventure remains closed through November 19th, representing one of the longest refurbishment periods for any Universal Orlando attraction in recent years. The extended timeline suggests significant updates to the water ride that has operated since Islands of Adventure’s 1999 opening, potentially including infrastructure improvements, show scene updates, or mechanical system overhauls necessary after more than 25 years of continuous operation.
Hogwarts Express is scheduled to reopen February 23rd following its current refurbishment. The attraction connects Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure with Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, functioning as both transportation and themed experience. Different show elements appear depending on travel direction, with distinct scenes visible through train compartment windows during each journey.
Operational Context and Guest Impact
These closures reflect standard theme park maintenance practices, particularly relevant given current attendance levels. Universal’s decision to proceed with refurbishments during a period of elevated visitation driven by Epic Universe indicates prioritization of long-term attraction quality over short-term maximum availability.
The staggered timing helps minimize cumulative impact. Me Ship, The Olive’s one-week April closure affects a relatively small segment of visitors, while Ollivander’s extended work leaves the Studios location available as backup. Jurassic Park River Adventure’s lengthy closure represents more significant impact, though Universal’s expanded attraction roster provides alternative experiences.
For Harry Potter enthusiasts, the Ollivander’s closure requires adjustment. Those prioritizing the Islands of Adventure location should delay visits until a reopening date is announced, while others can simply visit the Studios alternative. The experience itself remains identical regardless of location, differing only in which Wizarding World land hosts it.
Families with young children particularly focused on interactive play areas should note the April 19-25 Me Ship, The Olive closure when scheduling visits. However, the brief timeframe and advance notice provide ample opportunity to plan around it.
What This Signals About Universal’s Priorities
Proceeding with maintenance during peak attendance periods rather than deferring work until slower seasons suggests Universal’s commitment to maintaining existing attractions even while investing heavily in Epic Universe and future expansion. The approach prevents deterioration that could compromise guest experience, addressing wear proactively rather than reactively.
The refurbishments also demonstrate confidence in Universal’s overall attraction capacity. Even with multiple closures, the resort offers sufficient alternative experiences to maintain guest satisfaction, a position strengthened considerably by Epic Universe’s addition to the portfolio.
Whether these represent simple maintenance or precede more significant updates remains unclear without official statements detailing scope of work. However, the pattern suggests Universal is investing in its full property rather than allowing older attractions to decline while focusing resources exclusively on new development.
Check Universal Orlando’s official website for current operating schedules before finalizing travel plans, particularly if specific attractions rank as must-do experiences for your group. Knowing about closures in advance prevents disappointment and allows itinerary adjustments that maximize your visit regardless of which attractions might be temporarily unavailable. Sometimes visiting during refurbishment periods actually benefits guests through reduced crowds as others avoid dates when their favorites are closed.
