Universal Orlando Resort has delivered disappointing news for Jurassic Park fans.
The resort has undergone considerable changes in recent years, opening its third theme park, Epic Universe, in May 2025 while continuing to update its two original parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
Islands of Adventure has welcomed several major additions since opening in 1999, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010 and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in 2019. However, several attractions dating back to the park’s earliest years remain popular with guests.
Among them is Jurassic Park River Adventure, the original centerpiece of the park’s dinosaur-themed land. Inspired by Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster, the water ride takes guests through a seemingly peaceful dinosaur habitat before things go disastrously wrong.
Passengers encounter escaped dinosaurs, including an enormous T. rex animatronic, before escaping down an 85-foot drop. The attraction uses approximately 1.5 million gallons of water, while its final plunge was the largest water descent ever constructed for a theme park ride when it debuted.
The ride predates the Jurassic World film series, retaining the original franchise’s aesthetic rather than adopting the updated designs introduced in the 2015 movie.
In 2021, Universal expanded the land with Jurassic World VelociCoaster, a high-speed roller coaster featuring two launches, a 155-foot top hat, and a maximum speed of 70 mph. The attraction also includes a dramatic barrel roll over the Islands of Adventure lagoon.
Other experiences include Pteranodon Flyers, which carries guests over Camp Jurassic in suspended vehicles. Its unusual height restrictions mean taller guests must generally be accompanied by a child who meets the ride’s requirements.
Guests can also explore the Jurassic Park Discovery Center or meet a velociraptor at Raptor Encounter. However, one of the land’s most recognizable attractions has been unavailable for much of 2026.
Universal Extends Jurassic Park River Adventure Closure
Jurassic Park River Adventure closed for scheduled maintenance on January 5, 2026, beginning an extended refurbishment that was originally expected to last until November 19.
However, Universal Orlando Resort has now extended the attraction’s closure by almost four weeks, with its official maintenance calendar listing December 16, 2026, as the final day of the refurbishment.
The attraction’s individual webpage states that it will reopen on December 17, 2026, meaning guests will have spent more than 11 months without the original Jurassic Park ride.
The revised schedule means the attraction will miss much of the fall season, including Halloween Horror Nights at neighboring Universal Studios Florida, before returning ahead of the busy Christmas holiday period.
Universal has not publicly detailed the full scope of the refurbishment or confirmed whether guests should expect significant changes to the attraction when it returns.
Jurassic Park River Adventure’s refurbishment was pushed from November 19, 2026 to December 16th, 2026.
Jurassic Park River Adventure’s refurbishment was pushed from November 19, 2026 to December 16th, 2026. pic.twitter.com/ztYq2YLF6x
— AllCentralFlorida (@AllCentralFla) October 9, 2026
The lengthy shutdown has also fueled questions about the ride’s future. Universal Studios Hollywood replaced its own Jurassic Park ride with Jurassic World — The Ride in 2019, introducing updated dinosaurs and scenes inspired by the newer films.
However, Universal Orlando has not announced an equivalent transformation. Its Florida attraction continues to be advertised under the Jurassic Park River Adventure name.
The December reopening also comes at a less conventional time for a water attraction. Orlando’s average daytime temperatures typically sit in the low 70s in December, with nighttime temperatures frequently dropping into the 50s.
Although Florida winters are considerably milder than those in much of the United States, colder days can make the prospect of getting soaked less appealing to visitors.
More Universal Orlando Attractions Face Closures
Jurassic Park River Adventure is far from the only attraction affected by Universal Orlando’s refurbishment schedule.
At Islands of Adventure, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is scheduled to close from January 4 through February 2, 2027. The Toon Lagoon attraction is known for leaving riders thoroughly drenched as they navigate a turbulent river.
Another major attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, will close from February 8 through February 19, 2027. Located inside Hogwarts Castle, the ride combines robotic-arm technology, physical sets, and filmed sequences featuring characters from the Harry Potter franchise.
The Hogwarts Express, which transports guests between Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, is also scheduled to close for one day on November 4, 2026.
Meanwhile, Epic Universe will temporarily close Fyre Drill from January 25 through February 4, 2027. Located in How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, the interactive boat attraction allows passengers to fire water cannons at targets and other riders.
Universal’s Volcano Bay water park is also preparing for an extended seasonal shutdown. The entire park will close beginning October 26, 2026, with reopening planned on or before April 1, 2027.
Unlike these temporary refurbishments, another Universal Orlando attraction is preparing to disappear permanently.
Animal Actors On Location! will stage its final performances at Universal Studios Florida on November 2, 2026, before officially closing on November 3.
The show originally debuted alongside Universal Studios Florida on June 7, 1990, under the name Animal Actors Stage. It later operated as Animal Planet Live before adopting its current name in 2006.
Featuring trained dogs, cats, birds, and other animals, the 20-minute production combines live performances with audience participation and demonstrations of techniques used to train animals for film and television.
Its closure will end a 36-year run at Universal Studios Florida. The resort has confirmed that the venue will make way for a new experience, although it has yet to reveal what will replace the show.
For Jurassic Park River Adventure, at least, the closure remains temporary. Barring another schedule change, guests should be able to return to the original dinosaur attraction on December 17.
Have you missed Jurassic Park River Adventure?
