October vacations at Universal Orlando Resort are coming with a few important catches this year.
While Halloween Horror Nights is in full swing and Epic Universe is welcoming guests during its second Halloween season, several experiences elsewhere around the resort aren’t available. The closures stretch across Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, with Universal’s Volcano Bay joining the list later this month.
And in Volcano Bay’s case, guests are looking at much more than a single ride refurbishment.
Universal Islands of Adventure Loses a Major Ride
Guests heading into Jurassic Park won’t find Jurassic Park River Adventure operating this October.
The attraction closed in January for a major refurbishment and will remain unavailable throughout the month. Fortunately, its return is getting closer, with the ride currently scheduled to reopen in November.
Until then, guests can still experience Jurassic World VelociCoaster nearby, but one of Universal Islands of Adventure’s longtime attractions remains missing from the lineup.
Universal Studios Florida Has Two Closures
The situation continues next door at Universal Studios Florida.
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill remains closed after shutting down in January. The restaurant is expected to reopen this winter, although Universal hasn’t announced a specific return date.
Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show is facing a similar situation.
The attraction closed in May and is also targeting a winter return. When operating, the show takes guests behind the scenes of movie makeup and special effects using props, clips, demonstrations, and plenty of comedy.
That makes October an unusual time for the experience to be unavailable, especially as thousands of horror fans descend on Universal Studios Florida for Halloween Horror Nights.
An Entire Universal Park Is About to Close
October’s biggest change happens on October 26.
That’s when Universal’s Volcano Bay will close completely for an extended period. The water park will remain unavailable for the rest of 2026, with reopening currently scheduled for on or before April 1, 2027.
Guests visiting after October 26 therefore won’t simply lose access to one or two water attractions. The entire park will be removed from their vacation options.
Fortunately, Universal Orlando’s three traditional theme parks remain available. Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe will continue welcoming guests.
Still, anyone traveling this October should take a closer look at Universal’s operating schedule before finalizing plans.
With Jurassic Park River Adventure, Finnegan’s Bar & Grill, and Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show already unavailable — and Volcano Bay preparing to join them — October visitors are dealing with closures across several corners of Universal Orlando Resort.
