If you have ever visited Universal Orlando during the summer, you’ve probably seen it happen. The skies suddenly darken, thunder begins to rumble, and within minutes, some of the resort’s most popular attractions stop operating.
Yesterday’s storms were another reminder of just how quickly Florida weather can change.
Lightning moved into the area, forcing Universal Orlando to temporarily suspend operations on many outdoor rides throughout the resort. While those closures are a normal part of operating a theme park in Central Florida, one attraction has yet to return, leaving fans wondering what happened.
Like most weather-related shutdowns, yesterday’s ride closures were all about safety. Universal routinely pauses outdoor attractions whenever lightning is detected nearby. Once conditions improve and the storm moves away, crews inspect the rides before reopening them to guests.
That’s exactly what happened across much of the resort.
Many attractions welcomed riders again after the weather cleared, allowing guests to continue their day with only temporary interruptions. Florida afternoon storms usually pass quickly, and experienced visitors know it’s often worth waiting them out rather than leaving the park.
Jurassic World VelociCoaster, however, remains an exception.
The coaster did not reopen today after yesterday’s severe weather, leading to speculation that it may have been struck by lightning during the storm. Universal Orlando has not confirmed those reports, and there has been no official explanation for why the attraction remains closed.
Even if the coaster did sustain a lightning strike, it wouldn’t necessarily be cause for alarm.
Steel roller coasters are designed with lightning protection in mind. Engineers understand that Florida experiences some of the highest lightning activity in the country, so attractions include grounding systems and other safeguards intended to safely manage electrical strikes.
What often takes time is the inspection process.
Before reopening any major attraction following severe weather, technicians may perform extensive testing of electrical systems, ride controls, sensors, and other critical components. Even if everything checks out, those inspections can delay reopening while crews ensure every system is functioning exactly as intended.
Central Florida theme parks have seen lightning strikes before.
At Walt Disney World, Cinderella Castle has been photographed taking direct lightning strikes numerous times over the years. Space Mountain has also reportedly been struck during storms. Both structures are designed to safely handle those events, demonstrating that lightning striking a prominent attraction isn’t especially uncommon in this part of Florida.
Yesterday’s storms also affected attractions throughout Walt Disney World, where numerous outdoor rides temporarily closed until lightning moved out of the area.
That’s simply part of visiting Central Florida during the summer.
Guests planning vacations over the next several months should expect afternoon thunderstorms to occasionally interrupt their day. Building flexibility into your plans, enjoying indoor attractions during storms, and checking the Universal Orlando app for ride updates can make weather delays much easier to manage.
For now, attention remains on VelociCoaster as guests wait for Universal Orlando to announce when one of its most popular roller coasters will return to operation. Whether the extended closure is simply precautionary or connected to yesterday’s weather remains unclear, but the resort will almost certainly prioritize safety before reopening the attraction.
