Credit: Zachare Sylvestre, Flickr
This Epic Universe location will close to all guests next week.
Universal Epic Universe has been nothing short of a game-changer for Universal Orlando Resort since it opened its gates in May 2025. The park, which sits alongside Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay, brought multiple new immersive worlds to Central Florida, with many built around a popular and recognizable franchise.
Guests can step into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, wander the gothic streets of Dark Universe, and soar alongside Toothless and friends on the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. All of it is connected by Celestial Park, the park’s central hub.
A Closer Look at the Isle of Berk
The Isle of Berk brings the beloved DreamWorks franchise to life with a Viking village, dragon encounters, and a lineup of family-friendly attractions. Among them are Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a coaster that has quickly become one of the land’s standout experiences, as well as Fyre Drill, a water-based boat attraction where guests team up to battle fires using water cannons, with plenty of soaking along the way.
Now, Fyre Drill guests will need to plan around a brief interruption.
Fyre Drill Closing on November 9 and 10
Universal has confirmed via its official website that Fyre Drill will be closed on November 9 and 10. The company has not shared a reason for the Epic Universe location closure, and it is unclear whether the downtime is tied to routine maintenance, refurbishment, or something else entirely.
Fyre Drill has also been confirmed to shut down next year, from January 25 through February 4.
A New Coaster Is Coming to Dark Universe
Elsewhere in the park, Epic Universe is set to expand. A new indoor coaster will be added to Dark Universe, the land inspired by Universal’s classic monsters, and will sit near to the Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment attraction. Details on the ride’s theme, ride system, and opening timeline have yet to be revealed.
“Universal Epic Universe is preparing for its next thrilling addition: an all-new indoor coaster coming to Dark Universe – immersing guests in an all-new story inspired by the Universal Monsters franchise,” the official Universal Orlando Resort X account posted. “Construction is underway, with an opening planned in the years ahead.”
Comcast Earnings Reveal a Soft Summer for Universal
The expansion news arrives during a tricky stretch for Universal. Speaking on Comcast’s recent earnings call, CFO Jason Armstrong said theme park demand softened over the summer. The numbers reflect that, with Universal’s theme parks bringing in $2.6 billion in Q3 2026, down 4.4% compared to the same period last year.
Co-CEO Mike Cavanagh pointed to the competition, noting that rivals, including Disney, “were quicker to anticipate and recognize softness in demand” and adjusted their approach accordingly. Cavanagh also cited “capacity challenges” at Epic Universe, the resort’s newest park.
Guests visiting Epic Universe on November 9 or 10 should expect Fyre Drill to be unavailable and adjust their Isle of Berk plans around it. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and the land’s other experiences are not affected by the announcement. For Dark Universe fans, a new coaster means more reason to return, though no opening date has been set. And with Comcast openly acknowledging capacity issues, it would not be surprising to see Universal keep investing in ways to spread crowds more evenly across the park.
How do you feel about the current state of Universal Epic Universe? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!
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