ReportWire

Tag: epic universe

  • Orlando’s 2025 highlights and lowlights in theme parks, theater and cannabis



    The Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe Credit: Seth Kubersky

    Last December, I predicted that 2025 might prove to be a pivotal year for Central Florida’s arts and attractions industries, which then appeared poised at the precipice of either historic expansion or an epic implosion. In the end, both possibilities turned out to be somewhat true, as Orlando welcomed many exciting new experiences while bidding far too many bitter farewells. Here are the highlights and lowlights across my past year covering our community’s live active cultures.

    Without a doubt, the long-awaited debut of Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe was the theme park industry’s biggest event of the year, if not the century. I was lucky enough to be invited to pre-opening previews and lavish grand opening celebration (try to spot me in final episode of Peacock’s Epic Ride documentary) but you can judge my genuine love for the new park by the absurd amount of money I’ve spent on single-day admission over the past six months, in the ongoing absence of annual passes. 

    Tragically, Kevin Zavala’s death aboard Stardust Racers (and other injury claims that have followed his family’s settlement with the park) has cast a shadow over that world-class coaster. And although Universal wisely restricted initial attendance to avoid a repeat of Universal Studios Florida’s infamous inaugural summer, with over 20,000 guests per day visiting over the holidays, Epic’s deficit of people-eating E-tickets is showing up in triple-digit wait times for the top rides. Happily, a massive new indoor Harry Potter broomstick ride, along with other fast-tracked additions, should alleviate Epic’s congestion over the coming years. Universal’s older parks are also receiving some much-need TLC as construction commences on replacements for USF’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and IOA’s Lost Continent; also look for Volcano Bay to close next fall for a multi-month makeover. 

    In Anaheim, Mickey went all out celebrating Disneyland’s 70th birthday with new entertainment and returning favorites, including the controversial first-ever Walt animatronic and celebrated Paint the Night parade, putting to shame the Magic Kingdom’s meager golden anniversary in 2021. But as Walt Disney World prepares to turn 55, we’re left looking back over a year marked by more endings than arrivals. EPCOT’s Test Track emerged from its second makeover with more impressive visuals, but even less educational value. Disney Starlight, Magic Kingdom’s first new nighttime parade in decades, turned out to not be worth the wait, with dazzling float designs undermined by uninspiring music and understaffing. And my most memorable WDW visits of 2025 were bittersweet final pilgrimages to MuppetVision 4-D and the Rivers of America (with Disney Legend Tom Nabbe, Disneyland’s original Tom Sawyer, who is remarkably OK with his island’s extinction), both of which were evicted for upcoming Pixar attractions. 

    Outside of Orlando’s attractions, the cruise industry was the shining star of the Sunshine State’s year in tourism. Most of the major cruise lines launched their latest mega-ships out of Florida’s ports, and I was fortunate to sail aboard during some celebrity-studded christening celebrations. MSC stepped up to the big leagues with their ginormous World America, and announced its sister ship World Atlantic will sail out of Port Canaveral starting in 2027; I still say stick to their exclusive Yacht Club, even on these newer vessels. My first experience aboard Princess Cruises didn’t quite live up to their stellar reputation for service, but I was still spellbound by Star Princess’ immersive at-sea outpost of L.A.’s famous Magic Castle. Best of all, Norwegian Cruise Line knocked me out with their authorized Prince musical production and cirque spectacular, which I was able to follow from NCL’s Tampa-area rehearsal studio to the Aqua’s main stage.

    Within the world of theater, by all rights the highlight of my year should have been my trip to New York City to see Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot — my all-time favorite play, which I’d previously seen starring Nathan Lane and Bill Irwin, and Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen — with Bill & Ted alumni Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves. However, director Jamie Lloyd’s visually striking production proved both frustratingly expectation-subverting and fan-servicing to a fault. The expensive experience emphasized once again that Orlando offers theatrical experiences that equal or outdo anything around Times Square, whether we’re talking about some of the terrific national tours that came through the Dr. Phillips Center this year (including Water for Elephants and Hadestown) or Off-Broadway-worthy revivals from local companies like Theater West End.

    Sadly, the same issue that has plagued Orlando’s arts community throughout recent years only became more acute in 2025: the lack of affordable venues for nomadic troupes to rehearse and perform in. Despite the ongoing space squeeze there were several bright spots, as some cultural keystones happily received new homes or rejuvenated existing institutions. Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts sadly said goodbye to founder Chris Cortez due to health issues, but got to move into the coveted former Winter Park Library building. Winter Park Playhouse is performing their classic musicals at Orlando Shakes while major upgrades are underway at their Orange Avenue storefront, which they were finally able to purchase with Tourism Development Tax funding after 23 years. Imagine Performing Arts Center continued to thrive in the Oviedo Mall, providing a platform for challenging works like Ensemble Co.’s chilling revival of Bryony Lavery’s Frozen, which was arguably superior to the one I co-produced years ago. And Theater on the Edge happily reopened with emotionally affecting mountings of Birds of North America and The Sunset Limited to celebrate co-founder Samantha DiGeorge’s recovery from cancer.

    Unfortunately, the venue victories of 2025 feel outweighed by the list of losses, starting last winter with Orlando Fringe’s exit from their ArtSpace stages above Church Street, following floods and other downtown plagues. The organization carried forward with a successful May festival, and their Orlando Out Fest gracefully transitioned into The Center’s Q Fest, but the move curtailed much of Fringe’s year-round programming. Currently, the ex-ArtSpace is temporarily occupied by Renaissance Theatre Co., but reopening plans for The Ren’s permanent building near Loch Haven — which was shuttered by the city during the Halloween season — remain TBA at the moment. We lost photographer and arts advocate Patrick Kahn, along with his Snap! Gallery; Jeanine Taylor is retiring from her Sanford folk art gallery; and the long list of restaurants and bars that announced their closures this year includes long-running live music venues like Tanqueray’s and Muldoon’s Saloon. Personally, the final bow that hit me hardest was Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows, which not only served up delicious hens with their whodunits, but served as an important safety net and launching pad for countless local actors.

    Finally, if all these dizzying highs and lows in arts and attractions make you want to spark one up, don’t look to the cannabis industry for a calm and quiet year in review. 2025 began with the aftermath of recreational marijuana’s defeat at the ballot box, before new restrictions stuck into this fall’s federal shutdown legislation recriminalized the rapidly growing market for hemp-derived THC. Then, President Trump upended everything again with his recent executive order rescheduling reefer like other prescription drugs. Amidst all these wild swings, Orlando’s MMJ community continued to expand, as I watched Goldflower open their doors, attended one of Leafwell’s free medical card events, and toured Insa’s cutting-edge growing facility with CEO Peter Gallagher; hat tip to their new 30 mg Energy tablets, which helped power me through some 30,000-step theme park days. 

    Whether it’s weed or the wider world, things appear unlikely to become any more stable in the upcoming year. So as 2025 comes to a close, I say smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em.  

    Orlando’s daily dose of what matters. Subscribe to The Daily Weekly.

    Stand up, show up and send a message: This is the energy we love to see in our friends and neighbors

    Find the perfect party to watch 2025 turn into 2026

    This article appears in Dec. 24-30, 2025.





    Seth Kubersky
    Source link

  • New report reveals details of bloody, ‘distorted’ Epic Universe death



    Credit: Shutterstock

    Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was “completely slouched over with blood surrounding him,” held in his seat by just a lap bar when his girlfriend’s cries for help were finally heard.

    This is the scene an off-duty doctor recalled when she went to help a man found unresponsive after riding an Epic Universe rollercoaster in September.

    Dr. Anna Marshall was one of several witness accounts and new details unveiled in a final investigative report on Zavala’s death released Thursday, nearly three months after the incident. It concludes the case, deeming it accidental and the cause of death as blunt impact injuries.

    The 32-year-old man was found unresponsive around 9 p.m. on Sept. 17 after riding Stardust Racers, a dual-launch coaster located in Epic Universe’s Celestial Park area. He rode the coaster with his girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, whose screams for help punctuated what is now known to have been a gruesome, ultimately fatal ride for Zavala. 

    According to the report, Zavala and Cruz-Robles boarded the ride with the help of park employees via a “lateral transfer,” as Zavala used a wheelchair and did not have use of his legs. 

    Cruz-Robles said it took a ride attendant multiple attempts to secure Zavala’s lap restraint. The lap bar at first did not meet the minimum amount of restraint required, but the attendant asked Zavala if they could push it down to secure it further. 

    The report states Zavala agreed and showed no signs of discomfort as the bar was secured after approximately two or three tries. A surveillance recording showed Zavala appeared “engaged and well” as the ride took off. 

    Cruz-Robles said her boyfriend appeared to have been secured in the seat. But as the ride began its first descent, Zavala came out of his seat and hit his head on the metal bar in front of them repeatedly as the ride continued.

    She later said Zavala appeared to be seated correctly but that she felt his lap restraint was too low.

    Several accounts say Zavala was found surrounded by blood and Cruz-Robles’ face was splattered with blood.

    Cruz-Robles said she tried to hold her partner down but was unsuccessful. Her cries for help went unheard during the ride.

    Her cries became audible at the end of the ride, and employees implemented an emergency stop.

    Marshall, who was vacationing at the park, offered medical assistance to park employees, who she said “appeared to have been frozen.”

    Zavala’s arm was hanging over the side of the ride, and his femur was “completely broken in half and resting on the back of the chair,” Marshall told deputies. 

    A paramedic said he was “stuck on the ride vehicle face down, falling out of the seat, with legs inverted,” per the report. Another paramedic said he “was bleeding from the face and his body was distorted.”

    Marshall learned from Cruz-Robles at the time that Zavala had a previous spine surgery that resulted in metal rods being placed in his back. Zavala’s parents later clarified he underwent a hip dislocation which required surgery around 2010. He also had surgery to address a fractured femur around 2020.

    Marshall found no pulse and believed Zavala was likely deceased. 

    It took park and emergency staff about 10 minutes to release the lap restraint that was holding him in place as he lay unconscious, according to the report. 

    The report noted “a significant amount of blood loss.” An investigator reported seeing a “significant amount of blood on the chair and the bar in front of the chair.”

    Marshall recalled Cruz-Robles repeatedly saying, “His mom’s going to kill me.”

    She later told deputies she believed his broken femurs played a “significant role” in his being able to reach and crash into the metal bar in front of him. However, she said, she didn’t feel that his lack of the use of his legs was the sole reason the incident occurred. 

    Zavala was pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center at 10:05 p.m. that night. 

    At the hospital, Cruz-Robles told deputies she and Zavala had ridden roller coasters throughout the day, and in the past. 

    Zavala’s father, Carlos Rodriguez-Ortiz, told deputies days after his death that his “mother always told him not to ride the roller coasters, but he would never listen.”

    As of Thursday, the case is closed. 

    “Because it was determined that no criminal acts occurred in this case, this concludes the Orange County Sheriff’s Office role in this case,” reads an email sent by Orange County Sheriff’s Office Thursday.

    Stardust Racers, which opened to the public along with the debut of new park Epic Universe in May, is a dual-launch coaster that reaches speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet across the 5,000 total feet of track. The height requirement is 48 inches, and it was classified as a “thrill ride” at the time. 

    The ride closed shortly after the incident on Sept. 17. It opened again Oct. 4, the same day the park released an updated Guide for Safety and Accessibility, which states that Stardust Racers riders who use mobility devices must be able to walk independently.

    Warning signs placed at the ride’s entrance and throughout the line read:

    “WARNING! These high-speed roller coasters include sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, an inversion, and dropping.”

    And:

    “Persons with the following conditions should not ride: Medical Sensitivity to Strobe Effects, Medical Sensitivity to Fog Effects, Recent Surgery or Other Conditions that may be aggravated by this ride, Expected Mothers, Motion Sickness or Dizziness.”

    Stardust Racers is open to guests as of Friday morning.

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    Epic Universe has been open for barely six months and may already be updating

    Epic Universe has updated its operational procedures and signage to ‘reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements’

    The man was found unresponsive after riding the coaster Wednesday





    Chloe Greenberg
    Source link

  • Epic Universe may already be expanding, permits hint



    Credit: Epic Universe/Facebook

    After only a few months in existence, Universal Orlando’s newest park Epic Universe may already be looking toward making some changes, according to permits hinting an expansion. 

    Universal Orlando filed a permit on Nov. 7 detailing plans for utility and foundation work on a 150,000-square-foot building. The address listed is 1001 Epic Blvd., the official address for Epic Universe. But it is unclear whether the building is located within the park or just on Universal Boulevard property.

    Bryce Ramsay, an architect with Baker Barrios, submitted the application, according to reporting by the Orlando Sentinel. But no public comments have been made by the park about the permits.

    However, during the Bank of America Securities Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference on Sept. 3, Universal Destinations & Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury discussed future expansions planned for all three Universal parks. With the building size detailed in the permit, it has sparked excitement and speculation of a new attraction. 

    Epic Universe’s opening in May 2025 marked the first all-new theme park debut in 25 years in Orlando. It brought with it five immersive themed worlds (Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk).  It’s garnered a widely positive reception from fans, and the park has already nabbed industry awards.

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    The lawsuit claims the ride’s speed, location and design together created a ‘zone of danger for bird strikes’

    We’re holding space for the updated limited-time experience

    Howl-O-Scream, Ominous Descent, A Petrified Forest, and Gators Ghosts & Goblins are all spooky alternatives





    Emmy Bailey
    Source link

  • Organization pushes for the closure of Stardust Racers after rider’s death

    A non-profit organization is pushing for the closure of the Epic Universe rollercoaster Stardust Racers after a guest died on the ride in September 2025.Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive after riding the coaster on September 17 before being declared dead later that evening at a local hospital. Now, the non-profit organization Juneteenth Project Coalition is petitioning for the coaster—which only opened in May 2025, alongside the rest of the new Epic Universe theme park—to be shut down.”It’s a death trap. It is a death trap and I’m a disabled American veteran. I have been in a wheelchair,” Tina Wilson, the organization’s founder, said. “But for them to reopen the ride, it’s just a slap in the face.”Universal Orlando reopened the ride on Saturday, October 4, a little more than two weeks after Rodriguez Zavala’s death. The reopening was met by disappointment and frustration from the victim’s family and attorney Ben Crump.”Once we get a fair amount of signatures, if I have to get my bull horn and go and stand out in front of Universal Studios until they shut that ride down I will because it’s not fair,” Wilson said.In its own investigation into the ride, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said, “Following the incident, Universal contacted the department as required by Florida Law and voluntarily invited the department to observe all testing and inspections, which exceeded state requirements.””Did you lose a family member on that ride? That’s what I’m asking the CEO and the Department of Agriculture, did you lose a family member?” Wilson said. “How would you feel if two weeks after that individual passed and its business as usual?”President and COO of Universal Orlando Karen Irwin said that internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended and that equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station.”So, you could not wait, you’re going to make money anyway. You’re Universal, you’re a big corporation. It’s very insensitive. Shut down the ride until the investigation and the family has some kind of closure. It’s only been two weeks,” Wilson said.Wilson and the Juneteenth Project Coalition previously petitioned and protested the Orlando FreeFall drop tower after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell to his death from the ICON Park ride in 2022. The online petition can be found here.

    ORLANDO, Fla. —

    A non-profit organization is pushing for the closure of the Epic Universe rollercoaster Stardust Racers after a guest died on the ride in September 2025.

    Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive after riding the coaster on September 17 before being declared dead later that evening at a local hospital. Now, the non-profit organization Juneteenth Project Coalition is petitioning for the coaster—which only opened in May 2025, alongside the rest of the new Epic Universe theme park—to be shut down.

    “It’s a death trap. It is a death trap and I’m a disabled American veteran. I have been in a wheelchair,” Tina Wilson, the organization’s founder, said. “But for them to reopen the ride, it’s just a slap in the face.”

    Universal Orlando reopened the ride on Saturday, October 4, a little more than two weeks after Rodriguez Zavala’s death. The reopening was met by disappointment and frustration from the victim’s family and attorney Ben Crump.

    “Once we get a fair amount of signatures, if I have to get my bull horn and go and stand out in front of Universal Studios until they shut that ride down I will because it’s not fair,” Wilson said.

    In its own investigation into the ride, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said, “Following the incident, Universal contacted the department as required by Florida Law and voluntarily invited the department to observe all testing and inspections, which exceeded state requirements.”

    “Did you lose a family member on that ride? That’s what I’m asking the CEO and the Department of Agriculture, did you lose a family member?” Wilson said. “How would you feel if two weeks after that individual passed and its business as usual?”

    President and COO of Universal Orlando Karen Irwin said that internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended and that equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station.

    “So, you could not wait, you’re going to make money anyway. You’re Universal, you’re a big corporation. It’s very insensitive. Shut down the ride until the investigation and the family has some kind of closure. It’s only been two weeks,” Wilson said.

    Wilson and the Juneteenth Project Coalition previously petitioned and protested the Orlando FreeFall drop tower after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell to his death from the ICON Park ride in 2022.

    The online petition can be found here.

    Source link

  • Universal’s Stardust Racers reopens after rider’s death – Orlando Weekly



    Credit: by Seth Kubersky

    It’s been just under three weeks since a Universal Orlando guest died after riding a new Epic Universe rollercoaster. Now, the ride’s open to guests once again.

    Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers reopened Saturday after having been closed since Sept. 17, when 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who used a wheelchair, died at a hospital after he was found unresponsive after riding the coaster.

    Off-duty Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a “man down call” within Epic Universe on the day. Zavala was then transported to the hospital and pronounced dead.

    An investigation into the incident was launched by Universal and local officials, and Universal has since confirmed  the ride “functioned properly” while Zavala boarded, rode and completed the ride. 

    Now, according a letter obtained by Orlando Weekly that was sent to Universal employees by president and COO Karen Irwin, the theme park has updated its operational procedures and attraction signage to “reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements at Stardust Racers and other rides.”

    The letter continues to state the ride would be reopened starting Oct. 4. 

    On the same day, the park released an updated Guide for Safety and Accessibility, which now states that Stardust Racers riders who use mobility devices must be able to walk independently. The attraction has a device to assist those riders with their transfer to the ride vehicles. 

    Previously, WESH2 reports, the Guide for Safety and Accessibility stated that Stardust Racers riders “must be able to take a small step into the ride vehicle compartment, either independently or with assistance from your companion.”

    Stardust Racers is a dual-launch coaster that reaches speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet across the 5,000 total feet of track inside Epic Universe’s Celestial Park. The height requirement is 48 inches.

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    The man was found unresponsive after riding the coaster Wednesday

    The Lost Continent is about to be truly lost

    Universal took home five awards for Epic Universe and Volcano Bay





    Chloe Greenberg
    Source link

  • Epic Universe to reopen Stardust Racers roller coaster less than 3 weeks after guest’s death

    Universal Orlando is set to reopen the Stardust Racers roller coaster weeks after a guest died after riding the attraction.On Sept. 17, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala lost consciousness after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster. Zavala was later pronounced dead, and his death was ruled an accident. The manner of his death was determined to be “multiple blunt impact injuries,” according to the Orange County medical examiner.Since the incident, the ride has remained closed. In a letter sent to team members, Universal Orlando said that it conducted a comprehensive technical and operational review, which confirmed that the ride systems were functioning correctly. The letter stated that the review was conducted in conjunction with local and state officials. Additionally, the ride system manufacturer and an independent third-party roller coaster engineering expert conducted their own on-site testing, the letter said. Stardust Racers will reopen on Oct. 4 in the afternoon. Since the deadly incident, family members of the victim have requested a complete and transparent investigation into how this incident occurred. The family also requested that the ride remain shut down until the investigation is completed and they understand what went wrong. Since Zavalas’ death, more victims have come forward to report injuries sustained while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster, according to attorney Ben Crump.Crump said the injuries other victims reported include problems with restraints, riders being thrown forward and hitting hard structures on the same ride. He said these are all consistent with the injuries Zavala suffered.The family believes that these accounts indicate that warning signs were overlooked and Zavalas’ death could have been completely avoided.>> Read full letter below:

    Universal Orlando is set to reopen the Stardust Racers roller coaster weeks after a guest died after riding the attraction.

    On Sept. 17, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala lost consciousness after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster.

    Zavala was later pronounced dead, and his death was ruled an accident. The manner of his death was determined to be “multiple blunt impact injuries,” according to the Orange County medical examiner.

    Since the incident, the ride has remained closed.

    In a letter sent to team members, Universal Orlando said that it conducted a comprehensive technical and operational review, which confirmed that the ride systems were functioning correctly.

    The letter stated that the review was conducted in conjunction with local and state officials.

    Additionally, the ride system manufacturer and an independent third-party roller coaster engineering expert conducted their own on-site testing, the letter said.

    Stardust Racers will reopen on Oct. 4 in the afternoon.

    Since the deadly incident, family members of the victim have requested a complete and transparent investigation into how this incident occurred.

    The family also requested that the ride remain shut down until the investigation is completed and they understand what went wrong.

    Since Zavalas’ death, more victims have come forward to report injuries sustained while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster, according to attorney Ben Crump.

    Crump said the injuries other victims reported include problems with restraints, riders being thrown forward and hitting hard structures on the same ride. He said these are all consistent with the injuries Zavala suffered.

    The family believes that these accounts indicate that warning signs were overlooked and Zavalas’ death could have been completely avoided.

    >> Read full letter below:


    Source link

  • Universal Orlando Resort president says Stardust Racers ride was functioning properly

    BREAKING NEWS JUST INTO OUR NEWSROOM. WESH TWO HAS OBTAINED A LETTER SENT TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO EMPLOYEES FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF A GUEST WHO RODE THE STAR RACER’S ROLLER COASTER. NOW, THIS IS A LIVE LOOK AT THE RIDE TONIGHT, WHICH REMAINS CLOSED. THE LETTER SENT TO EMPLOYEES BY THE PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT, SAYS THE RIDE SYSTEMS FUNCTIONED AS INTENDED AND THE EQUIPMENT WAS INTACT AT THE RIDE’S START AND DURING THE RIDE. IT WENT ON TO SAY THAT TEAM MEMBERS FOLLOWED PROCEDURES AND THE ATTRACTION WILL REMAIN CLOSED AS THE PARK DOES A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW PROCESS. WITH THE RIDE MANUFACTURER. 32 YEAR OLD KEVIN RODRIGUEZ ZABALA WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE ON THE RIDE ON WEDNESDAY AND LATER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE HOSPITAL. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER CONFIRMS HIS RULED HIS DEATH RATHER AN ACCIDENT, CITING MULTIPLE BLUNT IMPACT INJURIES. WESH TWO WAS THE ONLY NEWS CREW AT THE SCENE THE NIGHT OF THE DEATH. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AND BRING YOU THE LATEST UPDATE

    Universal Orlando Resort president says Stardust Racers ride was functioning properly

    Updated: 7:24 PM EDT Sep 21, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    WESH 2 has obtained a copy of a letter sent to Universal Orlando Team Members after the death of a guest who rode the Stardust Racers roller coaster.In the letter, President & COO of Universal Orlando Resort Karen Irwin said, “Our hearts are with our Guest’s family and loved ones, and with all of you who have been impacted by the tragic loss.” Irwin continues stating that internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended, equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station. The letter tells Universal Orlando Team Members to be mindful that this is an ongoing investigation.Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster on Wednesday and later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to Universal Orlando officials. The medical examiner confirmed that the death was accidental, citing multiple blunt impact injuries. Click here to support his family’s GoFundMe.

    ORLANDO, Fla. —

    WESH 2 has obtained a copy of a letter sent to Universal Orlando Team Members after the death of a guest who rode the Stardust Racers roller coaster.

    In the letter, President & COO of Universal Orlando Resort Karen Irwin said, “Our hearts are with our Guest’s family and loved ones, and with all of you who have been impacted by the tragic loss.”

    Irwin continues stating that internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended, equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station.

    The letter tells Universal Orlando Team Members to be mindful that this is an ongoing investigation.

    letter to universal orlando team members following epic universe death

    Universal Orlando Resorts

    Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster on Wednesday and later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to Universal Orlando officials.

    The medical examiner confirmed that the death was accidental, citing multiple blunt impact injuries.

    Click here to support his family’s GoFundMe.

    Source link

  •  32-Year-Old Man Who Died After Riding Roller Coaster At Epic Universe Had Medical Condition (UPDATE)

    A week after a man died at Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, new information has surfaced about what happened. Additionally, officials have identified the deceased as 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. New details about the case include who Kevin was with when he rode the Stardust Racers roller coaster and what medical condition he had when he did.

    RELATED: Man Passes Away After Riding Roller Coaster At New Florida Amusement Park Epic Universe

    What First Responders Found At Epic Universe

    As previously reported, emergency workers arrived at the coaster scene on Wednesday under the impression that a man had become unresponsive. They were also reportedly told he had suffered lacerations. But when the medical staff got to the ride, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala wasn’t breathing and eventually died after arriving at the hospital. The sheriff’s office confirmed these details in a report, citing radio traffic.

    Zavala’s longtime girlfriend, who was with him, told deputies that he had a preexisting spinal condition — he used a wheelchair — and was taking medication, the report said.
    After performing an autopsy, Joshua Stephany, the medical examiner for the Orlando area, ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries and said the manner of death was an accident. The statement from Stephany on Thursday did not mention any details about the injuries, including where on the body they were found.
    Zavala’s family in an online post described him Friday as “one of a kind.” Zavala lived in Kissimmee, Florida, a suburb of Orlando.
    “Despite the restrictions and obstacles he encountered throughout his life, Kevin met them all with grace, strength, and an unwavering spirit.,” his family said “He overcame so much, and he did so with quiet resilience and humility.”

    The Stardust Racers roller coaster opened to the public in May with the debut of the Epic Universe park. The ride is described on the resort’s website as “a breathtaking, dual-launch coaster reaching incredible speeds up to 62 mph (100 kph).”
    Stardust Racers was among the rides at Epic Universe which were designed to accommodate people transferring from wheelchairs to the ride vehicle, according to a Universal Orlando Resort safety guide. The guide also said that riders of Stardust Racers were required to pass through metal detectors to make sure they had no loose items in their pockets that could fly out, and that people with prosthetic limbs needed to remove them before riding.
    A Universal Orlando Resorts spokesperson has said the resort is cooperating with investigators at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
    Maria Fernandez, who said she was on the roller coaster at the same time as Zavala, told Orlando television station WKMG that he appeared to be slumped over and bleeding when the ride stopped.
    Florida’s largest theme parks are exempt from state safety inspections, unlike smaller venues and fairs. Instead, the largest theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal conduct their own inspections and have their own protocols. But they must report to the state any injury or death.
    The state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, however, said Friday that it had sent an investigator to Epic Universe.
    “Universal has been extremely cooperative and has complied with all required notifications,” Aaron Keller, the department’s communications director, said in an email.

     

     

     

    Associated Press writer Mike Schneider contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.

    What Do You Think Roomies?

    Cassandra S

    Source link

  • Incident report, dispatch audio released in Epic Universe roller coaster rider’s death

    Incident report, dispatch audio released in Epic Universe roller coaster rider’s death

    The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has released the incident report on the man who died after riding the Epic Universe roller coaster Stardust Racers Wednesday night.

    The department also released the dispatch audio.

    According to the incident report, firefighters and Universal Orlando Health Services said 32-year-old Kevin Zavala had a laceration and was unresponsive. They performed CPR on him on the platform right next to the ride.

    Advertisement

    Advertisement

    Zavala was pronounced dead right at the hospital after 10 p.m.

    The report says Zavala had a spinal injury that required him to be in a wheelchair.

    The cause of death was multiple blunt impact injuries, according to the medical examiner. The cause of those injuries is still being investigated.

    Stardust Racers is closed in the meantime.

    Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

    [ad_2]
    Source link

  • Man Passes Away After Riding Roller Coaster At New Florida Amusement Park Epic Universe

    A patron at one of the nation’s newest amusement parks has died after riding a roller coaster there. According to the Associated Press, Florida authorities confirmed they found a man in his 30s unresponsive after riding the coaster at Epic Universe on Wednesday, September 18.

    RELATED: Oh Nah! Man Climbs Out Of Moving Roller Coaster In Arizona After Safety Bar Unlatches

    Limited Details Released About Roller Coaster Death

    In a statement to AP, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando said medics took the man to the hospital. However, he was pronounced dead there. The man’s identity is not yet public information, and it’s unclear if he was visiting the amusement park alone or with a group.

    Officials from Epic Universe tell AP that the roller coaster involved is the Stardust Racers. The park’s website describes the ride as “a breathtaking, dual-launch coaster reaching incredible speeds up to 62 mph (100 kph).”

    No further details were immediately available early Thursday.

    Epic Universe Releases Statement Amid Limited Details

    A Universal Orlando Resorts spokesperson told the AP: “The company is devastated by the incident and extends its sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully cooperating with Orange County and the ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed.”

    Universal opened the amusement park in May. It has five themed sections and a 500-room hotel. It’s the first major, traditional theme park to open in Florida since 1999, when Universal Islands of Adventure debuted. However, it’s worth noting that Universal opened a themed Orlando water park, Volcano Bay, in 2017. The addition of Epic Universe brought the total number of parks at the Florida resort to four, including Universal Studios.

     Other Incidents At The Newly Opened Amusement Park 

    Unlike smaller venues and fairs, Florida’s largest theme parks are exempt from state safety inspections. Instead, the largest theme parks, like Walt Disney World and Universal, conduct their own inspections and have their own protocols. However, they must report any injury or death to the state.

    Since Epic Universe opened in May, there have been three reports. In May, a 63-year-old man with a preexisting condition experienced dizziness and “an altered state of consciousness.” In another instance, a 47-year-old woman with a preexisting condition had a “visual disturbance” and numbness after the ride. They both rode the Stardust Racers coaster on separate days.  Additionally, a 32-year-old man reportedly experienced chest pains after going on the Hiccup’s Wing Gliders ride.

    Epic isn’t the only park to be involved in incidents this year. In the second quarter, there were a dozen reports from Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld Orlando. One example was a 78-year-old woman who became unresponsive on a child-friendly carousel at SeaWorld. Meanwhile, in another incident, an 87-year-old woman with a preexisting condition lost consciousness after going on the Dinosaur ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

    RELATED: Prosecutors Plan To Seek Death Penalty Against Tyler Robinson As Charlie Kirk’s Widow Shares Emotional Moment At Open Casket

    Associated Press staff contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

    What Do You Think Roomies?

    Cassandra S

    Source link

  • Universal Orlando wins big at industry awards, Disney World flops



    Universal Orlando has been awarded new amusement-industry awards, scoring big for its new behemoth baby Epic Universe and water theme park Volcano Bay. 

    This year’s Golden Ticket Awards, a prestigious annual tradition in the theme park world presented by Amusement Today, granted Universal a total of five awards for both new and longstanding immersive experiences and attractions. It was the only Florida park to win in this year’s roundup. 

    The park nabbed the following honors:

    • Best new theme concept for Epic Universe’s village of Darkmoor
    • Best new coaster for Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers
    • Best new attraction installation for Epic Universe’s Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
    • Best dark ride for Epic Universe’s Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment​ 
    • Best water park for Volcano Bay

    This year marks the first time a new winner has been named in the best water park category in 26 years. Volcano Bay, opened in 2017, beat out the previous titleholder: Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels, Texas. 

    While Epic Universe, the theme park’s highly anticipated new venture that opened this summer, helped the amusement giant score big, Disney World was left in the dust. 

    Disney World took home no wins. Maybe next time, Mickey.

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    Monsters and cryptids and Florida wildlife, oh my!





    Chloe Greenberg
    Source link

  • Universal Reveals a Trailer for Its Behind the Scenes Theme Park Docuseries

    Disney gets all the press, and Six Flags has all the dancing commercials, but Universal has always had a strong position in the theme park world. Starting with a simple tour of the Universal lot in Hollywood, the film studio evolved that into several parks across the globe, all of which showcase the big, popular film and TV shows created by the studio. Then, last year, that culminated with Universal opening its most advanced park yet, Epic Universe in Orlando.

    And while we’ve seen plenty of documentaries about how Walt Disney built his theme park empire, we haven’t seen much about Universal. Until now. All that history and more is at the center of a new docuseries coming to Peacock on September 29. It’s called Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks, and the first trailer was just released. Check it out.

    Now, you’re probably thinking what I was thinking after watching that trailer. “It says ‘the story of Universal theme parks,’ but it really seems to be the story of ONE Universal theme park.” Yes, the trailer leans heavily into Epic Universe simply because you’d imagine the idea for this documentary came during its construction. But the inclusion of Steven Spielberg in the series, along with Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Donna Langley, and Bryce Dallas Howard, all suggest this goes well beyond that.

    Spielberg, for example, doesn’t have any direct involvement with any of the Epic Universe IP. But he did, and does, have a huge hand in other Universal rides based on films like ET, Back to the Future, and Jurassic Park. The same goes for the rest of that group, save for Langley, who runs the entire studio, so she can speak to anything.

    Basically, while the trailer uses all the new, slick footage of the latest park, we hope that there is plenty of digging into the history of Universal as a theme park brand, because it’s a fascinating story with lots of star power. If it doesn’t, it’s going to be a pretty tedious three-part series.

    We’ll find out soon, though, when Epic Ride debuts on Peacock September 29. And no, don’t get this confused with the Inside the Worlds of Epic Universe special, which debuted last month.

    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

    Germain Lussier

    Source link

  • Universal Orlando will expand CityWalk store to include Butterbeer counter, Super Nintendo World merch

    Universal Orlando will expand CityWalk store to include Butterbeer counter, Super Nintendo World merch

    click to enlarge

    Image via Universal Orlando

    Just in time to open a brand new theme park, Universal Orlando will expand its flagship store in CityWalk to include two areas dedicated to lands in Epic Universe.

    The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World expansions will open in the Universal Studios Store in 2025 — right across the way from the Epic Universe Preview Center.

    The new Wizarding World area will have theming and merchandise from all three park lands — Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and the new Ministry of Magic. For the first time, guests can grab cold, frozen, hot and vegan Butterbeer treats outside the parks. The new counter will also have other specialty items from the Wizarding World — likely packaged candy and bottled drinks from Honeydukes.

    Then, more Mushroom Kingdom merchandise will finally arrive at Universal Orlando with the Super Nintendo World section of the Studios Store. The area will have a dedicated entrance themed after the video games’ colorful world and characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong and more.

    Souvenir shops at Hollywood’s and Japan’s Super Nintendo World feature giant warp pipes and bright and bold colors. Inside are more pipes, gears and more game elements brought to life. For Orlando’s store, there will likely be similar merchandise like character-themed clothing and accessories. Depending on when the expansion opens, the Studios Store may also sell the Power Up bands to use inside Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe.

    More details about the store expansion are coming soon, Universal said. We’d love to see more dedicated areas themed after Epic Universe’s How to Train Your Dragon and Dark Universe lands, too.

    Epic Universe opens sometime next year just south of the main Universal Orlando campus off Interstate 4. Besides a new Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World, the theme park will have The Isle of Berk: How to Train Your Dragon, Dark Universe featuring Universal Monsters and Celestial Park.

    click to enlarge Universal Orlando will expand CityWalk store to include Butterbeer counter, Super Nintendo World merch

    Image via Universal Orlando

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    Chelsea Zukowski

    Source link

  • $620 Million in Acquisition Financing for Hyatt Regency Orlando

    $620 Million in Acquisition Financing for Hyatt Regency Orlando

    JLL Hotels & Hospitality group announced that it secured $620 million in acquisition financing for Hyatt Regency Orlando, a 1,641-key, AAA Four Diamond resort in Central Florida.

    JLL represented affiliates of RIDA Development Corporation and an Ares Management Real Estate fund to secure the floating-rate, five-year loan through Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Deutsche Bank on behalf of borrowers.

    This premier resort offers spacious guest rooms averaging 453 square feet and suites averaging 846 square feet. The accommodations feature marble-accented bathrooms, sleeper sofas, mini-fridges and 65-inch streaming TVs.

    Guests can also enjoy in a variety of amenities, including six dining options, a 24-hour fitness center, tennis courts, a spa and an outdoor pool. Furthermore, the hotel features 315,000 square feet of meeting and event space along with its three direct connections to the Orange County Convention Center (“OCCC”), the second largest convention center in the United States.

    Located at 9801 International Drive, the property also provides exceptional proximity to top Orlando demand generators, such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Both attractions are conveniently less than a 15-minute drive away. Additionally, Universal Orlando is constructing Epic Universe, its largest theme park in the United States spanning 750 acres, situated just minutes from the hotel. Epic Universe is set to open in 2025.

    Hyatt Regency Orlando sold for $1.02 billion to joint venture, or about $622,000 per guest room.

    The JLL Hotels & Hospitality team was led by Americas CEO Kevin Davis, Managing Director Mike Huth and Senior Director Barnett Wu.

    “We are pleased to have worked together with RIDA, Ares, and Hyatt in this transaction,” said Davis. “We enjoyed working with the sponsors in their strategic vision for the future of the Orlando convention district and look forward to continuing to work with all the stakeholders in the future.”

    JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group has completed more transactions than any other hotels and hospitality real estate advisor over the last five years, totaling $83 billion worldwide. The group’s 370-strong global team in over 20 countries also closed more than 7,350 advisory, valuation and asset management assignments.

    Source link

  • UCF students getting real-life experience in construction of Epic Universe

    UCF students getting real-life experience in construction of Epic Universe

    A group of graduate students at the University of Central Florida is gaining real-life experience through the construction of Epic Universe.Some even worked on the detailed concept art for Universal Orlando’s new theme park. “It’s interactive. It’s not necessarily linear,” said Peter Weishar, director of themed experience.That’s how Weishar described the storytelling associated with the themed experience track at the University of Central Florida.Two graduate programs focus on designing environments, such as theme parks.A lot of their attention right now is on Universal Orlando’s up-and-coming theme park, Epic Universe.They study the release of concept art and animated fly-throughs of each world, most recently Dark Universe.”This is many, many hundreds of hours of work not just to create it but the many iterations they had to do to come to this final render,” Weishar said.Through partnerships with the park’s top leaders, Weishar said his students get to put their artistic skills into action before they graduate.”Dozens of hands that are touching it. Dozens of incredibly talented people that are working on it,” Weishar said.Weishar said about 36 percent of students go on to work for Universal Creative. They also learn firsthand from the creative director for Dark Universe and one of the lead writers. Weishar said he’s honored to prepare these creative minds to be the industry’s next generation of leaders.”You’re really celebrating their success and their hard work that’s made them gain the goals they wanted to achieve when they started this program,” Weishar said.About 80 students are enrolled in UCF’s themed experience programs next semester.The master’s of science track is the first and only standalone degree of its kind at a public university.

    ORLANDO, Fla. —

    A group of graduate students at the University of Central Florida is gaining real-life experience through the construction of Epic Universe.

    Some even worked on the detailed concept art for Universal Orlando’s new theme park.

    “It’s interactive. It’s not necessarily linear,” said Peter Weishar, director of themed experience.

    That’s how Weishar described the storytelling associated with the themed experience track at the University of Central Florida.

    Two graduate programs focus on designing environments, such as theme parks.

    A lot of their attention right now is on Universal Orlando’s up-and-coming theme park, Epic Universe.

    They study the release of concept art and animated fly-throughs of each world, most recently Dark Universe.

    “This is many, many hundreds of hours of work not just to create it but the many iterations they had to do to come to this final render,” Weishar said.

    Through partnerships with the park’s top leaders, Weishar said his students get to put their artistic skills into action before they graduate.

    “Dozens of hands that are touching it. Dozens of incredibly talented people that are working on it,” Weishar said.

    Weishar said about 36 percent of students go on to work for Universal Creative. They also learn firsthand from the creative director for Dark Universe and one of the lead writers.

    Weishar said he’s honored to prepare these creative minds to be the industry’s next generation of leaders.

    “You’re really celebrating their success and their hard work that’s made them gain the goals they wanted to achieve when they started this program,” Weishar said.

    About 80 students are enrolled in UCF’s themed experience programs next semester.

    The master’s of science track is the first and only standalone degree of its kind at a public university.

    Source link

  • From ‘Kung Fu Panda’ village to Shrek’s Swamp: DreamWorks Land and more attractions now open at Universal Orlando

    From ‘Kung Fu Panda’ village to Shrek’s Swamp: DreamWorks Land and more attractions now open at Universal Orlando

    click to enlarge

    Photo via Universal Orlando

    Universal Orlando is filling a Shrekzel-shaped hole in theme park goers lives.

    DreamWorks Land, the new world filled with Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda, is now open at Universal — along with a CineSational lagoon show and Hogwarts Always projection show.

    DreamWorks Land fills the space formerly taken up by Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone. The Nuthouse Coaster may be history, but Universal ensured its replacement remained just as kid-friendly. The only ride in the area is the Trolls Trollercoaster. Play areas, snack stands, shows and character encounters make up the remainder of DreamWorks land.

    Movie fans can also dine at Trolls– and Shrek-themed snack kiosks. Menu items are mostly cinematic twists on familiar favorites — like the Shrekzel, a Shrek-shaped soft pretzel, or the Poppy-licious Pink and BroZone Berry ice creams.

    Here’s a look at the Universal attractions now open in DreamWorks Land and two new light shows.

    Shrek’s Swamp Meet

    The character encounter Shrek’s Swamp Meet takes place outside the green ogre’s 35-foot cottage, where guests can meet and take pictures with Shrek, Fiona and Donkey.

    Movie characters at theme park meet-and-greets usually stay silent, but Donkey chats with guests with full-on Eddie Murphy swagger, so be prepared to bring some of your most burning questions about life in the Swamp or his wife, Dragon, if you visit.

    Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres

    With four slides, a wet play zone and a colorful playground, Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres is a play area designed for the youngest park visitors. The area also features a Pinocchio animatronic whose nose sprouts as he tells white lies.

    King Harold’s Swamp Symphony

    Kids’ play area King Harold’s Swamp Symphony invites guests to stand on lily pads in front of a frog-studded log. Stomping on the pads triggers the frogs to croak in a symphony of ribbits.

    Mama Luna Feline Fiesta

    The Puss in Boots: The Last Wish film came out less than two years ago, but it already has a presence in the new land. Mama Luna’s house features a digital screen with hundreds of cats visitors can play with using bells, maracas and buttons.

    Trolls Trollercoaster

    The Trolls Trollercoaster is DreamWorks Land’s only ride, and it’s designed with kids in mind, with a minimum height requirement of 36 inches (compared to The Incredible Hulk Coaster’s 54-inch requirement).

    The ride doesn’t go upside-down, but it does lean heavily into its source material — riders take a seat in the caterpillar Caterbus before joining the movie’s protagonists Poppy, Tiny, Satin and Chenille in an escape from “spooky spiders.”

    Poppy’s Playground

    Poppy’s Playground is another kid zone, where a 20-foot mushroom extends over a field of Trolls flowers and mushroom swings for little parkgoers.

    Po Live!

    The central attraction of Kung Fu Panda protagonist Po’s village is a digital screen where Po appears to chat with the crowd and lead a group kung fu session. Po’s cousin Ling-Ling makes an appearance in the virtual character meet, which repeats every 20 minutes.

    Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp

    As another kid zone, Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp stands out for its interactive water features — including cannons and dump buckets — which Universal assures visitors will leave them soaked.

    The play zone also has giant fans, gongs and merry-go-round noodle bowls.

    DreamWorks Character Zone

    In a break from DreamWorks Land’s focus on Trolls, Kung Fu Panda and Shrek, the DreamWorks Character Zone offers the chance to meet Gabby from the animated kid’s show Gabby’s Dollhouse — as well as other characters, according to the attraction’s website.

    DreamWorks Imagination Celebration

    DreamWorks Imagination Celebration brings together characters from all three of the area’s featured film franchises in a 20-minute live show. The multi-sensory show combines live actors, animated characters and dancers.

    CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular

    Located in Universal Studios alongside DreamWorks Land, CineSational is the park’s new lagoon show. It features soundtracks from several Universal films, including Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Jaws and the Minions franchise, according to a release.

    The show will include 228 water fountains that extend up to 131 feet.

    The CineSational show takes the place of the Cinematic Celebration, which was shown at the same central lagoon and ran from 2018 until 2023. Like its replacement, Cinematic Celebration also featured franchises like Harry Potter and Jurassic World.

    Hogwarts Always Castle Projection Show

    The Hogwarts Always show is the only new attraction unveiled Friday in Universal Islands of Adventure. The nighttime show is set against the backdrop of the Hogwarts castle and will feature visuals from the Harry Potter films.

    Universal confirmed in a release Friday the show will feature the Hogwarts Express and the Sorting Ceremony.

    The show will be available on select nights, but Universal has not provided a calendar of scheduled showings. The new show replaces “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle,” which ran from 2018 until 2023.

    The new light show will tie Potterheads over until the 2025 opening of Universal’s Epic Universe.

    The upcoming five-world park is still under construction for now, but the Epic Universe Preview Center is now open at Universal CityWalk. Those looking forward to challenging Bowser in Super Nintendo World or soaring with Hiccup on the How to Train Your Dragon wing glider coaster will have to keep practicing their fire-breathing and dragon-saddling techniques a little while longer.

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    Zoey Thomas

    Source link

  • Epic Universe Preview Center to open at Universal Orlando CityWalk this summer

    Epic Universe Preview Center to open at Universal Orlando CityWalk this summer

    click to enlarge

    Theme park visitors can enter the extraordinarily colorful world set to unveil at Epic Universe early this summer, with a special preview center set to open at CityWalk.

    Universal released first-look images of the highly anticipated new park and detail teasers earlier this year, and now, the Epic Universe experience may be even closer.

    Universal Orlando announced Wednesday an Epic Universe Preview Center will debut at CityWalk this June.

    The center will allow guests to explore models of the upcoming park offering bird’s-eye views of Epic Universe, set to open in 2025. The models will feature attractions, shops and experiences to come. Using augmented reality devices, guests will get an in-depth view of the epic experience.

    The preview center will be located in the former Universal Legacy Store located in CityWalk. The experience will also offer new shop items that will be offered inside the new park, including merchandise as well as photo opportunities against backgrounds displaying themes from each of the five new parks.

    Universal has yet to release an opening date of the preview experience.

    While preparing to enter a portal into a new universe, guests can expect the five new parks to include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, Dark Universe and Celestial Park.

    Guests can expect new attractions including Nintendo World’s Mario Kart, How to Train Your Dragon’s Monsters Unchained, Celestial Park’s Constellation Carousel and more.

    The layout of the new park uses the wheel-and-spoke diagram that allows for four themed sections to circle around one hub and entrance section. The park will be located on a 750-acre site behind Orlando’s Icon Park, making it a 15-minute drive from Universal’s other parks.

    Universal is also crafting new lodging experiences like the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts set to open in 2025.

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    Houda Eletr

    Source link

  • Universal Orlando announces DreamWorks Land opening date and more new attractions coming this summer

    Universal Orlando announces DreamWorks Land opening date and more new attractions coming this summer

    click to enlarge

    Image via Universal Orlando

    CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular

    Universal Orlando is cooking with gas this summer by debuting four new attractions over the next few months.

    When they’re not sneaking peeks at the under-construction Epic Universe, all eyes have been on DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida, set to open June 14.

    The former location of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone has been overhauled and transformed to include beloved characters and scenes from DreamWorks Animation films like Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda. The rebranding of the area near the E.T. ride will still be family-friendly with interactive play areas, character meet-and-greets, theme food and drinks, photo ops and an indoor live show titled DreamWorks Imagination Celebration.

    As for attractions, DreamWorks Land includes a re-creation of Shrek’s Swamp, the Trollercoaster ride, visits with Po in the Panda Village and experiences with characters from Gabby’s Dollhouse.

    About a month and a half out from the opening day, Universal already has new DreamWorks Land merch available — including Shrek ears headbands. They also teased new bubble wands that interact with other wands and with some of the parade floats in the new Universal Mega Movie Parade.

    More on that parade in a minute.

    Also debuting on June 14 at the Studios is the CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular nighttime show over the park’s lagoon.

    The show will be a grand finale to a day at the park where you “ride the movies.” It features 4K projection mapping and special effects choreographed with scenes and scores from over a dozen movies. That includes music from future Universal attractions themed after How to Train Your Dragon and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

    CineSational will also have 228 fountains as high as 131 feet and more than 600 drones working alongside an original composition.

    Over at Islands of Adventure on June 14, the new Hogwarts Always projection show will light up the Wizarding World’s most famous castle.

    On select nights, the castle will showcase iconic moments from a school year at Hogwarts — from Diagon Alley shopping and riding the Hogwarts Express train to being sorted into houses and winning the coveted House Cup. The show will also have four different endings for each Hogwarts house, along with dialogue from characters like Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid, the Sorting Hat and others.

    Hogwarts Always will be the fourth castle projection show in Hogsmeade. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has also hosted the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle and Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle shows.

    Back to the parade.

    The Universal Mega Movie Parade debuts on July 3 at the Studios and is billed as the park’s biggest daytime parade to date, with 13 new floats and nearly 100 performers.

    The parade celebrates iconic characters and scenes from movies like E.T., Back to the Future, Jaws, Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, Minions, Sing, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda.

    Some of the new parade attractions include a 16-foot Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man on the Ghostbusters float, the Trolls Caterbus and a marching drumline playing the ominous Jaws score. The grand finale features a Gyrosphere, raptors and a Tyrannosaurus rex from Jurassic World.

    To celebrate, the Summer Tribute Store will feature rooms and merchandise themed to some of the films featured in the parade.

    More details about the Tribute Store — and all of these new attractions — are coming soon, Universal says.

    Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill at Universal Stella Nova Resort

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    Chelsea Zukowski

    Source link

  • Ride rumors, construction updates and everything else to know about Universal’s Epic Universe theme park

    Ride rumors, construction updates and everything else to know about Universal’s Epic Universe theme park

    click to enlarge

    Rendering via Universal Orlando

    Universal Epic Universe: How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk portal

    Universal Orlando’s newest theme park is gearing up to be, well, epic.

    Epic Universe, the resort’s fourth park, is set to open in 2025 just down the road and across I-4 from the main campus. Its classic wheel-and-spoke layout allows for four IP-themed lands, a central hub and entrance area, and a huge new in-park hotel.

    The hub-and-spoke design was popularized in 1955 when Disneyland opened, and Epic Universe is the first Universal park to employ it.

    Excitement for the new theme park has ramped up since Universal finally released first-look images and details at the end of January. Below is a guide to everything we know (and some rumors and construction updates) so far about the lands, rides and attractions coming to Epic Universe.

    Celestial Park

    The main hub and entrance to Epic Universe promised to put the “park” back in “theme park.” Celestial Park is covered in greenery, gardens and pathways through an astronomy and mythology themed world.

    • Starfall Racers: The dual-launch roller coaster sends guests riding comets through the stars. Speeds reach up to 62 mph along 5,000 feet of coaster track.
    • Constellation Carousel: The centerpiece of the park is a carousel where guests can ride sparkling constellations through the Milky Way galaxy.
    • Astronomica: A wet-play area that’s also a giant compass to the other worlds of Epic Universe.
    • Atlantic Restaurant: Full-serve “surf and turf” dining spot set inside a Victorian aquarium.
    • The Blue Dragon: Restaurant that takes diners on “a culinary journey across Asia” alongside neon dragons and lanterns.
    • The Oak & Star Tavern
    • Pizza Moon
    • Nintendo Super Star Store
    • Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets
    click to enlarge Universal Epic Universe Super Nintendo World portal - rendering courtesy Universal

    rendering courtesy Universal

    Universal Epic Universe Super Nintendo World portal

    Super Nintendo World

    Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World will be the third iteration of the Nintendo IP-themed land and will include many of the same attractions. There will be iconic green warp pipes, interactive play elements and characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser and Donkey Kong.

    Rides and attractions:

    • Mario Kart: Universal uses physical sets, projections and video technology to bring the beloved video game to life.
    • Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness: The “track-jumping” roller coaster is currently under construction in Japan as part of the park’s Donkey Kong Country expansion. The ride, which blasts riders out of a barrel cannon at the Golden Temple during a race with Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, will also open at Epic Universe.
    • Yoshi ride: The family attraction is expected to be a clone of Yoshi’s Adventure, the ride in Japan’s Super Nintendo World. Guests will board colorful Yoshi vehicles for an interactive tour over the Mushroom Kingdom.

    How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk

    The dragon-filled Viking village from the hit film series comes to life at Epic Universe. The land’s story is reportedly themed to the fictional Isle of Berk after the events of the first movie.

    The rides, including a roller coaster and a spinning glider, are expected to mimic what it would be like to ride a dragon. The coaster, from Intamin, is expected to be thrilling but still family-friendly.

    Based on site plans and analysis by Orlando Park Stop, there also looks to be an area for an outdoor boat ride, which will likely feature small Viking ships and interactive water elements.

    A large building in the land could likely be the place for a live stage show — possibly the same or similar to the “Untrainable” How to Train Your Dragon show at Universal Studios Beijing.

    The Isle of Berk is also expected to have a full service restaurant themed after the movie’s Great Hall, a quick service outdoor dining location and other snacking and shopping spots.

    Classic Universal monsters are brought to life once you enter the portal to the Dark Universe land. In this world, it’s Dr. Victoria Frankenstein who shows off twisted experiments. Guests can also expect appearances from and attractions themed after Dracula and the Wolfman.

    Possible rides and attractions:

    • Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment: Orlando Park Stop’s Alicia Stella reported in August that trademarks were filed for the main attraction in Dark Universe as well for shops and dining spots (Pretorious’ Scientific Oddities, De Lacy’s and Meteor Astropub).
    • Curse of the Werewolf: Riding testing of the roller coaster is underway according to video posted on social media by Peaceful Thrill Seeker.
    • The Burning Blade Tavern: The dining spot is themed after the fiery hilltop windmill seen in 1931’s Frankenstein. Bioreconstruct posted several photos to social media showing construction updates earlier this month.

    The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic

    The new Harry Potter land is set to have attractions themed after both the British Ministry seen in the original films and 1920s Paris from the Fantastic Beasts series.

    Site plans and rumors hint at a dark ride attraction based on events in the later Harry Potter movies as well as Le Cirque Arcanus stage show inspired by the magic French circus seen in film The Crimes of Grindelwald. Construction photos show facades being built to recreate the streets of Paris walked by Newt Scamander in the films.

    With the land consisting of two eras on the Wizarding World timeline, it will be interesting to see how Epic Universe showcases vastly different stories in a way that flows naturally. Speculation from theme park fans has hinted at (and rooted for) the theming to focus more on showcasing magical creatures rather than the characters and storylines of the Fantastic Beasts movies.

    click to enlarge Universal Stella Nova Resort Pool - Rendering via Universal Orlando

    Rendering via Universal Orlando

    Universal Stella Nova Resort Pool

    Epic Universe hotels

    Universal Helios Grand Hotel: At the end of the main hub Celestial Park is Universal’s first in-park resort. Featuring even more celestial theming, the Helios Grand Hotel has 500 rooms, some of the best views of the park and a theme park entrance just for hotel guests.

    Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts: Stella Nova Resort is set to open on Jan. 21, 2025, with Terra Luna opening on Feb. 25, 2025. When the Universal partner Loews Hotels accidentally leaked details about the twin resorts in November, it said they are “inspired by the infinite vastness of the unknown universe, and the wonder of what lies beyond our world.” Images from Universal and construction photos show both buildings are bejeweled with colorful reflective tiles intended to evoke the swirling gases, dust and stars of our universe.

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    Chelsea Zukowski

    Source link

  • ‘Epic Universe Is Built on an Amazing Concept,’ Says Literally Steven Spielberg

    ‘Epic Universe Is Built on an Amazing Concept,’ Says Literally Steven Spielberg


    Ask me about my new best friends, Chronos and Astronomica.
    Photo: Universal via YouTube

    The dream of a classic-movie-monster cinematic franchise called Dark Universe is alive in Orlando. In its ongoing noble quest to become the superior Florida theme-park destination (real heads know it already is), Universal Orlando Resort has released a trailer for Epic Universe, its long-anticipated “third gate” and the first new Disney or Universal theme park to open in America since Disney California Adventure beta-launched in 2001. It looks expensive. It looks creative. It does, in fact, look epic.

    The trailer is hosted by Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, who is feeling his Michael Eisner oats as he talks about the storied history of the studio tram tour that started it all. He then launches into Universal’s current mission of building a theme park that will offer storytelling and immersion in “the most visceral manner possible.” The result is a theme park made up of “five worlds,” connected through “portals,” a frightening example of multiverse oversaturation crossing over from movies to real life.

    This is forgiven, though, once the president of Universal, Molly Murphy, introduces the concept of “Chronos, the first portal, where all the planets will align.” We love highfalutin world-building-, original IP–, sci-fi/fantasy-speak. Chronos leads to Celestial Park, which will “put the park back in theme park,” which I guess means it will have grass, benches, and landscaping in addition to “Astronomica, where you can play with dancing fountains.” Love that. The concept art lands somewhere between the Jules Verne Tomorrowland in Disneyland Paris, His Dark Materials, Spyro, and ancient civ.

    The other four areas are IP based. There’s a How to Train Your Dragon land and a Dark Universe featuring Frankenstein, the Mummy, et al. that promises “everything you’ve ever wanted to experience with monsters in this world” (which … have you ever searched Dracula or werewolf on AO3?). There’s also another Wizarding World park, this time themed to the Ministry of Magic. I shudder at the thought of experiencing Grindelwald’s many crimes up close and in person. Finally, and most anticipated, is the East Coast version of Super Nintendo World, which will be larger than its Hollywood counterpart. While it wasn’t teased in the video, we know that Universal is constructing a Donkey Kong mine-cart coaster in addition to porting over the Mario Kart ride.

    The video ends with Steven Spielberg promising that “Epic Universe is built on an amazing concept,” which the CEO defines as “What I think we’re trying to do most is give people the opportunity to really experience the full thrill of being alive.”

    So what do you think? Too much for a theme park to promise, or just the right amount of ambition? Do you think there will be a Grindelwald meet and greet? Are you excited by the thought of Jay Baruchel’s prerecorded voice telling you to “keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times” on a How to Train Your Dragon ride? Epic Universe opens officially in 2025. Then, and only then, will we really experience the full thrill of being alive.



    Rebecca Alter

    Source link