Universal Orlando (Studios/IOA) : General Discussion

[Benjsh]

Vegas is obviously a huge tourist City / tourist trap but is it the type of place for rides or scare attractions? Not really. Most people who go to Vegas go for the casinos and the partying surely? I dont think haunted attractions is really that high up on the agenda for most folk.

I think it would do much better in Orlando personally.

 

[Maelstrom]

Jurassic park River adventure will be closing for an extended refurb next year Jan 5th to Nov 19th 2026.

A refurb has been rumoured for a while now and is much needed- however it is not expected to be turned into Jurassic world like the Hollywood version and will remain as Jurassic Park but all of the dinosaurs will be refurbed/ upgraded/replaced.

Hopefully they will add some new effects etc but not seen anything official so that’s just my wishful thinking.

 

[Benjsh]

Jurassic park River adventure will be closing for an extended refurb next year Jan 5th to Nov 19th 2026.

A refurb has been rumoured for a while now and is much needed- however it is not expected to be turned into Jurassic world like the Hollywood version and will remain as Jurassic Park but all of the dinosaurs will be refurbed/ upgraded/replaced.

Hopefully they will add some new effects etc but not seen anything official so that’s just my wishful thinking.

Thats a very long closure by Universal standards so its safe to say that what they have in store will be more than a simple spruce up.

I still enjoyed a few rides on it in late August but it definitely looked a bit tired in places.

Glad it seems to be staying as JP too instead of World.

 

[The_bup]

I still enjoyed a few rides on it in late August but it definitely looked a bit tired in places.

I remember getting off if it, and aside from my siblings ranting that it got them wet (we went on popeye’s later, then they saw wet) and I asked my Dad what he thought of it, to which he put it adequately;

“It was impressive for when it opened”

Which makes me think if the ride was actually a lot more impressive when it opened and poor maintenance has made it worse, or the ride is just inherently… old.

 

[Maelstrom]

It’s 26 years old now and not had anything much more than its annual winter maintenance, think it was closed a little bit longer for the rock work to be painted a few years ago and when there was hurricane damage to the building.

The first version in Hollywood closed in 2018 for its lengthy refurb when changed to Jurassic world- that opened in 1996 so 3 years older.

The version in Japan from 2021 has recently reopened after its own very lengthy refurb.

From what I read - One of the major problems is the Animatronic Dinosaurs. Those old animatronics don’t particularly do well being outside and exposed to the Florida rain storms and also the fact many are in water in the first place.

 

[The_bup]

I hope this is the right place to put this, but does anyone know any good off-site hotels that can get you to Epic and Studios? Im getting a little priced out by the only Universal option available to me, so any input would be helpful. Thanks

 

[Skyscraper]

I hope this is the right place to put this, but does anyone know any good off-site hotels that can get you to Epic and Studios? Im getting a little priced out by the only Universal option available to me, so any input would be helpful. Thanks

Have a look at Blue Tree Orlando, my best friend is booked to stay there in October for a Universal trip.

Blue Tree Orlando | Premier Orlando Resort Near Disney World

Experience luxury at Blue Tree Resort, Orlando resort near Disney with condo-style suites & free shuttle. Perfect for family vacations!

www.bluetreeorlando.com

 

[Josh555]

I hope this is the right place to put this, but does anyone know any good off-site hotels that can get you to Epic and Studios? Im getting a little priced out by the only Universal option available to me, so any input would be helpful. Thanks

I stay at the Rosen Inn International quite a lot, it’s on International Drive and they operate a free bus to Universal, I’m not sure if it goes to Epic Universe but if not you can get the free internal Universal transport once you arrive at Universal.

It is significantly cheaper than any of the on property stuff, I am going for 5 nights in April and it has cost me less for flights and hotel to stay there than it would just for the hotel without the flights to stay on property.

I got 5 nights BA flights for under £800.

 

[Benjsh]

We booked our stay at dockside inn at Universal through Expedia this year. We checked the prices in Pounds Sterling about 7 months before departure date and then logged out, changed our VPN to USA to see if it was any different and the same hotel for the exact same dates was about 20% cheaper. We booked it immediately.

Nice little hack you can try. Not sure if it's always that way but it worked for us. We also got a free upgrade on arrival.