You May Want to Avoid Universal Orlando on These 3 Dates in 2026

Planning a Universal Orlando trip takes serious coordination, and the last thing you want is to show up and find out a major attraction is down for refurbishment.

Universal Orlando

Universal has a handful of closures coming up in 2026 that are absolutely worth knowing about before you lock in your travel dates. Whether you’re visiting Islands of Adventure or Volcano Bay, these are the dates we’d seriously consider working around. Let’s get into it.

Jurassic Park River Adventure: January 5th, 2026 – November 19th, 2026

This one is the big one. Jurassic Park River Adventure closed on January 5th and won’t be back until November 19th, which means it’s essentially out of commission for almost the entire year.

Jurassic Park River Adventure

That’s a long time to be without one of Islands of Adventure’s most iconic attractions, and if you’re visiting this summer, especially, you’re going to feel its absence. We know the refurbishment is going to be worth it in the end, but patience is definitely going to be required here. If riding this one is high on your priority list, you’ll want to plan your trip around late November or beyond.

Me Ship, The Olive: April 19th, 2026 – April 25th, 2026

Okay, this closure is significantly shorter, but it’s still worth flagging, particularly if you’re traveling with little ones. Me Ship, The Olive is a play area in Islands of Adventure that honestly doesn’t get enough credit. It’s got three levels of climbing nets, passageways, slides, an interactive piano, and you can even squirt water at guests floating by on Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. For families with kids who need to burn some energy, it’s genuinely one of the better spots in the park.

©Universal

Islands of Adventure isn’t exactly overflowing with kid-specific experiences, so losing even one of them for a week stings a little. If your travel window is flexible, just dodge that last week of April, and you’ll be totally fine.

Universal Volcano Bay: October 26th, 2026 – On or Before March 24th, 2027

If a Volcano Bay day is part of your Universal plans, you’ll want to steer clear of anything from late October 2026 onward. The water park is closing for its annual maintenance beginning October 26th, with a planned reopening on or before March 24th, 2027. That’s a solid chunk of time, so anyone planning a fall or winter trip should factor this in early. If Volcano Bay is a non-negotiable for your group, aim for earlier in 2026 to guarantee it’ll be open and ready for you.