Common Orlando has introduced brief trip refurbishments, everlasting closures and adjustments coming quickly at Epic Universe, Islands of Journey, and Common Studios Florida. Listed below are the newest trends, which come with the Jurassic Park eating place final and the Untrainable Dragon going darkish for short, one-week window.
Any downtime at Epic Universe, whether or not scheduled or unplanned because of noon rain, may also be consequential for the reason that 12 months outdated park nonetheless isn’t firing on all cylinders. This can be a level we’ve made many times in our regularly-updated Why You Must Skip Epic Universe. That is doubly true with the lack of an indoor degree reveal this is generally a just right noon respite from the crowds and, doubtlessly, afternoon storms.
Our recommendation for plenty of vacationers is to stick at the sidelines and wait till Epic Universe improves its operations and potency, which must occur through past due 2026 or 2027. The excellent news is that, according to wait time traits which are beginning to emerge, it’s imaginable the brand new park has already completed its objectives.
Previous this week, Comcast had its profits name and published that Epic Universe Is Now not Empty, However Common Is Seeing “Softening” Summer season Crowds. Particularly, the corporate’s co-CEO mentioned that “attendance around the broader Orlando marketplace started to melt in June, and that development has persevered into the 3rd quarter.” Comcast executives attributed this to raised gasoline costs and weaker client sentiment.
None of that is unexpected. On the contrary, it’s in keeping with what we coated in July 2026 is Walt Disney International’s Least Busy Month Since September 2021. The one distinction is that Epic Universe hasn’t been open since 2021, so we will’t move that a long way again with the comparisons.
This in fact implies that, versus skipping this summer season, right now is usually a nice time to discuss with Epic Universe. Imagine this a possible window of alternative, particularly for the reason that new park nonetheless doesn’t have Annual Passes and isn’t integrated within the recently-released Florida resident price tag offers.
If I have been visiting Central Florida anytime between now and October 8, 2026, I’d strongly believe doing an afternoon at Epic Universe. (And in truth, I’m making plans two myself for that window!) Even with the brief closure of The Untrainable Dragon and the greater chance of afternoon storms inflicting climate delays (closures) to the outside points of interest (which is maximum of them), however prospect of the ones “softer” crowds is an excessive amount of to withstand.
Regardless, right here’s a have a look at the approaching refurbishment of The Untrainable Dragon and the entirety else at Common Orlando.
To that time, The Untrainable Dragon will briefly shut for refurbishment from September 15, 2026 via September 20, 2026.
The Untrainable Dragon degree reveal is scheduled to reopen on September 21, 2026. (As at all times, dates are matter to modify, extension, cancellation, and many others. That is one thing price underscoring with Common closures, as we’ve observed a number of circumstances of the calendar quietly converting, and refurbishments being got rid of, prolonged, or speeded up.)
Common Orlando has now not introduced the reasoning for the closure, however the transient closure of just one week suggests it’s moderately minor. Additional reinforcing the regimen repairs attitude is that Le Cirque Arcanus within the Wizarding International of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic simply closed final month for its personal weeklong refurbishment. That reveal has since reopened with none subject material, guest-facing adjustments being reported.
For many who are unfamiliar with it, The Untrainable Dragon is a reside theatre revel in nestled deep in the back of Isle of Berk. This reveal options reside performers and aerialists, large-scale dragon puppetry, and different particular results. The spotlight of the reveal is (spoiler) Toothless hovering above the target audience, weighing in at 1,157 kilos, with a wingspan of just about 27 ft.
The idea of The Untrainable Dragon is that, when a brand new dragon presentations up at the Isle of Berk, the Vikings assume they will have in spite of everything met their fit. Hiccup and Toothless, with lend a hand from Gobber and Astrid, paintings in combination to unravel the thriller of The Untrainable Dragon. Enjoy the sweetness of dragons onstage and hovering overhead on this impressive, music-filled, heart-warming reside reveal.
Whilst that is ostensibly a publish in regards to the refurbishment, it’s additionally a just right excuse to revisit and suggest The Untrainable Dragon, which we’ve discovered doesn’t get just about sufficient consideration within the fan neighborhood. (Level presentations, typically, appear to be afflicted by this, most likely since they’re much less repeatable than curler coasters, and the fan discourse is ruled through locals who seldom do those degree presentations.)
In our Epic Universe Trip Evaluations & Scores, we gave the Untrainable Dragon a 9/10, with the next blurb:
Impressed through Common Beijing Hotel’s well-liked reveal, this dragon-filled reside impressive takes visitors on a adventure with Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid as they paintings in combination to unravel the thriller of The Untrainable Dragon. This heartwarming tale involves lifestyles with musical numbers, large-scale units and show-stopping scenes.
The Untrainable Dragon is carried through the dragons. As one may be expecting.
I used to be first of all vulnerable to provide the Untrainable Dragon a ten/10 rating at the backs of the ones dragons, because the visuals of this reveal are so wowing that they triumph over the entirety else. After mulling it over a little extra, the script does strike me as very fundamental (I’d danger a wager it used to be ported immediately from Beijing with out a lot more than an easy translation).
I nonetheless assume it’s a must-see reveal, however now not somewhat on par with the most productive of Disney’s Broadway taste productions–even though the marquee moments are extra awe-inspiring.
If I have been to revisit that overview once more, I could be vulnerable to extend Untrainable Dragon’s rating to 9.5/10. Perhaps even 10/10. The wow-factor and the majestic, suspension of disbelief high quality of the puppetry actually is the guts of the reveal and lifts this above any shortcomings it will in a different way have.
Moderate wait occasions have dropped dramatically at Epic Universe since Spring Spoil, with Might being the bottom complete month for the reason that park formally opened with reasonable wait occasions of 46 mins.
Moderate wait occasions in June 2025 have been 63 mins, as opposed to 48 mins in June 2026. It’s a equivalent tale to this point in July 2026, which has observed a slight uptick with 51 minute wait occasions, as opposed to 64 mins final July. That’s a large growth, and continues a downtrend that started in February and persevered via Spring Spoil!
Closing 12 months, Epic Universe noticed a pointy drop-off in crowd ranges all the way through August and September. That’s in keeping with the opposite parks at Common Orlando and Walt Disney International, as the ones months are low season. If we think the similar will occur in August and September 2026, the ones two months must have reasonable wait occasions within the 35 to 45 minute vary.
The opposite added wrinkle with Epic Universe is the expectancy of progressed operational potency. It has at all times been the case that, even assuming static attendance, reasonable wait occasions would lower over the years as the brand new park discovered its operational footing. There are obviously ways in which that’s taking place, however it additionally turns out that attendance is softening on the similar time.
If you wish to have extra recommendation on fending off crowds, see our Epic Universe Crowd Calendar: Best possible Dates to Talk over with in 2026. The worst and least busy dates are in fact beautiful predictable, albeit reasonably counter-intuitive and in contrast to the opposite Common Orlando theme parks.
Right here’s a present have a look at the entire refurbishment calendar for 2026 at Common Orlando:
Common Epic Universe
- The Untrainable Dragon: September 15, 2026 – September 20, 2026
Common Islands of Journey
- Jurassic Park River Journey: January 5, 2026 – November 19, 2026
Common Studios Florida
- Finnegan’s Bar & Grill: January 12, 2026 – Wintry weather 2026
- Common Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Display: Might 12, 2026 – Wintry weather 2026
UPDATE: Rapid & Livid – Supercharged will probably be completely closed to Visitors beginning on August seventeenth, 2026. The overall day of operation will probably be August sixteenth, 2026. (Rapid & Livid – Supercharged used to be up to now set to near in 2027. We view the sooner closure as a good from an ‘addition through subtraction’ standpoint, even though there are not any speedy alternative plans. However confidently there are!)
Common Volcano Bay
UPDATE: Common Volcano Bay, which is lately scheduled to start out a repairs closure on October 26, 2026, now has an up to date deliberate reopening on or prior to April 1, 2027. (Prior to now used to be on or prior to March 24, 2027.) This must underscore the above notice that dates are matter to modify.
Along with the above brief refurbishments, building partitions have long past up across the Misplaced Continent. Demolition is now underway at Poseidon’s Fury and the previous 8th Voyage of Sinbad theater. Numerous the land has already been decreased to rubble.
Previous this summer season, Common Orlando quietly introduced that extra in Misplaced Continent will completely shut in levels to make approach for a brand new themed space. No announcement as to what this will probably be has been made through Common, however Pokemon is what’s broadly anticipated. I’m nonetheless maintaining my breath for a last-minute trade and the Legend of Zelda being the featured IP.
As soon as demolition progresses additional, the alternative of Misplaced Continent will necessitate the everlasting closure of fan-favorite Mythos Eating place in 2027. Our expectation is this eating place venue will probably be rethemed versus changed, however it is usually a dramatic transformation that mainly simply keeps the kitchen and back-of-house amenities whilst totally gutting and retheming the eating room.
As an oblique results of that misplaced desk provider eating capability, Thunder Falls Terrace eating place in Jurassic Park quietly closed previous this week for reimagining. Thunder Falls is true subsequent to Jurassic Park River Journey, which is likewise down for a long regimen refurbishment.
Common Orlando up to now introduced that Thunder Falls Terrace could be reworked into an all-new eating thought that may grow to be the brand new signature full-service eating place in Islands of Journey. The rethemed eating location will debut in 2027, probably round when Mythos closes. Now not a lot else is understood in regards to the Thunder Falls Terrace reimagining, aside from that it received’t endure that title when it reopens.
Common Orlando up to now filed a building allow for inside renovations at Thunder Falls Terrace. The allow handed overview, and has an expiration date of October 26, 2026. Whilst the expiration may at all times be prolonged, this would appear to indicate that we’re having a look on the new desk provider eating place in Jurassic Park debuting in early 2027.
Thunder Falls Terrace had its enthusiasts, however I’m in truth fascinated by this venture and assume it is usually a internet sure. The inner of this eating place is beautiful neatly accomplished, and looks like one thing out of the actual Jurassic Park. If a little of effort is made and cash is spent “plussing” it, I may see this being a top-tier desk provider eating place in a actually cool surroundings!
Want shuttle making plans guidelines and complete recommendation on your discuss with to Central Florida? You should definitely learn our Common Orlando Making plans Information for the entirety about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney International Holiday Making plans Information for the entirety about the ones parks, lodges, eating places, and so a lot more.
Your Ideas
Have you ever see The Untrainable Dragon? Did you like that or Le Cirque Arcanus? Do you settle or disagree that it’s a 9/10 manufacturing? Positive that Epic Universe will in finding its footing and function at complete capability neatly prior to the tip of 2026? Agree or disagree with our overview? Any questions we will allow you to resolution? Listening to your comments—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas underneath within the feedback!
