CONFIRMED: Popular Universal Orlando Ride Will Close For Almost a Year

By Robin Burks Leave a Comment

Okay, so we know a lot of folks are planning trips to Universal Orlando for 2026 — and we get it. Maybe you waited for the initial excitement of Epic Universe’s grand opening to quiet down so you can visit Universal’s new park without as many crowds (although we expect to see crowds in Epic Universe for a while).

Jurassic Park River Adventure

Or maybe you’re just skipping Disney World because of all the construction and opting for a Universal Orlando vacation instead, which is also totally understandable. However, if you WILL be visiting Universal Orlando in 2026, you’ll need a heads up about one popular ride: Jurassic Park River Adventure will be closed for most of the year.

According to the Universal Orlando website, Jurassic Park River Adventure, which is located in Universal Islands of Adventure, will close on January 5th, 2026, and won’t reopen until November 19th, 2026, which is 10 months later. It seems that the ride is in for a lengthy refurbishment.

©Universal

Jurassic Park River Adventure is a water ride with a Jurassic Park theme that sends riders on a raft adventure where they face a gigantic T. rex. In order to escape her, you have to take an 85-foot plunge that will probably get you soaked.

Jurassic Park River Adventure

For those still craving a water ride during Jurassic Park River Adventure’s closure, there’s always Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, which offers a similar log flume ride experience, and Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, which is a river rapids ride. Also, the rest of the Jurassic Park area of the ride will remain open, including Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Pteranodon Flyers.