Universal Orlando Resort has extended the temporary closure of the Stardust Racers roller coaster for the third time, at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida. The attraction will now remain closed through April 5, 2026.
If the current schedule holds, the ride could reopen on April 6 after Easter and the major spring break peak season.
Closure Timeline
Stardust Racers first closed on February 19, 2026. Universal initially scheduled the attraction to reopen on February 22 after a short refurbishment. The reopening date later moved to February 28. Another update pushed the reopening to March 15, this coming Sunday.
A sign noting that Stardust Racers at Epic Universe is closed – Photo Credit: That Park Place
In March, Universal extended the closure again. The ride is now scheduled to remain closed through April 5. If that timeline remains unchanged, the refurbishment will last about six weeks.
It’s not unusual for ride refurbishments to go longer than expected. However, having to change the reopening date several times may be indicative the work needed was more extensive than previously thought.
Universal Explains Why Closure Was Extended
Universal has now provided an official explanation for the extended closure. In a statement, the company said, “Stardust Racers is undergoing its first annual planned inspection and maintenance process. We are efficiently completing the work all at once and are also making additional capacity and throughput enhancements, which is extending the temporary closure period.”
Universal Orlando has shared a statement on the Stardust Racers closure, saying the coaster is undergoing is first annual inspection and that “additional capacity and throughput enhancements” are being made. pic.twitter.com/4SUtcc9Zpc
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) March 12, 2026
That statement is notable because it frames the extended downtime not simply as a delay, but as part of a broader effort to inspect, maintain, and improve the attraction at the same time. In other words, Universal is signaling that the closure is tied not only to routine upkeep, but also to efforts aimed at increasing ride efficiency and guest flow once Stardust Racers reopens.
Attraction Background
Stardust Racers sits in Celestial Park, the central hub area of Universal Epic Universe. The roller coaster opened with the park in May 2025. The ride uses a dual-launch design with two tracks. Both trains depart at the same time and travel through separate layouts before returning to the station. According to the backstory of Stardust Racers, the attraction depicts the residents of Celestial Park racing through the sky on comets. Each train features a flux capacitor at the rear, suggesting that Back to the Future’s Doc Brown may have helped build the ride’s fictional technology.
Concept art of Stardust Racers in Celestial Park at Universal’s Epic Universe
The coaster was built by Mack Rides, a German roller coaster manufacturer.
Stardust Racers is one of the park’s largest attractions. Its closure temporarily removes a major ride from the park’s lineup.
Earlier Operational Issues
In the less than one year of the park and attraction’s unveiling, Stardust Racers has experienced several interruptions.
The coaster also closed in September 2025 after a guest died following a ride cycle. The guest, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers on September 17, 2025. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where doctors later pronounced him dead.
Stardust Racers at Epic Universe – Photo Credit: That Park Place
An autopsy conducted by the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Zavala died from multiple blunt-force injuries. Officials ruled the manner of death accidental.
Local authorities and state regulators reviewed the incident. Investigators from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services examined the attraction and its operating procedures. Universal Orlando also conducted an internal review. Both reviews determined that the coaster’s mechanical systems functioned properly during the ride cycle.
The investigation included inspections by Mack Rides, the attraction’s manufacturer, along with an independent roller coaster engineering expert. Those evaluations did not find evidence of equipment malfunction or operator error.
A test seat for Stardust Racers in Universal’s Epic Universe – Universal Orlando App
Stardust Racers remained closed for more than two weeks while investigators reviewed ride data and operational procedures connected to the incident.
Universal Orlando reopened the attraction on October 4, 2025, after completing inspections and consultations with regulators and the ride manufacturer. The company also updated certain safety and accessibility guidelines for several attractions following the review process.
Other Incidents
Another legal case connected to Stardust Racers was filed in September 2025 by a park guest who claimed she suffered injuries while riding the attraction during the preview period earlier in the year. The complaint alleged that the rider’s head was shaken violently during the ride, causing physical injuries and other damages.
Court records show the case was settled privately just days after it was filed, and a notice of settlement was submitted to the court shortly afterward. The terms of the agreement were not made public.
Stardust Racers at Epic Universe – Photo Credit: Universal Orlando
Several additional lawsuits related to alleged rider injuries were filed against Universal and ride manufacturer Mack Rides in December 2025. Those cases involve different plaintiffs and claims about injuries sustained on the coaster.
More recently in January 2026, strong winds caused trains to stall in a section of track known as a valley, a dip in the track from which the trains could not come out once stopped. Crews later used a crane to remove the trains from the track. The ride closed temporarily while teams completed recovery work.
Impact on Guests
The extended closure comes during the spring travel period in Central Florida. Attendance typically rises during March and early April due to school breaks.
Without Stardust Racers operating, visitors may encounter longer wait times at other attractions. Guests planning to visit the park in the coming weeks may want to check the official operating calendar for updates.
Night Time Fireworks in Celestial Park and the Helios Grand Hotel at Epic Universe in Universal Orlando – Photo Credit: NBC Universal
But with as many lawsuits and incidents have already occurred, will guests be excited to give Stardust Racers another try after the most recent closure?
What do you think of the Stardust Racers closure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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