The opening of Epic Universe definitely stole the show for all the updates Universal Orlando experienced in 2025. While the updates pale in comparison, there’s some changes happening in the legacy parks and new additions you might notice on your next visit. Come take a walk around the parks with us as we look at some of what’s new in 2026!
CityWalk
Universal Legacy Store
The Universal Legacy Store is coming back to CityWalk after a short hiatus when it became the Epic Universe Preview Center. The Universal Legacy Store officially opens on Friday, April 24th and will feature merchandise and photo ops from classic films like Back to the Future, E.T, Jaws, and Universal Monsters.
Islands of Adventure
All Hallows Eve: Lost Emporium
The All Hallows Eve Boutique has relocated from The Lost Continent section of Islands of Adventure to Port of Entry. This is likely due to the closure of Poseidon’s Fury and the imminent construction coming to The Lost Continent. But don’t worry, All Hallows Eve: Lost Emporium still carries the same Halloween merchandise and fun props. You can even see a preview of Halloween Horror Nights 35th Anniversary merchandise featuring the first house announcement – Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control.
The Lost Continent Construction
Construction walls have finally gone up around Poseidon’s Fury which closed nearly 3 years ago. There’s still no obvious signs of construction or an announcement of what’s replacing the attraction.
Hogwarts Castle Construction
The Hogwarts Castle in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade is mostly behind scrim and scaffolding as updates are made to the exterior. This seems to be an expected refurbishment and not changes to the attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which is currently open.
Because of the construction, you can no longer access Hogsmeade from Jurassic Park. You must enter either from the Hogwarts Express or The Lost Continent.
Jurassic Park Construction
The Jurassic Park River Adventure closed back in January and will not re-open until November 20, 2026. The lengthy 11-month refurbishment is said to include updated show scenes and animatronics. With this lengthy of a closure, we can only hope for new dinosaurs and maybe scenes from the Jurassic World films.
Pteranodon Flyers is also closed until May 15th for scheduled maintenance, however, the rest of Camp Jurassic remains open.
Bread Cones at Jurassic Park
Islands of Adventure is getting in on the bread cone hype over at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel at Epic Universe. Pizza Predattoria is now serving two different filled bread cones both for $18.99 – Chicken Alfredo and Meatball Marinara.
Universal Studios Florida
New Sour Beer from Duff
Duff has an all-new, seasonal beer just in time for summer! The Duff Happy Sour is available both inside Moe’s Tavern and outside at the Duff Beer Garden. Duff Happy Sour is both light and tart with notes of guava.
Finnegan’s Construction
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill closed in January and is not expected to reopen until Winter 2026. The recent construction allows guests to see inside the restaurant which has been completely gutted. Hopefully these changes only mean additional capacity for the bar area that stays consistently packed.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Construction
The Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift rollercoaster construction continues with an opening coming sometime in 2027. All of the Rip Ride Rockit track and loading area have been completely removed but new construction is still in the works. The biggest change is that the corner of Gramercy Park near the entrance to Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon is completely walled off, changing the way you get from Jimmy Fallon to Revenge of the Mummy.
Likely unrelated, there is a large walled off section of the street near Music Plaza Stage, and a major thoroughfare of the park. The combination of all the construction walls really changes the feel of the Hollywood section of park and would bottleneck on a crowded day.
Universal Orlando definitely has big changes coming this year and in 2026. Hopefully more announcements are just around the corner like an update on The Lost Continent and details on seasonal events like Halloween Horror Nights.
And if change is hard for you… don’t worry, Mythos is still voted the “#1 theme park restaurant in the world”.
