MONDAY PARK UPDATE
Early December at Universal is that short window where the holidays are in full swing, but the true Christmas crush has not landed yet. Decorations are up, shows are running, and weekdays still have pockets of breathing room. This is a great week for people who want holiday atmosphere without full peak-season intensity, as long as you keep an eye on a few key closures and avoid letting rumors drive your planning.
Epic Universe’s flying dragon drones are still grounded
Remember those lifelike flying dragon drones Universal teased for the How To Train Your Dragon land at Epic Universe before opening? They still have not shown up in normal park operations, and fans have been asking why.
In a new Peacock documentary, producers explain that the dragons are running into some very real-world problems: bigger battery packs, more realistic wing motion, and, most importantly, noise. Right now, the prototype sounds closer to a helicopter than a dragon, and there is only one working untethered unit. The team is still committed to getting them flying, but they are not ready to unleash a whole flock over Isle of Berk yet.
Why this matters for your trip:
If you are visiting Epic Universe soon, you should not plan around seeing dragon drones in the sky. Think of them as a future bonus rather than a promised part of your 2025 visit. The land is still worth your time on its own.
Holiday Merch Drop
Super excited to announce this! I’ve always wanted park gear that feels less like merchandise and more like a souvenir you'd actually pick up inside the stories…like a vintage ad from a Hogsmeade shop window or a flyer for a swamp tavern.
So much merch you find out there on Etsy, or other shops feel a bit bland like “The Johnson’s 12th Annual Uni Trip” type of situation and I wanted some merch that subtly referenced rides or movies.
So, I finally sat down and designed the collection I’ve been waiting to wear myself; grab yours for 20% off with code BF2025!
Trees Cleared In Lost Continent Area: Replacement Rumors Heat Up
Recent photos show trees and foliage being cleared in parts of Universal’s Lost Continent, and fan sites are already speculating that this is early prep for a full replacement of the land. The coverage so far is based on visible site work and not on any official Universal announcement.
Right now, there is no confirmed new land theme, no timeline, and no public statement from Universal about what is coming next. This is a classic “we know something is happening, we do not know exactly what” situation.
Why this matters for your trip:
Do not cancel or delay a 2025 or early 2026 trip trying to line up with a hypothetical new land. Enjoy Lost Continent as it exists now if you like that space, and treat the site work as a sign that Universal is thinking long term about reshaping that corner of the park.
Looking ahead: 2026 refurb wave plus parties, dining and more
Here’s a handful of things worth having on your radar:
A major refurbishment is coming for the Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show starting January 5 2026, with a refreshed version later in the year.
Revenge of the Mummy will have a short January downtime in 2026.
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill is scheduled for a big refurbishment from January 12 through late 2026, which is a long stretch for a fan favorite.
Mardi Gras Dine & Ride packages are already on sale, and New Year’s Eve events at the hotels are officially up for booking.
Why this matters for your trip:
If you are planning a 2026 trip, especially a once-in-a-decade visit, know that next year has some pretty chunky refurb windows. It is not a reason to avoid 2026 entirely, but it is a reason to sanity check your dates against closure calendars before you lock in flights.
Trip tip:
If Finnegan’s is a “must” for your group, I would strongly consider visiting before early January or after late 2026. Otherwise, mentally detach from that tradition now and start scouting backup sit down options in the Studios park.
Crowd levels & park hours snapshot
Early December is still one of the better windows in the calendar before everything spikes for Christmas week.
This is one of the better weeks of the holiday season for balancing atmosphere with sanity. Crowds typically dip slightly right after Thanksgiving weekend before building again as schools move closer to winter break. Historical patterns line up with that, and the Holidays at Universal event runs consistently across this whole stretch.
Park hours this week
Date | Epic Universe | Islands of Adventure | Universal Studios FL | Volcano Bay | Crowd Level |
Mon, Dec 1 | 10 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | 10 AM – 5 PM | Slow |
Tue, Dec 2 | 10 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | 10 AM – 5 PM | Slow |
Wed, Dec 3 | 10 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 6 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | CLOSED | Slow |
Thu, Dec 4 | 10 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | CLOSED | Slow |
Fri, Dec 5 | 10 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | 10 AM – 5 PM | Slow |
Sat, Dec 6 | 10 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 8 PM | 9 AM – 8 PM | 10 AM – 5 PM | Slow |
Sun, Dec 7 | 10 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 8 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | 10 AM – 5 PM | Slow |
Mon, Dec 8 | 10 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM | CLOSED | Slow |
Strategy notes
If you do not have Express, treat rope drop as non negotiable. Early December is forgiving, but not empty, and those first two hours still do an outsized amount of work for your day.
Consider stacking Epic Universe on a weekday instead of Friday or Saturday. The new park has wild swings in crowds, and weekdays historically trend better.
Ride closures & refurbishments
Here is what actually affects you for early December 2025.
Hogwarts Express – one day closure
Hogwarts Express (King’s Cross and Hogsmeade stations) is scheduled to be closed December 3 2025 for a short refurbishment, then reopen December 4.
Impact: If you are doing a two-park day and were planning to park hop via the train on December 3, you will need to walk through CityWalk to switch parks that day. Build that extra time into your plan.
Volcano Bay – slide refurbishments and full park dark days
Honu and ika Moana (the twin raft slides in the Honu ika Moana complex) at Volcano Bay are closed for refurbishment from November 3 through December 18 2025.
On top of that, Volcano Bay itself is scheduled to be fully closed December 3 to 5 this week, with additional three day blocks later in December.
Permanent closures still catching people off guard
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida remains permanently closed as of August 18 2025, so do not plan on “squeezing it in later” on your trip.
How I would think about it if I were traveling this week
Avoid planning a Volcano Bay day for December 3, 4 or 5. If that was your only day slotted for water park time, it is worth seeing if you can slide it to the weekend or to the following week.
Keep an eye on Hogwarts Express on December 3 specifically. If you are on a very tight schedule that day, consider doing one park in depth rather than trying to hop.
If you have dates coming up in December and you are trying to decide how many days to give Epic Universe versus the original two parks, reply with your dates and your group’s energy level. I can help you think through how to split your time so you are not racing between three parks every day.
Talk soon,
Brad