🌎 This Week At Universal

Everything you need to know about Universal this week, in one place!

In this post you'll find:

• A coaster is closing down permanently

• January Passholder Bonus Benefits

• Epic Universe entrance sign gets installed

🗞️ Recent News

Rip Ride Rockit to close September 2025

Universal recently announced that Rip Ride Rockit will be closing in September of 2025. It will be replaced by a new attraction that has yet to be announced.

That area is now the Minions Land area so I wonder if we will see another Minion’s ride. Personally, I think 2 Minion rides is enough and I hope we see something new and exciting, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to stay consistent with the area it’s in.

January Passholder Bonus Benefits

From January 6 — 31, 2025 Universal will be celebrating it’s annual passholders with some exclusive offerings:

• Exclusive food and beverage offerings in the parks

• Exclusive food and beverage offerings at select UOR hotels

• New lanyard to commemorate the opening of Epic

• 40% off all UOR hotels on select dates

• Volcano Bay early park entry

• 35% off “My Universal Photos” annual package

Official signage goes up at Epic Universe entrance

The opening of Epic Universe is starting to feel real as we are beginning to see official signage pop up at the future entrance of Epic Universe!

If you’re unfamiliar with Epic Universe, it’s an entirely separate park that is not attached to the other two main parks. Here’s a helpful map to get a visual of where it is in relation to the main resort campus:

🚧 Upcoming Ride Closures

Some of these stretch out into 2025, but I know everyone plans their vacations at different times so it's good to have an extended view of what could be closed in the next 6 months.

Universal Studios Florida

• Hogwarts Express: January 28 – January 31, 2025

Islands of Adventure

• The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle

• Pteranodon Flyers

• Jurassic Park River Adventure: January 6, 2025 – January 23, 2025

• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges: February 1, 2025 – March 15, 2025

• Hogwarts Express: January 28 – January 31, 2025

Volcano Bay

• Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides – January 2 – February 13, 2025

• Puka Uli Lagoon – January 2 – February 13, 2025

Volcano Bay will also be closed select days (they are subject to change):

• December 31

• January: 8, 9, 13, 14, 22, 23, 27, & 28

• February: 5, 6, 10, 11, 18, 19, 24, & 25

☀️ Weather

For Floridians, this weather is a tad on the chilly side especially at night! For those traveling I would suggest a warm coat and sweatshirt for at night, it does get chilly when the sun goes down!

For during the day it will be relatively warm especially if you are in the direct sun, pack sunscreen if you’re sensitive to sunburn and look to wear clothes that are comfortable in the heat. Again, it does get chilly at night so be prepared to throw on a coat or sweatshirt!

👥 Crowds

The weeks surrounding the holidays are always quite busy. I wouldn’t expect crowds to mellow out until the second week of January. The rest of January is generally slow because everyone it back in school/work and it’s the lull between the holidays and mardi gras.

🍗 Restaurant Highlight

Finnegan’s Bar & Grill

This great restaurant is a traditional take on an Irish pub. It features authentic dishes like bangers and mash, sheperds pie, scotch eggs, and guiness beef stew.

My personal favorite are the scotch eggs which are delicious, but I haven’t had a bad meal here yet and if you can catch the live music it’s even better!

❓ Question of the week

Be prepared for him to want to do other things! I find that most people go in wanting to do one thing (harry potter, etc.) but once they see how awesome everything is they want to do way more, so be prepared for that!

My son is 3 and loves the Dreamworks Land area (especially the Dreamworks show) and the minion rides. Don’t sleep on E.T. either, it’s a classic ride with lots of practical effects and perfect for kids!

Jan 22 is a great day as it will likely be very slow and you won’t need Express Passes. Also, there is only one Simpsons ride and it is notoriously nausea inducing so maybe think about some Dramamine!

Transformers is a fun ride especially for kids! Don’t forget to check out the alley behind the transformers ride, next to Mel’s Drive-In where you can meet several Transformers in huge animatronic costumes and take photos with them for free!

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