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Universal Begins Major Overhaul of Jurassic Park River Adventure

Visible roof, animatronic and track work indicate the refurb aims to restore decades-old systems to extend the ride’s reliability.

Overview

  • The ride closed in early January for an extended refurbishment that Universal lists on its calendar with a planned reopening of November 20, 2026.
  • Late-June aerial and on-site photos show crews removing the entrance roof, replacing roofing at the Jurassic Outfitters gift shop, and applying new weatherproof sheathing to exterior walls.
  • Observers have documented track replacement, boats staged for testing, and mechanical work on pumps and piping inside the ride systems to address long-running reliability issues.
  • Animatronics are being serviced and upgraded, with the Ultrasaurus/Brachiosaurus neck and stegosaurus heads stripped to internal armatures and new character-animation work in progress.
  • Taken together, the visible projects amount to a broad overhaul of original 1999 elements intended to preserve the attraction and reduce the need for repeated closures in coming years.