Overview
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure stopped accepting Express Pass and moved to standby-only access effective July 1, 2026, so every rider must join the regular queue.
- Universal expanded Epic Universe ticketing to add multi-day and park-to-park packages that include the new park, giving guests more flexibility to spread visits across multiple days.
- Volcano Bay is slated to close for an extended refurbishment from October 26, 2026, through about April 1, 2027, removing the water park from many fall and winter vacation plans.
- Halloween Horror Nights parking rules changed so standard self-parking fees remain in effect until 2:00 a.m., meaning late arrivals can no longer avoid the charge.
- Universal updated Photo Validation language that signals possible use of facial-recognition checks at Epic Universe land portals when Virtual Line return times are used, a preparedness step that is not yet a universal requirement.