Universal Orlando Sets Summer 2026 Shift to Later Hours and Nightlife as Epic Universe Crowds Persist
Universal is pivoting to evenings to spread demand.
Overview
- Universal Orlando, which outlined six changes Friday, is steering summer operations toward later nights instead of early rope drops.
- Epic Universe’s 2025 debut continues to draw heavy traffic across all parks, pushing the resort to extend hours and rebalance crowds.
- CityWalk will add outdoor movies, live music, and refreshed dining to keep guests on-site after park close.
- Jurassic Park River Adventure and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit remain closed, with Finnegan’s Bar & Grill under refurbishment and Men in Black: Alien Attack down June 1 to mid-June.
- Halloween Horror Nights begins August 28, creating late‑summer overlap that will shift wait times and planning strategies across the resort.