Universal Studios Japan is currently facing an unsettling number of indefinite attraction closures, leaving visitors wondering when, or if, many of their favorite rides will ever reopen.
While temporary closures for maintenance and refurbishment are a common aspect of theme park operations—ensuring attractions remain in top condition and continue to provide high-quality experiences—Universal Studios Japan has taken this to another level with multiple major attractions closed for extended periods, some for years.
Credit: Universal Studios Japan
As of now, over half a dozen rides and experiences are shut down with no reopening date in sight, adding to a growing frustration among visitors. The following attractions are among those listed as indefinitely closed:
- Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic
- Shrek’s 4-D Adventure
- Snoopy’s Sound Stage Adventure
- Jurassic Park – The Ride
- Wand Studies
- Ernie’s Rubber Duckie Race
- Sesame’s Big Drive
- Universal Spectacle Night Parade: The Best of Hollywood
While some of these closures date back to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, like Ernie’s Rubber Duckie Race and Sesame’s Big Drive, others have extended far beyond any initial expectations. Jurassic Park – The Ride closed for a significant refurbishment in September 2023, and Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic and Shrek’s 4-D Adventure are slated for indefinite closure starting January 2025.
The indefinite closures aren’t limited to the above list. Attractions like JAWS, Hollywood Dream – The Ride, and Elmo’s Go-Go Skateboard are also set for temporary closures in 2025, signaling that the disruptions at the park aren’t going to end anytime soon.
While some of these closures made sense during the pandemic, when social distancing and reduced crowd sizes were a necessity, the long-term shuttering of these attractions is becoming harder to justify.
Universal Studios Japan – which recently opened a new land, Donkey Kong Country – is currently the most visited theme park in the country, attracting roughly 16 million visitors in 2024, surpassing Tokyo Disneyland for the second consecutive year. With such high attendance, the park’s decision to keep attractions closed indefinitely in the face of post-pandemic recovery, staffing shortages, and budget cuts raises questions about the future direction of the park.
For visitors hoping to experience Universal Studios Japan’s full range of attractions, these extended closures are a growing source of disappointment. The park’s reputation for high-energy, immersive experiences seems to be increasingly undermined by its failure to bring back beloved rides, leaving many to wonder when—and if—they’ll ever reopen.
