Universal’s Unforeseen Ride Shutdown Could Lead To Attendance Drop

Theme park closures are a necessary evil. Rides need upkeep, and while that means temporary shutdowns, it's all in the name of keeping the thrills safe and the experience seamless. But when those closures stretch on longer than expected, fans start to get restless.

Universal Studios Japan just threw a curveball at visitors by extending the downtime for two of its beloved attractions. According to an update on the park’s official X, formerly known as Twitter, account, Hollywood Dream – The Ride will now remain closed until March 4, while its backward-riding counterpart, Hollywood Dream – The Ride: Backdrop, won’t reopen until March 23, 2025.

The news doesn’t stop there. JAWS, a staple of the park and the last fully operational version of the ride in the world (the version at Universal Studios Hollywood is more an experience than a ride), is now set to close from April 8 to April 25, 2025. Fans of the iconic shark encounter will need to plan their visits accordingly.

USJ 1 reports that Hollywood Dream – The Ride’s extended closure will likely impact attendance, especially among younger visitors.

Translated from Japanese by
[Notice of change in suspension period]
Hollywood Dream – The Ride will be closed until March 4th (Tuesday), and Jaws will be closed from April 6th (Sunday) to April 28th (Monday).

【休止期間変更のお知らせ】
ハリウッド・ドリーム・ザ・ライドの休止期間を3/4(火)まで延長、ジョーズの休止期間を4/6(日)-4/28(月)に変更します

2/19(水)までに対象ユニバーサル・エクスプレス・パスをご購入の方は以下をご確認くださいhttps://t.co/iU8Q3YNcDs

ご理解のほどよろしくお願いします

— ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン公式 (@USJ_Official) February 21, 2025

The park is already juggling multiple indefinite closures, including Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic, Shrek’s 4-D Adventure, Snoopy's Sound Stage Adventure, Wand Studies, Ernie's Rubber Duckie Race, Sesame's Big Drive, and Universal Spectacle Night Parade: The Best of Hollywood.

For Universal, extended closures aren’t unheard of. The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal Orlando Resort was previously out of commission for nearly a year for a major refurbishment. Disney has done the same, with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad currently closed until 2026 and Test Track undergoing an extensive revamp.

With no word on why Hollywood Dream – The Ride’s closure has been extended, visitors will just have to sit tight and hope for a smooth reopening. In the meantime, there’s still plenty to do—just maybe not from the front row of a high-speed coaster.

What's your favorite Universal roller coaster?