Universal’s theme park division is facing tougher questions than usual after Comcast’s third-quarter 2026 earnings revealed a dip in performance. The company reported $2.6 billion in theme park revenue for the quarter, down 4.4% compared with the same period last year.
During the earnings call, Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong said demand for theme parks softened over the summer months. Co-CEO Mike Cavanagh gave a more candid assessment, conceding that rivals, Disney among them, “were quicker to anticipate and recognize softness in demand” and adjusted their approach accordingly. Cavanagh also pointed to “capacity challenges” at Epic Universe, the Universal Orlando Resort park that opened in May 2025.
A Capacity Fix Takes Shape in Dark Universe
Universal has already signaled at least one response to that pressure. Epic Universe will add a new indoor roller coaster to Dark Universe, built directly alongside Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Universal has not revealed the theming, ride system, or an opening date. Sharing the news on its official X account, Universal Orlando said, “Construction is underway, with an opening planned in the years ahead.”
Short-Term Closures on the Calendar
Before that expansion arrives, Dark Universe will lose its signature ride for several days. Universal’s official website lists Monsters Unchained as closed from December 11 through December 15, 2026, with no reason given.
The attraction takes guests inside Frankenstein Manor as Dr. Victoria Frankenstein attempts to harness the power of Universal’s classic monsters, and it has ranked among the park’s top draws since opening day. Its absence during the pre-holiday rush will disappoint guests who planned their trips around it.
Over in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Fyre Drill is also scheduled for downtime. The water-soaked boat ride will be closed November 9 through November 10, 2026, followed by a longer closure from January 25 through February 4, 2027.
Why Every Closure Matters Now
Epic Universe is made up of multiple lands: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park at its center. With Comcast leadership openly discussing demand and capacity, each attraction outage now draws closer attention than it might have a year ago.
Guests visiting between December 11 and December 15 should plan to experience Dark Universe without Monsters Unchained, while anyone heading to the Isle of Berk in late January or early February should leave Fyre Drill off their must-do list. Checking Universal’s official closures page before arriving is the safest move. Further out, the new coaster could help relieve crowding in one of the park’s busiest lands, though Universal has not confirmed when it will open.
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