Universal Orlando’s highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park faced significant operational challenges on May 15, 2025, leading to numerous guests seeking refunds due to widespread ride closures.
A viral TikTok video captured the scene at the park’s Guest Services, where dozens of frustrated visitors waited in line to request compensation for their disrupted park experience. The closures affected several major attractions, including “Stardust Racers” and “Curse of the Werewolf,” both of which have been experiencing prolonged downtime.
Universal Previews Hit Rocky Roads
In response to the disruptions, Universal Orlando has been issuing refunds and offering return tickets to affected guests. Reports from social media platforms indicate that park staff have been accommodating refund requests, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the unexpected ride closures.
The timing of these operational issues is particularly concerning, as Epic Universe is in its final preview phase before the official grand opening scheduled for May 22, 2025. The park, which features themed lands such as Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, has been under scrutiny as guests question its readiness for full-scale operations.
@wizardshopper 5/15/2025 *Ministry of magic and churse of the werewolf planned closures *minecart madness closed all day with no prior announcement *stardust down for half the day because of filming *Hiccups consistently down with 2 hour waits *Meet toothless down half the day *lots of untrainable dragon show times cancelled. I got a comp ticket that can be used after 9/1 #epicuniverse #universalorlando #universalstudios
What Will Happen Next?
Universal Orlando has not released an official statement regarding the recent ride closures. As the grand opening approaches, the park faces mounting pressure to resolve these technical issues and restore guest confidence. For Universal to hand out refunds comes as a surprise to many who assumed that closures of this kind would be expected during the preview period. It seems that visitor demands have caused the park to reevaluate its refund policy and become more lenient due to these extreme circumstances.
For those planning to visit Epic Universe in the coming days, it is advisable to stay informed about ride availability and be prepared for potential changes to the park’s operational schedule. What do you think about these visitors wanting refunds? Let us know in the comments below!
