One of the biggest thrill rides at Universal Epic Universe will stay closed longer than originally planned.
Stardust Racers, the high-speed dueling coaster inside Celestial Park, has had its reopening date pushed back once again. The attraction was previously scheduled to reopen on March 14, but Universal Orlando Resort’s website now lists April 5 as the earliest return date.
The ride first closed on February 19 for a maintenance window that was expected to last only a few days. At the time, the attraction was set to reopen on February 22. Instead, the timeline changed multiple times. The reopening date was first moved to February 28, then to March 14, and now into early April.
Since opening with Epic Universe in May, Stardust Racers has served as one of the park’s centerpiece attractions. The ride launches guests twice and sends them racing along a track that reaches more than 60 mph and rises 133 feet above the ground.
The coaster sits within a park filled with new themed lands, including experiences inspired by The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, and Dark Universe.
Although Epic Universe continues drawing large crowds, Stardust Racers has remained a frequent topic of discussion following a serious incident last year.
In September 2025, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, lost consciousness while riding Stardust Racers during a visit to the park with his girlfriend. Emergency personnel responded when the ride returned to the station, and Zavala was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Universal Orlando Resort President and COO Karen Irwin said the attraction had been operating “as intended” at the time.
Investigations from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office ultimately concluded the death was accidental with no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. A medical examiner determined the cause of death was multiple blunt impact injuries. According to CNN, Zavala suffered several injuries including fractures, bruising, and a head wound.
His family retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who called for transparency regarding the ride. “A man died after boarding a ride that should have been safe. We will hold all responsible parties to account … We will demand full transparency,” Crump said.
Universal later confirmed the matter had been resolved, telling Click Orlando: “This matter has been amicably resolved. The family has asked for privacy at this time.” The coaster has also been tied to another legal case.
“A North Carolina woman filed a lawsuit Thursday claiming she sustained ‘severe and permanent injuries' after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe,” Click Orlando wrote last year. “Debbie Reinelt alleges that she required medical care after experiencing dizziness, headache, and nausea following her ride on May 5 during previews of the new theme park, which officially opened about two weeks later.”
Reinelt’s lawsuit claims her head was “violently shaken” during the ride. The complaint does not reference Zavala or the fatal incident. As the extended closure continues, the situation surrounding Stardust Racers remains a closely watched topic among theme park fans and industry observers.
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