In a significant development, Universal Orlando Resort’s Mine-Cart Madness ride at the new Epic Universe theme park has announced its closure for the entire day on May 7, 2025. This decision follows a series of delays and breakdowns that have affected the ride’s performance during its preview phase, raising concerns about its readiness for the upcoming grand opening.
Ongoing Technical Difficulties and Visitor Disappointment
Mine-Cart Madness, located in the Super Nintendo World section of Epic Universe, is designed as a family-friendly roller coaster that takes riders through Donkey Kong Country, where they protect the Golden Banana. However, despite the attraction’s innovative design and exciting premise, it has been plagued by technical issues since its soft opening.
The ride has seen numerous disruptions, including extended wait times of up to 240 minutes, with guests often left frustrated when the ride temporarily halted during the boarding process. Many visitors had hoped to enjoy the immersive experience of speeding through the jungle, but these operational difficulties have severely impacted their experience.
Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness will not operate today pic.twitter.com/wSInlLR3wQ
— Universal Parks News Today (@UniNewsToday) May 7, 2025
The May 7 Shutdown: A Reflection of Recurring Issues
The closure on May 7 is the latest in a series of breakdowns, continuing a pattern of technical setbacks that have left many guests disappointed. While Universal Orlando Resort has yet to specify the exact cause of the technical difficulties, the recurring nature of the issues raises doubts about the ride’s stability ahead of Epic Universe’s official opening on May 22, 2025.
Guests have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, with one commenting, “We waited over three hours only for the ride to shut down right before boarding.” The growing frustration is compounded by the uncertainty surrounding the attraction’s long-term reliability.
What’s Next for Mine-Cart Madness?
As Universal Orlando Resort works to iron out the kinks in Mine-Cart Madness, the park is encouraging visitors to check the Universal Orlando Resort app for real-time updates on ride availability. With Epic Universe’s official debut fast approaching, the resort will need to ensure that the ride is fully operational, offering a smooth and enjoyable experience for its first wave of visitors.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Epic Universe is still expected to open on time. The excitement surrounding the park remains high, with many eagerly anticipating the chance to explore attractions like Mine-Cart Madness. However, with these ongoing technical concerns, Universal Orlando Resort will need to address these issues quickly to deliver the immersive, magical experience guests have been promised.
For more updates on Mine-Cart Madness and the upcoming opening of Epic Universe, check out Universal Orlando Resort’s official website.
