If you’re planning a winter trip to Universal Studios Japan for the coaster that sends you down the track backward, circle March 19. That’s the last day of Hollywood Dream – The Ride: Backdrop’s scheduled closure. Three other rides at the Osaka park are set to close temporarily in January 2027, and for 13 days, neither version of Hollywood Dream is scheduled to run.
As of November 3, Universal’s official attraction closure calendar also lists January shutdowns for Jurassic Park – The Ride, the forward-facing Hollywood Dream coaster, and The Flying Snoopy. Space Fantasy – The Ride carries an existing closure into 2027. The difference between a January 22 visit and a January 27 visit is which rides you’ll miss, and that can matter more than the total number listed on the calendar.
Universal Studios Japan’s 2027 Ride Closure Dates
Universal lists these ranges as closure periods. Count both dates when comparing them with your itinerary.
- Jurassic Park – The Ride: January 9–22, 2027
- Hollywood Dream – The Ride: Backdrop: January 22–March 19, 2027
- Hollywood Dream – The Ride: January 25–February 6, 2027
- The Flying Snoopy: January 26–28, 2027
- Space Fantasy – The Ride: Existing closure from June 2, 2025, through January 24, 2027
January 22 is the day Jurassic Park, Backdrop, and Space Fantasy overlap on the closure list. The forward-facing Hollywood Dream ride joins the list January 25, one day after Space Fantasy’s listed closure ends. By January 26, the group of affected rides changes again, with The Flying Snoopy joining both Hollywood Dream experiences through January 28.
Longtime fans may remember our coverage of Space Fantasy’s scheduled return in January 2025. That was a previous reopening. For this trip, use the current calendar entry, which puts the standard version of the indoor coaster on the closure list through January 24, 2027.
The Two Hollywood Dream Rides Share a 13-Day Closure
Universal’s Backdrop attraction guide describes a backward ride with a 43-meter drop. If you’re hoping to try it and then compare the drop facing forward, January 25 through February 6 is the stretch to avoid. Moving your visit to mid-February gets you past the forward ride’s listed closure, but Backdrop is still scheduled to be down.
We’ve covered how Osaka uses music to change a familiar coaster before, including Space Fantasy’s limited-time Zedd overlay. The music matters here, too. Universal’s 25th-anniversary attraction guide lists the anniversary versions of both Hollywood Dream rides through March 30. If you want Backdrop with its anniversary soundtrack, March 20–30 is the window where the published calendars line up. Check both listings before planning a trip around it.
What to Check Before Paying for Express Pass
Universal says it will sell Express Pass at its regular price during the listed maintenance. The closure notice directs guests toward other eligible attractions when a selection is out of operation, with an exception for time-designated attractions. The park’s Express Pass guide says advance passes are valid on the date printed and apply to the attractions designated by the pass.
That makes the individual package worth reading before you pay. Our coverage of Donkey Kong Country’s opening included an Express Pass tied to Mine Cart Madness and entry to the land. If Nintendo is your backup plan while Hollywood Dream is down, check the package sold for your own visit date to see which ride and entry benefits it actually includes.
For a mixed-age group, it helps to ask what each person would actually use. If one person is paying for a pass mainly for coasters and another wants time in Super Nintendo World, the same package may have different value for each of them. Compare the remaining rides and any assigned times before committing, especially if you also want to leave room for a meal or a show.
How to Plan Around a Fixed Osaka Date
If your flights are booked and you’ve only got one park day, build a backup around what you wanted from the ride you’ll miss. For a movie-themed boat ride, check the schedule for JAWS. Our look at the update to Osaka’s JAWS attraction gives fans of the former Orlando ride a look at Universal’s version in Japan. For a coaster, Mine Cart Madness is another experience to check for your date.
If you can move your park day within the trip, look at operating hours alongside the attraction list. As our previous coverage of Universal Studios Japan’s November hours illustrates, the amount of time you’ll have in the park depends on the date. Use the hours for your actual visit when comparing how much you can fit into each day.
Universal says the closure schedule can change without notice. Pull it up before buying a dated ticket or add-on, then check again close to your visit. If Backdrop is the ride you’d build the whole day around, March 19 is the date to keep checking.
