Stardust Racers Reopens After Extended Closure at Universal’s Epic Universe

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Stardust Racers, the roller coaster at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe, reopened on March 25th after being closed since February. The reopening came after some delays and several weeks of inspections and maintenance. Universal Orlando explained the closure was part of their regular yearly inspection and maintenance routine.

Epic guests immediately got back in line for their chance to race among the stars.

Great news, everyone! I just checked the Universal Orlando app and Stardust Racers is back open! The wait time is currently 50 minutes, but it’s totally worth it! @UniversalORL

— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) March 25, 2026

Stardust Racers is a thrilling, dual-launch roller coaster in the Celestial Park section of Epic Universe. Riders will compete head-to-head on two separate, parallel tracks. It’s a key attraction and one of the park’s biggest thrills.

Recent Maintenance and Delays

The ride shut down on February 19, 2026, for scheduled maintenance and safety checks. Universal Orlando didn’t share many details about what the maintenance would involve, but these temporary closures for inspections are common for major attractions.

We originally thought the system would be down for a short time. But the date we could reopen kept changing over the next few weeks, and the closure ended up lasting into late March.

In early 2026, there were reports of problems with the attraction, but Universal hasn’t released many details. Because of this, it’s still not completely clear why it was closed for so long.

Context

It’s normal for new rides, particularly complicated roller coasters, to need some tweaks after they first open. Stardust Racers debuted with the opening of Epic Universe in 2025, so it’s still quite new.

However, Stardust Racers has had a rocky first year.

The main incident happened on September 17, 2025, when Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old rider, lost consciousness while on the coaster. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The autopsy showed he died from injuries caused by impact, and his death was ruled accidental.

The ride shut down right away after the incident so investigators could look into what happened. Police and state officials examined the situation surrounding the death. Universal Orlando said the ride was working correctly when it occurred. After all inspections and reviews were finished, the coaster reopened on October 4, 2025.

After the initial incident, several other park visitors filed lawsuits, claiming they were hurt while on the Stardust Racers ride. By December 2025, at least five lawsuits detailed serious and lasting injuries, such as brain trauma, neck problems, and nerve damage.

Great news for anyone who loves a fast-paced ride! As of March 25th, Stardust Racers is back up and running at Epic Universe. I was so bummed when it was temporarily closed, but it sounds like everything is smooth sailing now, and there aren’t any plans for further interruptions. I’m already planning my next visit!

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2026-03-27 00:56