Summer is well underway at Universal Orlando with tons of new and exciting updates that you may or may not know about. If your Summer plans include a visit to the parks, here’s what you should know.
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Some attractions go through scheduled maintenance and refurbishment closures throughout the year. One in particular that could affect your park visit this Summer is Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure.
This popular water flume ride based off the 1993 blockbuster movie Jurassic Park has been closed since January 2026 for a major overhaul. The thrilling drop and big splash finale is a fan favorite and will be missed on hot park days this Summer. Jurassic Park River Adventure is scheduled to reopen November 19, 2026.
Men in Black: Alien Attack
Men in Black: Alien Attack was reopened on June 17th after a short maintenance/refurb closure that started on June 1st.
Summer 2026 is the perfect time to test your skills against some of the galaxy’s worst alien threats and earn your Galaxy Defender title on Universal Orlando’s most popular skill based attraction.
Mega Movie Parade
The Universal Mega Movie Parade is back for the Summer. This daytime event is held at Universal Studios Florida and features 13 giant floats, lots of talented performers and familiar characters from notable films like E.T., Jurassic World, Back to the Future and Jaws.
Parade show times may vary by day, especially depending on weather but it typically starts at 7pm. It runs from June 5th through August 23rd, ending just in time for the start of HHN 35 the following week.
The Summer Music Series
The Summer Music Series at CityWalk Waterfront kicks off June 20th – August 15th on Saturdays. A single band performs three 45 minute sets a night. Each set is scheduled at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm.
The themes for each concert date are as follows:
June 20 – Women in Music Night
June 27 – Broadway Night
July 4 – Legends of Rock Night
July 11 – Boy Band Night
July 18 – Throwback Night
July 25 – Latin Night
August 1 – EDM Night
August 8 – Motown Night
August 15 – Country Night
This is a great way to unwind from a long day at the parks or after work. Another important and helpful note to remember is that self-parking is FREE after 6pm and no park ticket is required for entry to CityWalk.
Red(t)ro Nights
Red(t)ro Nights at CityWalk’s Red Coconut Club kicked off May 8 and runs through July 18, 2026. Every Wednesday – Sunday you can travel back on a musical journey through time as the DJ spins retro bangers from the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s all night.
This two level night club has multiple bars plus indoor and outdoor seating. The vibe is undeniably retro with neon lights and bold, colorful decor at every turn.
Red(t)ro Nights at the Red Coconut Club runs 6pm – midnight.
Universal Celestial Goodnight
Universal recently announced a brand new nightly show coming to Epic Universe called Universal Celestial Goodnight.
This will be more than just any old fountain show. The theme celebrates the exciting adventures of all five lands of Epic Universe. Imagine a mesmerizing display of brilliant LED lights, choreographed dancing water jets, and a gripping soundtrack that ends with a captivating fireworks show. I haven’t seen it yet but it sounds breathtaking, especially with the Helios Grand Hotel as the backdrop.
Celestial Goodnight begins July 7, 2026 inside Celestial Park and the start time will likely fall in line with the park’s closing time.
The Lost Continent
One of the biggest changes at Universal Orlando that will affect your Summer visit is happening at Islands of Adventure. The Lost Continent is officially closed and phased demolition is well underway to begin construction on a brand new themed land.
The demolition is much further along than the footage shows in this video. As of June 2026 nothing remains of the Sinbad Theater. It was closed permanently back in 2018.
The Poseidon waterfall stopped flowing in May 2026 around the time Mystic Fountain closed. Construction walls were installed around the entire area transforming the once vibrant, exotically themed landscape into a mere walkway to the Village of Hogsmeade.
Every storefront and quick service restaurant has closed except for Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House. Currently Mythos restaurant is the only other place accessible inside the Lost Continent.
There’s still time to enjoy Mythos Restaurant since it’s scheduled to close permanently in 2027. This restaurant comes highly rated with rave reviews and it’s no surprise it will be sorely missed. My favorite menu item is the Spanokapita dip, a must have every time!
So many rumors have circulated about what will replace the Lost Continent. Right now speculation leans heavily toward Pokémon but it wasn’t that long ago Legend of Zelda held as a top contender so who knows.
Universal wastes no time with park construction and enhancements so whatever is in store for this section of the park will no doubt be well worth the wait.
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