Universal Orlando Resort has had another busy week, with Halloween Horror Nights officially getting underway, new ticket offers for Epic Universe, additional dates announced for Universal Nights and the confirmation that one of Universal Studios Florida’s longest-running attractions will soon close permanently.

With Universal continuing to settle into the new era created by the opening of Epic Universe, there is plenty happening across the resort. Here is everything you need to know from the past seven days.

Animal Actors to close after more than 35 years

One of the biggest announcements of the week concerns Animal Actors on Location! at Universal Studios Florida.

Universal has confirmed that the attraction will close permanently following its final performance on 2nd November 2026.

The show has been entertaining guests since Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990, making it one of the original attractions at the park. Over the years, Animal Actors has become something of a nostalgic favourite, particularly for guests who remember visiting Universal Orlando during its earlier years.

Although the closure will undoubtedly disappoint long-time visitors, Universal has indicated that the space will eventually be used for something new.

The announcement is also another indication of the continuing evolution of Universal Studios Florida. The park has undergone significant changes over recent years, with older attractions being replaced or reimagined as Universal looks to keep its original theme park competitive alongside Islands of Adventure and the much newer Epic Universe.

For now, guests still have the opportunity to see the show before its final performance later this year.

Halloween Horror Nights 35 officially begins

Halloween has arrived at Universal Orlando, with Halloween Horror Nights 35 now underway at Universal Studios Florida.

This year’s event features 10 haunted houses alongside scare zones, live entertainment, themed food and merchandise, continuing Universal Orlando’s long-running reputation for one of the biggest Halloween events in the theme park industry.

The event runs on select nights through 1st November, meaning visitors heading to Universal Orlando over the next two months will need to take the evening event into account when planning their park days.

Halloween Horror Nights also brings some operational changes to Universal Studios Florida, with the park closing to daytime guests before reopening for the separately ticketed event.

For fans of the event, the start of HHN 35 marks the beginning of one of the busiest periods on the Universal Orlando calendar.

Universal Nights gets more dates at Epic Universe

Universal has also added three additional dates for Universal Nights at Epic Universe.

The after-hours event is a relatively new addition to Universal Orlando’s entertainment offering and gives guests the opportunity to experience Epic Universe after the normal operating day.

The decision to add more dates is particularly notable given that Epic Universe is still establishing itself as part of the wider Universal Orlando Resort.

Rather than relying solely on traditional daytime admission, Universal is increasingly using special events and premium experiences to give guests additional reasons to visit the new park.

For guests looking for a quieter or more exclusive way to experience Epic Universe, Universal Nights could become an increasingly important part of the resort’s event calendar.

New three-day ticket puts Epic Universe into the mix

Universal also introduced a new limited-time three-day ticket option this week covering Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe.

For Florida residents, the new offer starts at $85 per day.

While the headline price is specifically associated with the Florida Resident promotion, the bigger story is the continued push to encourage guests to visit all three of Universal Orlando’s main theme parks.

The opening of Epic Universe fundamentally changed the way many visitors plan a Universal holiday. A trip that previously centred around two parks can now easily require several days, particularly for guests who want to experience the full range of attractions at Epic Universe.

The new ticketing strategy gives Universal another way to encourage multi-day visits and, importantly, helps position Epic Universe as an essential part of a wider Universal Orlando holiday rather than a standalone addition.

September brings shorter park hours

Guests visiting Universal Orlando this month should also be aware that operating hours are being reduced across the resort during September.

Shorter hours are not unusual during a quieter period of the year, but they are particularly important at this time because of the impact of Halloween Horror Nights on Universal Studios Florida’s schedule.

Visitors planning a September trip should therefore check the official operating hours before travelling and pay close attention to the distinction between daytime park admission and separately ticketed evening events.

For anyone trying to fit Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe into a short holiday, the reduced hours could make planning more important than usual.

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges heading for refurbishment

There is also further refurbishment news for Islands of Adventure.

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is scheduled to close for refurbishment beginning in January 2027.

The water ride is one of Islands of Adventure’s most recognisable attractions and is famous for leaving guests absolutely soaked, making its refurbishment particularly relevant for anyone planning a winter visit.

The closure is part of a wider programme of maintenance and refurbishment taking place across Universal Orlando as the resort continues to operate its established parks alongside the enormous investment represented by Epic Universe.

Universal Orlando continues to evolve

Taken together, this week’s announcements demonstrate just how much change is taking place at Universal Orlando.

The resort is now operating in a very different environment following the arrival of Epic Universe. Universal has four major theme parks competing for guests’ time, while the original parks continue to receive new attractions, refurbishments and replacements.

The closure of Animal Actors is a particularly good example of that transition. An attraction that dates back to Universal Studios Florida’s opening era is now making way for the next chapter of the park.

At the same time, Universal is actively promoting Epic Universe through new ticket options and after-hours events, while Halloween Horror Nights provides another major seasonal draw for visitors.

For Universal Orlando fans, there is unlikely to be much of a quiet period ahead.

With Halloween Horror Nights now underway, further attraction changes on the horizon and Universal continuing to develop its post-Epic Universe strategy, the next few months should bring plenty more news from the resort.

For anyone planning a Universal Orlando holiday, keeping up with these changes will be increasingly important. Attractions can close, operating hours can change and new experiences can appear, sometimes within the space of a single holiday season.

One thing is certain: Universal Orlando is still very much in the middle of its latest transformation.