UOR Rumor Tracker - Gotta Start Somewhere!

[HHN Maddux]

Hello all! Allow me to preface that if this thread is ultimately determined as unnecessary, please go ahead and lock/delete it, but I figured it'd be worth a shot to try and make a rumor tracker for Universal Orlando. Over on WDWMagic, Moth runs a very well put-together V5 rumor tracker for Disney World, and this will be taking some hints/inspiration from that (thank you again Moth for your hard work!). My apologies if this is a bit of a mess at first, first time ever putting something like this together!

Some ground rules:

• This will be using information/rumors from trusted insiders, not speculation or theories/assumptions.
• If you want to follow through and discuss further on any rumors, please use the link(s) provided for said rumor.
• Please correct me on any outdated information and/or provide newly updated information on any section.

WARP PIPE! Jump to...
Universal Studios Florida
Islands of Adventure
Epic Universe
In general/Resort-wide

 

[HHN Maddux]

Universal Studios Florida

New York

• Hollywood Rip Ride RockIt closed on August 18th, 2025, track is now fully demolished.
  • The replacement will likely be quite Furious. (Here)
  • And it may even open very Fast? (Here)
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon has new marquee signs on the way, likely not going away anytime soon. (Here)
  • If Fallon turns out undesirable, there's supposedly a Fallon-less backup ride film. (Here) and (here).
• Finnegan's Bar and Grill to close on January 12th, 2026 for major refurbishment, will reopen late 2026. (Here)
  • Will reportedly include a bigger kitchen, new bathrooms, and an outdoor bar window. (Here)
• Revenge of the Mummy got a major refurbishment in 2022, updated screens and general TLC.
  • With the announcement of The Mummy 4 (WITH BRENDAN FRASER RETURNING!), this is likely very safe.

San Francisco

• Supercharged, our favorite love-to-hate attraction.
  • With HRRR's replacement looking to be a F&F coaster, Supercharged is likely (hopefully, finally) next on the chopping block for USF.
  • Back to the Future? (Here)
  • "Refurb" might be coming sooner than you'd think! (Here, hi Moth!)
  • Although with HHN 35 codenames confirming F&F as a house location again, it might still be a bit. (Here)

World Expo

• Fear Factor Live never reopened from the COIVD-19 pandemic, has been used for HHN since but nothing else.
  • Can't find the comment, but at one point the long-rumored Potter VR broom attraction was eyeballed for here, before being moved to EU, then ultimately scrapped.
  • When EU was put into question during COVID, Ministry might've moved over here. (Here) and (here).
  • Could fit Waterworld... (Here)
• MIB has been receiving lots of TLC over the past two years, restored effects and animatronics.
  • When EU was put into question during COVID, Unchained might've moved in. (Here)

Springfield: Home of the Simpsons

• Ever since Disney's purchase of Fox, this area's future has been in question.
• Original contract was reportedly for 20 years.
• Contract renewed for 3 years? Maybe 5? (Here)
• Pokemon was likely slated for here... until it wasn't. (Here)
• Now your guess is as good as mine for what inevitably takes over here.

Hollywood

• E.T. Adventure ain't going anywhere.
  • Been receiving quite a lot of TLC over the past year!
• Horror Makeup Show to close on January 4th, 2026 for a reimagining and will reopen late 2026. (Here)
• Bourne isn't going anywhere. (Here)

 

[HHN Maddux]

Islands of Adventure

Toon Lagoon

• Whole area has been drifting in-and-out of the "will it, won't it" rumor mill for years. Currently no notable rumors about a retheme anytime soon.
• Toon Lagoon Theater remains completely unused for guests.
• Blondie's reopened after being closed most of 2025 with a new menu. (Here)
• Wossamatta U might be no more? (Here)
• Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls received some much-needed TLC in late 2022.

Skull Island

• Skull Island: Reign of Kong had its 3D removed in February 2024.
  • In better news though, it finally goes back outside! Thank you George!

Jurassic Park

• Pteranodon Flyers reopened in February 2025 after being down a year, OI meetup guests rejoice!
• River Adventure will be closing January 5th, 2026 for a much needed almost year-long overhaul! Will reopen November 19th, 2026.
  • And even better, word is updated dinosaur animatronics and intense refurb, while staying themed to Park! (Here)

The Lost Continent

• The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad closed in September 2018, with the theater left as-is since.
• Poseidon's Fury closed in May 2023 and left abandoned.
• For the longest time, the word was to expect Zelda here in the future.
• We have demolition permits! (Here)
• Uh oh.
• Pokemon?
• Pokemon.
• We have construction permits! (Here)
• Might wanna book a Mythos reservation while you still can.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Epic Universe

• IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!

Celestial Park

• Two new restaurants at the front in the building not being used. (Here)
  • Unless a miracle happens, opening in January? (Here)
• Enough room for flat rides in certain spots in the future.

Super Nintendo World

• Luigi's Mansion expansion eventually? (Here)
• Or Zelda? (Here)

Dark Universe

• Longest-standing rumor has been a Creature boat ride expansion at some point.
• Expansion pad has already been seeded. (Here)

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic

• Seems we have our lucky winner for Epic's first expansion! Here and here.
  
  • Some interesting new ride patents, one of which looks suspiciously like a flying broomstick.
  • 2028 opening?
• Great Hall at some point? (Here)

How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk

• We, my friends, have drones!
• Small expansion pad but from what I can find, no notable rumors as of now.

5th portal?

• A large expansion pad between MoM and Stardust, for a while was rumored to eventually have LotR.
• Perhaps now slated for something a bit more... Wicked?
• Waterworld......? Probably not, but go to 44:17.

 

[HHN Maddux]

In general/resort-wide

• Volcano Bay will close for a refurbishment on October 26th, 2026 and will reopen March 24th, 2027.
  • Demolition permits? The heck?
  • Tai Nu being torn out maybe? Has been closed since 2021.
• All the land that Universal bought around Epic Universe is enough for an entire south campus with a 4th theme park, 2nd water park, 2nd CityWalk and multiple hotels. (Here)
  • If or when Universal pulls the trigger on this? Who knows. Could be 10 years from now, could be 26 years.
• SeaWorld purchase? Almost certainly never.

 

[mccgavin]

The one thing I would add to this was that the HHN house permit "HELECOPTER" was filed for F&F, which likely suggests it will not be undergoing an extensive refurbishment/retheme at that time.

 

[Skold]

@Brian G. 's gonna be really pissed about five posts in a row.

 

[GA-MBIT]

@Brian G. 's gonna be really pissed about five posts in a row.

Lucky it's their birthday! They're probably off partying tonight. Should give this thread an extra few hours of life haha!