Epic Universe, Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, marks the company’s fourth park and first major expansion in eight years. The park was expected to become one of Universal’s most impressive additions, positioned to rival giants like Walt Disney World, but instead, it became the center of a devastating tragedy. 

In September, a man died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe. Medical examiners confirmed his cause of death to be the result of multiple blunt impact injuries. 

Although a comprehensive review by Universal determined that the ride was functioning properly at the time of the incident, it still decided to temporarily shut it down.

However, the roller coaster reopened on October 4 after nearly a month of closure, with Universal stating it would update and reanalyze park procedures to improve safety.

“Safety, as always, is our top priority,” said Universal Orlando President Karen Irwin in a letter to staff. “To further assist guests in determining whether they can or cannot ride an attraction, we are updating operational procedures and attraction signage to reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements at Stardust Racers and other rides.”

The family’s attorney criticizes the ride reopening

Attorney Ben Crump, representing the deceased rider’s family, disagrees with the reopening of the Stardust Racers roller coaster and criticized Universal’s decision, calling it premature and unsafe while the case remains under active investigation.

“Reopening the ride before our experts can examine every component is unadulterated spoliation of evidence, a grave risk to public safety, and puts profit over people’s lives. Universal reportedly told employees the ride functioned as intended. If that is accurate, then the design itself is deadly,” said Crump in a statement.

Related: Universal Studios Orlando demolishes entire theme park land

“We are demanding that Universal pause the reopening, preserve all evidence, and allow our experts to inspect it,” he added. “If they refuse, we will address Universal’s callous actions in court.”

Court records also show a separate lawsuit filed on April 30 by another park visitor who claimed her head shook violently and she was slammed into the seat while riding Stardust Racers.

Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe reopens after tragic death. 

Image source: Orlando Sentinel/Getty Images

Universal updates its ride safety and accessibility guide after deadly incident

Comcast-owned  (CMCSA)  Universal Orlando updated its Safety and Accessibility Guide on October 4, 2025, the same day Stardust Racers reopened. The guide now highlights that the roller coaster is a high-speed attraction with sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, an inversion, and dropping.

Stardust Racers reaches up to 62 mph, climbs 133 feet, and spans 5,000 feet of track. 

Riders must be at least 40 inches tall and meet strict physical eligibility requirements, including the ability to independently:

• Maintain an upright position and support their torso, neck, and head during sudden and dramatic movements;
• Brace their body with at least one natural upper extremity;
• Have both natural legs terminating below the ankle (no prosthetic limbs are permitted); and
• Walk independently if using a mobility device, as transfers to the ride vehicle require it.

While Universal has removed the previous guide from its website, reports indicate that the deceased rider had a disability and used a wheelchair. Authorities haven’t yet confirmed whether his disability played a role in the incident.

Universal unveils expansion plans

At the Bank of America 2025 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference, Universal Parks and Resorts CEO Mark Woodbury revealed Epic Universe has already exceeded expectations, driving attendance and guest spending. 

Woodbury also discussed plans for Epic Universe’s future expansion, including developing a new theme park and resort project in the UK, and continuing to invest across its three existing Orlando theme parks.

“There are multiple attractions in the works, not just at Epic, but when you have the three parks, the cadence of product delivery across the resort to continue to drive the resort is really a key part of our strategy going forward,” said Woodbury at the conference.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, Universal’s Content and Experiences division grew 6% year-over-year, led by Universal Orlando Resort and the successful opening of Epic Universe. The theme parks alone saw revenue increase by nearly 19%.

However, the company now faces growing scrutiny over its safety measures. 

As Universal continues its expansion plans, it might have to divert part of its investments toward strengthening ride safety protocols and guest protection, a commitment it publicly made after the tragic incident.

Related: Universal Resorts is opening a new theme park, not in Orlando