Jurassic Park River Adventure
Closed: Jan 5, 2026 → reopens Dec 17, 2026 (extended refurbishment).
Source ↗Next 7 days of hours
- Sat, Oct 24 9 AM – 8 PM
- Sun, Oct 25 9 AM – 8 PM
- Mon, Oct 26 9 AM – 6 PM
- Tue, Oct 27 9 AM – 8 PM
- Wed, Oct 28 9 AM – 8 PM
- Thu, Oct 29 9 AM – 8 PM
- Fri, Oct 30 9 AM – 8 PM
What's closed or changing
Skull Island: Reign of Kong (modified ending)
Open, but changed: the King Kong animatronic was damaged during maintenance, so the ride runs with a modified ending. Universal hasn't given a timeline for the full finale.
Source ↗Hogwarts Express (both stations)
Closed one day: Wed, Nov 4, 2026 (reopens Nov 5). If a park-to-park day falls on Nov 4, walk between parks via CityWalk instead.
Source ↗Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges
Closing: Jan 4, 2027 → Feb 2, 2027
Source ↗Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Closing: Feb 8, 2027 → Feb 19, 2027
Source ↗Early entry and Express: who gets what
- Universal hotel guests: Early Park Admission up to 1 hour early at select attractions. Each person shows a hotel key card plus valid park admission. Universal hotels ↗
- Annual passholders: passholder Early Park Admission covers Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure (not Epic Universe): Premier passes on all dates, Preferred on select dates. Universal ↗
- Premier hotel Express Unlimited (Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific) works at participating rides here and at Universal Studios Florida for everyone in the room, but not at Epic Universe or Volcano Bay. Universal hotels ↗
Holidays: Grinchmas and Hogwarts Castle (Nov 14 – Jan 3)
Universal Orlando's holiday season runs Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027, included with park admission. At Islands of Adventure:
- Grinchmas in Seuss Landing: the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular stage show, a Grinch meet and greet and the Who-Ville Tree Lot.
- Christmas in Hogsmeade: holiday lights and décor plus The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, a nighttime projection show on the castle.
- Universal Holiday Tour (extra cost, select dates Nov 14 – Jan 2, needs a park-to-park ticket): reserved seating for the Grinchmas show, Grinch, Max and Santa meet and greets, and optional reserved parade viewing at Universal Studios Florida.
Ticket deals that include Islands of Adventure
- 3-Day, 3-Park promo ticket: one day each at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe within 7 consecutive days, from $99/day + tax, price varies by date. Not valid on Hogwarts Express; blockouts apply (including Dec 24, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027). Source ↗
- Florida residents: a special 3-Day ticket at $85/day ($255 + tax), one day at each of the three parks, usable through Dec 23, 2026. Online only; blockouts apply. Source ↗
Check which offers fit your dates in the deal finder.
Islands of Adventure FAQ
What are Islands of Adventure's hours?
Through Mon, Nov 30, 2026, Universal's calendar shows Islands of Adventure opening at 9 AM every day and closing between 6 PM and 9 PM, most often at 7 PM or 8 PM. Universal Orlando hotel guests can enter at 8 AM with Early Park Admission on every published day. Hours change; check Universal's official calendar before you go.
When does Jurassic Park River Adventure reopen?
Jurassic Park River Adventure has been closed since Jan 5, 2026 for a major refurbishment. Universal's schedule, as reported by Inside Universal, has it reopening on Dec 17, 2026. Refurbishment dates can change.
Is the King Kong animatronic back on Skull Island: Reign of Kong?
Not as of Oct 19, 2026. The ride is operating with a modified ending after the King Kong animatronic was damaged during maintenance, and Universal has not announced when the full finale returns.
Is the Hogwarts Express closing?
Only for one day: Hogwarts Express (both the Hogsmeade and King's Cross stations) is scheduled to be closed on Wed, Nov 4, 2026, reopening Nov 5.
Do annual passholders get Early Park Admission at Islands of Adventure?
Yes, depending on the pass. Passholder Early Park Admission covers Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure (not Epic Universe). Premier passholders get it on all dates; Preferred passholders on select dates.
Does free Express Unlimited from Premier hotels work at Islands of Adventure?
Yes. Universal Express Unlimited included with Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay and Loews Royal Pacific stays works at participating rides in Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, for everyone in the room. It does not work at Epic Universe or Volcano Bay.
When is Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure?
Universal Orlando's holiday season runs Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Grinchmas is in Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure (the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular stage show, meeting the Grinch and the Who-Ville Tree Lot), and Hogsmeade has The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle nighttime projection show. Both are included with park admission.
What closes at Islands of Adventure in early 2027?
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges is scheduled to close Jan 4 – Feb 2, 2027, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Feb 8 – 19, 2027, per the published refurbishment list we track.