Epic Universe, Common Orlando Resort’s latest theme park, marks the corporate’s fourth park and first main enlargement in eight years. The park was anticipated to grow to be one among Common’s most spectacular additions, positioned to rival giants like Walt Disney World, however as a substitute, it turned the middle of a devastating tragedy.
In September, a person died after driving the Stardust Racers curler coaster at Epic Universe. Health workers confirmed his explanation for loss of life to be the results of a number of blunt impression accidents.
Though a complete evaluate by Common decided that the journey was functioning correctly on the time of the incident, it nonetheless determined to quickly shut it down.
Nevertheless, the curler coaster reopened on October 4 after almost a month of closure, with Common stating it will replace and reanalyze park procedures to enhance security.
“Security, as at all times, is our prime precedence,” stated Common Orlando President Karen Irwin in a letter to workers. “To additional help company in figuring out whether or not they can or can’t journey an attraction, we’re updating operational procedures and attraction signage to strengthen current journey warnings and bodily eligibility necessities at Stardust Racers and different rides.”
The household’s lawyer criticizes the journey reopening
Legal professional Ben Crump, representing the deceased rider’s household, disagrees with the reopening of the Stardust Racers curler coaster and criticized Common’s choice, calling it untimely and unsafe whereas the case stays underneath energetic investigation.
“Reopening the journey earlier than our consultants can look at each part is unadulterated spoliation of proof, a grave danger to public security, and places revenue over individuals’s lives. Common reportedly informed workers the journey functioned as supposed. If that’s correct, then the design itself is lethal,” stated Crump in a assertion.
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“We’re demanding that Common pause the reopening, protect all proof, and permit our consultants to examine it,” he added. “In the event that they refuse, we’ll tackle Common’s callous actions in court docket.”
Courtroom data additionally present a separate lawsuit filed on April 30 by one other park customer who claimed her head shook violently and she or he was slammed into the seat whereas driving Stardust Racers.
Picture supply: Orlando Sentinel/Getty Photographs
Common updates its journey security and accessibility information after lethal incident
Comcast-owned (CMCSA) Common Orlando up to date its Security and Accessibility Information on October 4, 2025, the identical day Stardust Racers reopened. The information now highlights that the curler coaster is a high-speed attraction with sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, an inversion, and dropping.
Stardust Racers reaches as much as 62 mph, climbs 133 ft, and spans 5,000 ft of observe.
Riders should be not less than 40 inches tall and meet strict bodily eligibility necessities, together with the power to independently:
- Keep an upright place and assist their torso, neck, and head throughout sudden and dramatic actions;
- Brace their physique with not less than one pure higher extremity;
- Have each pure legs terminating beneath the ankle (no prosthetic limbs are permitted); and
- Stroll independently if utilizing a mobility machine, as transfers to the journey automobile require it.
Whereas Common has eliminated the earlier information from its web site, stories point out that the deceased rider had a incapacity and used a wheelchair. Authorities have not but confirmed whether or not his incapacity performed a job within the incident.
Common unveils enlargement plans
On the Financial institution of America 2025 Media, Communications & Leisure Convention, Common Parks and Resorts CEO Mark Woodbury revealed Epic Universe has already exceeded expectations, driving attendance and visitor spending.
Woodbury additionally mentioned plans for Epic Universe’s future enlargement, together with creating a brand new theme park and resort undertaking within the UK, and persevering with to take a position throughout its three current Orlando theme parks.
“There are a number of sights within the works, not simply at Epic, however when you’ve got the three parks, the cadence of product supply throughout the resort to proceed to drive the resort is known as a key a part of our technique going ahead,” stated Woodbury on the convention.
Within the second quarter of fiscal 2025, Common’s Content material and Experiences division grew 6% year-over-year, led by Common Orlando Resort and the profitable opening of Epic Universe. The theme parks alone noticed income improve by almost 19%.
Nevertheless, the corporate now faces rising scrutiny over its security measures.
As Common continues its enlargement plans, it may need to divert a part of its investments towards strengthening journey security protocols and visitor safety, a dedication it publicly made after the tragic incident.
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