Anger Grows After Yet Another Universal Roller Coaster Incident

Theme parks are often built on trust. Visitors step into fantastical worlds, assured that behind every loop, drop, and special effect lies careful engineering and rigorous safety checks. Universal Studios has long leaned on that promise, offering attractions that outpace Disney in speed and intensity.

The company’s roller coasters, in particular, form the backbone of its global portfolio. From Florida’s iconic Jurassic World VelociCoaster to The Flying Dinosaur in Japan, these rides define Universal’s thrill-first identity.

Now, however, some of the very attractions meant to inspire excitement have instead cast a shadow. A string of coaster-related accidents and breakdowns across multiple resorts has forced Universal to respond, with its latest apology coming after an incident at its Beijing park.

Fatal Accident in Florida Raises Questions

At Universal Orlando Resort’s highly anticipated Epic Universe — set to open in full in 2025 — tragedy struck during a test period. In September, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died after riding the new Stardust Racers coaster.

An autopsy later ruled his cause of death as “multiple blunt impact injuries.” The accident drew significant attention, given that Epic Universe is being positioned as Universal’s most ambitious project yet.

Separate from that fatality, Florida’s latest state theme park accident report listed other medical emergencies on well-established Universal attractions. Guests required hospitalization after incidents aboard The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and the indoor coaster Revenge of the Mummy. The report underscored the risks that can arise even on rides operating for years without major controversy.

Beijing Guests Stranded in the Rain

Further complicating the picture, Universal Studios Beijing — which opened in 2021 — recently faced backlash after its Jurassic Flyers coaster malfunctioned. The ride, themed to Jurassic World, stalled repeatedly during descent and left guests stranded for about 40 minutes in the rain.

Mr. Song, one of the riders, told Sina the attraction hung sideways at its highest point and emitted a burning circuitry odor as it finally descended. He noted that staff gave no announcements or reassurances during the ordeal, leading the group to call the police themselves.

According to Song, park management offered only small toys like wands and dolls as compensation. Refund requests were denied, and no formal apology or explanation was provided. Instead, guests were told to accept the gifts and leave immediately.

The riders later escalated their complaint through China’s government hotline. Officials attributed the malfunction to a mechanical failure triggered by weather conditions. Universal said it would escalate the issue but offered no further updates.

Song also revealed this was not his first experience with ride malfunctions at the park. In June of last year, he became stuck on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey after a sudden halt left riders hovering in midair. That attraction has been linked to safety concerns before, including a lawsuit against Universal Studios Hollywood after a guest suffered severe spinal injuries.

Have you ever had a bad experience on a roller coaster?