Two amusement park rides: left, people ride a yellow water raft on a rapid stream; right, people in a circular raft navigate a water ride with blue walls and greenery in the background.

Jurassic Park River Adventure and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges Scheduled for Refurbishment at Universal Orlando Resort

Cade Handley

Jurassic Park River Adventure and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, two popular water attractions at Universal Islands of Adventure, are scheduled to close for refurbishment at the beginning of next year.

Islands of Adventure Ride Refurbishments

Jurassic Park River Adventure

Jurassic Park River Adventure sign at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Beginning on January 6, 2025, Jurassic Park River Adventure will go down for a refurbishment that is set to last until January 23. This comes right after a previously announced refurbishment for Dudley-Right’s Ripsaw Falls ends on January 2.

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

Entrance to Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges ride adorned with wooden signs and a "Wait Time" indicator, featuring rustic decorations and a warning sign, under a cloudy sky.

The wettest ride in all of Universal Orlando Resort, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, will be closed starting the next day, January 24, for a much longer refurbishment that will continue through March 15.

Me-Ship the Olive

An outdoor play area featuring a large, colorful structure resembling a ship with "Me Ship The Olive" sign. The ship has a red stack, wooden posts, and netted areas. Trees and blue sky are in the background.

Also scheduled for refurbishment is Me-Ship the Olive, an interactive play area in Toon Lagoon that overlooks Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. This area will be unavailable to guests starting on October 21, 2024, and will be closed until December 4, 2024.

It is typical for the water rides at the resort to go down for refurbishment during the colder months of the year, with almost annual closures a usual occurrence for the attractions.

A calendar featuring all of the scheduled ride closures at the Universal Orlando Resort can be found on their official website.

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