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Universal Orlando Updates Safety and Accessibility Policies Following Stardust Racers Incident
Big changes have arrived across Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks as new Guides for Safety and Accessibility officially took effect on October 4, 2025, the same day Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers reopened following a tragic incident last month. The updated documents, which now apply to Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, and Islands of Adventure, introduce new rider requirements, updated accessibility language, and expanded safety advisories for multiple attractions.
Related: Universal Orlando Confirms the Reopening Date of Stardust Racers
One of the most notable updates affects Stardust Racers itself. According to the new guide, riders “must be able to walk independently” and “brace [their] body with at least one natural upper extremity.” Guests with prosthetic limbs must remove them before boarding, and both natural legs must terminate below the ankle. Similar requirements were also added for Dragon Racer’s Rally and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, meaning guests using mobility devices cannot remain seated in a wheelchair or ECV for those rides.
The new 34-page Epic Universe guide and the 62-page version for the two existing parks go into detailed rider requirements for each attraction. While some rides — like Yoshi’s Adventure and Fyre Drill — allow guests to remain in their wheelchairs, others now require varying levels of transfer or mobility. Attractions such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure also appear in the “walk independently” category under the updated guides for Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
Related: HamiKuma Roars Into Universal Orlando and Hollywood for Halloween Horror Nights
Alongside the revised accessibility listings, the guide outlines expanded sections for prosthetics, casts, and medical devices. For both Dragon Racer’s Rally and Stardust Racers, guests must remove prosthetic limbs before riding, and for those wearing casts, the guide warns that guests “cannot ride if the cast covers an area required to meet the ride requirements.” These details are paired with new signage at select attractions, including Dragon Racer’s Rally and Monsters Unchained, which now include warnings about weakened bones, muscle conditions, and the inability to maintain an upright position.
The timing of these updates has drawn attention. Stardust Racers has been closed since September 17 after the death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodríguez Zavala, who passed away shortly after riding. Universal’s internal investigation concluded that the ride systems “functioned as intended.” However, the victim’s family — represented by attorney Ben Crump — publicly condemned Universal’s decision to reopen the ride so quickly, calling it “a grave risk to public safety.”
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