Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[Lewisc]

Internet sources said the coaster was running, after midnight, with sandbags or dummies.

 

[fatmanatee]

 

[Gurkensalat]

The restraint system is still pretty safe. The company that built the coaster has an excellent track record with safety and they have several coasters with this type of seat

I want to reiterate that. Mack Rides is a premium coaster builder in Germany and those seats are first class. I have ridden several of their coasters; you are always safely pinned down. I can´t imagine that the ride as it is could have caused the death.

 

[voxparse]

I saw a comment from another site made by someone claiming to be a doctor. It said

"This is a sad case; spinal cord injured wheel-chair bound patients commonly have vasomotor deconditioning & cannot quickly adjust their hemodynamics to g-force changes. Blood pooling is common. Add to that very rapid unchecked shifts in body position consequent to his paraplegic or paraparetic state, and the substrate for blunt force soft tissue trauma is there as well."

That was the most enlightening explanation that I have seen so far. Still doesn't quite explain how he could have gotten more banged up than test dummies. But to be fair, I was trying to picture myself on a rollercoaster with that kind of restraint system and how it would go if I didn't try to hold my body upright at all. I think I would have major whiplash at the very least. I'm am shocked that there is no upper body restraints.

Ehhhh, I'd be hesitant to believe that. I happen to be a paraplegic and regularly talk to a lot of very very good doctors and regularly check in on what, if any, limitations I should observe due to my disability. I've even directly asked my cardiologist if I should avoid any coasters and was very blunty told there is no additional risk. Granted, my example, just like the one from that potential doctor, is a single data point but it doesn't pass the smell test.

 

[voxparse]

Ehhhh, I'd be hesitant to believe that. I happen to be a paraplegic and regularly talk to a lot of very very good doctors and regularly check in on what, if any, limitations I should observe due to my disability. I've even directly asked my cardiologist if I should avoid any coasters and was very blunty told there is no additional risk. Granted, my example, just like the one from that potential doctor, is a single data point but it doesn't pass the smell test.

Also FWIW, I have ridden both Stardust and Velocicoaster and legitimately felt in danger on Velocicoaster whereas Stardust's lap bar felt far more secure on my much smaller than normal legs. I will never ride VC again. One and done.

 

[CharlotteStreet]

Not going to quote anyone but in this situation we know nothing until the final report is released because there are simply more questions than answers. Ever changing story.

• He might have been dead on site. It is common knowledge that theme parks want no one declared on property so they move them as quickly as possible to a hospital for that.
• We know the man is in a wheelchair from a spinal “accident” but that does not mean that folks in wheelchairs should not be allowed to ride roller coasters.
• It has been reported he is taking medication – so is half the world. Until we know what kind of medication and it’s impact that is a non-issue.
• We need to stop assuming it was an underlying condition – the autopsy alone seems to eliminate that. If that were primary COD it would be stated, maybe even say “natural causes”. They didn’t even include it as a secondary cause at this point.
• BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA is a serious COD and this will be a big investigation, and primarily in to the ride system. We don’t even know where the trauma occurred, people are just guessing. All I’ve seen from witnesses is “he was slumped” “there was blood”.

“Dennis Speigel, CEO and founder of consulting firm International Theme Park Services, called the autopsy’s conclusion “pretty shocking,” and he said it raised more questions than it answered. Was it the head or the chest? Was he banging around? Was he in his seat properly?” Speigel said. “Was it an accident caused by the ride or him doing something?”

It may well boil down to the perfect storm of freak accidents BUT it could also lead to a large lawsuit and changes to big coaster restraints and rider requirements.

I wonder if, as a result of the accident that caused his spinal cord injury, he had some type of large metal implant in his body that became dislodged over the course of 6 rides and caused "blunt force trauma," and reportedly, also external bleeding? Does anyone have medical knowledge to speculate as to whether this would be possible?

 

[GhostHost24]

Sounds like state investigators agreed with UOs assessments that the ride functioned properly

 

[Kwami]

Sounds like state investigators agreed with UOs assessments that the ride functioned properly

Does that improve the odds of the ride opening again soon? Or will they still keep it closed for a while, yet?

 

[GhostHost24]

Does that improve the odds of the ride opening again soon? Or will they still keep it closed for a while, yet?

hard to say, but I wouldn't be surprised at this point if it opens before the month is over.

Guess it depends if there's anything else they're looking into

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Sounds like state investigators agreed with UOs assessments that the ride functioned properly

This post aged like milk:

https://wdwnt.com/2025/09/orange-county-manslaughter-statute-death-stardust-racers/

 

[GhostHost24]

This post aged like milk:

https://wdwnt.com/2025/09/orange-county-manslaughter-statute-death-stardust-racers/

Completely shocked wdwnt would post an article that's wildly wrong.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Completely shocked wdwnt would post an article that's wildly wrong.

I mean, they’re investigating it as a possible manslaughter. That is not wrong:

https://www.clickorlando.com/theme-...reviewed-under-manslaughter-law-deputies-say/

 

[HopperFan]

This post aged like milk:

https://wdwnt.com/2025/09/orange-county-manslaughter-statute-death-stardust-racers/

I don't read that source but going to the local news ... in order to complete the investigation they have to follow statutes. They are not looking for a manslaughter charge but following the guidelines to insure their findings are correct via the proper statute.

“This is a death investigation. In cases which appear at first glance to be accidental deaths - which this case does - detectives must determine whether there is any negligence, whether criminal or non-criminal,” a spokesperson for the OCSO said. “Manslaughter is just the name of the catch-all statute covering deaths that are not natural. Through their investigation, detectives attempt to figure out IF there is any culpable negligence or a crime that occurred. And to accomplish this, we must let detectives follow the evidence and conduct a full and thorough investigation.” - WKMG Orlando

 

[Disneyhanna]

I have a month to wait and see, but I will probably cancel my Epic day if Stardust doesn't reopen. I've already been on the fence about my (non-private) VIP tour since they updated EP to include Ministry, which means unlimited EP could be sooner than expected along with including Epic in park hoppers and/or APs. I've had a few friends have bad experiences with their one day trips recently and while the VIP tour would probably be a better experience, it's a lot of money to pay for one of the biggest attractions to be down. Velocicoaster is by far my favorite Universal ride so I was really looking forward to Stardust. I don't go to Universal very often (maybe every 2-4 years?) so I might be better off just waiting until next year when things are more ironed out, hopefully.

 

[GhostHost24]

I mean, they’re investigating it as a possible manslaughter. That is not wrong:

https://www.clickorlando.com/theme-...reviewed-under-manslaughter-law-deputies-say/

The article even mentions the state siding with UO.. So no. It didn't age like milk. Also wdwnt is making it sound like there was something found to open it when that's not the case

 

[HopperFan]

I have a month to wait and see, but I will probably cancel my Epic day if Stardust doesn't reopen. I've already been on the fence about my (non-private) VIP tour since they updated EP to include Ministry, which means unlimited EP could be sooner than expected along with including Epic in park hoppers and/or APs. I've had a few friends have bad experiences with their one day trips recently and while the VIP tour would probably be a better experience, it's a lot of money to pay for one of the biggest attractions to be down. Velocicoaster is by far my favorite Universal ride so I was really looking forward to Stardust. I don't go to Universal very often (maybe every 2-4 years?) so I might be better off just waiting until next year when things are more ironed out, hopefully.

We went for one day in June. Donkey Kong and Werewolf were closed. We had been looking forward to them so that was disappointing. DS#2 rode Stardust while I took DS#1 on the Carousel (he is disabled, loves coasters but I didn't think that one was for him - after brother agreed not for him). We are in Orlando often but we decided we would give them another year. It was an expensive day for what we got.

 

[Skywalker3]

We're planning our 1 Epic day in 2 weeks.....I'm really worried it'll be a bust, either for weather, or lines, or closures, or whatever. I really hate having to commit to one day and picking a date.
If the weather is terrible, we'll see if there's any way to change, but we're so limited on days. Might decide to fork over the dough for express, if still available.
What rides are open in the rain? Is it just Ministry, Yoshi, Carousel? or not even the last couple?

 

[HopperFan]

We're planning our 1 Epic day in 2 weeks.....I'm really worried it'll be a bust, either for weather, or lines, or closures, or whatever. I really hate having to commit to one day and picking a date.
If the weather is terrible, we'll see if there's any way to change, but we're so limited on days. Might decide to fork over the dough for express, if still available.
What rides are open in the rain? Is it just Ministry, Yoshi, Carousel? or not even the last couple?

Yoshi was mostly outside so not sure how rain impacts it. (and worst ride there for us)

Note when we were there it rained while in Nintendo Land. It became very very slippery and saw several guests take hard falls. Not sure if they have done any "grit" to ground but be careful.

Read Carousel may close if lightning.

Monster's Unchained is all indoors so it will be open ... and for us it was the best ride at the park.

Something to consider is every land is apart, not connected. You have to go back into the "hub" and travel to the next land. You spend lots of time outdoors so def have ponchos if you think it will rain.

 

[Skywalker3]

Yoshi was mostly outside so not sure how rain impacts it. (and worst ride there for us)

Note when we were there it rained while in Nintendo Land. It became very very slippery and saw several guests take hard falls. Not sure if they have done any "grit" to ground but be careful.

Read Carousel may close if lightning.

Monster's Unchained is all indoors so it will be open ... and for us it was the best ride at the park.

Something to consider is every land is apart, not connected. You have to go back into the "hub" and travel to the next land. You spend lots of time outdoors so def have ponchos if you think it will rain.

Thanks for the advice. I forgot about the Monsters Ride. I'm looking very forward to that one. We don't mind repeats if theyr'e good rides. I just hope it'll be worth the day. We try to always be as prepared as possible for Florida weather, but it can sure sneak up on you and be a lot stronger/longer than expected. and wet shoes are the worst! Hurricane Milton got us last year, and really affected our Disney days, and rained out a lot of HHN for us, so that's kinda hanging over my planning. Hopefully all those tropical waves just stay away!
Now we need to start working on a better touring strategy.
Thanks for the tips.

 

[GhostHost24]

I believe DK is only ride that shuts down for rain... Other outdoor coasters will still run.. But ya once there's lightning then all outdoor rides shut down and you're basically left with monsters, the two shows, Mario kart and Harry Potter