Theme parks are meant to be fun for the entire family, but a man who recently visited Epic Universe in Orlando is now dead after riding a roller coaster inside the new park.
Authorities say the man became unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster on Thursday, and that he was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
Epic Universe is one of America’s newest theme parks, and it’s now tied to the unfortunate death of a guest – months after opening its doors to the public.
Epic Universe is Universal’s newest park, and it opened earlier this year in May. According to the New York Times, it’s the first major park to open in Central Florida in nearly 30 years.
What Ride Was the Guest On?
Stardust Racers is Universal’s longest roller coaster in the company’s theme park history. Passengers board two dueling trains that come close together in a tight space, and reaches speeds of up to 62 miles per hour.
“Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night,” the company said in a statement following the guest’s death.
“We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed.”
As the company mentioned, Stardust Racers is still closed while the remainder of Epic Universe is open to the public. The park consists of five specific “worlds” or mini-parks, sections that usually adhere to a specific theme.
For example, the Ministry of Magic area is focused on Harry Potter and the Wizarding World franchise. Guests are able to visit iconic locations from the film and book series, and they’re also able to enjoy snacks and food from the series.
Epic Universe also contains Super Nintendo World, an area that replicates classic video games like Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros.
Stardust Racers is located in Celestial Park, the central hub of Epic Universe. Celestial Park includes “portals” to the four other worlds located in the theme park, as well as a massive hotel with its own dedicated entrance.
Epic Universe’s Presence in Orlando
Epic Universe is an expansion to Universal’s presence in Florida. The company previously built the CityWalk and Universal Studios in Orlando to compete with Walt Disney World. The main park has seen several iterations and attractions over the years, and is currently running its yearly Halloween Horror Nights promotion.
Epic Universe also includes its own dedicated area for the “Dark Universe,” with a focus on classic movie monsters like Frankenstein and the Werewolf.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says that it will be investigating the death of the guest aboard Stardust Racers. Rest in peace to the guest, and we send condolences to their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.
