Power restored at Universal after outage prompts ride evacuations

ORLANDO, Fla. – Guests were evacuated off two rides at Universal Studios on Friday after a power outage snarled park operations for more than an hour.

The outage was reported at 10 a.m. at Universal Studios and power was restored to the park just before 11:30 a.m. Rides are expected to be back open by 12:30 p.m., according to park officials.

The Orlando Fire Department said they evacuated the Men In Black Alien Attack ride and the Transformers The Ride 3D, but added that there were, "no reports of distress."

Eleven guests that remained on the Transformers ride were rescued, according to OFD. Fire officials also rescued seven people off of an elevator at the Men In Black ride.

Ali Arafa says he was in line waiting at the Transformers Ride when the park lost power.

"I was sitting and waiting and waiting," he said. "I didn't think it was going to run out of power. It just happened."

Arafa tells News 6 the theme park gave him complimentary two-day park passes.

Universal officials said all guests were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported.

All rides were affected besides The Simpsons Ride and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, according to Universal officials.

Guests were given the opportunity to go to Islands of Adventure instead of Universal.

The Orlando Utilities Commission said that the Universal outage was caused on the park's side of the meter with their electrical infrastructure, adding that all lines to the resort are functional.

Universal officials said Islands of Adventure was not affected by the outage, but that Universal Studios stopped admitting guests for a short period of time.

Multiple users on social media said that power was out throughout the park. One user on Instagram said that the Universal globe was stationary due to the outage.

Another Twitter user posted pictures showing long lines outside of Islands of Adventure entrance.

Many families were heading to the parks after power was restored.

"Doesn't shock me, I guess it could happen occasionally. As long as everyone is okay, I guess it's alright. It can happen," park goer Dan Bratton said.

Universal Orlando is still investigating what caused the power outage.

Check back for more on this story.

Guests stuck on rides. Evac team going into #Transformers #UniversalStudios @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/y1IrNVOBK0

— Luke Pykett (@Speechless_UK) September 30, 2016