A Florida family says a visit to Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe to celebrate their autistic daughter’s birthday ended with them being escorted out of the park and accused of shoplifting, a situation they describe as a misunderstanding tied to their child’s disability.

A North Carolina woman filed a lawsuit Thursday claiming she sustained “severe and permanent injuries” after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe.

A man who died after riding a roller coaster at Epic Universe severely fractured one of his thigh bones and had a pre-existing dislocation of his other thigh bone, a newly released autopsy shows. Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, was found unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster on Sept. 17 and was later pronounced dead.

In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops gives you updates on Central Florida attractions.

According to the director of the Institute for Economic Forecasting, this year's tourism tax revenue marked the highest annual collections for Orange County, largely due to the opening of Universal’s Epic Universe.

Investigators announced that the death investigation is closed, with a newly released report detailing what exactly happened on the ride.

From live DJ sets and midnight countdowns to special character appearances, the excitement spans Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe, CityWalk, and the resort’s hotels.

Universal Orlando removed a reference to “pre-existing conditions” in a report about a roller coaster rider’s death after a Florida government agency intervened, a News 6 investigation has uncovered.

State amusement ride inspectors dispatched to a Universal Orlando theme park following a roller coaster rider’s death did not write any reports or take any photos documenting their observations, News 6 has learned.

The exclusive 2026 Military Freedom Pass offers access to Universal’s top parks.

Universal Orlando Resort is giving guests a first-ever chance to visit Universal Epic Universe multiple times during their vacation with new multi-day ticket options for 2026.

Have you been on Stardust Racers since it reopened? Share your experience with us.

A newly-released 911 call shows some of the first reactions to the then-unfolding situation surrounding Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, the Epic Universe guest who died after riding Stardust Racers.

Holiday decorations, events, treats and more will return to Universal Orlando’s theme parks in November.

The family of a 32-year-old man who died after riding Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe condemned Universal Orlando’s decision to reopen the attraction.

The latest Universal Orlando safety and accessibility guides contain updated symbol legends for all attractions, more rider requirements for attractions including Stardust Racers, and new language covering such topics as guests using wheelchairs.

The Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe is about to reopen following the death of a 32-year-old man who rode it, according to a letter sent to team members by Universal Orlando’s president.

An incident report released Thursday is shedding light on Orange County Fire Rescue’s response the day a 32-year-old man died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe.

There is no indication the State of Florida is conducting any sort of independent investigation of the Sept. 17 incident on the Stardust Racers roller coaster, News 6 has learned. What you need to know about theme park safety inspections

The family of a man who died after riding a roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe believes warning signs were missed on the ride.

A lawsuit against Universal City Development Partners Ltd., claiming negligence related to injuries a woman sustained while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe has been settled days after it was filed, according to court records.

The family of a man who died after riding a roller coaster at Epic Universe is inviting the public to attend his funeral.

The complaint, which seeks damages exceeding $50,000, stems from an incident on April 3, when Sandi Streets, who was a lawful business invitee, rode the coaster.

Legal, medical and ride safety experts say many unanswered questions remain after the death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala while riding the new Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe.

The family of a 32-year-old man who died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe says their son loved theme parks, was a “roller coaster freak,” and they want Universal to be completely clear and open about what happened to their son.

A 32-year-old man died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe last week, sparking an investigation into what exactly happened.

The family of a man who died from “blunt impact injuries” while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe in Orlando creates a GoFundMe page.

The family of the 32-year-old man who died after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe retained prominent civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who is calling for the release of video footage, ride data and more to understand the circumstances around the man’s death.

Following the death of a guest who died after riding the roller coaster last week, investigators now say they are looking into the case under the state’s “manslaughter” statute.

In an internal letter obtained by News 6, the president and COO of Universal Orlando Resort wrote to employees that the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe functioned “as intended” prior to the death of a guest last week.

The family of a man who died from “blunt impact injuries” while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe in Orlando creates a GoFundMe page.

A new report has revealed crucial information about the guest who died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe earlier this week.

In the wake of a guest who died after riding an Epic Universe roller coaster on Wednesday, the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner has released the cause of death.

Officials say an Epic Universe guest died after riding a roller coaster and becoming unresponsive.

Speaking to investors during the Q2 conference call on Thursday, Comcast President Mike Cavanagh highlighted the strong performance of Epic Universe following its May opening.

For the first time since its May grand opening, new numbers are spotlighting the economic surge Universal Epic Universe is fueling in Orange County.

Tangelo Park, a small neighborhood of about 2,100 residents covering 225 acres, sits adjacent to the new Epic Universe theme park.

Since the park made its official debut on May 22, the park has experienced expected growing pains, but also plenty of praise.

In addition to the grand opening of Epic Universe, Collect-A-Con was also happening just down the street at the Orange County Convention Center.

Universal isn't the only business expecting to cash in on Epic Universe's grand opening. Other nearby attractions like ICON Park say they're already seeing an increase in business since Epic's grand opening.

I'm Brooke Savage, the writer behind the "Setting The Stage" newsletter, with what's happening in Central Florida's theatre and art scene.

Excitement filled the air Thursday as Universal’s Epic Universe officially opened its gates to the public along Kirkman Road, drawing thousands of guests eager to experience the highly anticipated theme park for the first time.

Universal Epic Universe started as a doodle on paper, nearly 10 years later, Universal Orlando Resort has its fourth theme park. For those epic worlds to fill dreams, many Central Florida hands were involved to make the park a reality.

News 6 drove the area near Epic Universe Thursday morning and found a steady flow of traffic near key intersections like Universal Boulevard and Kirkman Road, which officials expect to be one of the busiest corridors.

For months, we’ve been covering every angle of this highly anticipated theme park. And most of us just want to know one thing: what is this going to do to our traffic?

It's official! Epic Universe celebrates its grand opening in Orlando.

Spotty storms and heat are in the forecast for Orlando as Epic Universe opens, with rain chances rising into the holiday weekend and the start of hurricane season approaching.

Traffic near Kirkman Road and Interstate 4 is expected to worsen as Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe theme park officially opens its doors to the public on Thursday.

Along with several rides, you can smash, drive, and tap your way through Super Nintendo World to collect coins and compete for a high score, using the Power-Up Bands.

Universal Epic Universe brings the Isle of Berk to life with dragons and Vikings.

In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops keeps you up-to-date on the latest Central Florida theme park news.

There are a lot of new rides and restaurants to check out at Universal Epic Universe, but don’t forget about the live performances.

Universal has a history of throwing red-carpet-like events for new attractions and park openings, and there's star-studded potential for the grand opening of Epic Universe

A special group of 143 children from the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida were treated to an exclusive preview of Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park, giving them an unforgettable adventure and a glimpse of new possibilities.

A single-day ticket to Disney’s Magic Kingdom now ranges from $139 to $199, depending on the day. Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe, which officially opens May 22, sits in the same price bracket.

The new land inside Universal’s Epic Universe draws heavily from the classic monster films Universal Studios made in the 1930s, particularly “Frankenstein,” “The Wolfman” and “Dracula.” Check out some of the tributes to the classic films inside Dark Universe.

In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops keeps you up-to-date on the latest Central Florida theme park news.

Other companies are already opening resorts near Epic Universe, and one of the most notable is Villatel Orlando, which just opened this spring.

Epic Universe has rides, shows, character meet-and-greets, and, of course, highly immersive food. Among the sweet and savory selections, which snacks reign supreme?

For many park-goers, not every Epic experience requires waiting to board a popular thrill ride, and with 1-Day preview tickets now on sale to the general public, the queues are becoming all the more crowded.

When Universal Orlando announced plans for its massive new theme park, Epic Universe, fans of Florida’s theme park scene were thrilled. But in the quiet neighborhood next door, the reaction was far more cautious.

Running through May 19, the preview period offers a unique opportunity for fans to experience the magic ahead of the official launch. Ticket prices start at $144 and go as high as $154.

Running through May 19, the preview period offers a unique opportunity for fans to experience the magic ahead of the official launch. Ticket prices start at $144 and go as high as $154.

In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops keeps you up-to-date on the latest Central Florida theme park news.

With the opening of Epic Universe just weeks away, Universal Orlando is adding more than just another theme park. It’s launching an entire destination resort that includes new immersive lands, hotels, and experiences designed to rival Walt Disney World’s long-standing grip on the market.

In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops keeps you up-to-date on the latest Central Florida theme park news.

Ahead of the grand opening of Epic Universe on May 22, Orange County has opened its new north-to-south corridor that connects Universal Orlando Resort’s main campus to its fourth theme park.

The newest Universal Orlando hotel offers something others hadn’t before—direct access to a theme park.

Not only does Epic Universe offer an entirely new level of experience, but body-conscious guests will be pleased to know how accommodating this park is when it comes to certain rides.

As Universal Orlando approaches the grand opening of Epic Universe, a first-of-its-kind affordable housing community is taking shape nearby.

Set to launch this spring, the National Epic Universe Portal Tour will bring an exciting preview of the upcoming immersive theme park to fans across select cities.

In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops keeps you up-to-date on the latest Central Florida theme park news.

As Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe nears its grand opening, express passes are now on sale.

Central Florida is getting a brand new major theme park, and while there’s much excitement surrounding Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s competitors are looking to get a piece of the pie this summer.

Universal Orlando guests were welcomed home to a new planet on Tuesday as the destination adds another lodging option to its growing hotel portfolio

Orange County commissioners are set to vote on contributing to a $6 million study on expanding the SunRail as part of the Sunshine Corridor project.

The universe is getting real. Check out newly-released photos of the completed worlds inside Epic Universe.

Single-day admission tickets are now available for purchase for Universal Orlando’s newest theme park set to open in just a couple of months.

As the grand opening of Epic Universe nears, Universal Orlando on Wednesday revealed what merch and retail experiences guests will be able to enjoy at its newest theme park.

Universal's fourth theme park will be groundbreaking when it comes to attractions. What exactly can you expect when it comes to entertainment?

March 10, or “MAR10″ when shortening the date, is a yearly celebration to commemorate Nintendo’s iconic plumber and soon, Universal Orlando guests will be able to power up to play with Mario and other characters at Epic Universe.

With three months until the opening of Universal Epic Universe, Universal Orlando Resort has announced the launch of new tickets and vacation packages for its eagerly-awaited fourth theme park, including tickets exclusively for Florida residents.

Set to debut in 2026, this first-of-its-kind resort is specifically designed for families with young children and will feature themed lands based on characters from DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Illumination, and Jurassic World.

The countdown is ON!

The mystical portals within Epic Universe will transport guests into incredible worlds. Each one is designed to give guests a transportation sequence complete with LED, media, sound, and visual effects.

Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe will be serving up over 100 delicious food and beverages for guests to try across the five imaginative worlds, the theme park said in a news release.

We're getting our first look at new assortment of wands that will be up for grabs in Epic Universe's "Harry Potter" world.

As Central Florida tourism is experiencing growth across various sectors, industry leaders are taking a close look at trends and challenges for the upcoming year.

It’s the year of Universal Epic Universe and just a few weeks into 2025, Universal Orlando is showing off its newest hotel that’s loosely tied into the storyline of its upcoming fourth theme park.

There’s a new place to get your Epic Universe merchandise.

Universal Orlando Resort is set to open its new theme park, Epic Universe, on May 25, 2025

New numbers show tourists staying in Central Florida hotels brought in more than $359 million in taxes last fiscal year. That amount is expected to increase significantly next year.

On Friday, Take 6 on News 6+ was dedicated to all things Epic Universe and held a Q&A session

Universal Orlando Resort is set to open its new theme park, Epic Universe, on May 25, 2025

From tourist tax dollars to a hiring spree, Epic Universe is expected to be an economic boon when it opens next year. Here's what Orange County can expect.

As we approach the six-month mark until the official opening of Epic Universe, we want to answer your questions.

As Universal Orlando approaches the opening of its largest theme park ever built, a groundbreaking project nearby is set to address the critical need of affordable housing for service and hospitality workers.

It's been more than 10 years since a new major theme park opened in the Orlando area. Here's what's cooking as Universal nears the grand opening of Epic Universe.

Nintendo held a presentation on Nov. 11 showcasing the new area’s ride, merchandise, snacks and more.

Harry Potter fans anticipating the third attraction based on the popular book and movie franchise at Universal Orlando Resort learned that the fictional setting for the ride will be the British Ministry of Magic.