It’s been just under three weeks since a Universal Orlando guest died after riding a new Epic Universe rollercoaster. Now, the ride’s open to guests once again.
Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers reopened Saturday after having been closed since Sept. 17, when 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who used a wheelchair, died at a hospital after he was found unresponsive after riding the coaster.
Off-duty Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a “man down call” within Epic Universe on the day. Zavala was then transported to the hospital and pronounced dead.
An investigation into the incident was launched by Universal and local officials, and Universal has since confirmed the ride “functioned properly” while Zavala boarded, rode and completed the ride.
Now, according a letter obtained by Orlando Weekly that was sent to Universal employees by president and COO Karen Irwin, the theme park has updated its operational procedures and attraction signage to “reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements at Stardust Racers and other rides.”
The letter continues to state the ride would be reopened starting Oct. 4.
On the same day, the park released an updated Guide for Safety and Accessibility, which now states that Stardust Racers riders who use mobility devices must be able to walk independently. The attraction has a device to assist those riders with their transfer to the ride vehicles.
Previously, WESH2 reports, the Guide for Safety and Accessibility stated that Stardust Racers riders “must be able to take a small step into the ride vehicle compartment, either independently or with assistance from your companion.”
Stardust Racers is a dual-launch coaster that reaches speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet across the 5,000 total feet of track inside Epic Universe’s Celestial Park. The height requirement is 48 inches.
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