Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is scheduled to close at Universal Islands of Adventure from January 4 through February 2, 2027. Universal lists the downtime as annual maintenance, not a permanent closure.
The timing is sensible for one of Orlando’s wettest rides, but it still removes a major Toon Lagoon attraction for guests visiting during most of January.
In This Article
- Closure begins January 4
- Reopening follows February 2
- The shutdown is temporary
- Toon Lagoon remains open
- Alternatives for January visitors
The 2027 Refurbishment Dates
The current schedule makes January 3 the final operating day before maintenance. The attraction is expected to return after February 2, unless Universal changes the calendar. Guests should verify the official app close to their trip because refurbishment dates can move.
Bilge-Rat Barges is a full rapids ride rather than a light splash attraction. Boats pass through a winding course with repeated water effects, so riders should expect to get soaked when it is operating.
What the Closure Means for Toon Lagoon
Toon Lagoon itself is not closing. Shops, dining and other attractions can continue operating, including Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls when its own schedule allows. Still, losing Bilge-Rat Barges reduces the land’s ride capacity and removes one of the resort’s most aggressive water rides.
Our Toon Lagoon guide covers the area’s remaining options, while our Bilge-Rat Barges ride guide explains what makes the attraction distinctive.
Other Islands of Adventure Work Matters
January visitors should check more than one attraction before finalizing plans. Universal’s maintenance calendar can place several projects in the cooler season, and the resort is also carrying out larger changes around The Lost Continent.
That broader construction does not turn this refurbishment into evidence of a Toon Lagoon replacement. A stated reopening window is the strongest reason to treat the closure as maintenance. Track other announced downtime in our Universal Orlando refurbishment guide.
A Simple January Backup Plan
If Bilge-Rat Barges is a must-do, avoid January 4 through February 2 or wait for Universal to confirm its return. If it is only a bonus, keep the trip and shift that time toward Marvel Super Hero Island, Jurassic Park or Hogsmeade. Cooler weather can make missing a soaking ride easier to accept.
Would the Bilge-Rat Barges refurbishment change your January Islands of Adventure plans? Let us know in the comments below; we would love to hear how you handle water rides in cooler weather.
Source credit: insidethemagic.net
