Why Do USJ Attractions Close? Maintenance, Bad Weather, and Temporary Suspensions Explained

“Imagine arriving at USJ only to find the attraction you wanted to ride is closed.”

That can be a real disappointment.

USJ attractions can have scheduled closures for maintenance and other work, as well as same-day temporary suspensions caused by strong winds, lightning, equipment checks, and other conditions.

As of 2026, some attractions are also on extended suspension.

Not every outdoor attraction stops operating when it rains, but outdoor and elevated attractions are more likely to be temporarily suspended on days with strong winds or lightning.

Along with the latest closure information, this article draws on my experience visiting USJ many times each year to explain practical wind-speed benchmarks you can use when deciding, “It may be better to ride the outdoor attractions early today.”

*Closure information is current as of August 15, 2026. Schedules may change. For same-day operating status, also check the official USJ app and Today’s Park Information.

USJ Attractions Currently Suspended in 2026

As of August 15, 2026, USJ officially lists the following three major attractions as being on long-term suspension.

USJ currently lists these three facilities in its closure information for August, September, and October 2026 and beyond.

Some facilities that were previously described on this page as being on “long-term suspension” have since permanently ended operations.

Universal Spectacle Night Parade – Best of Hollywood – permanently ended operations on September 1, 2025.

Sesame Street™ Fun World and the attractions within it permanently ended operations on May 10, 2026.

Be aware that these are different from attractions that are merely suspended and may reopen in the future.

How to Check Which Attractions Are Closed Today

This distinction is important.

The “Show & Attraction Closure Information” on the official USJ website is mainly for checking closures scheduled in advance.

By contrast,

• Strong winds
• Lightning
• Heavy rain
• Equipment safety checks
• Other circumstances that arise on the day

can cause an attraction to be suddenly and temporarily suspended for that day.

USJ also advises guests to check “Today’s Park Information” because, separately from scheduled closures, operations may change or be canceled without notice due to weather and other conditions.

For a trip several weeks away, check scheduled closures; on the day, check real-time information. That is an easy rule to remember.

Do Strong Winds Cause USJ Attractions to Close?

Outdoor attractions may be temporarily suspended for safety in strong winds.

In particular,

• Hollywood Dream – The Ride
• Hollywood Dream – The Ride – Backdrop –
• The Flying Dinosaur
• Flight of the Hippogriff™

are among the attractions where you’ll want to pay attention to wind if you hope to ride outdoor or elevated rides.

At Around 8–10 m/s, Be Aware of a Higher Closure Risk

Based on what I have observed over many visits to USJ, when ground-level wind speeds reach around 8–10 m/s, large outdoor rides are more often found temporarily suspended.

However, this is not an official operating-limit standard published by USJ.

This does not mean that an attraction will always close once winds reach 8 m/s.

Actual suspension and reopening decisions at USJ are based on safety judgments that take into account conditions inside the park, sudden gusts, and the location and height of each attraction.

Don’t Rely Too Heavily on the Wind Speed in the Forecast Alone

One important thing to know when reading the forecast is that “average wind speed” and “instantaneous wind speed” are different.

The wind speed shown in a typical weather forecast represents an average wind strength.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, instantaneous wind speeds can reach about 1.5 to 3 times the average wind speed.

So even if the forecast says the average wind speed is 8 m/s, that does not mean a steady 8 m/s wind will blow continuously.

Stronger gusts may occur temporarily.

Check Hourly Wind Speeds on Weathernews

Even if the forecast for your USJ day says “sunny,” strong winds can still affect outdoor attractions.

If I wanted to prioritize outdoor attractions, I would also check hour-by-hour wind speeds on Weathernews or a similar service.

Weathernews has a wind radar that shows wind direction and speed, making it possible to see whether stronger winds are forecast a few hours later.

For example,

If the forecast looks like this,

prioritize popular outdoor and elevated attractions in the morning

is one possible strategy.

For example, if Hollywood Dream – The Ride or The Flying Dinosaur is a must-do, you could choose not to leave it until evening and instead ride while the wind is lighter.

Of course, forecasts do not always play out exactly as predicted, and an attraction may be temporarily suspended for other reasons even when the wind is light.

Still, rather than assuming “it’s sunny, so everything will be fine,” checking the wind speed can help you decide how to plan your day.

Do USJ Attractions Close When It Rains?

“Rain = all outdoor attractions close”

is not the rule.

Some outdoor attractions may continue operating in light rain.

However,

• Heavy rain
• Rain with lightning
• Rain with strong winds
• Sudden torrential downpours

can increase the likelihood of temporary suspensions.

In summer, cumulonimbus clouds can develop suddenly even after clear weather, bringing a thunderstorm within a short period.

In such cases, outdoor attractions may be temporarily suspended around the time the rain actually begins—or even before it starts.

For more on what to wear in the rain and attractions that are easier to enjoy on rainy days, see this article.

On Typhoon Days, Pay Attention to the Train Ride Home Too

When a typhoon is approaching, it is not enough to check only whether USJ attractions will operate.

Transportation home from USJ, including the JR Yumesaki Line and Osaka Loop Line, may also be affected.

When a typhoon, severe winds, or heavy rain is forecast, JR West may announce in advance that planned service suspensions are possible.

In the past, approaching typhoons have in fact caused service suspensions on lines including the Osaka Loop Line and Yumesaki Line.

So be sure to check:

all of these.

It is possible to travel to USJ while trains are running in the morning, only to find service suspended by evening.

For past examples and how to check when JR West may implement planned suspensions or halt service during a typhoon, see this article.

Main Reasons USJ Attractions Are Suspended

There are several reasons for both closures announced in advance and same-day temporary suspensions.

Routine Maintenance and Inspections

Large attractions require regular inspections and maintenance to operate safely.

They may close for several days to several weeks while parts are inspected or replaced.

USJ also performs test runs before the park opens.

If you look at the park early in the morning from some nearby hotels, you may see attractions moving before opening time. This does not necessarily mean they are open to guests; they may be undergoing test runs.

To Convert a Facility for a Limited-Time Attraction

USJ sometimes uses the facilities of regular attractions for limited-time attractions.

A representative example is an XR Ride that uses the Space Fantasy – The Ride facility.

While the facility is being used for a limited-time attraction, the regular version may not be able to operate at the same time.

So even when it is listed as “suspended,” that does not necessarily mean the facility itself is completely unused.

Major Refurbishment and Renewal

Attractions that have operated for many years may undergo major refurbishment.

Jurassic Park – The Ride was closed for a major refurbishment from September 2023 and resumed operation in January 2025.

Major refurbishment like this can require a much longer closure than ordinary maintenance lasting several days to several weeks.

Same-Day Safety and Equipment Checks

Even an attraction that was scheduled to operate may be temporarily suspended on the day.

In that case,

“Suspended = it will not reopen that day”

is not necessarily true.

After safety checks are completed, the attraction may resume operation after a while.

If an attraction you want to ride is temporarily suspended, enjoy another attraction while checking its operating status in the official app.

If an Attraction Is Temporarily Suspended, Is It Unavailable for the Rest of the Day?

Not necessarily.

For a temporary suspension caused by bad weather, safety checks, or similar reasons, operation may resume later the same day if conditions improve.

Even with strong winds, the wind may not remain strong all the way through evening.

Conversely, an attraction may operate in the morning and then suspend operation if winds strengthen in the afternoon.

So on a windy day,

is a practical way to handle the day.

Special Experiences Have Sometimes Been Offered During Closures

In the past, special greetings different from the regular show experience have sometimes been held during show maintenance periods.

In examples I personally experienced, character greetings were held while WaterWorld was suspended, and a special greeting took place in front of the theater during a SING maintenance period.

However, a greeting is not guaranteed whenever an attraction is suspended.

These are only special examples from the past.

They are included as examples of the kind of uniquely USJ experience where something different from the usual offering may occasionally be available.

The Experience May Improve After Maintenance

An attraction closure can certainly be disappointing for travelers.

On the other hand, facilities and show effects may be improved after maintenance or a major refurbishment.

WaterWorld, for example, underwent a major renewal in the past, with significant changes to its sound and production.

In other words, a closure period is not simply time when an attraction is stopped; it is also time for inspections that help guests enjoy it safely and for maintaining or improving the future experience.

It is unfortunate if a closure overlaps with your travel date, but you can still enjoy the other attractions and shows that are operating.

2026 Latest USJ Attraction Guide: Rankings, Thrills, Wait Times, and Fear LevelsPublished: 2026.07.18

Frequently Asked Questions About USJ Closures and Suspensions

How can I tell which USJ attractions are closed today?

The most reliable way is to check USJ’s official “Today’s Park Information” and the official app.

Separately from maintenance closures scheduled in advance, attractions may be temporarily suspended on the day because of weather or safety checks.

Can I find out which attractions will be closed on the day I visit USJ?

Yes. Check USJ’s official “Show & Attraction Closure Information.”

Once your travel date is set, check it once and then check again shortly before your visit.

Closure periods can change.

Do Hollywood Dream or The Flying Dinosaur close when it rains?

Rain by itself does not automatically mean they will close.

However, heavy rain, lightning, strong winds, or a combination of these conditions may lead to temporary suspensions.

Check the official app for the latest status on the day of your visit.

At what wind speed do USJ attractions stop operating?

USJ does not publish specific wind-speed closure thresholds for individual attractions.

Based on Happyell’s past on-site observations, when ground-level winds reach around 8–10 m/s, elevated and outdoor rides are more often found suspended.

However, this is not an official closure standard.

Conditions also vary with wind direction, instantaneous gusts, and the area around each attraction, so do not assume “8 m/s always means a closure.”

Should I skip USJ if the forecast says 8 m/s winds?

A forecast of 8 m/s winds alone does not mean you should decide that you cannot go to USJ.

Indoor attractions, restaurants, and shops are less affected by wind.

However, if outdoor rides such as Hollywood Dream – The Ride or The Flying Dinosaur are your top priority, check hourly wind speeds and try to ride during a period when winds are lighter.

If an attraction closes once, does that mean it will not reopen that day?

A temporary suspension may be lifted later.

While checking waiting times and operating status in the official app, enjoy another attraction and wait for an update.

What should I pay the most attention to on a typhoon day?

Not only the attractions, but also your transportation home.

The JR Yumesaki Line and Osaka Loop Line may be subject to planned suspensions or service halts.

When a typhoon is approaching, check USJ operating information and JR service information together.

Summary of USJ Attraction Closures

As of August 15, 2026, the main attractions that USJ officially lists as being on long-term suspension are:

• Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic™
• Shrek’s 4-D Adventure
• Space Fantasy – The Ride

These are the three.

Separately, USJ may also have same-day temporary suspensions due to strong winds, lightning, heavy rain, safety checks, and other conditions.

If there is an attraction you definitely want to ride, don’t just check scheduled closures before your trip. On bad-weather days, also check what time the wind is expected to strengthen and adjust the order of your attractions to improve your chances of experiencing it.

Because USJ operations can change depending on conditions that day, ultimately use the official app and Today’s Park Information as you enjoy the park.

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