Stardust Racers

Stardust Racers is an upcoming steel dueling launched roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida. Universal Orlando first announced the new park in August 2019 before officially unveiling Stardust Racers and its associated Celestial Park central district in January 2024.

Stardust Racers was manufactured by Mack Rides and includes two 5000 ft pairs of track, collectively making it one of the largest steel coasters in the United States. It is currently anticipated to open in 2025.

Development
Universal Epic Universe was first announced on August 1, 2019, as a new third-gate theme park that would double Universal Orlando's footprint. No attractions or details were divulged at the time, although a large dueling coaster was predominantly visible in concept artwork. German roller coaster manufacturer Mack Rides subsequently patented a new ride inversion design in the fall, where twin tracks twisted over each other while rising and falling from a peak. This would later become widely referred to as the Celestial Spin.

Epic Universe was originally scheduled to open in 2023, but parent company Comcast announced in April 2020 that construction would be delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Europa Park owner Roland Mack announced in September that Universal had cancelled his company's order for "the largest roller coaster in the world", which was valued at well over 20 million euros and wouldn't be delivered in the foreseeable future. Construction on Epic Universe resumed in March 2021 and the following January Roland confirmed that Universal had renewed the contract as a result, which had been amended to include a second coaster project.

Construction
Track and supports for the attraction began arriving in August 2022. Construction oversaw groundwork and coaster installation taking place concurrently, with each section being completed in phases. The first pieces were fitted in November 2022 with the initial launch tracks and maintenance bays, with the layout being physically completed in June 2023. The highlight Celestial Spin element was topped off near the end of May.

Announcement
Universal City Studios LLC submitted a trademark application for "Starfall Racers" to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on March 7, 2023. On January 30, 2024, Universal Orlando formally shared information on Epic Universe and its central Celestial Park precinct. Starfall Racers was also officially announced at this time, with a wide variety of concept artwork and animation released to the public. The coaster is currently expected to open with the park in 2025. In 2024, the name was challenged by the Starfall Education Foundation for "brand misappropriation toward children" and in late May 2024, the rollercoaster was renamed to "Stardust Racers", which was a backup trademark name in the event.

Characteristics
Each side of Stardust Racers will stand 133 ft tall, cover around 5000 ft feet of track, and reach a top speed of 62 mi/h. The aforementioned peak height will be reached during the attraction's signature Celestial Spin element, where the tracks invert around each other while rising and falling. The top speed meanwhile will be reached using a pair of linear motor launches on each side.

Stardust Racers will run with up to four trains on each track, given that the maintenance bays can hold eight sets. Each train will be made up of five cars where riders sit in two rows of two, for a total of twenty passengers. While the ride structure won't display any lighting at night, the trains will include onboard audio and lights, making the illuminated ride vehicles appear as comets in the night sky.