On Sept. 17, 2025, Zavala lost consciousness while riding Stardust Racers at Universal Orlando's new Epic Universe theme park, which just opened in May of this year. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead there. The following day, the autopsy report attributed Zavala's death to "multiple blunt impact injuries" and classified the injuries as accidental, according to ClickOrlando. Zavala, who used a wheelchair and had to be transferred into the ride car, was born with spinal cord atrophy, according to ABC News.
A large portion of an original land in Universal Orlando 's Islands of Adventure is headed for demolition: After years spent sitting empty, the Lost Continent will soon be extinct. A demolition permit was filed with the city of Orlando last week, requesting permission to raze 4.9 acres of retail, show and attraction buildings in the theme park. A Universal spokesperson confirmed to the Orlando Business Journal that "construction activity in Lost Continent" will begin in the "coming months" as the area makes way for "future developments."
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