List of Former Universal Studios Florida Attractions
Encyclopedia
This is a List of Former Universal Studios Florida
Attractions.
's opening on June 7, 1990, a total of 33 attractions have been retired, and usually replaced or re-themed into new attractions, 15 of them being original attractions.
The first major attraction to be retired from the park was An American Tail Theatre in 1992, due to low attendance capacity. The show was replaced in the same year by Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue
, and the Fievel's Playland attraction, also based on the film An American Tail
, opened in the park's Expo Center area simultaneously, and is now part of Woody Woodpecker's KidZone.
In 1996, the interactive show attraction Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre was closed due to the cancellation of the Murder, She Wrote
television show on which it was based; also retired around the same time was the next door MCA Recording Studio, also an interactive show. The two attractions were replaced the following year by Hercules and Xena: Wizards of the Screen and Stage 54. The Hercules and Xena attraction was later closed and abandoned in 1999, and Stage 54 followed in 2003, with the latter of the two replaced by Donkey's Photo Finish
, an interactive meet-and-greet.
Two further attractions were retired in November 1996. Ghostbusters Spooktacular closed on November 8 due to the end of a contract, and was replaced in the spring of 1998 by Twister...Ride it Out
. The nearby The Screen Test Home Video Adventure followed on November 11, and was replaced in the following year with the Islands of Adventure Preview Center. The preview center itself was closed following the grand opening of Islands of Adventure
in 1999, and its former space was used for Universal Express distribution, and is now currently used as an extended queue area for Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride.
Other closures of minor attractions occurred throughout the 1990s . The Swamp Thing Set, used for the production of the television series Swamp Thing
up until 1993, was demolished in 1994. Men in Black: Alien Attack
was constructed on the previous site in 2000. How to Make a Mega Movie Deal
was closed due to unpopularity in 1993. In 1998, Universal attempted to revive it with the similar AT&T at the Movies attraction, which would later close in 2001, with its entrance used for Universal Express distribution. In the New York area of the park, the StreetBusters show was performed from 1991 until 1993. In 2002, an update version of the show titled Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way was brought back, and was later closed in 2005 when the park did not renew their contract to the Ghostbusters
characters. The Marvel Show, also located in the New York area of the park, was discontinued in the summer of 1995. The Bates
Motel Set, which was used for production of Psycho IV: The Beginning
, was demolished in 1995, with A Day in the Park with Barney
constructed on the site in the same year. Similarly, The Bates Mansion Set, also used for production of Psycho IV, was demolished in 1998, with Curious George Goes to Town
constructed on the re-landscaped site.
In February 2000, the park's finale show Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular set in Universal Studios' lagoon was closed due to maintenance issues. Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular
began inhabiting the space in July 2006.
In 2002, the park announced that The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera
and Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies would both be closed by the end of the year. Before that, Kongfrontation
was retired in a grand closing ceremony on September 8, 2002, and was replaced in May 2004 by Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride. The closure of Kongfrontation has been viewed as the most park changing and notable closure in Universal Studios' history which caused a great deal of controversy among theme park fans. Following the closure of Kongfrontation, The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera closed on October 20, 2002, and was replaced in April 2003 by Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
, which utilizes the same ride system and technology. Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies was retired on January 3, 2003, and was replaced later in the year by Shrek 4-D
, a 3-D short film.
In early September 2003, The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show was closed due to a loss of the attraction's usual capacity. It was replaced in 2005 by Fear Factor Live
, another live stunt show
. Two years after Wild Wests closure, the Nickelodeon Studios
facility and attraction were disestablished on April 30, 2005 due to Nickelodeon
moving their production facilities to Burbank
, California
. The former space was left abandoned until it was re-designed in 2007 for the opening of Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre
, an attraction in Universal CityWalk Orlando.
In September 2006, half of the Back to the Future: The Ride
attraction was shut down, preparing the ride for a complete closure which eventually occurred on March 30, 2007. It was replaced on May 15, 2008 by The Simpsons Ride
. The closure of Back to the Future has been viewed as the second notable attraction closure in the park after Kongfrontation. The second attraction to be retired in 2007 was Earthquake: The Big One, on November 5, with the attraction's pre-show portions already having been discontinued on September 8. The ride was replaced two months later, in January 2008, with Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You!
. Similar to Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, the attraction uses the same ride system and technology as the previous attraction, however, the queue and pre-show portions are completely different.
In 2008, The Boneyard attraction was retired, and was replaced in the spring of 2009 with The Universal Music Plaza Stage, and open-air amphitheatre used for the park's music concerts.
On March 14, 2011, Universal announced that the Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
ride would begin operating on a seasonal schedule on April 1, 2011, preparing the ride for a permanent closure which eventually occurred on August 18, 2011. They confirmed on May 19, 2011 that it would be replaced with a new Despicable Me themed attraction
which is among several new concepts in development for the Resort over the next few years.
Two further shows throughout the park's history have been revamped several times. The first was StarToons which replaced The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Show which closed in 1993. StarToons, located in the Production Central area, operated from 1993 until 1996. When the newest section of the park, Woody Woodpecker's KidZone, opened in 1998, the park bought back the show as StarToons Character Meet and Greet. It was revamped once again in 2008 as StarToons: 80's Rewind. The second of the two shows was Animal Actors Stage which was replaced by Animal Planet Live in 2001. When Universal's contract with Animal Planet
ended in 2006, the show was revamped as Animal Actors On Location. The show is similar to the original but with updated segments.
Throughout the park's history of attraction closures, merchandise shops connected to major attractions have been closed and refurbished to fit the theming of the replacement attractions. The park's former gift shops include Nickelodeon Kiosk, Hanna-Barbera's Store, The Bates Motel Shop, Paranormal Store, Safari Outfitters Ltd., Shakin's Souvenirs, Back to the Future: The Store and Nick Stuff, which have been replaced by Shrek's Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe, Aftermath, Sahara Traders, and Kwik-E-Mart
.
Two dining establishments have also been retired since the park's inception. The first of which was The Studio Stars Commisary, which was themed to the various famous movie stars. Due to modest feedback from park guests, the eatery was closed in 1991, and replaced in the same year by The Universal Studios' Classic Monsters Cafe. The second cafe to be retired was the original 1990 Hard Rock Cafe
. While it was originally considered to be the world's largest Hard Rock Cafe, the company built a larger facility for the opening of Universal CityWalk Orlando in 1998, with the original Cafe closing shortly afterwards. The original building sat unoccupied in the park from 1999 unti 2011, when it was completely demolished.
including Rocky, Bullwinkle
, Boris
, Natasha
and Snidley Whiplash. The 16-minute show was removed in 1993 to make way for StarToons.
, part-live action show at Universal Studios Florida
, and one of the theme park's original attractions. The attraction featured attacks from birds similar to Hitchcock's film The Birds
in the pre-show area, and featured the shower scene from Psycho
in the main show with narration by Anthony Perkins
who played the part of Norman Bates
in Psycho. It closed in January 2003, and was replaced by Shrek 4-D in mid-2003.
from Universal Pictures
films and TV programs including Jurassic Park
, Waterworld
, Back to the Future
and Ben Hur. The area also housed special events such as Halloween Horror Nights
and concerts. It was removed on September 8, 2008, to make way for The Universal Music Plaza Stage.
including Yogi Bear
, The Flintstones
, Scooby-Doo
, The Jetsons
and Dick Dastardly
and Muttley
. The attraction was presented in two parts; a pre-show which established the attraction's storyline, and a main ride experience which utilized multiple motion simulation based cars manufactured by Intamin. It opened with the park in 1990 and closed on October 20, 2002, and was replaced by Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
in 2003.
and Xena: Warrior Princess
series. The live-action show also featured members of the audience fighting stunt performers. It was similar to the Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre which had previously occupied the attraction's soundstage building. The final performance was on September 2, 1999.
ride featuring various Nickelodeon
characters, including Jimmy Neutron, Hey Arnold!
, the Rugrats
, The Fairly OddParents
and SpongeBob SquarePants
. The ride's experience featured park guests pursuing the villain Ooblar in a rocket chase through the worlds and soundstages of the Nicktoons. It opened on April 11, 2003, replacing The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera, and was permanently closed on August 18, 2011. It will be replaced by a Despicable Me themed ride
in 2012.
of a movie, television show, commercial, or music video
. Guests could also sing along to their favorite songs and purchase a recording of their performance. It was removed in 1996 and replaced by Stage 54.
s on a new episode of the Murder, She Wrote
television show. The 25-minute show focused on the production of a variety of effects including makeup, sound and visual effects before showcasing the editing process. Following the cancellation of the Murder, She Wrote TV show, the attraction was closed in 1996 and was replaced by Hercules and Xena: Wizards of the Screen the following year.
and attraction that opened with the park on June 7, 1990. The 40-minute attraction allowed guests to take a tour of Nickelodeon's studio facility followed by an interactive live show which featured games based on Nickelodeon shows of the time. It was closed and disestablished on April 30, 2005, and was replaced by Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre
which opened at Universal CityWalk Orlando on June 6, 2007.
in front of soundstage 19 (which was located next to Nickelodeon Studios
) or in the middle of two of the soundstages in the park's production facilities. From there they would be taken on a 15-minute journey into and around various sound stages as well as being taken on a general tour around the park. Upon the completion of the tour, guests would exit into The Universal Studios Store where they could purchase a variety of merchandise. The tour was closed in 1995, yet The Universal Studios Store remains open to this day.
, Babe
, Babe: Pig in the City
, Small Soldiers
and The Mummy
. In 2003, the attraction was closed and replaced with Donkey's Photo Finish
, a meet and greet attraction related to the park's Shrek 4-D
attraction.
, George Jetson
, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, and Boo-Boo. It opened in 1993 and closed in 1996. It has yet to be replaced.
-themed stage show that opened with Universal Studios Florida in 1990. The original version of the show was hosted by a production assistant and based upon events and ghosts in the films. The second version was hosted by Louis Tully and featured a pre-show. It was closed on November 8, 1996, to make way for Twister...Ride it Out
which opened in 1998.
from 1997 to 1999. It replaced The Screen Test Home Video Adventure. The Preview Center was designed to give guests a sneak peek at some of the themes and attractions for Islands of Adventure. In the attraction, guests would walk through various rooms themed to the various "Islands" in the new park. The final room stated when the Islands of Adventure park would open, and showed guests Universal's future plans for the Universal Orlando Resort
. The Preview Center was closed shortly after the opening of Islands of Adventure.
. The ride experience allowed guests to encounter an audio-animatronic King Kong
while on a New York cable car
. The ride was considered to be the flagship attraction of the New York area at the time as well as the landmark attraction of the park. It closed on September 8, 2002 and was replaced by Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride which opened on May 21, 2004.
characters, such as Spider-Man
, Storm, Iron Man
and Wolverine. It opened in the summer of 1993 and closed in 1995.
. The final video could then be purchased by the guests for $29.95 plus tax. It was closed November 11, 1996, and replaced by The Islands of Adventure Preview Center the following year.
attempting to catch their biggest foe, Beetlejuice
. It was closed in 1993 and later replaced with Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way.
. The show opened at the park in 1991 and was closed and removed the following year to make way for Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue
.
earthquake
from the comfort of their Subway Train
. Two versions of the ride operated. The first version ran from the park's opening in 1990 through to 2002. It was solely based on the film Earthquake
. From 2002 until the attraction's closure in 2007, the attraction was based on several films including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, U571
and Earthquake. Earthquake: The Big One only operated for short periods during the 5 months after opening due to a series of problems in the design of the ride. Fellow Universal Studios Florida attractions including Jaws and Kongfrontation
also faced similar problems resulting in a lawsuit against Ride & Show Engineering Inc. Earthquake: The Big One was permanently closed on November 5, 2007, to make way for Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You! which opened in January 2008.
based upon a wide variety of Universal's Western films. Opening on July 4, 1991, in the Amity section of the park, the show featured several cowboy
themed actors surviving death defying stunts, shootings and explosions. The show closed on September 1, 2003, and was replaced by Fear Factor Live
which opened on June 3, 2005.
based on and inspired by the Back to the Future trilogy
that opened on May 2, 1991. The ride story centered on a first-person adventure through time, in pursuit of Biff Tannen
, the trilogy's villain. It was closed on March 30, 2007 and replaced on May 15, 2008 by The Simpsons Ride
.
that were built for the filming of the television series Swamp Thing
. Opening with the park on June 7, 1990, the sets were featured as part of the park's Production Studio Tour. The sets were demolished in 1994, following the cancellation of the TV series one year prior. In 2000, the area which formerly held the Swamp Thing sets became the home of Men in Black: Alien Attack
.
, and featured multiple animals performing stunts and tricks. It replaced Animal Actors Stage when it opened at the park in 2001, and was closed in 2006 and replaced with Animal Actors on Location.
which recreated the set of The Bates Mansion from Psycho. Like The Bates Motel Set, it was also used to film Psycho IV: The Beginning. It opened with the park on June 7, 1990, and was later closed and demolished in 1998, and was replaced in the same year by Curious George Goes to Town
.
which recreated the set of The Bates Motel from Psycho
, and was built for the filming of Psycho IV: The Beginning
. It was later used to house the haunted house The Psycho Path Maze for several years during Halloween Horror Nights
at the park. It opened in 1990 and was closed and demolished in 1995 to make way for A Day in the Park with Barney
which opened on July 10, 1995.
-based technologies presented in a movie
style. It replaced How to Make a Mega Movie Deal
when it opened at the park in 1998, and was closed in 2001.
located on the Lagoon in the center of the park. The show featured pyrotechnics
and explosions, mixed with live actors on jet ski
s. The 20-minute show was always performed during the final hour of the park before its closing for the day. It closed on February 10, 2000, almost 10 years of performances. Many of the props and sets in the show still remained in place until 2006, when the show was replaced by Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular
.
Below is a list of retail and dining establishments that have been closed since the park's inception, grouped by the section of the park in which they were formerly located.
Production Central
New York
San Francisco/Amity
World Expo
Woody Woodpecker's KidZone
Hollywood
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida is an American theme park located in Orlando, Florida. Opened on June 7, 1990, the park's theme is the entertainment industry, in particular movies and television. Universal Studios Florida inspires its guests to "ride the movies," and it features numerous attractions and...
Attractions.
History
Since Universal Studios FloridaUniversal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida is an American theme park located in Orlando, Florida. Opened on June 7, 1990, the park's theme is the entertainment industry, in particular movies and television. Universal Studios Florida inspires its guests to "ride the movies," and it features numerous attractions and...
's opening on June 7, 1990, a total of 33 attractions have been retired, and usually replaced or re-themed into new attractions, 15 of them being original attractions.
Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue
Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue is a live stage show based on the film of the same name and Universal's Classic Monsters. It is located at Universal Studios Florida, and, formerly, at Universal Studios Hollywood. The venue at the Hollywood park was removed in 2002, and replaced by...
, and the Fievel's Playland attraction, also based on the film An American Tail
An American Tail
An American Tail is a 1986 American animated adventure film directed by Don Bluth and produced by Sullivan Bluth Studios and Amblin Entertainment. The film tells the story of Fievel Mouskewitz and his family as they immigrate from Russia to America for freedom. However, Fievel gets lost and must...
, opened in the park's Expo Center area simultaneously, and is now part of Woody Woodpecker's KidZone.
In 1996, the interactive show attraction Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre was closed due to the cancellation of the Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote is an American television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher. The series aired for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996 on the CBS network, with 264 episodes transmitted. It was followed by four TV films and a spin-off series,...
television show on which it was based; also retired around the same time was the next door MCA Recording Studio, also an interactive show. The two attractions were replaced the following year by Hercules and Xena: Wizards of the Screen and Stage 54. The Hercules and Xena attraction was later closed and abandoned in 1999, and Stage 54 followed in 2003, with the latter of the two replaced by Donkey's Photo Finish
Donkey's Photo Finish
Donkey's Photo Finish is an interactive meet and greet attraction located at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood. The attraction opened Spring, 2003 in the former Stage 54 building at the Florida park and in a building at the Hollywood park which had formerly been...
, an interactive meet-and-greet.
Two further attractions were retired in November 1996. Ghostbusters Spooktacular closed on November 8 due to the end of a contract, and was replaced in the spring of 1998 by Twister...Ride it Out
Twister...Ride it Out
Twister... Ride It Out is a special effects simulation attraction located at Universal Studios Florida, based on the 1996 film Twister. It was announced in 1997 and replaced the Ghostbusters Spooktacular attraction in the New York area of the park...
. The nearby The Screen Test Home Video Adventure followed on November 11, and was replaced in the following year with the Islands of Adventure Preview Center. The preview center itself was closed following the grand opening of Islands of Adventure
Islands of Adventure
Universal's Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened May 28, 1999 as part of an expansion that, along with CityWalk Entertainment District, the Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock hotel, converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort...
in 1999, and its former space was used for Universal Express distribution, and is now currently used as an extended queue area for Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride.
Other closures of minor attractions occurred throughout the 1990s . The Swamp Thing Set, used for the production of the television series Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
up until 1993, was demolished in 1994. Men in Black: Alien Attack
Men in Black: Alien Attack
Men in Black: Alien Attack is a spinning, laser-shooting dark ride located at Universal Studios Florida themed to the 1997 film, Men in Black. The building housing the ride was made to resemble a pavilion at the 1964 New York World Expo while the towers resemble their real life counterpart.The...
was constructed on the previous site in 2000. How to Make a Mega Movie Deal
How to Make a Mega Movie Deal
How to Make a Mega Movie Deal was an attraction formerly located at Universal Studios Florida. It opened a year after the park, in 1991, and was closed in 1993 to make way for AT&T at the Movies...
was closed due to unpopularity in 1993. In 1998, Universal attempted to revive it with the similar AT&T at the Movies attraction, which would later close in 2001, with its entrance used for Universal Express distribution. In the New York area of the park, the StreetBusters show was performed from 1991 until 1993. In 2002, an update version of the show titled Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way was brought back, and was later closed in 2005 when the park did not renew their contract to the Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is a 1984 American science fiction comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis and follows three eccentric parapsychologists in New York City, who start a...
characters. The Marvel Show, also located in the New York area of the park, was discontinued in the summer of 1995. The Bates
Norman Bates
Norman Bates is a fictional character created by writer Robert Bloch as the central character in his novel Psycho, and portrayed by Anthony Perkins as the main antagonist of the 1960 film of the same name directed by Alfred Hitchcock...
Motel Set, which was used for production of Psycho IV: The Beginning
Psycho IV: The Beginning
Psycho IV: The Beginning is a 1990 made-for-cable-television horror film that serves as both the third sequel and a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho, as it includes both events after Psycho III while focusing on flashbacks of events that took place prior to the original film...
, was demolished in 1995, with A Day in the Park with Barney
A Day in the Park with Barney
A Day in the Park with Barney is a show at Universal Studios Florida. It opened in 1995, on the former site of The Bates Motel Set used in Psycho IV: The Beginning. It is based on the children's television show, Barney & Friends...
constructed on the site in the same year. Similarly, The Bates Mansion Set, also used for production of Psycho IV, was demolished in 1998, with Curious George Goes to Town
Curious George Goes to Town
Curious George Goes to Town is a children's aqua play and ball play area at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood . The attraction originally opened in 1998 at Universal Studios Florida, on the former site of The Bates Mansion Set used in Psycho IV: The Beginning...
constructed on the re-landscaped site.
In February 2000, the park's finale show Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular set in Universal Studios' lagoon was closed due to maintenance issues. Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular
Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular
Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular is a fireworks show attraction located at Universal Studios Florida. It replaced the Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular, and features famous scenes from Universal's films projected onto four large inflated domes in a lagoon located in the center of the park....
began inhabiting the space in July 2006.
The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera (ride)
The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida, and one of the park's original attractions. The story line was that Dick Dastardly and Muttley have kidnapped Elroy Jetson, Yogi Bear gives chase and the audience is in for the ride of their lives. Peter N...
and Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies would both be closed by the end of the year. Before that, Kongfrontation
Kongfrontation
Kongfrontation was a ride at the Universal Studios Florida theme park, in Orlando, Florida, the main attraction in the park's New York section. It opened as one of the original attractions at the park on June 7, 1990 and was closed on September 8, 2002. Revenge of the Mummy opened in its place on...
was retired in a grand closing ceremony on September 8, 2002, and was replaced in May 2004 by Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride. The closure of Kongfrontation has been viewed as the most park changing and notable closure in Universal Studios' history which caused a great deal of controversy among theme park fans. Following the closure of Kongfrontation, The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera closed on October 20, 2002, and was replaced in April 2003 by Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida that replaced The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. The story line revolved around Ooblar, from the Yolkian planet has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation, the Mark IV...
, which utilizes the same ride system and technology. Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies was retired on January 3, 2003, and was replaced later in the year by Shrek 4-D
Shrek 4-D
Shrek 4-D is a 4-D film at various theme parks around the world. Universal Parks & Resorts owns the main rights to the film which is currently shown at their parks in Hollywood, Florida, Japan and Singapore...
, a 3-D short film.
In early September 2003, The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show was closed due to a loss of the attraction's usual capacity. It was replaced in 2005 by Fear Factor Live
Fear Factor Live
Fear Factor Live is an attraction located at Universal Studios Florida, and previously, Universal Studios Hollywood. Both attractions opened in Spring of 2005. The Hollywood attraction was closed on August 14, 2008 to make way for Creature from the Black Lagoon: The Musical, which opened in Spring...
, another live stunt show
Stunt show
Knott's Berry Farm's Wild West Stunt Show debuted on October 7, 1974. The show was written by Gary Salisbury and was only scheduled to run Monday through Friday during the Winter season in the Wagon Camp Theatre...
. Two years after Wild Wests closure, the Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
facility and attraction were disestablished on April 30, 2005 due to Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
moving their production facilities to Burbank
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The former space was left abandoned until it was re-designed in 2007 for the opening of Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre
Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre
Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre is an attraction located at Universal Orlando Resort. The attraction, featuring a unique Blue Man Group performance, opened June 6, 2007 in the former Nickelodeon Studios building, that is now part of Universal CityWalk Orlando...
, an attraction in Universal CityWalk Orlando.
Back to the Future: The Ride
Back to the Future: The Ride is a simulator ride based on and inspired by the Back to the Future trilogy and is a mini-sequel to 1990's Back to the Future Part III. In the United States, it was replaced by The Simpsons Ride...
attraction was shut down, preparing the ride for a complete closure which eventually occurred on March 30, 2007. It was replaced on May 15, 2008 by The Simpsons Ride
The Simpsons Ride
The Simpsons Ride is a simulator ride featured at the Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood theme parks. The ride is based on the animated television series The Simpsons. It was first announced in 2007 and replaced the Back to the Future: The Ride at both locations...
. The closure of Back to the Future has been viewed as the second notable attraction closure in the park after Kongfrontation. The second attraction to be retired in 2007 was Earthquake: The Big One, on November 5, with the attraction's pre-show portions already having been discontinued on September 8. The ride was replaced two months later, in January 2008, with Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You!
Disaster!
Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You! is an attraction at Universal Studios Florida. Set on a soundstage of a fictitious movie company, Disaster! Studios, Disaster! is a reinvigorated version of the park's former Earthquake: The Big One ride which comically illustrates how special...
. Similar to Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, the attraction uses the same ride system and technology as the previous attraction, however, the queue and pre-show portions are completely different.
In 2008, The Boneyard attraction was retired, and was replaced in the spring of 2009 with The Universal Music Plaza Stage, and open-air amphitheatre used for the park's music concerts.
On March 14, 2011, Universal announced that the Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida that replaced The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. The story line revolved around Ooblar, from the Yolkian planet has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation, the Mark IV...
ride would begin operating on a seasonal schedule on April 1, 2011, preparing the ride for a permanent closure which eventually occurred on August 18, 2011. They confirmed on May 19, 2011 that it would be replaced with a new Despicable Me themed attraction
Despicable Me (attraction)
Despicable Me is the tentative name for an upcoming attraction currently under construction at Universal Studios Florida. The attraction will be based on Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment's 2010 animated film Despicable Me and it will employ 3-D HD digital animation. The attraction...
which is among several new concepts in development for the Resort over the next few years.
Two further shows throughout the park's history have been revamped several times. The first was StarToons which replaced The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Show which closed in 1993. StarToons, located in the Production Central area, operated from 1993 until 1996. When the newest section of the park, Woody Woodpecker's KidZone, opened in 1998, the park bought back the show as StarToons Character Meet and Greet. It was revamped once again in 2008 as StarToons: 80's Rewind. The second of the two shows was Animal Actors Stage which was replaced by Animal Planet Live in 2001. When Universal's contract with Animal Planet
Animal Planet
Animal Planet is an American cable tv specialty channel that launched on October 1, 1996. It is distributed by Discovery Communications. A high-definition simulcast of the channel launched on September 1, 2007.-History:...
ended in 2006, the show was revamped as Animal Actors On Location. The show is similar to the original but with updated segments.
Throughout the park's history of attraction closures, merchandise shops connected to major attractions have been closed and refurbished to fit the theming of the replacement attractions. The park's former gift shops include Nickelodeon Kiosk, Hanna-Barbera's Store, The Bates Motel Shop, Paranormal Store, Safari Outfitters Ltd., Shakin's Souvenirs, Back to the Future: The Store and Nick Stuff, which have been replaced by Shrek's Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe, Aftermath, Sahara Traders, and Kwik-E-Mart
Kwik-E-Mart
The Kwik-E-Mart is a fictional chain of convenience stores in the animated television series The Simpsons. It is a parody of American convenience store chains, such as 7-Eleven and Circle K, and represents many myths and stereotypes of them. It is notorious for its high prices and the poor quality...
.
Two dining establishments have also been retired since the park's inception. The first of which was The Studio Stars Commisary, which was themed to the various famous movie stars. Due to modest feedback from park guests, the eatery was closed in 1991, and replaced in the same year by The Universal Studios' Classic Monsters Cafe. The second cafe to be retired was the original 1990 Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe is a chain of theme restaurants founded in 1971 by Americans Peter Morton & Isaac Tigrett. In 1979, the cafe began covering its walls with rock and roll memorabilia, a tradition which expanded to others in the chain. In 2006, Hard Rock was sold to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and...
. While it was originally considered to be the world's largest Hard Rock Cafe, the company built a larger facility for the opening of Universal CityWalk Orlando in 1998, with the original Cafe closing shortly afterwards. The original building sat unoccupied in the park from 1999 unti 2011, when it was completely demolished.
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Show opened in the summer of 1992. The attraction was a live stage show featuring many characters from the television series of the same nameThe Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959 to June 28, 1964 on the ABC and NBC television networks...
including Rocky, Bullwinkle
Bullwinkle J. Moose
Bullwinkle J. Moose is a fictional character in the 1959–1964 animated television series Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, often collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle, produced by Jay Ward and Bill Scott...
, Boris
Boris Badenov
Boris Badenov is a fictional character in the 1960s animated cartoons Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle for short. He is voiced by Paul Frees....
, Natasha
Natasha Fatale
Natasha Fatale is a fictional character in the 1960s animated cartoons Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle for short...
and Snidley Whiplash. The 16-minute show was removed in 1993 to make way for StarToons.
Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies
Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies was a part-3-D film3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
, part-live action show at Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida is an American theme park located in Orlando, Florida. Opened on June 7, 1990, the park's theme is the entertainment industry, in particular movies and television. Universal Studios Florida inspires its guests to "ride the movies," and it features numerous attractions and...
, and one of the theme park's original attractions. The attraction featured attacks from birds similar to Hitchcock's film The Birds
The Birds (film)
The Birds is a 1963 horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock based on the 1952 short story "The Birds" by Daphne du Maurier. It depicts Bodega Bay, California which is, suddenly and for unexplained reasons, the subject of a series of widespread and violent bird attacks over the course of a few...
in the pre-show area, and featured the shower scene from Psycho
Psycho (1960 film)
Psycho is a 1960 American suspense/psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. The film is based on the screenplay by Joseph Stefano, who adapted it from the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch...
in the main show with narration by Anthony Perkins
Anthony Perkins
Anthony Perkins was an American actor, best known for his Oscar-nominated role in Friendly Persuasion and as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho , and its three sequels.-Early life:...
who played the part of Norman Bates
Norman Bates
Norman Bates is a fictional character created by writer Robert Bloch as the central character in his novel Psycho, and portrayed by Anthony Perkins as the main antagonist of the 1960 film of the same name directed by Alfred Hitchcock...
in Psycho. It closed in January 2003, and was replaced by Shrek 4-D in mid-2003.
The Boneyard
The Boneyard was an outdoor attraction which opened with the park on June 7, 1990. The attraction featured a variety of propsTheatrical property
A theatrical property, commonly referred to as a prop, is an object used on stage by actors to further the plot or story line of a theatrical production. Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set...
from Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
films and TV programs including Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (franchise)
The Jurassic Park franchise is a series of books, films, comics, and videos centering on a disastrous attempt to create a theme park of cloned dinosaurs...
, Waterworld
Waterworld
Waterworld is a 1995 post-apocalyptic science fiction film. The film was directed by Kevin Reynolds and co-written by Peter Rader and David Twohy. It is based on Rader's original 1986 screenplay and stars Kevin Costner, who also produced it. It was distributed by Universal Pictures...
, Back to the Future
Back to the Future trilogy
The Back to the Future trilogy is a comedic science fiction adventure film series written by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, directed by Zemeckis, produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. The main plot follows the adventures of a high school student Marty McFly and...
and Ben Hur. The area also housed special events such as Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights is an annual Halloween event that occurs at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Singapore. Universal Studios remains operational during the day and transitions to Halloween Horror Nights at night...
and concerts. It was removed on September 8, 2008, to make way for The Universal Music Plaza Stage.
The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera
The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera was a motion simulator ride with characters created by Hanna-BarberaHanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
including Yogi Bear
Yogi Bear
Yogi Bear is a fictional bear who appears in animated cartoons created by Hanna-Barbera Productions. He made his debut in 1958 as a supporting character in The Huckleberry Hound Show. Yogi Bear was the first breakout character created by Hanna-Barbera, and was eventually more popular than...
, The Flintstones
The Flintstones
The Flintstones is an animated, prime-time American television sitcom that screened from September 30, 1960 to April 1, 1966, on ABC. Produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, The Flintstones was about a working class Stone Age man's life with his family and his next-door neighbor and best friend. It...
, Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo is an American media franchise based around several animated television series and related works produced from 1969 to the present day. The original series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, was created for Hanna-Barbera Productions by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears in 1969...
, The Jetsons
The Jetsons
The Jetsons is a animated American sitcom that was produced by Hanna-Barbera, originally airing in prime-time from 1962–1963 and again from 1985–1987...
and Dick Dastardly
Dick Dastardly
Dick Dastardly is a fictional character and antagonist who appeared in various animated series by Hanna-Barbera Productions. Dastardly's most famous appearances are main character in the series Wacky Races and its spin-off Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines...
and Muttley
Muttley
Muttley is a Hanna-Barbera animated fictional character created by Iwao Takamoto and originally voiced by Don Messick. In the 2000 Wacky Races videogame he was voiced by Billy West.-Bio:...
. The attraction was presented in two parts; a pre-show which established the attraction's storyline, and a main ride experience which utilized multiple motion simulation based cars manufactured by Intamin. It opened with the park in 1990 and closed on October 20, 2002, and was replaced by Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida that replaced The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. The story line revolved around Ooblar, from the Yolkian planet has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation, the Mark IV...
in 2003.
Hercules and Xena: Wizards of the Screen
Hercules and Xena: Wizards of the Screen opened in the summer of 1997, replacing Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. The attraction was a live show demonstrating production on the Hercules: The Legendary JourneysHercules: The Legendary Journeys
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys is a television series, filmed in New Zealand and the United States. It was produced from 1995, and was very loosely based on the tales of the classical Greek culture hero Heracles...
and Xena: Warrior Princess
Xena: Warrior Princess
Xena: Warrior Princess is an American–New Zealand supernatural fantasy adventure series that aired in syndication from September 4, 1995 until June 18, 2001....
series. The live-action show also featured members of the audience fighting stunt performers. It was similar to the Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre which had previously occupied the attraction's soundstage building. The final performance was on September 2, 1999.
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a motion simulatorMotion simulator
A motion simulator or motion platform is a mechanism that encapsulates occupants and creates the effect/feelings of being in a moving vehicle...
ride featuring various Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon is a US cable TV channel.Nickelodeon may also refer to:-In television:*Spinoffs of the Nickelodeon channel:** Nickelodeon Magazine, a children's magazine.** Nickelodeon Universe, an amusement park....
characters, including Jimmy Neutron, Hey Arnold!
Hey Arnold!
Hey Arnold! is an American animated television series created by Craig Bartlett for Nickelodeon. The show's premise focuses on a fourth grader named Arnold who lives with his grandparents. Episodes center on his experiences navigating big city life while dealing with the problems he and his friends...
, the Rugrats
Rugrats
Rugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The series premiered on August 11, 1991, and aired its last episode on June 8, 2004....
, The Fairly OddParents
The Fairly OddParents
The Fairly OddParents is an American-Canadian animated television series created by Butch Hartman about the adventures of Timmy Turner, who is granted fairy godparents named Cosmo and Wanda. The series started out as cartoon segments that ran from September 4, 1998 to March 23, 2001 on Oh Yeah!...
and SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
. The ride's experience featured park guests pursuing the villain Ooblar in a rocket chase through the worlds and soundstages of the Nicktoons. It opened on April 11, 2003, replacing The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera, and was permanently closed on August 18, 2011. It will be replaced by a Despicable Me themed ride
Despicable Me (attraction)
Despicable Me is the tentative name for an upcoming attraction currently under construction at Universal Studios Florida. The attraction will be based on Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment's 2010 animated film Despicable Me and it will employ 3-D HD digital animation. The attraction...
in 2012.
MCA Recording Studio
MCA Recording Studio was an attraction that opened with Universal Studios Florida on June 7, 1990. The attraction was a small interactive exhibit which allowed visitors to experiment with various sound and recording effects, which are used during post-productionPost-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
of a movie, television show, commercial, or music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. Guests could also sing along to their favorite songs and purchase a recording of their performance. It was removed in 1996 and replaced by Stage 54.
Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre
Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre was an interactive show that opened with Universal Studios Florida on June 7, 1990. In the show, guests were selected to be executive producerExecutive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
s on a new episode of the Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote is an American television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher. The series aired for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996 on the CBS network, with 264 episodes transmitted. It was followed by four TV films and a spin-off series,...
television show. The 25-minute show focused on the production of a variety of effects including makeup, sound and visual effects before showcasing the editing process. Following the cancellation of the Murder, She Wrote TV show, the attraction was closed in 1996 and was replaced by Hercules and Xena: Wizards of the Screen the following year.
Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios was a television studioTelevision studio
A television studio is an installation in which a video productions take place, either for the recording of live television to video tape, or for the acquisition of raw footage for post-production. The design of a studio is similar to, and derived from, movie studios, with a few amendments for the...
and attraction that opened with the park on June 7, 1990. The 40-minute attraction allowed guests to take a tour of Nickelodeon's studio facility followed by an interactive live show which featured games based on Nickelodeon shows of the time. It was closed and disestablished on April 30, 2005, and was replaced by Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre
Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre
Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre is an attraction located at Universal Orlando Resort. The attraction, featuring a unique Blue Man Group performance, opened June 6, 2007 in the former Nickelodeon Studios building, that is now part of Universal CityWalk Orlando...
which opened at Universal CityWalk Orlando on June 6, 2007.
Production Studio Tour
The Production Studio Tour was an attraction that toured the studio and production facilities of Universal Studios Florida. Inspired by Universal Studios Hollywood's Studio Tour, the Production Studio Tour opened with the park on June 7, 1990. Guests would board a tramTram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
in front of soundstage 19 (which was located next to Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
) or in the middle of two of the soundstages in the park's production facilities. From there they would be taken on a 15-minute journey into and around various sound stages as well as being taken on a general tour around the park. Upon the completion of the tour, guests would exit into The Universal Studios Store where they could purchase a variety of merchandise. The tour was closed in 1995, yet The Universal Studios Store remains open to this day.
Stage 54
Stage 54 was an attraction which opened at the park in 1997, replacing the MCA Recording Studio. The attraction was located within soundstage 54 of Universal Studios Florida. Throughout the years, the attraction was constantly updated to feature displays and props from Universal Pictures films of the time including The Lost World: Jurassic ParkThe Lost World: Jurassic Park
The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a 1997 science fiction thriller film, directed by Steven Spielberg. The film was produced by Bonnie Curtis, Kathleen Kennedy, Gerald R. Molen and Colin Wilson...
, Babe
Babe (film)
Babe is a 1995 Australian-American film directed by Chris Noonan. It is an adaptation of the 1983 novel The Sheep-Pig, also known as Babe: The Gallant Pig in the United States, by Dick King-Smith and tells the story of a pig who wants to be a sheepdog...
, Babe: Pig in the City
Babe: Pig in the City
Babe: Pig in the City is a 1998 sequel to the 1995 film Babe. It occurs in the fictional city of Metropolis. Due to the unexpected darker and more mature subject matter , the film was not received as well as the first Babe film was, as it flopped at the box office and reviews were generally...
, Small Soldiers
Small Soldiers
Small Soldiers is a 1998 American action/science fiction film directed by Joe Dante starring Gregory Smith and Kirsten Dunst. The film revolves around two teenagers , who get caught in the middle of a war between two factions of sentient action figures, the Gorgonites and the Commando...
and The Mummy
The Mummy (franchise)
The Mummy is any one of three series of adventure films about an ancient Egyptian priest accidentally resurrected, who brings with him a powerful curse, and the efforts of heroic archeologists to stop him.-Universal Horror Films:...
. In 2003, the attraction was closed and replaced with Donkey's Photo Finish
Donkey's Photo Finish
Donkey's Photo Finish is an interactive meet and greet attraction located at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood. The attraction opened Spring, 2003 in the former Stage 54 building at the Florida park and in a building at the Hollywood park which had formerly been...
, a meet and greet attraction related to the park's Shrek 4-D
Shrek 4-D
Shrek 4-D is a 4-D film at various theme parks around the world. Universal Parks & Resorts owns the main rights to the film which is currently shown at their parks in Hollywood, Florida, Japan and Singapore...
attraction.
Star Toons
Star Toons was a live stage show featuring Hanna-Barbera characters Fred FlintstoneFred Flintstone
Frederick Joseph “Fred” Flintstone, also known as Fred W. Flintstone or Frederick J. Flintstone, is the protagonist of the animated sitcom The Flintstones, which aired during prime-time on ABC during the original series' run from 1960-66. He is the husband of Wilma Flintstone and father of Pebbles...
, George Jetson
George Jetson
The following is a list of major characters in The Jetsons. The Jetsons is an animated television comedy produced by Hanna-Barbera and first broadcast in prime-time on ABC as part of the 1962–63 United States network television schedule. Additional episodes were produced from 1985–1987, with the...
, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, and Boo-Boo. It opened in 1993 and closed in 1996. It has yet to be replaced.
Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way
Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way was an updated version of the park's previous StreetBusters show, with a slightly different plot and music. It opened in 2002 and was discontinued in February 2005.Ghostbusters Spooktacular
Ghostbusters Spooktacular was a 20-minute, GhostbustersGhostbusters
Ghostbusters is a 1984 American science fiction comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis and follows three eccentric parapsychologists in New York City, who start a...
-themed stage show that opened with Universal Studios Florida in 1990. The original version of the show was hosted by a production assistant and based upon events and ghosts in the films. The second version was hosted by Louis Tully and featured a pre-show. It was closed on November 8, 1996, to make way for Twister...Ride it Out
Twister...Ride it Out
Twister... Ride It Out is a special effects simulation attraction located at Universal Studios Florida, based on the 1996 film Twister. It was announced in 1997 and replaced the Ghostbusters Spooktacular attraction in the New York area of the park...
which opened in 1998.
Islands of Adventure Preview Center
Islands of Adventure Preview Center was a preview center which operated during the construction of Islands of AdventureIslands of Adventure
Universal's Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened May 28, 1999 as part of an expansion that, along with CityWalk Entertainment District, the Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock hotel, converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort...
from 1997 to 1999. It replaced The Screen Test Home Video Adventure. The Preview Center was designed to give guests a sneak peek at some of the themes and attractions for Islands of Adventure. In the attraction, guests would walk through various rooms themed to the various "Islands" in the new park. The final room stated when the Islands of Adventure park would open, and showed guests Universal's future plans for the Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida. It is wholly owned by NBCUniversal and its affiliates. The resort consists of two theme parks , Universal CityWalk , and three Loews Hotels...
. The Preview Center was closed shortly after the opening of Islands of Adventure.
Kongfrontation
Kongfrontation was an attraction that opened with Universal Studios Florida on June 7, 1990, based on the 1976 remake of King KongKing Kong (1976 film)
King Kong is a 1976 American monster movie produced by Dino De Laurentiis and directed by John Guillermin. It is a remake of the 1933 classic film of the same name, about a giant ape that is captured and imported to New York City for exhibition....
. The ride experience allowed guests to encounter an audio-animatronic King Kong
King Kong
King Kong is a fictional character, a giant movie monster resembling a gorilla, that has appeared in several movies since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 movie, the film remakes of 1976 and 2005, as well as various sequels of the first two films...
while on a New York cable car
Cable car
A cable car is any of a variety of transportation systems relying on cables to pull vehicles along or lower them at a steady rate, or a vehicle on these systems.-Aerial lift:Aerial lifts where the vehicle is suspended in the air from a cable:...
. The ride was considered to be the flagship attraction of the New York area at the time as well as the landmark attraction of the park. It closed on September 8, 2002 and was replaced by Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride which opened on May 21, 2004.
The Marvel Show
The Marvel Show was a seasonal outdoor show that went on in front of and on the building to the left of the Firehouse facade for Ghostbusters Spooktacular and featured multiple Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
characters, such as Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, Storm, Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
and Wolverine. It opened in the summer of 1993 and closed in 1995.
The Screen Test Home Video Adventure
The Screen Test Home Video Adventure was an interactive, upcharge experience which opened in March 1991. Guests were given the opportunity to star in one of two 10-minute films: Your Day at Universal Studios or The Star Trek Adventure. They would dress in costumes before being filmed in front of a blue screenChroma key
Chroma key compositing is a technique for compositing two images together. A color range in the top layer is made transparent, revealing another image behind. The chroma keying technique is commonly used in video production and post-production...
. The final video could then be purchased by the guests for $29.95 plus tax. It was closed November 11, 1996, and replaced by The Islands of Adventure Preview Center the following year.
Street Breaks
Street Breaks was a live seasonal outdoor show featuring break dancers. It opened in 1998 and closed in 2006.StreetBusters
StreetBusters was a seasonal show that opened in early 1991. The plot of the show featured the GhostbustersGhostbusters
Ghostbusters is a 1984 American science fiction comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis and follows three eccentric parapsychologists in New York City, who start a...
attempting to catch their biggest foe, Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is a 1988 American comedy horror film directed by Tim Burton, produced by The Geffen Film Company and distributed by Warner Bros...
. It was closed in 1993 and later replaced with Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way.
An American Tail Theatre
An American Tail Theatre was a live stage show based on the animated film An American Tail: Fievel Goes WestAn American Tail: Fievel Goes West
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is a 1991 American animated film produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblimation animation studio and released by Universal Pictures. It is the sequel to An American Tail, and the fourth installment in terms of the series' fictional chronology...
. The show opened at the park in 1991 and was closed and removed the following year to make way for Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue
Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue
Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue is a live stage show based on the film of the same name and Universal's Classic Monsters. It is located at Universal Studios Florida, and, formerly, at Universal Studios Hollywood. The venue at the Hollywood park was removed in 2002, and replaced by...
.
Earthquake: The Big One
Earthquake: The Big One was an attraction that opened with the park on June 7, 1990. The 20-minute experience allowed guests to experience an 8.3 magnitudeRichter magnitude scale
The expression Richter magnitude scale refers to a number of ways to assign a single number to quantify the energy contained in an earthquake....
earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
from the comfort of their Subway Train
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
. Two versions of the ride operated. The first version ran from the park's opening in 1990 through to 2002. It was solely based on the film Earthquake
Earthquake (film)
Earthquake is a 1974 American disaster film that achieved huge box-office success, continuing the disaster film genre of the 1970s where recognizable all-star casts attempt to survive life or death situations...
. From 2002 until the attraction's closure in 2007, the attraction was based on several films including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Melissa Mathison and starring Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, and Peter Coyote...
, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, U571
U571
U571 or U-571 may refer to:* German submarine U-571, a German submarine during World War II* U-571 , a fictional submarine war film released in 2000...
and Earthquake. Earthquake: The Big One only operated for short periods during the 5 months after opening due to a series of problems in the design of the ride. Fellow Universal Studios Florida attractions including Jaws and Kongfrontation
Kongfrontation
Kongfrontation was a ride at the Universal Studios Florida theme park, in Orlando, Florida, the main attraction in the park's New York section. It opened as one of the original attractions at the park on June 7, 1990 and was closed on September 8, 2002. Revenge of the Mummy opened in its place on...
also faced similar problems resulting in a lawsuit against Ride & Show Engineering Inc. Earthquake: The Big One was permanently closed on November 5, 2007, to make way for Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You! which opened in January 2008.
The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show
The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show was a live stunt showStunt show
Knott's Berry Farm's Wild West Stunt Show debuted on October 7, 1974. The show was written by Gary Salisbury and was only scheduled to run Monday through Friday during the Winter season in the Wagon Camp Theatre...
based upon a wide variety of Universal's Western films. Opening on July 4, 1991, in the Amity section of the park, the show featured several cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
themed actors surviving death defying stunts, shootings and explosions. The show closed on September 1, 2003, and was replaced by Fear Factor Live
Fear Factor Live
Fear Factor Live is an attraction located at Universal Studios Florida, and previously, Universal Studios Hollywood. Both attractions opened in Spring of 2005. The Hollywood attraction was closed on August 14, 2008 to make way for Creature from the Black Lagoon: The Musical, which opened in Spring...
which opened on June 3, 2005.
Back to the Future: The Ride
Back to the Future: The Ride was a simulator rideSimulator ride
Simulator rides are a type of amusement park ride, where the audience is shown a movie while their seats move to correspond to the action on screen.-History:...
based on and inspired by the Back to the Future trilogy
Back to the Future trilogy
The Back to the Future trilogy is a comedic science fiction adventure film series written by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, directed by Zemeckis, produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. The main plot follows the adventures of a high school student Marty McFly and...
that opened on May 2, 1991. The ride story centered on a first-person adventure through time, in pursuit of Biff Tannen
Biff Tannen
Biff Howard Tannen is a character in the Back to the Future trilogy, serving as the primary antagonist of the first two films. He is played by Thomas F. Wilson in all three films as well as the ride, and Wilson voiced the character in the animated series....
, the trilogy's villain. It was closed on March 30, 2007 and replaced on May 15, 2008 by The Simpsons Ride
The Simpsons Ride
The Simpsons Ride is a simulator ride featured at the Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood theme parks. The ride is based on the animated television series The Simpsons. It was first announced in 2007 and replaced the Back to the Future: The Ride at both locations...
.
The Swamp Thing Set
The Swamp Thing Set was a set of theatrical propertyTheatrical property
A theatrical property, commonly referred to as a prop, is an object used on stage by actors to further the plot or story line of a theatrical production. Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set...
that were built for the filming of the television series Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing (TV series)
Swamp Thing, also known as Swamp Thing: The Series, is a science fiction, action/adventure television series based on the DC Comics character Swamp Thing. It debuted on USA Network on July 27, 1990 and lasted three seasons for a total of 72 episodes...
. Opening with the park on June 7, 1990, the sets were featured as part of the park's Production Studio Tour. The sets were demolished in 1994, following the cancellation of the TV series one year prior. In 2000, the area which formerly held the Swamp Thing sets became the home of Men in Black: Alien Attack
Men in Black: Alien Attack
Men in Black: Alien Attack is a spinning, laser-shooting dark ride located at Universal Studios Florida themed to the 1997 film, Men in Black. The building housing the ride was made to resemble a pavilion at the 1964 New York World Expo while the towers resemble their real life counterpart.The...
.
Animal Actors Stage
Animal Actors Stage was a live stage show which opened with the park in 1990 and featured Universal's animal actors performing amazing stunts and tricks. It was later closed in 2001 and was replaced by Animal Planet Live.Animal Planet Live
Animal Planet Live was a live stage show inspired by the TV channel Animal PlanetAnimal Planet
Animal Planet is an American cable tv specialty channel that launched on October 1, 1996. It is distributed by Discovery Communications. A high-definition simulcast of the channel launched on September 1, 2007.-History:...
, and featured multiple animals performing stunts and tricks. It replaced Animal Actors Stage when it opened at the park in 2001, and was closed in 2006 and replaced with Animal Actors on Location.
The Bates Mansion Set
The Bates Mansion Set was a set of theatrical propertyTheatrical property
A theatrical property, commonly referred to as a prop, is an object used on stage by actors to further the plot or story line of a theatrical production. Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set...
which recreated the set of The Bates Mansion from Psycho. Like The Bates Motel Set, it was also used to film Psycho IV: The Beginning. It opened with the park on June 7, 1990, and was later closed and demolished in 1998, and was replaced in the same year by Curious George Goes to Town
Curious George Goes to Town
Curious George Goes to Town is a children's aqua play and ball play area at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood . The attraction originally opened in 1998 at Universal Studios Florida, on the former site of The Bates Mansion Set used in Psycho IV: The Beginning...
.
The Bates Motel Set
The Bates Motel Set was a set of theatrical propertyTheatrical property
A theatrical property, commonly referred to as a prop, is an object used on stage by actors to further the plot or story line of a theatrical production. Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set...
which recreated the set of The Bates Motel from Psycho
Psycho (1960 film)
Psycho is a 1960 American suspense/psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. The film is based on the screenplay by Joseph Stefano, who adapted it from the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch...
, and was built for the filming of Psycho IV: The Beginning
Psycho IV: The Beginning
Psycho IV: The Beginning is a 1990 made-for-cable-television horror film that serves as both the third sequel and a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho, as it includes both events after Psycho III while focusing on flashbacks of events that took place prior to the original film...
. It was later used to house the haunted house The Psycho Path Maze for several years during Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights is an annual Halloween event that occurs at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Singapore. Universal Studios remains operational during the day and transitions to Halloween Horror Nights at night...
at the park. It opened in 1990 and was closed and demolished in 1995 to make way for A Day in the Park with Barney
A Day in the Park with Barney
A Day in the Park with Barney is a show at Universal Studios Florida. It opened in 1995, on the former site of The Bates Motel Set used in Psycho IV: The Beginning. It is based on the children's television show, Barney & Friends...
which opened on July 10, 1995.
Star Toons Character Meet and Greet
Star Toons Character Meet and Greet was a live show where Universal Studios' cartoon characters would briefly sing and dance, followed by them posing for autographs and pictures with park guests. It was the second of three versions of the Star Toons show to be featured at the park, the former being Star Toons which operated in the Production Central area from 1993 until 1996. It opened in 1998 and was re-themed in 2008 as Star Toons: 80's Rewind.AT&T at the Movies
AT&T at the Movies was an interactive attraction that included various AT&TAT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
-based technologies presented in a movie
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
style. It replaced How to Make a Mega Movie Deal
How to Make a Mega Movie Deal
How to Make a Mega Movie Deal was an attraction formerly located at Universal Studios Florida. It opened a year after the park, in 1991, and was closed in 1993 to make way for AT&T at the Movies...
when it opened at the park in 1998, and was closed in 2001.
How to Make a Mega Movie Deal
How to Make a Mega Movie Deal opened a year after the park, in 1991, and was closed in 1993 to make way for AT&T at the Movies which opened 5 years later.Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular
Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular was an attraction that opened with Universal Studios Florida on June 7, 1990. The attraction was a live stunt show themed to Miami ViceMiami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
located on the Lagoon in the center of the park. The show featured pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics is the science of using materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound...
and explosions, mixed with live actors on jet ski
Jet ski
Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The name is sometimes mistakenly used by those unfamiliar with the personal watercraft industry to refer to any type of personal watercraft; however, the name is a valid trademark registered with the...
s. The 20-minute show was always performed during the final hour of the park before its closing for the day. It closed on February 10, 2000, almost 10 years of performances. Many of the props and sets in the show still remained in place until 2006, when the show was replaced by Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular
Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular
Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular is a fireworks show attraction located at Universal Studios Florida. It replaced the Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular, and features famous scenes from Universal's films projected onto four large inflated domes in a lagoon located in the center of the park....
.
Former services
Production Central
- Nickelodeon Kiosk (Nickelodeon StudiosNickelodeon StudiosNickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
) (1990–2005) - Hanna-Barbera's Store (The Funtastic World of Hanna-BarberaThe Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera (ride)The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida, and one of the park's original attractions. The story line was that Dick Dastardly and Muttley have kidnapped Elroy Jetson, Yogi Bear gives chase and the audience is in for the ride of their lives. Peter N...
) (1990–2002) replaced by Nick Stuff (Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon BlastJimmy Neutron's Nicktoon BlastJimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida that replaced The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. The story line revolved around Ooblar, from the Yolkian planet has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation, the Mark IV...
). - The Bates Motel Gift Shop (Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies) (1990–2003) now Shrek's Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe (Shrek 4-DShrek 4-DShrek 4-D is a 4-D film at various theme parks around the world. Universal Parks & Resorts owns the main rights to the film which is currently shown at their parks in Hollywood, Florida, Japan and Singapore...
). - Studio Stars Commisary (1990–1991) now Universal Studios' Classic Monsters Cafe.
- Nick Stuff (Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon BlastJimmy Neutron's Nicktoon BlastJimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida that replaced The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. The story line revolved around Ooblar, from the Yolkian planet has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation, the Mark IV...
) (October 2002–August 18, 2011)
New York
- Paranormal Store (Ghostbusters Spooktacular) (1990–1996) now Aftermath (Twister...Ride it OutTwister...Ride it OutTwister... Ride It Out is a special effects simulation attraction located at Universal Studios Florida, based on the 1996 film Twister. It was announced in 1997 and replaced the Ghostbusters Spooktacular attraction in the New York area of the park...
). - Safari Outfitters Ltd. (KongfrontationKongfrontationKongfrontation was a ride at the Universal Studios Florida theme park, in Orlando, Florida, the main attraction in the park's New York section. It opened as one of the original attractions at the park on June 7, 1990 and was closed on September 8, 2002. Revenge of the Mummy opened in its place on...
) (1990–2003) now Sahara Traders (Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride).
San Francisco/Amity
- Shaiken's Souvenirs (Earthquake: The Big One) (1990–2008)
World Expo
- Back to the Future: The Store (Back to the Future: The RideBack to the Future: The RideBack to the Future: The Ride is a simulator ride based on and inspired by the Back to the Future trilogy and is a mini-sequel to 1990's Back to the Future Part III. In the United States, it was replaced by The Simpsons Ride...
) (December 1990–May 2007) now Kwik-E-Mart (The Simpsons RideThe Simpsons RideThe Simpsons Ride is a simulator ride featured at the Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood theme parks. The ride is based on the animated television series The Simpsons. It was first announced in 2007 and replaced the Back to the Future: The Ride at both locations...
)
Woody Woodpecker's KidZone
- Hard Rock Cafe (original location) (1990–1998)
Hollywood
- Horror Make-Up Store (Universal's Horror Make-Up ShowUniversal's Horror Make-Up ShowUniversal's Horror Make-Up Show is an attraction located at Universal Studios Florida...
) (1990–1996) now Cyber Image (Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time)