Universal Creative
Encyclopedia
Universal Creative is the research and development
group responsible for designing rides and attractions for Universal Studios Theme Parks.
It is Universal's equivalent of Walt Disney Imagineering
. From 1968 until 1997, Universal Creative was known as MCA Planning and Development. In 1997, when Universal parent MCA was sold to Seagram
and dropping the MCA name, the company was re-named Universal Creative.
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
group responsible for designing rides and attractions for Universal Studios Theme Parks.
It is Universal's equivalent of Walt Disney Imagineering
Walt Disney Imagineering
Walt Disney Imagineering is the design and development arm of the Walt Disney Company, responsible for the creation and construction of Disney theme parks worldwide...
. From 1968 until 1997, Universal Creative was known as MCA Planning and Development. In 1997, when Universal parent MCA was sold to Seagram
Seagram
The Seagram Company Ltd. was a large corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada that was the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. Toward the end of its independent existence it also controlled various entertainment and other business ventures...
and dropping the MCA name, the company was re-named Universal Creative.
Ride films
- 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) (co-produced with Hanna-Barbera Productions, Rhythm and Hues, Sullivan Bluth StudiosSullivan Bluth StudiosSullivan Bluth Studios was an American animated film production company established in 1985 by animator Don Bluth. Bluth and several colleagues, all of whom were former Disney animators, left Disney in 1979 to form Don Bluth Productions, later known as the Bluth Group...
, Landmark Entertainment, Totally Fun Company and Ride Trade) - Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies (1990) (co-produced with Totally Fun Company)
- 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...
(1991, 1993, 2001) (co-produced with Amblin EntertainmentAmblin EntertainmentAmblin Entertainment is an American film and television production company founded by director and producer Steven Spielberg and film producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall in 1981. Amblin is only a production company, and has never distributed its own movies, nor has it fully financed its...
, Totally Fun Company and Birkshire Ridefilm) - Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time (1996, 1999, 2001) (co-produced with Landmark Entertainment and Digital DomainDigital DomainDigital Domain is a visual effects and animation company founded by film director James Cameron, Stan Winston and Scott Ross. It is based in Venice, Los Angeles, California...
) - The Amazing Adventures of Spider-ManThe Amazing Adventures of Spider-ManThe Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a theme park ride located in Islands of Adventure, in Orlando, Florida and Universal Studios Japan. Built for Islands of Adventure's opening in 1999, the attraction is a hybrid ride combining special roving motion vehicles with 3-D projection, elaborate...
(1999, 2004) (co-produced with Marvel EntertainmentMarvel EntertainmentMarvel Entertainment, LLC , formerly Marvel Enterprises and Toy Biz, Inc., is an American entertainment company formed from the merger of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and Toy Biz, Inc....
) - 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...
(2003) (co-produced with Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Ride Trade) - 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...
(2003, 2010) (co-produced with Dreamworks Animation SKG) - 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...
(2008) (co-produced with 20th Century Fox Television20th Century Fox Television20th Century Fox Television is the television production division of 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, and a production arm of the Fox Broadcasting Company...
, Gracie FilmsGracie FilmsGracie Films is an American film and television production company, created by James L. Brooks in 1986. The company has produced many award-winning films and television series, including Broadcast News, Jerry Maguire, and most notably The Simpsons...
and Blur Studio) - Harry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyHarry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyHarry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is an attraction at the Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Florida, United States. It is the signature ride of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area of the theme park, and takes riders through scenes and environments in and around Hogwarts Castle...
(2010) (co-produced with Warner Bros.Warner Bros.Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
Recreation Group) - Despicable MeDespicable 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...
(2012) (in production) (co-produced with Illumination EntertainmentIllumination EntertainmentIllumination Entertainment is an American film production company, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007. It is owned by Universal Studios and based in Santa Monica, California. It is best known for its 2010 animated feature Despicable Me.- History :...
)
Special Effects Rides
- Studio Tour (Flash Flood, Rockslide, Avalanche, Battle of Galactica, Parting of the Red Sea, Jaws, King Kong EncounterKing Kong EncounterKing Kong Encounter was an attraction formerly part of the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood. The scene, located amongst the New York Street backlot sets in the heart of the studios, was destroyed by a massive fire in 2008, and was replaced by King Kong: 360 3-D, which was opened on 1 July...
, Runaway Train, Collapsing Bridge, Earthquake, The Mummy's Tomb, The Fast and the Furious: Extreme Close-Up, Skull Island Sea, Stunt Show, Whoville, Psycho and King Kong: 360 3-DKing Kong: 360 3-DKing Kong: 360 3-D is an attraction which is included in the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood. The attraction takes guests to a recreated version of Skull Island from Peter Jackson's 2005 award-winning blockbuster remake King Kong. It employs audio animatronics as well as 3-D HD imagery...
tour scenes) (1968–2010) (co-produced with Totally Fun Company, Ride & Show Engineering and Weta DigitalWeta DigitalWeta Digital is a digital visual effects company based in Wellington, New Zealand. It was founded by Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, and Jamie Selkirk in 1993 to produce the digital special effects for Heavenly Creatures. In 2007 Weta Digital’s Senior Visual Effects Supervisor, Joe Letteri, was...
) - 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) (co-produced with Totally Fun Company) - Earthquake: The Big One (1990) (co-produced with Ride & Show Engineering and Totally Fun Company)
- Jaws (1990, 2001) (co-produced with Ride & Show Engineering, Landmark Entertainment, Amblin EntertainmentAmblin EntertainmentAmblin Entertainment is an American film and television production company founded by director and producer Steven Spielberg and film producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall in 1981. Amblin is only a production company, and has never distributed its own movies, nor has it fully financed its...
and Totally Fun Company) - Men in Black: Alien AttackMen in Black: Alien AttackMen 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...
(2000) (co-produced with Amblin Entertainment and Landmark Entertainment) - E.T. AdventureE.T. AdventureE.T. Adventure is a dark ride featured at Universal Studios Florida and formerly, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Japan theme parks. The ride is based on the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It is expected to open at Universal Studios South Korea and Universal Studios Dubailand...
(1990, 1991, 2001) (co-produced with Amblin Entertainment and Sally CorporationSally CorporationFounded in 1977, Sally Corporation is known for its dark rides , and its human, animal and cartoon animatronic characters and shows. The company serves amusement parks, attractions, museums and retail clients worldwide...
) - BackdraftBackdraft (Amusement park attraction)Backdraft is a fire special effects show at the Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan theme parks. The show is based on the film of the same name. Visitors can learn how the pyrotechnic effects were created and experience some of them first hand...
(1991, 2010) - Jurassic Park Water RidesJurassic Park Water Rides (disambiguation)There are various water rides themed to Jurassic Park:* Jurassic Park: The Ride * Jurassic Park: The Ride * Jurassic Park River Adventure...
(1997, 1999, 2001, 2010) (co-produced with Amblin Entertainment) - 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...
(1998) (co-produced with Amblin Entertainment) - 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...
(2008) - TransformersTransformers (ride)Transformers: The Ride is a theme park ride currently under construction at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Hollywood. It will be based on the film franchise of the same name and will employ 3D high-definition video and audio-animatronics.-Announcements:In 2007, early planning and...
(2011, 2012) (in production) (co-produced with Amblin Entertainment and Digital Domain)
Shows
- The Land of a Thousand FacesThe Land Of A Thousand FacesThe Land Of A Thousand Faces was a live stage show created for Universal Studios Tour in 1975 by Verne Langdon with Jay Stein and Terry Winnick...
(1975) - Nickelodeon StudiosNickelodeon StudiosNickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
("Game Lab" portion) (1990) (co-produced with NickelodeonNickelodeon (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...
) - Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre (1990) (co-produced with Totally Fun Company)
- Ghostbusters Spooktacular (1990) (co-produced with Totally Fun Company and Landmark Entertainment)
- An American Tail Theatre (1990, 1991) (co-produced with Amblin EntertainmentAmblin EntertainmentAmblin Entertainment is an American film and television production company founded by director and producer Steven Spielberg and film producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall in 1981. Amblin is only a production company, and has never distributed its own movies, nor has it fully financed its...
) - The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt ShowThe Wild Wild Wild West Stunt ShowThe Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show may refer to one or more of the following:* The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show at Universal Studios Hollywood* The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show at Universal Studios Florida...
(1974, 1991, 2001) (co-produced with Landmark Entertainment) - Animal Actors (1990, 1993)
- A Day in the Park with BarneyA Day in the Park with BarneyA 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...
(1995) - 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) - Fear Factor LiveFear Factor LiveFear 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...
(2005) - Universal 360: A Cinesphere SpectacularUniversal 360: A Cinesphere SpectacularUniversal 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....
(2006) - Creature from the Black Lagoon: The MusicalCreature from the Black Lagoon: The MusicalCreature From the Black Lagoon: The Musical was a live performance show formerly located at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in Los Angeles, California. It debuted on July 1, 2009, replacing Fear Factor LIVE...
(2009) (co-produced with Broadway Attractions) - Special Effects StageSpecial Effects StageSpecial Effects Stage is a new attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. The attraction serves as a new version of the park's former Special Effects Stages show, which was located in the Lower Lot area and was closed to make way for Transformers...
(2010)
Roller coasters
- Dueling Dragons (1999)
- Incredible Hulk Coaster (1999) (co-produced with Marvel EntertainmentMarvel EntertainmentMarvel Entertainment, LLC , formerly Marvel Enterprises and Toy Biz, Inc., is an American entertainment company formed from the merger of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and Toy Biz, Inc....
) - Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster (1999)
- The Flying Unicorn (2000)
- Revenge of the MummyRevenge of the MummyRevenge of the Mummy is an enclosed steel roller coaster featured at Universal Studios Florida. The roller coaster is based upon the popular Mummy movie franchise directed by Stephen Sommers. It opened on May 21, 2004 and was built by Premier Rides. The ride was reputed to be built at a cost of...
(2004, 2010) (co-production with AlphavilleAlphavilleAlphaville may refer to:* Alphaville , French science fiction film directed by Jean-Luc Godard* Alphaville , German music trio* Alphaville, São Paulo, neighbourhood on the western edges of São Paulo, Brazil...
) - Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (2009) (co-production with Maurer SohneMaurer SöhneMaurer Söhne is a steel construction company and roller coaster manufacturer. Founded in Munich, Germany in 1876, the company has built many styles of steel buildings, ranging from bridges, industrial buildings, and even art structures. While known for building various wild mouse coasters, Maurer...
) - Dragon ChallengeDragon ChallengeDragon Challenge is a pair of intertwined inverted roller coasters in the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area of Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure. The ride is themed to two dragons, one side being Chinese Fireball and the other Hungarian Horntail...
(2010) (co-produced with Warner Bros Recreation Group) - Flight of the HippogriffFlight of the HippogriffThe Flight of the Hippogriff is a roller coaster at the Islands of Adventure theme park, in Orlando, Florida, United States. The ride is located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of the park and is a mild alternative to the land's more extreme rides including Dragon Challenge and...
(2010) (co-produced with Warner Bros Recreation Group)