Universal Studios Florida
Encyclopedia
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 live shows. The park is one component of the larger Universal Orlando Resort
.
In 2010, the park hosted an estimated 5.9 million guests, ranking it the eighth-most visited theme park in the United States.
, which is a working film and television studio that became a tourist attraction and theme park, Universal Studios Florida was designed as both a theme park and a studio from the start. It was also the first time that Universal Studios had constructed an amusement park "from the ground up."
A major component of the original park in Hollywood is its studio tour, which featured several special-effects exhibits and encounters built into the tour, such as an attack by the great white shark
from the film Jaws
. For its Florida park, Universal Studios took the concepts of the Hollywood tour scenes and developed them into larger, stand-alone attractions. As an example, in Hollywood, the studio tour trams travel close to a shoreline and are "attacked" by Jaws before they travel to the next part of the tour. In Florida, guests enter the "Jaws" attraction and board a boat touring the fictitious Amity Harbor, where they encounter the shark, then exit back into the park at the conclusion of the attraction. Universal Studios Florida originally had a Studio Tour attraction that visited the production facilities, but that tour has since been discontinued.
Over the years, Universal Studios Florida has not limited itself to attractions based on its own vast film library. It has occasionally licensed popular characters from other rival studios, many of whom did not operate theme parks themselves. Some examples include the Ghostbusters
and the Men in Black
(from Sony
's Columbia Pictures
), Jimmy Neutron (from Viacom
's Nickelodeon), The Simpsons
(20th Century Fox
), and Shrek
(from DreamWorks Animation
, now part of Paramount Pictures
).
Many of the park's past and present attractions were developed with the actual creators of the films they were based on, and feature the original stars as part of the experience. Steven Spielberg
, a co-founder for the park, helped create E.T. Adventure
and was a creative consultant for Back to the Future: The Ride
, Twister...Ride it Out
, An American Tail Theatre, Jaws and Men in Black: Alien Attack
. Many of the original stars reprised their film roles including Christopher Lloyd
and Thomas F. Wilson
in Back to the Future: The Ride
, Bill Paxton
and Helen Hunt
in Twister...Ride it Out
, Rip Torn
and Will Smith
in Men in Black: Alien Attack
, Brendan Fraser
for Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, Christopher Walken
and Dwayne Johnson in Disaster!
, the cast from Shrek
returned for Shrek 4-D
, various Nicktoons voice actors reprised their roles in Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
, Roy Scheider
recorded a voice over for the conclusion of Jaws, William Hanna
and Joseph Barbera
made appearances in The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera
while Hanna-Barbera
voice actors reprised their roles in the same ride, Alfred Hitchcock
and Anthony Perkins
appeared in Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies, Arnold Schwarzenegger
, Edward Furlong
and Linda Hamilton
reprised their roles for Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time and even Charlton Heston
made an appearance in the pre-show for Earthquake: The Big One.
, Back to the Future: The Ride
, Nickelodeon Studios
and The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera
. The most recent closures which occurred were Back to the Future: The Ride
, which has been replaced by The Simpsons Ride
, Earthquake: The Big One, which has been replaced by Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You!
, The Boneyard, which was replaced The Universal Music Plaza Stage and Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
which will be replaced by Despicable Me
. Some closures, such as those of Kongfrontation and Back to the Future: The Ride, have proven drastic to veteran visitors and have been given homages by the park.
In 2008, Universal announced plans to release the ride film of Back to the Future: The Ride on a special edition DVD re-release of Back to the Future
.
, a seasonal fireworks display that showcases scenes from various Universal films, featuring lasers, projectors and fireworks. The six surrounding themed areas, clockwise from the entrance, are Production Central, New York, San Francisco/Amity, World Expo, Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone and Hollywood. Each area features a combination of rides, shows, attractions, character appearances, dining outlets and merchandise stores.
shows, but following the closure of Nickelodeon Studios
, this area was annexed into CityWalk with the opening of Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre
. Production Central is home to two Shrek themed attractions. The first is Shrek 4-D
which takes guests on a journey that occurs between the first and second
Shrek films. The second attraction is Donkey's Photo Finish
where guests can interact with the stars of Shrek in a character meet and greet. Both attractions opened in 2003. In 2009 two new attractions opened in Production Central. The Universal Music Plaza Stage is a recreation of the famous Hollywood Bowl
and provides a permanent stage for live concerts during the park's Mardi Gras, Rock the Universe
, Summer Concert Series and Universal Holidays events. The second attraction to open in the area in 2009 was Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit
. Opening in August 2009, the roller coaster offers a complete experience with a custom soundtrack and the ability to upload a video of your experience to the internet.
The area is also home to a variety of dining outlets and merchandise shops. Food and beverage items can be purchased from Beverly Hills Boulangerie or Universal Studios' Classic Monsters Cafe while merchandise can be bought from a variety of themed stores including Universal Studios Store, Studio Sweets, It's a Wrap!, and Shrek's Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe.
This section of the park is aptly named. Within its boundaries can be found architectural styles and sets that resemble the New York
from the past and present. New York's flagship attraction is Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride. Opening in May 2004, this indoor roller coaster was inspired by The Mummy film franchise
. Outside the ride guests can purchase merchandise items from Sahara Traders. Twister...Ride it Out
is a live-action attraction that uses special effects to simulate a tornado
. It was inspired by the 1996 film Twister. The attraction opened in 1998 and features a merchandise shop entitled Aftermath nearby. A walkthrough attraction named Delancey Street Preview Center
allows visitors to preview upcoming films or television shows created by Universal Studios
. This allows the company to receive feedback from a wide range of sources. The Preview Center opened in 2006. In the streets of New York, The Blues Brothers
perform a variety of classic rock and soul songs multiple times per day in The Blues Brothers Live.
New York features several dining outlets: Finnegan's Bar and Grill and Louie's Italian Restaurant which were designed for the park as well as Starbucks Coffee and Ben & Jerry's
which are commercial franchises. Within New York exist three merchandise shops: Sahara Traders, Aftermath and Rosie's Irish Shop. The first two feature merchandise related to attractions within this area.
is a live show featuring some of Universal's classic monsters, including Frankenstein
, Dracula
, the Bride of Frankenstein
, and Wolfman. Outside of performance times, guests have the opportunity to meet Beetlejuice
. The most recent addition was that of Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You!. This attraction puts guests in the middle of a new Disaster movie made by fictional company Disaster Studios. It opened in January 2008 and features a merchandise store, named Disaster! Studios Gifts. In homage to the previous Earthquake: The Big One attraction (which Disaster! replaced), the Richter's Burger Company dining outlet has remained open.
The Amity section of this area is home to Jaws where guests are put aboard Captain Jake's Amity Boat Tours. The ride takes guests on a journey around the island of Amity, hoping to avoid the menace known as JAWS. Due to popularity, the ride opened in 1990 as an extended version of the original staged event on the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood
. A gift shop entitled Quint's Surf Shack is located nearby the ride. Fear Factor Live
is a live stunt show that puts real park guests into the action of the former NBC series, Fear Factor
. It opened in 2005 with a merchandise shop named Fear Factor
Gear.
In addition to the themed shops mentioned previously there are several other shops including Lombard's Landing Seafood Grille, Nathan's Hotdogs and San Francisco Candy Factory.
The area is currently home to two attractions. The first is Men in Black: Alien Attack
which is an interactive dark ride adventure where you will join the ranks of the Men in Black
to save New York City from a recent alien invasion. The attraction opened in 2000. Opened in 2008, the second attraction is based upon the popular television show
and film
. The Simpsons Ride
is a motion simulator ride which takes you through the world of Krustyland with the Simpson family
.
World Expo is home to the International Food and Film Festival dining outlet. The land is home to three merchandise shops which sell items specifically targeted at the surrounding attractions. Men In Black: Alien Attack and The Simpsons Ride sell merchandise items in MIB Gear and the Kwik-E-Mart
respectively.
Sometime after June 2005 the optical illusion of the Space Shuttle was removed from this part of the park. As you headed towards World Expo from San Francisco/Amity it was one of the many designated photo spots through out the park. There was a hanging platform that you would place your camera on and take the picture. The Shuttle would look as though it was sitting on the top of expired park ride Back to the Future: The Ride
.
. The area was originally part of World Expo, but was divided into its own section with the opening of a junior roller coaster named Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster in 1999.
In addition to the junior roller coaster, Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone is home to three attractions and three shows. Fievel
's Playland is a children's playground which includes a 30 feet (9.1 m) spider web to climb and a 200 feet (61 m) long water slide. The attraction opened in 1992. A second children's play area opened six years later. Curious George Goes to Town
is a play area featuring two large water troughs that dump 500 gallons of water on its visitors every few minutes, and a ball area where guests can shoot soft, foam balls out of cannons. The final attraction is E.T. Adventure
. Opening in 1990, the ride is a dark ride based on the 1982 hit film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
.
Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone is home to three shows which are performed multiple times per day. A Day in the Park with Barney
is a live, sing-along stage show featuring Barney and his friends
. Animal Actors On Location is a 20-minute live stage show featuring trained animals showcasing their talent. StarToons Summer Jam is a live show featuring classic Universal cartoon characters performing to beach party
songs. It is the fourth version of the show to be held at the park, the previous three versions being StarToons, in the Production Central area, as well asStarToons Character Meet and Greet and StarToons: 80's Rewind, also in the Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone area.
Guests can purchase food and beverage items from the Kidzone Pizza Company in Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone. As with the rest of the park, merchandise shops have been designed to offer specific merchandise related to that area's attractions. The Barney Store and E.T.'s Toy Closet sell merchandise specific to A Day in the Park with Barney and E.T. Adventure respectively. The Universal Cartoon Store, on the other hand, sells merchandise of various cartoon characters, including Woody Woodpecker and Scooby Doo.
and Mel's Drive-In
. These recreations are accompanied by two shows and a walkthrough exhibit as well as the world famous state of the art Radio Broadcast Center on the corner between Schwabs and The Brown Derby. The Radio Broadcast Center host radio stations from all over the world.
Lucy: A Tribute, a walk-through museum featuring the best of "America's favorite redhead", Lucille Ball
. Universal's Horror Make-Up Show
is a live stage show that shows guests how horror film special effects are created. Before the main show guests experience a pre-show walk-through of set pieces and props used in various horror movies. The pre-show currently houses a character appearance by Hellboy
from Hellboy II: The Golden Army. In August 2008, a section of the pre-show lobby was included to contain material from Halloween Horror Nights
which includes some concept art, and a timeline of park map covers dating from its debut year in 1991 as Fright Nights. Both of these attractions opened in 1990. The final attraction is Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time
. The show is a live, 3D experience that combines a 3-D film
with an actual stage show based on the film Terminator 2.
Hollywood's two dining outlets are recreations of actual Hollywood outlets. Schwab's Pharmacy and Mel's Drive In offer guests a variety of food and beverage options. A third outlet, named Cafe La Bamba, operates seasonally. Guests can purchase Terminator merchandise from Cyber Image and magic-related items from Theatre Magic.
, the production location for Nickelodeon
from 1990 until 2005. In September 2008, Nickelodeon returned to Universal Studios Florida for the production of "My Family's Got GUTS
." Currently, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
records television programs at the studio. In January 2009, the Powerball
lottery drawings moved from Iowa
; they are conducted and made at Universal Studios Florida, coinciding with the Florida Lottery
's entry into the Powerball game. In July 2010, RTL Group
's Family Feud
was filmed at the studios, coinciding with the show's debut of new host Steve Harvey
.
Universal Studios Florida is home to six soundstages that are available for a variety of purposes. A seventh soundstage, Stage 18, was one of the former Nickelodeon Studios
soundstages; it was redesigned in 2007 as the Sharp Aquos Theatre, where the Blue Man Group
has performed since June 2007. The soundstage and the core production facility were made a permanent part of Universal CityWalk
. Soundstage 21 has been used since June 2004 for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(TNA) which has produced its weekly television program, TNA iMPACT!
from there, and has aired its pay-per-view
events from this location since November 2004; it is referred to as the "iMPACT! Zone
" for this reason. TNA also uses soundstage 24 for backstage use. The remaining soundstages are available for rent by other production companies. During Halloween Horror Nights
, the soundstages are occasionally used for the event's haunted houses.
A wide range of productions have been filmed in the soundstages during the studio's history, including many local and national commercials. Television shows include SeaQuest DSV
(from its second season forward) and Superboy
(second-fourth seasons). The Ellen DeGeneres Show
tapes a week-long series of episodes at the resort in the spring. Sports-entertainment shows WCW Monday Nitro
and roller derby
series "RollerJam!" were taped at the studios. In 2009 the studios also became headquarters for the Adrenaline Partnership's FIREBALL RUN(R) series; a popular national motoring event series. The studios have hosted numerous game shows, including national tours of Wheel of Fortune, Fear Factor
(portions of episodes from 2004–2005) and the Florida Lottery
's Flamingo Fortune. Since 2009, the Powerball
drawing originates from the facilities. Major scenes of the movie Parenthood were filmed at the studios prior to the park's opening to the public in 1990. The film Psycho IV: The Beginning
as well as the TV series Swamp Thing
were also filmed at the theme park shortly following its grand opening. Most recently, the films Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective, Beethoven's Big Break
and The Final Destination were filmed at the studio.
During the 1990s when Nickelodeon's
main home was at Universal Studios, the soundstages were used to film almost all Nickelodeon's original live action programming including: Get the Picture, Kenan & Kel
, Family Double Dare, All That
and many others. While Stage 18 is now used as the Sharp Aquos Theatre
for the Blue Man Group
, Soundstage 19 and the core production facility are home to Sun Sports
and FSN.
Other soundstages located throughout the park (while primarily in the Production Central area) house the attractions Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre
(in CityWalk
), Shrek 4-D
, Donkey's Photo Finish
, Twister...Ride it Out
, Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, Men in Black: Alien Attack
and E.T. Adventure
.
featuring all of the best park attractions, live performances by some of the most popular musicians, dance parties with DJs, and pre-parties live at The Universal Music Plaza Stage in the Production Central area. After Disney
's retirement of Grad Nite
, Grad Bash will be held for five nights in 2012. Gradventure is similar, but is designed for junior high/middle school graduating students.
to Orlando in a month-long event in December that highlights the Christmas celebrations at the park.
, and Christian rap artists live at The Universal Music Plaza Stage in the Production Central.
Universal Express Plus is not included in park admission. There are a limited number of passes available each day and they are often sold out in advance. The cost of the pass varies based on what parks are selected and even what day is selected, with higher prices charged on peak operating days during the year.
Purchasers of the Express Plus pass may use the shorter priority line once per enabled attraction. Guests of Universal's three on-site resorts—the Royal Pacific Resort, the Hard Rock Hotel and the Portofino Bay Hotel—may show their room keys for unlimited uses of the faster line for each ride. Also, guests who hold Universal Orlando's Premier Annual Pass receive the same privilege extended to hotel guests, though only after 4pm, and are limited to one time through each attraction per day.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
theme park located in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. 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 live shows. The park is one component of the larger 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...
.
In 2010, the park hosted an estimated 5.9 million guests, ranking it the eighth-most visited theme park in the United States.
History
Park history
Unlike its sister facility, Universal Studios HollywoodUniversal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood movie studios still in use...
, which is a working film and television studio that became a tourist attraction and theme park, Universal Studios Florida was designed as both a theme park and a studio from the start. It was also the first time that Universal Studios had constructed an amusement park "from the ground up."
A major component of the original park in Hollywood is its studio tour, which featured several special-effects exhibits and encounters built into the tour, such as an attack by the great white shark
Great white shark
The great white shark, scientific name Carcharodon carcharias, also known as the great white, white pointer, white shark, or white death, is a large lamniform shark found in coastal surface waters in all major oceans. It is known for its size, with the largest individuals known to have approached...
from the film Jaws
Jaws (film)
Jaws is a 1975 American horror-thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name. In the story, the police chief of Amity Island, a fictional summer resort town, tries to protect beachgoers from a giant man-eating great white shark by closing the beach,...
. For its Florida park, Universal Studios took the concepts of the Hollywood tour scenes and developed them into larger, stand-alone attractions. As an example, in Hollywood, the studio tour trams travel close to a shoreline and are "attacked" by Jaws before they travel to the next part of the tour. In Florida, guests enter the "Jaws" attraction and board a boat touring the fictitious Amity Harbor, where they encounter the shark, then exit back into the park at the conclusion of the attraction. Universal Studios Florida originally had a Studio Tour attraction that visited the production facilities, but that tour has since been discontinued.
Over the years, Universal Studios Florida has not limited itself to attractions based on its own vast film library. It has occasionally licensed popular characters from other rival studios, many of whom did not operate theme parks themselves. Some examples include 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...
and the Men in Black
Men in Black (film)
Men in Black is a 1997 science fiction comedy film directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith and Vincent D'Onofrio. The film was based on the Men in Black comic book series by Lowell Cunningham, originally published by Marvel Comics. The film featured the creature effects...
(from Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
's Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
), Jimmy Neutron (from Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
's Nickelodeon), The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
(20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
), and Shrek
Shrek
Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Loosely based on William Steig's 1990 fairy tale picture book Shrek!...
(from DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. is an American animation studio based in Glendale, California that creates animated feature films, television program and online virtual worlds...
, now part of Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
).
Many of the park's past and present attractions were developed with the actual creators of the films they were based on, and feature the original stars as part of the experience. Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
, a co-founder for the park, helped create E.T. Adventure
E.T. Adventure
E.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...
and was a creative consultant for Back to the Future: The Ride
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...
, 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...
, An American Tail Theatre, Jaws and 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...
. Many of the original stars reprised their film roles including Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Allen Lloyd is an American actor. He is best known for playing Emmett Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values, and Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He played Reverend Jim Ignatowski in the television series Taxi and more...
and Thomas F. Wilson
Thomas F. Wilson
Thomas F. Wilson is an American actor, writer, musician, painter, voice-over artist and stand-up comedian. He is best known for playing Biff Tannen in the Back to the Future trilogy and Coach Ben Fredricks on NBC's Freaks and Geeks.-Early life:Thomas Francis Wilson, Jr. was...
in Back to the Future: The Ride
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...
, Bill Paxton
Bill Paxton
William "Bill" Paxton is an American actor and film director. He gained popularity after starring roles in the films Apollo 13, Twister, Aliens, True Lies, and Titanic...
and Helen Hunt
Helen Hunt
Helen Elizabeth Hunt is an American actress, film director, and screenwriter. She starred in the sitcom Mad About You for seven years, before being cast in the romantic comedy As Good as It Gets...
in 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...
, Rip Torn
Rip Torn
Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn, Jr. , is an American actor of stage, screen and television.Torn received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1983 film Cross Creek. His work includes the role of Artie, the producer, on The Larry Sanders Show, for which he was nominated...
and Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
in 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...
, Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser
Brendan James Fraser is a Canadian-American film and stage actor. Fraser portrayed Rick O'Connell in the three-part Mummy film series , and is known for his comedic and fantasy film leading roles in major Hollywood films, including Encino Man , George of the Jungle , Dudley Do-Right , Monkeybone ,...
for Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken is an American stage and screen actor. He has appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows, including Joe Dirt, Annie Hall, The Deer Hunter, The Prophecy trilogy, The Dogs of War, Sleepy Hollow, Brainstorm, The Dead Zone, A View to a Kill, At Close Range, King of New...
and Dwayne Johnson in Disaster!
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...
, the cast from Shrek
Shrek
Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Loosely based on William Steig's 1990 fairy tale picture book Shrek!...
returned for 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...
, various Nicktoons voice actors reprised their roles in 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...
, Roy Scheider
Roy Scheider
Roy Richard Scheider was an American actor. He was best known for his leading role as police chief Martin C...
recorded a voice over for the conclusion of Jaws, William Hanna
William Hanna
William Denby Hanna was an American animator, director, producer, and cartoon artist, whose film and television cartoon characters entertained millions of people for much of the 20th century. When he was a young child, Hanna's family moved frequently, but they settled in Compton, California, by...
and Joseph Barbera
Joseph Barbera
Joseph Roland Barbera was an influential American animator, director, producer, storyboard artist, and cartoon artist, whose film and television cartoon characters entertained millions of fans worldwide for much of the twentieth century....
made appearances in The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera
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...
while Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
voice actors reprised their roles in the same ride, Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
and 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:...
appeared in Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
, Edward Furlong
Edward Furlong
Edward Walter Furlong is an American actor whose best known film roles are John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Daniel Vinyard in American History X. He is a two-time Saturn Award nominee, winning the 1992 Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for his performance in...
and Linda Hamilton
Linda Hamilton
Linda Carroll Hamilton is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Sarah Connor in The Terminator and its sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Catherine Chandler in the television series Beauty and the Beast, for which she was nominated for two Golden Globes and an Emmy...
reprised their roles for Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time and even Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston was an American actor of film, theatre and television. Heston is known for heroic roles in films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes...
made an appearance in the pre-show for Earthquake: The Big One.
Timeline
- 1982: The first concepts for Universal Studios Florida, including a King Kong based rideKongfrontationKongfrontation 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...
, are conceived on the front lot at the Universal Studios HollywoodUniversal Studios HollywoodUniversal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood movie studios still in use...
studio. The park project is put on hold shortly afterwards to work on the built-up version of the Hollywood park's Studio Tour. - 1986: The idea of a Back to the Future simulator 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...
is brought up during a meeting between Steven SpielbergSteven SpielbergSteven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
and Peter N. Alexander on the eve of the debut of the Hollywood Studio Tour's 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...
. The Universal Studios Florida project is brought back into focus shortly afterwards, and production of the future park's rides and attractions takes place in the Hollywood studio while land clearing takes place on the swamp land purchased by MCA/Universal which will hold the Florida park. - 1987: Universal Studios Florida is announced at a press conference on the Hollywood property, with a planned opening date of December 1989.
- 1988: Universal Studios Florida's opening date is delayed from December, 1989 to May 1, 1990. Shortly following, MCA/Universal releases a video detailing the future park, which stars Christopher LloydChristopher LloydChristopher Allen Lloyd is an American actor. He is best known for playing Emmett Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values, and Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He played Reverend Jim Ignatowski in the television series Taxi and more...
as the Universal character Doc Brown interacting with the various attractions at the Florida park. - Mid 1988: Universal Studios allows guests to witness the production of television shows and motion pictures in the Florida park's soundstages, while the rest of the studio/park is still under construction.
- 1989: MCA/Universal Studios claims that The Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
and it's CEO, Michael EisnerMichael EisnerMichael Dammann Eisner is an American businessman. He was the chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company from 1984 until 2005.-Early life:...
copied several concepts of the Universal Studios Florida park, and integrated them into Disney's recently opened Disney/MGM StudiosDisney's Hollywood StudiosDisney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s...
park.
- January 31, 1990: Universal Studios Florida's opening date is again delayed from May 1, 1990 to June 7, 1990.
- Late May 1990: Universal Studios Florida begins soft openings for the general public. Many of the park's attractions are not yet open at the time, and still under testing.
- June 7, 1990: Universal Studios Florida is officially opened with a grand opening style ceremony. The park opens with five themed areas: The Front Lot (entrance area), Production Central, New York, San Francisco/Amity, Expo Center, Hollywood as well as a Lagoon located in the center of the park. The Front Lot and Production Central areas are referred to as "In Production", while the other park areas are referred to as "Now Shooting".
- Summer 1990: Due to massive technical problems with the original 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...
, Earthquake: The Big One and Jaws rides, Universal begins a temporary voucherVoucherA voucher is a bond which is worth a certain monetary value and which may be spent only for specific reasons or on specific goods. Examples include housing, travel, and food vouchers...
service to allow guests to re-visit the studio/park when the attractions are operating. - September 30, 1990: Jaws is temporarily closed by Universal due to persistent major technical problems. During the shut-down, Universal sues the original designer of the Jaws ride, Ride & Show Engineering, and hires Totally Fun Company to create a re-designed version of most of the ride.
- Spring 1991: Universal adds four new attractions to the park: The Blues Brothers ShowThe Blues Brothers ShowThe Blues Brothers Show is a live show attraction located at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood . The show first debuted at the Florida park in March 1991 in the New York area, and later at the Hollywood park in the Upper Lot area...
, StreetBusters, The Screen Test Home Video Adventure and How to Make a Mega Movie DealHow to Make a Mega Movie DealHow 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...
. - May 2, 1991: 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...
officially opens in the Expo Center area of the park, in a grand opening ceremony. The ride is considered to be a success, and receives positive reception from theme park critics. - July 4, 1991: 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...
debuts in the San Francisco/Amity area of the park. - Summer 1991: An American Tail Theatre debuts at the park.
- October 1991: Fright NightsHalloween Horror NightsHalloween 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...
debuts at the park. - Spring 1992: The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Show debuts in the Production Central area.
- 1992: An American Tail Theatre is closed and replaced by Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard RevueBeetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard RevueBeetlejuice'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...
. Following the closure, Fievel's Playland is opened in the Expo Center area of the park. - October 1992: Fright Nights is re-named Halloween Horror NightsHalloween Horror NightsHalloween 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...
as it returns for its second year at Universal Studios Florida. - Spring 1993: Expo Center is re-named World Expo; How to Make a Mega Movie DealHow to Make a Mega Movie DealHow 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...
closes, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Show is discontinued and replaced by StarToons; StreetBusters is discontinued; - Summer 1993: The Marvel Show, a seasonal Summer attraction, debuts in the New York area; Jaws is re-opened, with many scenes altered.
- 1993, September 16: MCA/Universal announces plans to expand Universal Studios Florida into the Universal City, Florida resort complex, including a second theme park and multiple hotels.
- 1994: The Swamp Thing Set is demolished, and a portion of the Cabin set is utilized in the Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular nighttime show.
- July 10, 1995: 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...
opens in the World Expo area. - Fall 1995: The Production Studio Tour is closed due to a dwindle in the studios' recent Film/TV production.
- Spring 1996: StarToons and The Marvel Show are discontinued; Kids for CharacterKids for CharacterKids for Character was a program that was released on VHS in 1996. It was a charity special about moral character that featured many different children's characters. It was produced by The Character Counts! Coalition and was distributed by Lyrick Studios...
has been taped at the park. - April 27, 1996: Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time opens in the Hollywood area.
- Summer 1996: Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre and MCA Recording Studio close.
- November 9, 1996: Ghostbusters Spooktacular closes.
- November 11, 1996: The Screen Test Home Video Adventure close.
- February 1997: Universal announces that Ghostbusters Spooktacular will be replaced by Twister...Ride it Out, with a planned opening date of Spring 1998
- Spring 1997: Universal Studios announces that the sole Studio park will be expanded into the Universal Studios Escape, including the Islands of AdventureIslands of AdventureUniversal'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...
park, Universal CityWalk Orlando and multiple hotels. - May 1997: The Islands of Adventure Preview Center opens in the New York area, replacing The Screen Test Home Video Adventure. It is meant to give guests a preview of the up-coming Islands of AdventureIslands of AdventureUniversal'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...
park, as well as expansion of the Studio park into the Universal Studios Escape resort. - Summer 1997: Hercules and Xena: Wizards of the Screen opens, replacing Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre.
- 1997: Stage 54 opens, replacing MCA Recording Studio.
- 1998: The expansion begins as the original open parking lot for Universal Studios Florida is demolished and replaced by CityWalk and a parking garage complex.
- Spring 1998: The Bates Motel and The Bates Mansion sets are torn down; AT&T at the Movies opens in the Hollywood area.
- February 1998: Universal delays the opening of 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...
from March, 1998 to May 4, 1998 out of respect for the 42 deaths caused by a recent El Nino outbreak of tornadoes in the central Florida area. - May 4, 1998: Twister...Ride it Out opens in the New York area, replacing Ghostbusters Spooktacular.
- Summer 1998: A new area of the park, Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone, is officially opened, holding the attractions Curious George Goes to Town, StarToons and the previously opened Fievel's Playland, 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...
, Animal Actors Stage and 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...
; CityWalk opens outside of the park. - Spring 1999: Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster opens in the Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone area. Shortly after the opening, the original Hard Rock CafeHard Rock CafeHard 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...
in the park is closed and left abandoned, due to the opening of a larger one in CityWalk. - May 28, 1999: Islands of AdventureIslands of AdventureUniversal'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...
opens next door to Universal Studios Florida. - September 2, 1999: Hercules and Xena: Wizards of the Screen closes.
- February 2000: Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular is discontinued.
- April 4, 2000: 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...
opens in the World Expo area, on the former site of The Swamp Thing Set. - Spring 2001: The park begins using Universal Express; AT&T at the Movies closes; Animal Actors Stage closes.
- Summer 2001: Animal Planet Live opens, replacing Animal Actors Stage.
- Spring 2002: Universal Studios Escape is re-named Universal Orlando ResortUniversal Orlando ResortUniversal 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...
; Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way opens, replacing StreetBusters. - May 2002: Universal announces that 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...
, and Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies will both be closed in the near future, confirming that Hanna-Barbera will be replaced by a Jimmy Neutron adventures ride, and Hitchcock by a ShrekShrekShrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Loosely based on William Steig's 1990 fairy tale picture book Shrek!...
3-D show. - September 8, 2002: 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...
closes in a closing ceremony. The loss of the attraction causes much controversy among fans of the park. - October 2002: Halloween Horror Nights is moved to Islands of Adventure.
- October 20, 2002: The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera closes.
- December 2002: Macy's Holiday Parade debuts at the park.
- January 3, 2003: Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies closes.
- Spring 2003: Stage 54 closes.
- April 11, 2003: 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...
opens, replacing The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. - May 2003: Donkey's Photo FinishDonkey's Photo FinishDonkey'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...
opens, replacing Stage 54. - June 12, 2003: 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...
opens, replacing Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies. - Fall 2003: Universal announces that Kongfrontation will be replaced by an indoor roller coaster based on The MummyThe Mummy (1999 film)The Mummy is a 1999 American adventure film written and directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah and Kevin J. O'Connor, with Arnold Vosloo in the title role as the reanimated mummy. The film features substantial dialogue in ancient Egyptian language, spoken...
, with a planned opening of spring 2004 - September 4, 2003: 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...
closes. - May 25, 2004: Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride opens, replacing Kongfrontation.
- October 2004: Halloween Horror Nights takes place in both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
- February 2005: Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way closes.
- Spring 2005: Universal Express Plus is introduced.
- April 30, 2005: Nickelodeon StudiosNickelodeon StudiosNickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
closes. - May 2005: 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...
opens, replacing The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show. - Spring 2006: Delancey Street Preview CenterDelancey Street Preview CenterDelancey Street Preview Center is an attraction located at Universal Studios Florida. It is seasonal, and is an interactive attraction allowing park guests to preview an upcoming Universal Studios' Film or television show.-Summary:...
opens in the New York area. - July 4, 2006: 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....
opens, replacing Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular. - Fall 2006: Animal Planet Live is closed, and replaced by Animal Actors on Location.
- September 2006: Universal quietly closes half of Back to the Future: The Ride in preparation for its closure. Rumors range that the ride will be replaced by either a SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
or a Fast and the FuriousThe Fast and the Furious (film series)The Fast and the Furious is a series of action films that focuses on street racing and heists. Produced by Universal Studios, the series was established in 2001 with the eponymous first installment, which has since been followed by four sequels, and two short films that tie into the series...
themed ride. - October 2006: Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Studios Florida for its "Sweet 16".
- March 30, 2007: Back to the Future: The Ride closes. The closure of the attraction becomes the second most notable retirement in the park's history after Kongfrontation.
- April 2007: Universal confirms that Back to the Future: The Ride will be replaced by a Simpsons ride, with a planned opening of Spring 2008.
- June 6, 2007: Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos TheatreBlue Man Group Sharp Aquos TheatreBlue 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...
opens in CityWalk, replacing Nickelodeon Studios. - Summer 2007: Universal Express is discontinued, but Universal Express Plus remains in operation.
- November 5, 2007: Earthquake: The Big One closes.
- January 17, 2008: 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...
opens, replacing Earthquake: The Big One. - Spring 2008: Universal announces Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, with a planned opening of Spring 2009.
- May 15, 2008: 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...
opens, replacing Back to the Future: The Ride. - September 9, 2008: The Boneyard closes.
- Fall 2008: StarToons is re-vamped as StarToons: 80's Rewind.
- February 21, 2009: The Universal Music Plaza Stage opens, replacing The Boneyard.
- Spring 2009: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit's opening is delayed until Summer, 2009.
- August 19, 2009: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit opens.
- October 2010: The 20th anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida.
- March 14, 2011: Universal announced that Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast will close August 18, 2011, to begin work on a new attraction which "is just one of many exciting things planned for the next couple of years".
- May 19, 2011: Universal confirms that Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast will be replaced by a Despicable Me themed rideDespicable 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...
, with an expected opening in 2012. - August 18, 2011: Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast closes.
Previous attractions
Like all theme parks, attractions are sometimes closed due to aging and replaced with more contemporary attractions. Universal has seen this action used a great deal of times, with many attraction closures such as KongfrontationKongfrontation
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...
, Back to the Future: The Ride
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...
, Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
and The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera
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...
. The most recent closures which occurred were Back to the Future: The Ride
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...
, which has been replaced 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...
, Earthquake: The Big One, which has been replaced by 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...
, The Boneyard, which was replaced The Universal Music Plaza Stage and 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 will be replaced by Despicable Me
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...
. Some closures, such as those of Kongfrontation and Back to the Future: The Ride, have proven drastic to veteran visitors and have been given homages by the park.
In 2008, Universal announced plans to release the ride film of Back to the Future: The Ride on a special edition DVD re-release of Back to the Future
Back to the Future
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
.
Park design
Universal Studios Florida features six themed areas all situated around a large lagoon. This lagoon is home to Universal 360: A Cinesphere SpectacularUniversal 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....
, a seasonal fireworks display that showcases scenes from various Universal films, featuring lasers, projectors and fireworks. The six surrounding themed areas, clockwise from the entrance, are Production Central, New York, San Francisco/Amity, World Expo, Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone and Hollywood. Each area features a combination of rides, shows, attractions, character appearances, dining outlets and merchandise stores.
Production Central
Production Central serves as the park's main entrance. The section features a cluster of motion picture soundstages, each of which house theme park attractions or actual film and television studios. A section of this area holding soundstages 18 and 19 was formerly used for production of 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...
shows, but following the closure of Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
, this area was annexed into CityWalk with 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...
. Production Central is home to two Shrek themed attractions. The first is 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...
which takes guests on a journey that occurs between the first and second
Shrek 2
Shrek 2 is a 2004 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film, produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon. It is the second installment in the Shrek film series and the sequel to 2001's Shrek...
Shrek films. The second attraction is 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...
where guests can interact with the stars of Shrek in a character meet and greet. Both attractions opened in 2003. In 2009 two new attractions opened in Production Central. The Universal Music Plaza Stage is a recreation of the famous Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
and provides a permanent stage for live concerts during the park's Mardi Gras, Rock the Universe
Rock the Universe
Rock the Universe is an annual Christian rock festival that takes place at Universal Studios Florida. It started in 1998, and it normally takes place in the first or second week of September.The festival has had three main stages over the years...
, Summer Concert Series and Universal Holidays events. The second attraction to open in the area in 2009 was Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit
Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a steel roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida. This custom-designed attraction features an on-board sound system to provide a soundtrack for the roller coaster track, as well as video cameras to record the experience...
. Opening in August 2009, the roller coaster offers a complete experience with a custom soundtrack and the ability to upload a video of your experience to the internet.
The area is also home to a variety of dining outlets and merchandise shops. Food and beverage items can be purchased from Beverly Hills Boulangerie or Universal Studios' Classic Monsters Cafe while merchandise can be bought from a variety of themed stores including Universal Studios Store, Studio Sweets, It's a Wrap!, and Shrek's Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe.
New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
from the past and present. New York's flagship attraction is Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride. Opening in May 2004, this indoor roller coaster was inspired by The Mummy film franchise
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:...
. Outside the ride guests can purchase merchandise items from Sahara Traders. 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...
is a live-action attraction that uses special effects to simulate a tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
. It was inspired by the 1996 film Twister. The attraction opened in 1998 and features a merchandise shop entitled Aftermath nearby. A walkthrough attraction named Delancey Street Preview Center
Delancey Street Preview Center
Delancey Street Preview Center is an attraction located at Universal Studios Florida. It is seasonal, and is an interactive attraction allowing park guests to preview an upcoming Universal Studios' Film or television show.-Summary:...
allows visitors to preview upcoming films or television shows created by Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
. This allows the company to receive feedback from a wide range of sources. The Preview Center opened in 2006. In the streets of New York, The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers are an American blues and soul revivalist band founded in 1978 by comedy actors Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live...
perform a variety of classic rock and soul songs multiple times per day in The Blues Brothers Live.
New York features several dining outlets: Finnegan's Bar and Grill and Louie's Italian Restaurant which were designed for the park as well as Starbucks Coffee and Ben & Jerry's
Ben & Jerry's
Ben & Jerry's is an American ice cream company, a division of the British-Dutch Unilever conglomerate, that manufactures ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and ice cream novelty products, manufactured by Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings, Inc., headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont, United...
which are commercial franchises. Within New York exist three merchandise shops: Sahara Traders, Aftermath and Rosie's Irish Shop. The first two feature merchandise related to attractions within this area.
San Francisco/Amity
This section has two distinct themes: that of a mature coastal city and that of a seasonal tourist town in New England. Within the San Francisco portion of this area lie one show and one attraction. Opening in 1992, Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard RevueBeetlejuice'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...
is a live show featuring some of Universal's classic monsters, including Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is a novel about a failed experiment that produced a monster, written by Mary Shelley, with inserts of poems by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Shelley started writing the story when she was eighteen, and the novel was published when she was twenty-one. The first...
, Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
, the Bride of Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein is a 1935 American horror film, the first sequel to Frankenstein...
, and Wolfman. Outside of performance times, guests have the opportunity to meet 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...
. The most recent addition was that of Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You!. This attraction puts guests in the middle of a new Disaster movie made by fictional company Disaster Studios. It opened in January 2008 and features a merchandise store, named Disaster! Studios Gifts. In homage to the previous Earthquake: The Big One attraction (which Disaster! replaced), the Richter's Burger Company dining outlet has remained open.
The Amity section of this area is home to Jaws where guests are put aboard Captain Jake's Amity Boat Tours. The ride takes guests on a journey around the island of Amity, hoping to avoid the menace known as JAWS. Due to popularity, the ride opened in 1990 as an extended version of the original staged event on the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood movie studios still in use...
. A gift shop entitled Quint's Surf Shack is located nearby the ride. 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...
is a live stunt show that puts real park guests into the action of the former NBC series, Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
. It opened in 2005 with a merchandise shop named Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
Gear.
In addition to the themed shops mentioned previously there are several other shops including Lombard's Landing Seafood Grille, Nathan's Hotdogs and San Francisco Candy Factory.
World Expo
World Expo takes its inspiration from the international expositions of the 20th century. It combines ultra-modern architecture as seen from the 1960s with architecture from today. Theming in the area includes various flags of countries of the world.The area is currently home to two attractions. The first is 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...
which is an interactive dark ride adventure where you will join the ranks of the Men in Black
Men in Black
Men in Black , in American popular culture and in UFO conspiracy theories, are men dressed in black suits who claim to be government agents who harass or threaten UFO witnesses to keep them quiet about what they have seen. It is sometimes implied that they may be aliens themselves...
to save New York City from a recent alien invasion. The attraction opened in 2000. Opened in 2008, the second attraction is based upon the popular television show
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
and film
The Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons Movie is a 2007 American animated comedy film based on the animated television series The Simpsons. The film was directed by David Silverman, and stars the regular television cast of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Tress...
. 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...
is a motion simulator ride which takes you through the world of Krustyland with the Simpson family
Simpson family
The Simpson family is a family of fictional characters featured in the animated television series The Simpsons. The Simpsons are a nuclear family consisting of the married couple Homer and Marge and their three children Bart, Lisa and Maggie. They live at 742 Evergreen Terrace in the fictional town...
.
World Expo is home to the International Food and Film Festival dining outlet. The land is home to three merchandise shops which sell items specifically targeted at the surrounding attractions. Men In Black: Alien Attack and The Simpsons Ride sell merchandise items in MIB Gear and the 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...
respectively.
Sometime after June 2005 the optical illusion of the Space Shuttle was removed from this part of the park. As you headed towards World Expo from San Francisco/Amity it was one of the many designated photo spots through out the park. There was a hanging platform that you would place your camera on and take the picture. The Shuttle would look as though it was sitting on the top of expired park ride Back to the Future: The Ride
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...
.
Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone
Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone is the park's children's area named after Universal Studios' mascot, Woody WoodpeckerWoody Woodpecker
Woody Woodpecker is an animated cartoon character, an anthropomorphic acorn woodpecker who appeared in theatrical short films produced by the Walter Lantz animation studio and distributed by Universal Pictures...
. The area was originally part of World Expo, but was divided into its own section with the opening of a junior roller coaster named Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster in 1999.
In addition to the junior roller coaster, Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone is home to three attractions and three shows. Fievel
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...
's Playland is a children's playground which includes a 30 feet (9.1 m) spider web to climb and a 200 feet (61 m) long water slide. The attraction opened in 1992. A second children's play area opened six years later. 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...
is a play area featuring two large water troughs that dump 500 gallons of water on its visitors every few minutes, and a ball area where guests can shoot soft, foam balls out of cannons. The final attraction is E.T. Adventure
E.T. Adventure
E.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...
. Opening in 1990, the ride is a dark ride based on the 1982 hit film 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...
.
Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone is home to three shows which are performed multiple times per day. 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...
is a live, sing-along stage show featuring Barney and his friends
Barney & Friends
Barney and Friends, also referred to by HiT Entertainment as Barney the Friendly Dinosaur, is an independent children's television show produced in the United States, aimed at children from ages 1-8...
. Animal Actors On Location is a 20-minute live stage show featuring trained animals showcasing their talent. StarToons Summer Jam is a live show featuring classic Universal cartoon characters performing to beach party
Beach Party
Beach Party was the first of several beach party films from American International Pictures aimed at a teen audience. It was directed by William Asher and written by Lou Rusoff. The main actors included Robert Cummings, Dorothy Malone, Frankie Avalon, and Annette Funicello...
songs. It is the fourth version of the show to be held at the park, the previous three versions being StarToons, in the Production Central area, as well asStarToons Character Meet and Greet and StarToons: 80's Rewind, also in the Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone area.
Guests can purchase food and beverage items from the Kidzone Pizza Company in Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone. As with the rest of the park, merchandise shops have been designed to offer specific merchandise related to that area's attractions. The Barney Store and E.T.'s Toy Closet sell merchandise specific to A Day in the Park with Barney and E.T. Adventure respectively. The Universal Cartoon Store, on the other hand, sells merchandise of various cartoon characters, including Woody Woodpecker and Scooby Doo.
Hollywood
The Hollywood section of the park greets guests with recreations of some of Hollywood's greatest monuments, such as Schwab's Drug StoreSchwab's Drug Store
Schwab's Pharmacy was a drug store located at 8024 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California, and was a popular hangout for movie actors and movie industry dealmakers from the 1930s through the 1950s...
and Mel's Drive-In
Mel's Drive-In
Mel's Drive-In is an American restaurant chain founded in 1947 by Mel Weiss and Harold Dobbs in San Francisco, California....
. These recreations are accompanied by two shows and a walkthrough exhibit as well as the world famous state of the art Radio Broadcast Center on the corner between Schwabs and The Brown Derby. The Radio Broadcast Center host radio stations from all over the world.
Lucy: A Tribute, a walk-through museum featuring the best of "America's favorite redhead", Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
. Universal's Horror Make-Up Show
Universal's Horror Make-Up Show
Universal's Horror Make-Up Show is an attraction located at Universal Studios Florida...
is a live stage show that shows guests how horror film special effects are created. Before the main show guests experience a pre-show walk-through of set pieces and props used in various horror movies. The pre-show currently houses a character appearance by Hellboy
Hellboy
Hellboy is a comic book superhero created by writer-artist Mike Mignola. The character first appeared in San Diego Comic-Con Comics #2 , and has since appeared in various eponymous miniseries, one-shots and intercompany crossovers...
from Hellboy II: The Golden Army. In August 2008, a section of the pre-show lobby was included to contain material from 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...
which includes some concept art, and a timeline of park map covers dating from its debut year in 1991 as Fright Nights. Both of these attractions opened in 1990. The final attraction is Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time
T2 3-D: Battle Across Time
T2 3-D: Battle Across Time is an attraction at various Universal Studios parks around the world including those at Florida, Hollywood and Japan...
. The show is a live, 3D experience that combines a 3-D film
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
with an actual stage show based on the film Terminator 2.
Hollywood's two dining outlets are recreations of actual Hollywood outlets. Schwab's Pharmacy and Mel's Drive In offer guests a variety of food and beverage options. A third outlet, named Cafe La Bamba, operates seasonally. Guests can purchase Terminator merchandise from Cyber Image and magic-related items from Theatre Magic.
Character appearances
- Popeye the Sailor Man and Olive OylOlive OylOlive Oyl is a cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar in 1919 for his comic strip Thimble Theatre. The strip was later renamed Popeye after the sailor character that became the most popular member of the cast; however Olive Oyl was a main character for 10 years before Popeye's 1929...
- Marilyn MonroeMarilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
- Lucy and Ricky RicardoRicky RicardoEnrique Alberto Fernando Ricardo y de Acha, III, a.k.a. Ricky Ricardo is a main character in the television show I Love Lucy, played by Desi Arnaz...
- Betty BoopBetty BoopBetty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick. She originally appeared in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop film series, which were produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. She has also been featured in...
- Rocky and Bullwinkle
- The SimpsonThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
Family: Homer SimpsonHomer SimpsonHomer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
, Marge SimpsonMarge SimpsonMarjorie "Marge" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the eponymous family. She is voiced by actress Julie Kavner and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
, Bart SimpsonBart SimpsonBartholomew JoJo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the Simpson family. He is voiced by actress Nancy Cartwright and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
, and Lisa SimpsonLisa SimpsonLisa Marie Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons. She is the middle child of the Simpson family. Voiced by Yeardley Smith, Lisa first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987. Cartoonist Matt Groening... - Woody and Winnie WoodpeckerWoody WoodpeckerWoody Woodpecker is an animated cartoon character, an anthropomorphic acorn woodpecker who appeared in theatrical short films produced by the Walter Lantz animation studio and distributed by Universal Pictures...
- Curious GeorgeCurious GeorgeCurious George is the protagonist of a series of popular children's books by the same name, written by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey. The books feature a curious brown monkey named George, who is brought from his home in Africa by "The Man with The Yellow Hat" to live with him in a big city.When...
- Ted, the Man in the Yellow Hat
- Despicable MeDespicable MeDespicable Me is a 2010 American computer-animated 3D comedy film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment that was released on July 9, 2010 in the United States. The film features the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and...
characters: Gru, Minions, Edith, Agnes and Margo - How to Train Your DragonHow to Train Your Dragon (film)How to Train Your Dragon is a 2010 3D computer-animated action fantasy film by DreamWorks Animation loosely based on the 2003 book of the same name. The film stars the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wiig, and Christopher...
characters: Hiccup and Astrid - BarneyBarney & FriendsBarney and Friends, also referred to by HiT Entertainment as Barney the Friendly Dinosaur, is an independent children's television show produced in the United States, aimed at children from ages 1-8...
; B.J. and Baby Bop also appear with him, but only an hour before the first showing of "A Day in the Park with Barney." Afterwards, Barney is the only character that does meet and greets. - Alex the Lion and the Penguins from "Madagascar"
- Fievel Mousekewitz from "An American TailAn American TailAn 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...
" - Littlefoot and Cera from "The Land Before TimeThe Land Before TimeThe Land Before Time is a 1988 American animated adventure film directed and co-produced by Don Bluth , and executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy, and Frank Marshall....
" - Doc Brown can actually be seen throughout the park riding a bicycle (equipped with its own flux capacitor) and interacting with guests, especially at the Back to the Future display outside of Soundstage 44 which features the DeLorean time machineDeLorean time machineThe DeLorean time machine is a fictional automobile-based time travel device featured in the Back to the Future trilogy. In the feature film series, Dr...
and the Jules Verne TrainBack to the Future Part IIIBack to the Future Part III is a 1990 American science fiction comedy Western film. It is the third installment of the Back to the Future trilogy. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Thomas F. Wilson and Lea Thompson. The film...
. - ShrekShrek (character)Shrek is a fictional character from the children's book Shrek! and the Shrek films. He is the main protagonist of both the book and the films...
, FionaPrincess FionaPrincess Fiona is the princess and the tritagonist in the films Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After. Actress Cameron Diaz provides her voice to the character, and Fiona's singing is provided by Renee Sands of Kids Incorporated and Wild Orchid.-Shrek:In Shrek, Lord Farquaad sends...
and DonkeyDonkey (Shrek)Donkey is a fictional talking donkey from the Shrek series of films and he serves as the deuteragonist of the films, voiced by Eddie Murphy. The character has also featured in the original story Shrek!...
from Shrek - SpongeBob SquarePantsSpongeBob SquarePantsSpongeBob 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"...
- Jimmy Neutron
- Dora the ExplorerDora the ExplorerDora the Explorer is an American animated television series created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh, and Eric Weiner. Dora the Explorer became a regular series in 2000. The show is carried on the Nickelodeon cable television network, including the associated Nick Jr. channel. It aired on CBS until...
and DiegoGo, Diego, Go!Go, Diego, Go! is a children's television series created by Chris Gifferd and Valerie Walsh, and is a spin-off of Dora the Explorer. The show premiered on September 6, 2005, on Nickelodeon. It also aired as part of the Nick Jr. on CBS block from September 17, 2005, to September 9, 2006. On... - Bessie HiggenbottomThe Mighty B!The Mighty B! is an American animated television series co-created by Amy Poehler, Cynthia True and Erik Wiese for Nickelodeon. The series centers on Bessie Higgenbottom, an ambitious Honeybee girlscout that believes she will become a superhero called the Mighty B if she collects every Honeybee badge...
- The RugratsRugratsRugrats 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....
- Chilly WillyChilly WillyChilly Willy is a cartoon character, a diminutive anthropomorphic penguin living in Alaska, although the species is native only to the southern hemisphere. He was created by Paul J. Smith for the Walter Lantz studio in 1953...
- Andy PandaAndy PandaAndy Panda is a cartoon character who starred in his own series of animated cartoon short subjects produced by Walter Lantz. These "cartunes" were released by Universal Pictures from 1939 to 1947 and United Artists from 1948 to 1949. The titular character is an anthropomorphic cartoon character, a...
- Yogi BearYogi BearYogi 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...
and Boo-Boo Bear - Scooby-DooScooby-DooScooby-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...
characters Scooby-DooScooby-Doo (character)Scoobert "Scooby" Doo is the eponymous character and the protagonist in the Scooby-Doo animated television series created by the popular American animation company Hanna-Barbera...
and ShaggyShaggy RogersNorville "Shaggy" Rogers is a fictional character from the American animated television series Scooby-Doo, about the adventures of four crime-solving teenagers and Shaggy's pet great dane, Scooby-Doo. Shaggy is a cowardly slacker more interested in eating than solving mysteries. He is the only...
. - The Blues Brothers
- The Mummy characters
- Street Breaks' break dancersB-boyingB-boying, often called "breakdancing", is a popular style of street dance that was created and developed as part of hip-hop culture among African Americans and Latino youths in New York City. The dance consists of four primary elements: toprock, downrock, power moves and freezes...
. - The FlintstonesThe FlintstonesThe 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...
: Fred, Wilma, Barney and Betty - George JetsonGeorge JetsonThe 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...
Production facilities
Universal Studios Florida is also a working production studio. It has been used for several movies, television series, commercials, music videos, and other events throughout its history. It was also the home of Nickelodeon StudiosNickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
, the production location for 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...
from 1990 until 2005. In September 2008, Nickelodeon returned to Universal Studios Florida for the production of "My Family's Got GUTS
My Family's Got GUTS
My Family's Got GUTS is a family game show that aired on Nickelodeon. It was a revival of Nickelodeon GUTS, and debuted on September 15, 2008. The show was taped in Sound Stages 23 and 24 at Universal Studios Florida, housing the Extreme Arena and the Aggro Crag, respectively...
." Currently, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
records television programs at the studio. In January 2009, the Powerball
Powerball
Powerball is an American lottery game sold in 44 jurisdictions as a shared jackpot game. It is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association , a non-profit organization formed by an agreement with lotteries. Powerball is a game whose advertised jackpot starts at $20 million and can roll into...
lottery drawings moved from Iowa
Iowa Lottery
The Iowa Lottery is run by the government of Iowa. It is a charter member of, and home to, the Multi-State Lottery Association , which administers its games on behalf of the member lotteries...
; they are conducted and made at Universal Studios Florida, coinciding with the Florida Lottery
Florida Lottery
The Florida Lottery is a government-run organization in Florida, USA. With numerous on-line and scratch-off games available, players have a wide variety of prize levels to choose from. Since it began, the Florida Lottery has continued to add variety to its portfolio of games...
's entry into the Powerball game. In July 2010, RTL Group
RTL Group
RTL Group is Europe's largest TV, radio and production company, and is majority-owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann. It has 45 television and 32 radio stations in 11 countries...
's Family Feud
Family Feud
Family Feud is an American television game show created by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. Two families compete against each other in a contest to name the most popular responses to a survey question posed to 100 people...
was filmed at the studios, coinciding with the show's debut of new host Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey
Broderick Steven "Steve" Harvey is an American actor, comedian, entertainer, television and radio personality and best-selling author. He is best known as the star of the WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show, and as one of the four comedians featured in the Spike Lee film The Original Kings of Comedy...
.
Universal Studios Florida is home to six soundstages that are available for a variety of purposes. A seventh soundstage, Stage 18, was one of the former Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
soundstages; it was redesigned in 2007 as the Sharp Aquos Theatre, where the Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group is an organization founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring popular music, comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; television appearances for shows such as The Tonight...
has performed since June 2007. The soundstage and the core production facility were made a permanent part of Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk is the name given to the entertainment and retail districts located adjacent to the theme parks of Universal Parks & Resorts. Originating as an expansion of Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood, CityWalk serves as an entrance plaza from the parking lots to the...
. Soundstage 21 has been used since June 2004 for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(TNA) which has produced its weekly television program, TNA iMPACT!
TNA iMPACT!
Impact Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling that currently airs in the United States and Canada on Spike...
from there, and has aired its pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
events from this location since November 2004; it is referred to as the "iMPACT! Zone
TNA iMPACT! Zone
The Impact Wrestling Zone is the professional wrestling nickname for Soundstage 21, a sound stage in Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Florida...
" for this reason. TNA also uses soundstage 24 for backstage use. The remaining soundstages are available for rent by other production companies. 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...
, the soundstages are occasionally used for the event's haunted houses.
A wide range of productions have been filmed in the soundstages during the studio's history, including many local and national commercials. Television shows include SeaQuest DSV
SeaQuest DSV
seaQuest DSV is an American science fiction television series created by Rockne S. O'Bannon. It originally aired on NBC between 1993 and 1996. In its final season, it was renamed seaQuest 2032. Set in "the near future", seaQuest mixes high drama with realistic scientific fiction...
(from its second season forward) and Superboy
Superboy (TV series)
Superboy is a half-hour live-action television series based on the fictional DC Comics comic book character Kal-El's early years as Superboy. The show ran from 1988–1992 in syndication...
(second-fourth seasons). The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
tapes a week-long series of episodes at the resort in the spring. Sports-entertainment shows WCW Monday Nitro
WCW Monday Nitro
WCW Monday Nitro was a weekly professional wrestling telecast produced by World Championship Wrestling, created by Ted Turner and Eric Bischoff. The show aired Monday nights on TNT, going head-to-head with the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw from September 4, 1995 to March 26, 2001...
and roller derby
Roller derby
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups in which both teams designate a scoring player who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team...
series "RollerJam!" were taped at the studios. In 2009 the studios also became headquarters for the Adrenaline Partnership's FIREBALL RUN(R) series; a popular national motoring event series. The studios have hosted numerous game shows, including national tours of Wheel of Fortune, Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
(portions of episodes from 2004–2005) and the Florida Lottery
Florida Lottery
The Florida Lottery is a government-run organization in Florida, USA. With numerous on-line and scratch-off games available, players have a wide variety of prize levels to choose from. Since it began, the Florida Lottery has continued to add variety to its portfolio of games...
's Flamingo Fortune. Since 2009, the Powerball
Powerball
Powerball is an American lottery game sold in 44 jurisdictions as a shared jackpot game. It is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association , a non-profit organization formed by an agreement with lotteries. Powerball is a game whose advertised jackpot starts at $20 million and can roll into...
drawing originates from the facilities. Major scenes of the movie Parenthood were filmed at the studios prior to the park's opening to the public in 1990. The film 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...
as well as the TV 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...
were also filmed at the theme park shortly following its grand opening. Most recently, the films Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective, Beethoven's Big Break
Beethoven's Big Break
Beethoven's Big Break is the sixth installment in the Beethoven film series. It was released on DVD on December 26, 2008...
and The Final Destination were filmed at the studio.
During the 1990s when Nickelodeon's
Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon Studios was a television taping studio as well as an original attraction at Universal Studios Florida.-History:...
main home was at Universal Studios, the soundstages were used to film almost all Nickelodeon's original live action programming including: Get the Picture, Kenan & Kel
Kenan & Kel
Kenan & Kel is an American teen sitcom produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions that originally aired on Nickelodeon from July 1996 to July 2000. The show starred friends and then-All That cast members Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. Sixty-two episodes and a made-for-TV movie were produced over four...
, Family Double Dare, All That
All That
All That is an American live-action, sketch comedy-variety show that aired on the Nickelodeon cable television network featuring short comedic sketches and weekly musical guests. The theme song for All That was performed by TLC...
and many others. While Stage 18 is now used as the 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...
for the Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group is an organization founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring popular music, comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; television appearances for shows such as The Tonight...
, Soundstage 19 and the core production facility are home to Sun Sports
Sun Sports
Sun Sports is a Florida sports broadcasting network, with its headquarters in Orlando. Launched in 1988 as Sunshine Network, the station is now affiliated with virtually every cable company throughout the state of Florida and can be picked up by some satellite providers around the United...
and FSN.
Other soundstages located throughout the park (while primarily in the Production Central area) house the attractions 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...
(in CityWalk
Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk is the name given to the entertainment and retail districts located adjacent to the theme parks of Universal Parks & Resorts. Originating as an expansion of Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood, CityWalk serves as an entrance plaza from the parking lots to the...
), 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, 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...
and E.T. Adventure
E.T. Adventure
E.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...
.
Annual events
Universal Studios Florida features several seasonal events throughout its operating calendar. Some are included in the daily park admission, while others are separately-ticketed events.Grad Bash and Gradventure
Grad Bash and Gradventure are two separate events held in April and May at the park. Grad Bash is an event for graduating high school senior classes who can gather for an exclusive, all-night party at the Universal Orlando ResortUniversal 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...
featuring all of the best park attractions, live performances by some of the most popular musicians, dance parties with DJs, and pre-parties live at The Universal Music Plaza Stage in the Production Central area. After Disney
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
's retirement of Grad Nite
Grad Nite
Disney's Grad Nite is an event hosted in April, May, or June for graduating high school senior classes who can gather for an exclusive, all-night party at Disneyland and at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom featuring live performances by some of the...
, Grad Bash will be held for five nights in 2012. Gradventure is similar, but is designed for junior high/middle school graduating students.
Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights turns the park into a giant haunted playground, including scare zones, numerous haunted houses and special themed shows. The event is run annually in late September and October.Macy's Holiday Parade
Macy's Holiday Parade brings some authentic balloons from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, often shortened to Macy's Day Parade, is an annual parade presented by Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, and four years younger than...
to Orlando in a month-long event in December that highlights the Christmas celebrations at the park.
Mardi Gras
Generally in February through to April, a parade and concert series inspired by New Orleans' Fat Tuesday party is held at the park.Rock the Universe
Rock the Universe is the park's Christian music festival, featuring two days in September of concerts with leading contemporary Christian, Christian rockChristian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
, and Christian rap artists live at The Universal Music Plaza Stage in the Production Central.
Summer Concert Series
Summer Concert Series occurs annually and features a variety of popular music acts performing live at The Universal Music Plaza Stage in the Production Central.Universal Express Plus
Universal Studios Florida allow guests to utilize the "Universal Express Plus" Pass on selected attractions. This pass admits users to a separate line for the attraction, which is given priority status when boarding. Universal Express Plus is not a virtual queuing service, where users receive a specific time to return to the priority line. Instead, passholders may enter the Express Plus line whenever they wish.Universal Express Plus is not included in park admission. There are a limited number of passes available each day and they are often sold out in advance. The cost of the pass varies based on what parks are selected and even what day is selected, with higher prices charged on peak operating days during the year.
Purchasers of the Express Plus pass may use the shorter priority line once per enabled attraction. Guests of Universal's three on-site resorts—the Royal Pacific Resort, the Hard Rock Hotel and the Portofino Bay Hotel—may show their room keys for unlimited uses of the faster line for each ride. Also, guests who hold Universal Orlando's Premier Annual Pass receive the same privilege extended to hotel guests, though only after 4pm, and are limited to one time through each attraction per day.
Future attractions
- 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...
- coming 2012. Will replace 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...
.
See also
- Incidents at Universal parksIncidents at Universal parksThis is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at various Universal-owned theme parks, amusement parks, or water parks. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every such event, but only those that have a significant impact on the parks or park operations, or are...
- List of Universal Studios Florida attractions
- List of former Universal Studios Florida attractions
- Islands of AdventureIslands of AdventureUniversal'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...