Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida


Entrance to the theme park
Slogan Vacation Like You Mean It
(as Universal Orlando Resort)
Location Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida, Florida, United States
Coordinates 28°28′31″N 81°28′01″W / 28.4752°N 81.4670°W / 28.4752; -81.4670Coordinates: 28°28′31″N 81°28′01″W / 28.4752°N 81.4670°W / 28.4752; -81.4670
Theme Show business and Universal entertainment
Owner NBCUniversal
(Comcast)[1]
Operated by Universal Parks & Resorts
Opened June 7, 1990 (1990-06-07)
Operating season Year-round
Rides
Total 18 rides
Roller coasters 4 coasters
Website Official website

Universal Studios Florida is a 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 2015, the park hosted an estimated 9.6 million visitors, ranking as the sixth most attended theme park in the United States, as well as the tenth most attended theme park worldwide.[2]

History

The original entrance to the theme park.

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 Ghostbusters and Men in Black, (Sony's Columbia Pictures), The Simpsons (20th Century Fox), Transformers (Paramount Pictures), and Shrek (DreamWorks Animation).

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 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, Men in Black: Alien Attack and Transformers: The Ride.

In many current rides, the original stars reprised their film roles including: Rip Torn and Will Smith in Men in Black: Alien Attack, Brendan Fraser for Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward Furlong and Linda Hamilton reprised their roles for Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow for Shrek 4D, Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, and Elsie Fisher reprised their roles from Despicable Me for Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, and Peter Cullen and Frank Welker reprised their roles as Optimus Prime and Megatron for Transformers: The Ride.

In many former rides, the original stars were also to reprise their film roles such as: Christopher Lloyd and Thomas F. Wilson in Back to the Future: The Ride, Roy Scheider recorded a voice over for the conclusion of Jaws, Alfred Hitchcock and Anthony Perkins appeared in Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies, additionally, various Nicktoon voice actors reprised their roles in Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, and Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt introduced the pre-show for Twister...Ride it Out

Park history

From its inception in 1982,[3] Universal Studios Florida was designed as a theme park and a working studio. It was also the first time that Universal Studios had constructed an amusement park "from the ground up." However, the proposed project was put on hold until 1986, when a meeting between Steven Spielberg, a co-founder for the park, and Peter N. Alexander prompted for the creation of a Back to the Future simulator ride in addition to the already planned King Kong based ride.[4] Spielberg had also noticed how competitive the park could be if it could compete with the nearby Walt Disney World and Seaworld.[4]

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 entered the "Jaws" attraction and would board a boat touring the fictitious Amity Harbor, where they encountered the shark, then exited 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.

Branding

Previous slogans for Universal Studios Florida were: See the Stars. Ride the Movies. (1990–1998); No one makes believe like we do! (1990–1998); Ride the Movies (1998–2008); Jump into the Action (2008–2012). Experience The Movies (2012–2015) The current slogan is Vacation Like You Mean It (2013–present; along with Islands of Adventure as Universal Orlando Resort).

Timeline

Year Events
1986 Land clearing takes place on the swamp land purchased by MCA/Universal that would hold the park.
1986 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 Lloyd as the Universal character Doc Brown interacting with the various attractions at the Florida park.[5] Universal Studios allows guests to witness the production of television shows and motion pictures in the Florida park's soundstages in middle 1988, while the rest of the studio/park is still under construction.[6]
1989 MCA/Universal Studios claims that The Walt Disney Company and its CEO, Michael Eisner copied several concepts of the Universal Studios Florida park, and integrated them into Disney's recently opened Disney/MGM Studios park.[7]
1990 On January 31, Universal Studios Florida's opening date is again delayed from May 1, 1990 to June 7, 1990.[8] Universal Studios Florida begins soft openings for the general public in late May.[9] Many of the park's attractions are not yet open at the time, and still under testing. Universal Studios Florida is officially opened with a grand opening style ceremony on June 7.[10] 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", the New York section is referred to as "Now Shooting", the San Francisco and Amity sections are referred to as "On Location" and the Expo Center area is referred to as "The World of CineMagic Center". Nickelodeon Studios opens on the same day and there is a grand opening ceremony hosted by Marc Summers. Due to massive technical problems with the original Kongfrontation, Earthquake: The Big One and Jaws rides, Universal begins a temporary voucher service to allow guests to re-visit the studio/park when the attractions are operating.[10] Jaws is temporarily closed by Universal on September 30 due to persistent major technical problems. During the shut-down, Universal sues the original designer of the Jaws ride,[11] Ride & Show Engineering, and hires Totally Fun Company to create a re-designed version of most of the ride.
1991 Universal adds four new attractions to the park: The Blues Brothers Show, StreetBusters, The Screen Test Home Video Adventure and How to Make a Mega Movie Deal.[12] Back to the Future: The Ride officially opens in the World Expo Center area of the park, in a grand opening ceremony.[13] The ride is considered to be a success, and receives positive reception from theme park critics.[14] Fright Nights debuts at the park. In 1992, it is renamed to Halloween Horror Nights.
1993 Jaws is re-opened, with many scenes altered. MCA/Universal announces plans to expand Universal Studios Florida into the Universal City, Florida resort complex, including a second theme park and multiple hotels.[15]
1995 Universal Studios Florida celebrates its 5th anniversary. A Day in the Park with Barney opens in the World Expo area. The Production Studio Tour is closed due to a dwindle in the studios' recent Film/TV production.
1996 Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time opens in the Hollywood area.[16]
1997 Universal announces that Ghostbusters Spooktacular will be replaced by Twister...Ride it Out, with a planned opening date of Spring 1998[17] Universal Studios announces that the sole Studio park will be expanded into the Universal Studios Escape, including the Islands of Adventure park, Universal CityWalk Orlando and multiple hotels. 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 Adventure park, as well as expansion of the Studio park into the Universal Studios Escape resort.
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.[18] Universal delays the opening of Twister...Ride it Out 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. Twister...Ride it Out opens in the New York area, replacing Ghostbusters Spooktacular.[19] 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. Adventure, Animal Actors Stage and A Day in the Park with Barney; CityWalk opens outside of the park.
1999 Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster opens in the Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone area. Islands of Adventure opens next door to Universal Studios Florida.[20]
2000 Men in Black: Alien Attack opens in the World Expo area, on the former site of The Swamp Thing Set. Universal Studios Florida's 10th anniversary celebration.
2001 Animal Planet Live opens, replacing Animal Actors Stage.
2002 Universal Studios Escape is renamed Universal Orlando Resort. Kongfrontation closes in a closing ceremony. Halloween Horror Nights is moved to Islands of Adventure. Macy's Holiday Parade debuts at the park.
2003 Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast opens, replacing The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera.[21] Shrek 4-D opens with Donkey's Photo Finish, replacing Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies and Stage 54 respectively.[22]
2004 Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride opens, replacing Kongfrontation.[23] Halloween Horror Nights takes place in both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
2005 Universal Express Plus is introduced, replacing Universal Express. Nickelodeon Studios closes on April 30 after nearly 15 years. Fear Factor Live opens, replacing The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show. Universal Studios Florida celebrates its 15th anniversary.
2006 Delancey Street Preview Center opens in the New York area. Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular opens, replacing Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular. Animal Planet Live is closed, and replaced by Animal Actors on Location. Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Studios Florida for its "Sweet 16".
2007 Back to the Future: The Ride closes on March 30.[24] Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre opens in CityWalk, replacing Nickelodeon Studios. Earthquake: The Big One closes in the San Francisco area on November 5.
2008 Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You! opens, replacing Earthquake: The Big One.[25] Universal announces Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, with a planned opening of Spring 2009. The Simpsons Ride opens, replacing Back to the Future: The Ride.[26]
2009 The Universal Music Plaza Stage opens, replacing The Boneyard. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit opens.
2010 The 20th anniversary of Universal Studios Florida in June, as well as Halloween Horror Nights in October.
2011 The 10th anniversary of Macy's Holiday Parade at the park. Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast closes on August 18.[27]
2012 Jaws and the surrounding Amity themed area closes on January 2, as announced on December 2, 2011.[28] Universal announces the additions of Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories and Universal's Superstar Parade to the park, with openings on May 8, 2012.[29] Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, opens replacing Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast; as announced on March 14, 2011 as "...one of many exciting things planned for the next couple of years".[30] Universal Orlando Resort announced Transformers: The Ride will officially open in the summer of 2013, replacing Soundstages 44 and 54, which were demolished on June 24, 2012.[31] SpongeBob StorePants, a gift shop themed after SpongeBob SquarePants opened in Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone replacing the Universal Cartoon Store.
2013 The opening date for Transformers The Ride is announced for June 20, 2013. Details of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion are officially announced. Details for the new Simpsons Land are announced and expected to open in the summer of 2013. Transformers: The Ride officially opens in the Production Central area replacing Soundstage 44. Simpsons Fast Food Boulevard (renamed Springfield U.S.A.) concludes its expansion as it includes one new ride: Kang and Kodos Twirl 'n' Hurl.
2014 A Celebration of Harry Potter, an annual three-day weekend event celebrated on the last weekend of January, debuts at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure on January 24. The opening date for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley is announced for July 8, 2014 amid the Diagon Alley preview red carpet premiere on June 18, 2014 with Domhnall Gleeson, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps, Tom Felton, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis and Helena Bonham Carter attending the premiere. King's Cross station opens on July 1, 2014 as well as the Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade station at Islands of Adventure, connecting park visitors to both Harry Potter theme parks via a full scale working replica of the Hogwarts Express train that appears in the Harry Potter film series. Diagon Alley officially opens, replacing Jaws and the Amity section of the park.
2015 Universal Studios Florida celebrates its 25th anniversary. Metal detectors and airport style security are placed at the entrances to the Dragon Challenge, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and The Incredible Hulk roller coasters. All loose articles including cell phones, wallets, watches, and such are banned from all pockets of riders. Universal announces a partnership with Nintendo to bring their characters to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure park.[32] Universal announced on August, that Fast & Furious: Supercharged will replace Disaster!, set to close on September 8, and Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue, set to close early 2016, set to open in 2018. Disaster! closed on September 8. It was announced on October 27, the closing of Twister...Ride it Out for November 2, 2015 to be replaced by Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2017.[33]
2016 Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue closed on January 5.

Previous attractions

The previous icon of the Jaws ride is still a popular photo spot.

Like all theme parks, attractions are sometimes closed due to aging and replaced with more contemporary attractions. Universal has seen this happen several times. Some notable closures include Kongfrontation, Back to the Future: The Ride, The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera, Jaws, and Nickelodeon Studios. The closures of Kongfrontation, Back to the Future, and Jaws have been given homages by the park to honor veteran visitors who revered the former rides.

The large area that once housed the Jaws attraction was reconstructed to make way for the new Diagon Alley, part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction. As an homage to the Jaws attraction that was available to so many visitors of the years, references to Jaws are sprinkled throughout the new Diagon Alley. One being a set of shark jawbones appearing behind the herbs and potions of Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary.

Nickelodeon Studios became a Blue Man Group attraction in 2007.

Park design

Universal Studios Florida features six themed areas all situated around a large lagoon. In 2012, this lagoon was the site of Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories, a thematic display that showcased scenes from various Universal films, featuring lasers, projectors and fountains, and pyrotechnics.

The six surrounding themed areas, clockwise from the entrance, are Production Central, New York, London/Diagon Alley, World Expo, Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone and Hollywood. Each area features a combination of rides, shows, attractions, character appearances, dining outlets and merchandise stores. The newest area, based on Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, was added to the park in the July 2014. The San Francisco area closed in 2016 and construction will begin for L.A, set to open in 2017.

Production Central

Ride Year opened Manufacturer
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem 2012 Intamin
Shrek 4-D 2003 PDI/DreamWorks
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit 2009 Maurer Söhne
Transformers: The Ride 2013 Oceaneering International
Universal Music Plaza Stage 2009

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!, Super Silly Stuff, Shrek's Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe, and Transformers: Supply Vault.[34][35]

New York

Ride Year opened Manufacturer
Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride 2004 Premier Rides
The Blues Brothers Show 1991
Delancey Street Preview Center 2006
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon 2017

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 two merchandise shops: Sahara Traders and Rosie's Irish Shop. The first two feature merchandise related to attractions within this area.[34][36] Also located here is a statue of longtime MCA/Universal executive Lew Wasserman, honoring his achievements and history while head of Universal.

As Nickelodeon was headquartered in the park at the time, the opening credits for Roundhouse and All That (two of its shows) were filmed around this area of the park.

London/Diagon Alley (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter)

Diagon Alley is the second half of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Ride Year opened Manufacturer
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts 2014 Intamin
Hogwarts Express 2014 Doppelmayr Garaventa Group

Opening in July 2014, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley features 2 rides, the main ride being Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and the secondary Hogwarts Express (Universal Orlando Resort) connecting it to the first half. Diagon Alley also features a restaurant The Leaky Cauldron and several "signature shops".[37] These include, Ollivanders Wand Shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Borgin and Burkes, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, and Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.[38]

World Expo

Ride Year opened Manufacturer
Men in Black: Alien Attack 2000 MTS Systems Corporation
The Simpsons Ride 2008 Intamin
Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl 2013 Zamperla

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 throughout 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.

Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone

Ride Year opened Manufacturer Description
Animal Actors On Location 1990 A 20-minute live stage show featuring trained animals showcasing their talent. This was formerly Animal Planet Live.
A Day in the Park with Barney 1995 A live sing-along stage show featuring Barney and his friends.
Curious George Goes to Town 1998 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.
Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster 1999 Vekoma
Fievel's Playland 1992 A children's playground which includes a 30-foot (9.1 m) spider web to climb and a 200-foot (61 m) long water slide.
E.T. Adventure 1990

Hollywood

Ride Year opened Description
Universal's Horror Make-Up Show 1990 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.
Terminator 2 3-D: Battle Across Time 1996 The show is a live, 3D experience that combines a 3-D film with an actual stage show based on the film Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

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.[34][39]

Character appearances

Woody and Winnie Woodpecker are among the mascots of Universal Studios

Universal Studios Florida has a number of costumed characters. The following is a list of characters that can be seen in the park:

Seen in Hollywood
Seen in Production Central
Seen in World Expo Seen in Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone
Seen in New York
Seen in London/Diagon Alley

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 Studios, 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". 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.

Soundstages 18 and 19 at the park were home to Nickelodeon Studios prior to the debut of the Blue Man Group show.

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 from 2004–2013 for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) which has produced its weekly television program, Impact Wrestling from there, and has aired some of its pay-per-view events from this location since November 2004; it is referred to as the "Impact Wrestling 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 taped a week-long series of episodes at the resort in the spring.[42] 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 Bring It On: In It to Win It, 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, although many programs, including All That and Kenan & Kel later moved to Nickelodeon on Sunset in California. 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 Fox Sports Florida.

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.

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 Universal Orlando Resort featuring the 2 parks best 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.[43] After Disney's retirement of Grad Nite, Grad Bash was held for five nights in 2012. Gradventure is similar, but is designed for junior high/middle school graduating students.[44]

Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights turns the park into a giant haunted playground, including scare zones, numerous haunted houses and special themed shows. You can explore terrifying haunted houses, make your way through multiple scare zones where creatures lurk around every turn, enjoy outrageous live shows, and experience many of the park’s most exciting rides and attractions. The event is run annually in late September, October, and early November.[45]

Macy's Holiday Parade

Macy's Holiday Parade brings some authentic balloons from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to Orlando in a month-long event in December that highlights the Christmas celebrations at the park.[46]

Mardi Gras

See also: 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.[47]

Rock the Universe

Main article: 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 rock, and Christian rap artists live at The Universal Music Plaza Stage in the Production Central.[48]

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.[49]

A Celebration of Harry Potter

A Celebration of Harry Potter is an annual three-day weekend event held on the last week of January at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, celebrating the fandom of the Harry Potter books authored by J. K. Rowling and the film series based on the books.

Universal's Express Pass

Several attractions in Universal Studios Florida allow guests to utilize Express Pass. This pass admits users to a separate line for the attraction, which is given priority status when boarding. Express Pass is not a virtual queuing service. Instead, passholders may enter the "Universal Express" line whenever they wish. This pass is not included with park admission.

Attendance

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Worldwide rank
6,231,000 [50] 5,530,000 [51] 5,925,000 [52] 6,044,000 [52] 6,195,000 [53] 7,062,000 [53] 8,263,000 [54] 9,585,000 [55] 10

See also

References

  1. ↑ "NBCUniversal completes takeover of Universal Orlando theme parks". Los Angeles Times. 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  2. ↑ http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201605/5084/
  3. ↑ "History of Universal Studios Orlando". Orlando Vacation. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  4. 1 2 Alexander, Peter. "King Kong: The Monster Who Created Universal Studios Florida". The Totally Fun Company. Archived from the original on October 10, 2013.
  5. ↑ bttfspencer (2009-09-23). "Back to the future: Doc visits Universal Studios Florida promo". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  6. ↑ Hinman, Catherine (1990-02-24). "Universal Is Ready For Action". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  7. ↑ Schmalz, Jeffrey (1989-08-13). "Nastiness Is Not a Fantasy In Movie Theme Park War". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  8. ↑ Strother, Susan G. (1990-01-31). "Universal Delays Park Opening Date Pushed To June". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  9. ↑ Strother, Susan G. (1990-04-23). "Universal Studios Opens Today For Special Guests". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  10. 1 2 Oliver, Mark; Strother, Susan G. (1990-06-08). "Universal: Stardust And Static". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  11. ↑ "Travel Advisory". New York Times. 1990-09-30. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  12. ↑ "Travel Advisory; Universal Adds 3 Shows in Florida". News Article. New York Times. 21 April 1991.
  13. ↑ Strother, Susan G. (1991-03-28). "Universal Confirms Takeoff Date". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  14. ↑ Strother, Susan G. (1991-05-03). "Goof-proof Debut: 'Future' Looks Good For Universal". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  15. ↑ "COMPANY NEWS; Universal to Expand Park in Florida". New York Times. 1993-09-16. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  16. ↑ Huijs, Maurice J.R. (2001). "Terminator 2 3D Timeline". Hope Of The Future. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  17. ↑ Shenot, Christine (1997-02-07). "Universal Says You'll Be Blown Away". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  18. ↑ Lancaster, Cory (1998-05-11). "Universal's Transforming Adventure". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  19. ↑ "TRAVEL ADVISORY; Virtual Tornadoes Are Swirling in Orlando". New York Times. 1998-06-07. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  20. ↑ "Islands Park to Debut May 28". Lakeland Ledger. 1999-05-12. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  21. ↑ Vadnie, Rebecca Swain (2003-04-21). "Jimmy's Wild Ride". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  22. ↑ "Will Shrek Make Us Shriek?". Orlando Sentinel. 2003-06-12. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  23. ↑ "Mummy's The Word". Orlando Sentinel. 2004-04-21. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  24. ↑ "Universal sends 'Future' ride back to the past". Orlando Sentinel. 2007-03-22. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  25. ↑ Bevil, Dewayne (2008-01-18). "Universal Studios launches Disaster ride in Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  26. ↑ Clark, Jayne (2008-04-04). "Orlando unveils a few new tricks to boost bookings". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  27. ↑
  28. ↑ "Universal Studios to close Jaws to make way for new attraction". Orlando Sentinel. December 2, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  30. ↑ Universal Orlando Resort (15 March 2011). "Hey fans! On April..". Facebook. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  31. ↑ Bevil, Dewayne (1 November 2012). "Universal Studios Orlando set to open Transformers ride next summer". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  32. ↑ "Nintendo characters, games coming to Universal parks". USA Today. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  33. ↑ Surrel, Jason. "Jimmy Fallon to Get His Own Ride at Universal Orlando Resort in 2017". blog.universalorlando.com. Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  34. 1 2 3 "Universal Studios Florida Restaurants". Universal Orlando. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  35. ↑ "Production Central Shops". Universal Orlando. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  36. ↑ "New York Shops". Universal Orlando. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  37. ↑ Bevil, Dewayne (May 9, 2013). "10 burning questions about Universal's Harry Potter expansion". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  38. ↑ MacDonald, Brady (May 9, 2013). "What may come to Wizarding World of Harry Potter 2.0 at Universal Orlando". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Hollywood Shops". Universal Orlando. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  40. ↑ "Orlando Theme Park News: Universal: It's All About Back to the Future (Part 3)". Orlandoparksnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  41. ↑ "Characters at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure". Orlandoinformer.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  42. ↑ "Ellen DeGeneres". Universal Orlando Resort. 25 February 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008.
  43. ↑ Universal Orlando Resort. "Gradbash at Universal Orlando Florida". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  44. ↑ "Gradventure". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  45. ↑ "Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando". Universal Parks & Resorts. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  46. ↑ "Holidays". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  47. ↑ "Mardi Gras". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  48. ↑ "Rock the Universe". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  49. ↑ "Summer Concert Series". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  50. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2008 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  51. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2009 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  52. 1 2 "TEA/AECOM 2011 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  53. 1 2 "TEA/AECOM 2013 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  54. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2014 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  55. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2015 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
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