The Universal Orlando is an amusement park resort located in Orlando, Florida. It features two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure, built on 107 acres (43 ha) and 101 acres (41 ha) of land, respectively.[1][2] Both parks feature several attractions and shows based on movies produced by Universal Pictures. After several delays during construction, Universal Studios Florida opened to the public on June 7, 1990; however, several of the park's major attractions experienced frequent mechanical and technical problems, forcing the rides to close. Eventually, Universal filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Jaws, an attraction that was based on the film.[3][4][5] Three years later, Universal announced the construction of a second theme park, Islands of Adventure, that officially opened on May 28, 1999.[6][7]
One of the most popular additions to the resort is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an incorporation of the Harry Potter franchise.[8][9] Opened in 2010, part of the Lost Continent area of the Islands of Adventure park was re-themed to Places in Harry Potter. Also, a replica of Hogwarts was constructed, with a dark ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, located inside.[10][11][12] In 2014, an area themed after Diagon Alley opened in the former location of Jaws within Universal Studios Florida.[11] This addition included Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, as well the Hogwarts Express based on the Hogwarts Express that allows guests to travel between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley without actually having to exit either park.[12][13]
In 2015, Universal permanently installed metal detectors at three of their roller coasters. These were Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, the defunct Dragon Challenge and The Incredible Hulk Coaster.[14] The metal detectors would also be added to VelociCoaster in 2021.[15]
Name | Year | Manufacturer | Park | Location | Description |
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Flight of the Hippogriff Formerly Flying Unicorn (2000–2008) |
2010 | Vekoma | Universal's Islands of Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade | Vekoma Junior Coaster based on Harry Potter film series |
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure | 2019 | Intamin | Universal's Islands of Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade | Motorbike roller coaster based on Harry Potter film series |
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts | 2014 | Intamin | Universal Studios Florida | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley | An indoor roller coaster featuring motion-based 4D effects |
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit | 2009 | Maurer Söhne | Universal Studios Florida | Production Central | X-Car model that features on-ride music and video |
Revenge of the Mummy | 2004 | Premier Rides | Universal Studios Florida | New York | An indoor launched roller coaster based on The Mummy film |
The Incredible Hulk Coaster | 1999 | Bolliger & Mabillard | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island | Launched roller coaster based on fictional superhero Hulk |
VelociCoaster | 2021 | Intamin | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park | Launched roller coaster based on the Jurassic World films, being the first ride at the resort to be based on the reboot of Jurassic Park. |
Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster | 1999 | Vekoma | Universal Studios Florida | Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone | Vekoma Junior Coaster based on Woody Woodpecker |
Name | Year | Park | Location | Description |
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Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | 2012 | Universal Studios Florida | Production Central | Motion simulator dark ride based on the Despicable Me film franchise |
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | 2010 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade | Motion simulator dark ride based on Harry Potter film series
Features real sets and screens |
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon | 2017 | Universal Studios Florida | New York | Motion simulator dark ride based on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon |
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | 1999 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island | Motion simulator dark ride based on Spider-Man
Features real sets and screens |
The Simpsons Ride | 2008 | Universal Studios Florida | World Expo | Motion simulator dark ride based on The Simpsons |
Transformers: The Ride 3D | 2013 | Universal Studios Florida | Production Central | Motion simulator dark ride based on the Transformers film franchise
Features real sets and screens |
Name | Year | Park | Location | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Caro–Seuss–el | 1999 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Carousel based on Dr. Seuss |
Doctor Doom's Fearfall | 1999 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island | Space Shot based on Doctor Doom |
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | 1999 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Toon Lagoon | Log flume based on Dudley Do-Right |
E.T. Adventure | 1990 | Universal Studios Florida | Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone | Dark ride based on E.T. |
Fast & Furious: Supercharged | 2018 | Universal Studios Florida | San Francisco | Dark ride based on Fast & Furious film franchise |
Hogwarts Express | 2014 | Universal Studios Florida Universal's Islands of Adventure |
Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley | Train ride based on Harry Potter film series |
Jurassic Park River Adventure | 1999 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park | Shoot the Chute water ride based on Jurassic Park |
Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl | 2013 | Universal Studios Florida | World Expo | Aerial carousel based on Treehouse of Horror series from The Simpsons' |
Men in Black: Alien Attack | 2000 | Universal Studios Florida | World Expo | Interactive dark ride based on Men in Black |
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish | 1999 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Aerial carousel based on One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss |
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges | 1999 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Toon Lagoon | River rapids ride themed to Popeye |
Skull Island: Reign of Kong | 2016 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Skull Island | 4D dark ride with trackless vehicles and animatronics |
Storm Force Accelatron | 2000 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island | Teacups based on Marvel fictional superhero Storm |
The Cat In The Hat | 1999 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Dark ride based on The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss |
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride | 1999 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Powered train ride based on Dr. Seuss |
Name | Park | Location | Description |
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Animal Actors On Location! | Universal Studios Florida | Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone | Live show |
Bourne Stuntacular | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | Live show based on Bourne Identity films |
Curious George Goes to Town | Universal Studios Florida | Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone | Play area based on Curious George |
DreamWorks Destination | Universal Studios Florida | Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone | Live show based on DreamWorks Animation |
Fievel's Playland | Universal Studios Florida | Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone | Play area based on An American Tail by Don Bluth |
Oh! The Stories You'll Hear! | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Live show based on Dr. Seuss |
Poseidon's Fury | Universal's Islands of Adventure | The Lost Continent | Live action show |
The Blues Brothers Show | Universal Studios Florida | New York | Live show based on The Blues Brothers |
Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | Live show based on Universal Monsters |
Family Feud Live! | Universal CityWalk | Old Blues Brother Stage | Game show taping of Family Feud |
Deal or No Deal Live | Universal CityWalk | Outside the park | Taping of Deal or No Deal |
Roller coasters at Universal Orlando | |||
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Universal Studios Florida |
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Universal's Islands of Adventure |
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Simulator rides at Universal Orlando | |||
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Universal Studios Florida |
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Islands of Adventure |
3D and 4D films at Universal Orlando | |||
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Universal Studios Florida |
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Islands of Adventure |