The Universal Orlando Resort is an amusement park resort located in Orlando, Florida. It features three theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe built on 107 acre, 101 acre, and 110 acre of land, respectively.[1][2] The three 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] Despite being costly to maintain, Jaws remained a popular attraction until its closure in 2012.
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 Hogsmeade. 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.
In 2015, Universal permanently installed metal detectors at three of their roller coasters. These were The Incredible Hulk Coaster and the now-defunct Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Dragon Challenge.[14] The metal detectors would also be added to VelociCoaster in 2021.[15]
On January 15, 2023, the majority of Woody Woodpecker's KidZone, which included Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster and Fievel’s Waterslide, the play areas Curious George Goes to Town and Fievel's Playland, and the Shrek-themed meet-and-greet style attraction which was opened the year before after the closure of Shrek 4-D, was permanently closed and replaced by DreamWorks Land, which opened on June 14, 2024.[16][17]
On January 20, 2026, it was announced that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is the new roller coaster replacing the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, set to open sometime in 2027. It was also announced that Fast & Furious: Supercharged is set to permanently close in the same year to make way for a new attraction. [18]
Attractions
Roller coasters
Motion simulators
Other rides
Live shows and play areas
Additional experiences
- Universal's Great Movie Escape is an escape room attraction nearby Universal's Orlando theme parks, in Universal CityWalk Orlando
- NBC Media Center is a seasonal survey attraction that allows guests to preview upcoming NBCUniversal films and shows, and is located within Universal Studio Florida's Hollywood area in a "Garden of Allah Villas"-themed section.
External links
References
- Universal Studios Florida Fact Sheet Universal Orlando Resort, retrieved October 16, 2014^
- Universal's Islands of Adventure Fact Sheet Universal Orlando Resort, retrieved October 16, 2014^
- Mike Oliver. Universal: Stardust And Static