History of Universal Orlando in Timeline

Universal Orlando Resort is a large theme park and entertainment complex in Orlando, Florida. It began with Universal Studios Florida in 1990, aiming to compete with Walt Disney World. The resort expanded in 1999 with the addition of Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk, offering themed dining and retail. In 2017, Universal's Volcano Bay, a water theme park, opened. A fourth theme park, Universal Epic Universe, is slated to open in 2025, further expanding the resort's offerings.

1977: Wet 'n Wild Founded

In 1977, Wet 'n Wild was founded by SeaWorld founder George Millay.

June 7, 1990: Opening of Universal Studios Florida

On June 7, 1990, Universal Studios Florida opened, marking the start of Universal Orlando Resort.

1990: Opening of Universal Studios Florida

In 1990, Universal Studios Florida opened, marking the beginning of Universal Orlando Resort as a theme park destination.

1991: First Halloween Horror Nights

In 1991, the Halloween Horror Nights event was first held at Universal Studios Florida.

1995: Construction Begins on Universal Islands of Adventure

In late 1995, construction began on Universal Islands of Adventure.

1998: Beginning of Rock the Universe

In 1998, Rock the Universe, an annual Christian rock music festival, began at Universal Studios Florida.

1998: Universal Acquired Wet 'n Wild

In 1998, Wet 'n Wild was acquired by Universal Destinations & Experiences.

May 28, 1999: Universal's Islands of Adventure Opens to the Public

On May 28, 1999, Universal's Islands of Adventure opened to the general public, featuring six themed islands.

September 1999: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Opens

In September 1999, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the resort's first on-site hotel, opened.

1999: Opening of Universal Islands of Adventure and CityWalk

In 1999, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk opened, expanding Universal Orlando Resort.

July 2000: Name change to Universal Orlando Resort

In July 2000, Universal Studios Escape was renamed Universal Orlando Resort due to guest confusion.

July 2000: Universal Studios Escape Renamed Universal Orlando Resort

In July 2000, Universal Studios Escape was renamed Universal Orlando Resort to alleviate guest confusion.

December 2000: Hard Rock Hotel Opens

In December 2000, the Hard Rock Hotel opened as Universal Orlando's second on-site hotel.

2001: Loews Royal Pacific Resort Opens

In 2001, Loews Royal Pacific Resort opened at Universal Orlando.

2001: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida

Through 2001, the Halloween Horror Nights event was held at Universal Studios Florida.

2002: Halloween Horror Nights Moved to Islands of Adventure

In 2002, Halloween Horror Nights was moved to Islands of Adventure.

2003: Rumors of Harry Potter attraction

In 2003, rumors began about a Harry Potter themed attraction at either Universal or Disney.

2004: Halloween Horror Nights Featured Sections of Both Parks

The 2004 Halloween Horror Nights event featured sections of both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

2005: King Kong film released

The 2005 King Kong film was the basis for Skull Island in Islands of Adventure.

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2006: Halloween Horror Nights Moved Back to Universal Studios Florida

In 2006, Halloween Horror Nights was moved back to Universal Studios Florida.

May 31, 2007: Wizarding World of Harry Potter Announcement

On May 31, 2007, Universal announced the development of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in partnership with Warner Bros.

June 18, 2010: Opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

On June 18, 2010, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Islands of Adventure.

2010: 20th Anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights

In 2010, the Halloween Horror Nights event celebrated its 20th anniversary.

2011: The Blackstone Group sold its stake in Universal Orlando

In early 2011, The Blackstone Group sold its stake in Universal Orlando.

November 3, 2013: Universal Meal Deal Replaced

On November 3, 2013, the Universal Meal Deal was replaced with the Universal Quick Service Dining Plan.

July 8, 2014: Diagon Alley Officially Opened

On July 8, 2014, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley officially opened to the public, replacing Jaws: The Ride.

2015: Universal Orlando Resort Occupies 541 Acres

As of 2015, Universal Orlando Resort occupied 541 acres (219 ha).

2015: 25th Anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights

In 2015, the Halloween Horror Nights event celebrated its 25th anniversary.

July 13, 2016: Skull Island Opened

On July 13, 2016, Skull Island opened to the public.

2016: New Universal Super Star Shuttle Route to Orlando International Airport

In 2016, a new Universal's Super Star Shuttle route began service to Orlando International Airport.

December 31, 2016: Wet 'n Wild Officially Closed

On December 31, 2016, Wet 'n Wild officially closed due to the opening of Volcano Bay.

March 21, 2017: Wet 'n Wild Site to Become Hotels

On March 21, 2017, it was announced that the land previously occupied by Wet 'n Wild would be transformed into Universal's seventh and eighth hotels.

2017: Annual Attendance of 21 Million

As of 2017, Universal Orlando reached an annual attendance of 21 million visitors, solidifying its position as a top visited resort.

2017: Opening of Universal Volcano Bay

In 2017, Universal Volcano Bay opened, becoming the resort's first water theme park.

2017: Volcano Bay Opened

In 2017, Volcano Bay, the third (and first ever) water theme park, opened replacing Wet 'n Wild.

August 1, 2019: Announcement of Universal Epic Universe

On August 1, 2019, NBCUniversal announced that it would be building a fourth theme park called Universal Epic Universe.

2019: Rock the Universe Takes Place in February

In 2019, Rock the Universe took place in early February for the first time ever.

April 2020: Delay of Epic Universe Opening

In April 2020, NBCUniversal announced the park's opening would be delayed until 2024 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 2020: Pausing Development on Epic Universe

In July 2020, NBCUniversal announced that they would be pausing development on the new theme park "until the future becomes more certain" due to the COVID-19 pandemic.