History of Universal Studios Florida in Timeline
Universal Studios Florida, which opened in 1990 in Orlando, Florida, is a theme park owned by NBCUniversal. It offers a variety of rides, attractions, and live shows primarily based on movies, television, and other forms of entertainment. As the first of three theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort (followed by Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay), it drew approximately 10.9 million visitors in 2019, ranking it as one of the most attended amusement parks in the world. A fourth park, Universal Epic Universe, is planned to open in 2025.
1976: King Kong Film Release
The 1976 film "King Kong" served as inspiration for a new scene on the Studio Tour in Los Angeles.
1981: Planning for Disney-MGM Studios Begins
Disney claimed that planning for Disney-MGM Studios began in 1981, before Michael Eisner was hired as CEO.
1982: Universal Contemplates Florida Park
In 1982, Universal considered opening an amusement park in Florida to compete with Disney, but abandoned the idea after a partnership with Paramount Pictures failed.
1986: King Kong Encounter Opens
In 1986, the King Kong Encounter opened at Universal Studios Hollywood, becoming a popular attraction and boosting attendance, which prompted Universal to reconsider building a theme park in Orlando.
1987: Disney Announces Disney-MGM Studios
In 1987, Disney CEO Michael Eisner announced plans to create Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World, a move perceived as a counter to Universal's planned entry into the Orlando market.
1989: Corporate Feud
By 1989, the corporate rivalry between Universal and Disney had escalated into a public relations battle, described by the New York Times as a "nasty feud".
June 7, 1990: Universal Studios Florida Opens
On June 7, 1990, Universal Studios Florida officially opened as a theme park in Orlando, Florida. The park, owned and operated by NBCUniversal, featured rides, attractions, and live shows themed around movies, television, and entertainment.
1990: Slogan: See the Stars. Ride the Movies.
From 1990 to 1998, Universal Studios Florida used the slogans "See the Stars. Ride the Movies." and "No one makes believe like we do!".
1990: E.T. Adventure Debuts
In 1990, E.T. Adventure debuted with the park's grand opening. It remains the only ride still operating since the park's initial launch.
1991: Oscar Filming Relocates to Florida
In 1991, after a fire destroyed most of the set in Hollywood, John Landis relocated the filming of the comedy film Oscar to Universal Studios Florida to complete production.
1995: Production Studio Tour Ends
In 1995, Universal Studios Florida ended the Production Studio Tour after just five years due to logistical and financial issues, as filming in the parks and Florida became less attractive to producers.
1998: Slogan: Ride the Movies
From 1998 to 2008, Universal Studios Florida used the slogan "Ride the Movies".
1999: Universal Islands of Adventure Opens
In 1999, Universal Islands of Adventure joined Universal Studios Florida, becoming the second theme park at Universal Orlando Resort.
1999: Wheel of Fortune Filmed at Universal Studios Florida
In 1999, Wheel of Fortune was relocated to Universal Studios Florida for three days of filming to promote the upcoming debut of Islands of Adventure.
2000: The Rank Group Sells Stake
In 2000, The Rank Group sold its 50% stake in Universal Studios Florida to Blackstone Capital Partners for $275 million.
June 2005: Space Shuttle Illusion Removed
Sometime after June 2005, the optical illusion of the Space Shuttle was removed from the World Expo area of the park, which had served as a designated photo spot.
2005: Nickelodeon TV Production Moves
In 2005, Nickelodeon's TV production moved from Universal Studios Florida to California.
2007: Blue Man Group Show Opens
In 2007, the former Nickelodeon Studios building became the location for a Blue Man Group attraction and live show.
2008: Slogan: Jump into the Action
From 2008 to 2012, Universal Studios Florida used the slogan "Jump into the Action".
2008: Nickelodeon Returns for Filming
In 2008, Nickelodeon temporarily returned to Universal Studios Florida to film My Family's Got Guts.
2010: Hogsmeade Completion
In 2010, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – with the completion of Hogsmeade accelerated the park's transition towards putting guests in the middle of the action, moving away from behind-the-scenes filmmaking experiences.
2010: Family Feud Filmed On Site
In 2010, the season of RTL Group's Family Feud was filmed on site, coinciding with the debut of new host Steve Harvey.
2011: NBCUniversal Acquires 100% Ownership
In 2011, NBCUniversal acquired the remaining 50% stake from Blackstone Capital Partners for $3.165 billion, gaining 100% ownership of Universal Orlando Resort.
2012: Grad Bash held for five nights
After Disney's retirement of Grad Nite, Grad Bash was held for five nights in 2012.
2012: Slogan: Experience the Movies
From 2012 to 2015, Universal Studios Florida used the slogan "Experience The Movies".
2013: Slogan: Vacation Like You Mean It
From 2013 to 2019, Universal Studios Florida used the slogan "Vacation Like You Mean It".
2013: Summer Concert Series Begins
In 2013, The Summer Concert Series began and occurred occasionally through 2018, featuring a variety of popular musical acts performing live at the Universal Music Plaza Stage.
July 8, 2014: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley/London Opens
On July 8, 2014, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley/London opened, featuring two attractions: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express. It also includes The Leaky Cauldron restaurant and shops such as Ollivanders Wand Shop and Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.
2014: Diagon Alley Opens
In 2014, Diagon Alley, a Harry Potter-themed section of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, opened as one of the park's biggest draws.
August 2015: Fast & Furious Attraction Announced
In August 2015, Universal announced that it would replace Disaster! with a new attraction based on The Fast and the Furious film franchise, featuring a "Virtual Line" system.
2015: Slogan: Experience the Movies
From 2012 to 2015, Universal Studios Florida used the slogan "Experience The Movies".
2016: Springfield Reclassified
Until 2016, Springfield was classified as part of the World Expo area of Universal Studios Florida.
2017: Macy's Holiday Parade Rebranded
In 2017, Macy's Holiday Parade was rebranded as Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's, adding holiday floats, balloons, and choreographed characters based on Illumination's Despicable Me franchise, as well as the Madagascar and Shrek franchises from DreamWorks Animation.
2017: Universal Volcano Bay Opens
In 2017, Universal Volcano Bay became the first water theme park to open at Universal Orlando Resort.
2017: Rock the Universe Cancelled
In 2017, the Rock the Universe event was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma.
April 23, 2018: Fast & Furious: Supercharged Opens
On April 23, 2018, Fast & Furious: Supercharged officially opened, utilizing Universal's new "Virtual Line" system.
2018: Deal or No Deal Revival Filmed at Universal Studios Florida
In 2018, the revival of Howie Mandel's Deal or No Deal was filmed in Soundstage 21 for CNBC at Universal Studios Florida.
2018: Summer Concert Series Ends
The Summer Concert Series occurred occasionally from 2013–2018 and featured a variety of popular musical acts performing live at the Universal Music Plaza Stage.
2019: Rock the Universe in January/February
As of 2019, Rock the Universe, the park's Christian music festival, was held over two days in January or February. Prior years held this event in September.
2019: Slogan: Vacation Like You Mean It
From 2013 to 2019, Universal Studios Florida used the slogan "Vacation Like You Mean It".
2019: Attendance Ranking
In 2019, Universal Studios Florida ranked eleventh in the world and sixth in North America for overall attendance among amusement parks, with approximately 10.9 million visitors.
June 4, 2020: Park Reopens after COVID-19 Closure
Universal Studios Florida had unscheduled closures from March 16 to June 4, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Slogan: Let Yourself Woah
In 2020, the slogan was changed to "Let Yourself Woah" for Universal Orlando Resort, later applied to all global tourist locations, including Universal Studios Hollywood.
2021: Blue Man Group Show Retires
In 2021, the Blue Man Group show was retired, leaving the original Nickelodeon Studios building empty for the first time since it opened.
2022: Grinchmas Show Moves to Nickelodeon Studios Building
In 2022, the Grinchmas show was moved into the former Nickelodeon Studios building, which had been empty since the Blue Man Group show was retired.
August 11, 2023: New Minion Land Area Opens
On August 11, 2023, the new Minion Land area opened, encompassing the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction, Super Silly Stuff store, Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast attraction, Minions' Cafe, Pop-a-Nana popcorn stand, Freeze Ray popsicle stand, Bake My Day sweets shop, and an Illumination Theater facade for character meet-and-greets.
June 14, 2024: New Area Opens Replacing Woody Woodpecker's KidZone
On June 14, 2024, a new area featuring characters from Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda opened, replacing Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone as the park's most recent area.
2024: Gradventure and Grad Bash
For 2024, Gradventure and Grad Bash was changed to both middle and high schoolers can visit both Universal parks.
2025: Expected Opening of Universal Epic Universe
The fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Epic Universe, is expected to open in 2025.
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