Where we’re going, we don’t need roads… (sorry, Doc Brown). It’s time for a DeLorean style detour through the history of Universal Studios Florida, a park that was once home to killer sharks, ghost-hunting scientists, time-travelling teens, and the Terminator (before he was… well, terminated). Whether you grew up fearing shower curtains after a visit to Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies, dodging Bruce the Shark’s fake teeth on Jaws, or waving a new wand from Ollivander’s Wand Shop in Diagon Alley, this park has been thrilling guests since the days of cassette tapes and crimped hair.
So, hold on tight to your park maps, preferably the vintage paper kind that folded like an origami puzzle, and let’s rewind the clock to the summer of 1990.
Before the Cameras Rolled Lights, Camera, Catastrophe! (1990 Opening Day)
In the mid-80s, Universal had a wild idea. Instead of building a clone of their Hollywood park, they wanted to create something unique in Florida, a working production studio with live sets, soundstages, and tours. Guests would get a peek behind the curtain at real TV and movie production, all while enjoying immersive attractions based on their biggest hits.
But then came Disney’s mic-drop moment: the announcement of Disney-MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios), complete with its own backlot tour, soundstages, and special effects shows. Universal realised they couldn’t just play catch-up, they had to pivot.
Enter Steven Spielberg, who stepped in as a creative consultant. His influence helped reshape Universal Studios Florida into a full-fledged theme park that didn’t just show you the movies, it dropped you right into the middle of them.
Cue the iconic attractions…The park debuted with attractions like E.T Adventure, (King Kong) Kongfrontation, Earthquake: The Big One, and The Ghostbusters Spooktacular, of which only one of these original opening day attractions still stands.
And let’s not forget the Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. Because nothing says “theme park thrill” like a crime-solving novelist from Maine, right? It wasn’t just the rides Universal had some epic live action attractions to.
Opening Day Chaos (and a Shark That Didn’t Feel Like Working)
The grand opening wasn’t exactly a fairy tale. Most of the parks major rides, including Jaws, Kongfrontation, and Earthquake: The Big One, faced spectacular technical meltdowns.
Jaws had such persistent issues (including an animatronic shark that refused to appear on cue, like a classic diva) that it had to be shut down entirely just months in. Kongfrontation’s massive King Kong animatronic often got stuck mid-roar. Earthquake’s ride vehicles sometimes forgot they were supposed to move.
Universal even had to give away free return tickets to disgruntled guests, not exactly the opening box office smashed they had planned on.
But despite the chaos, people came. Because where else could you outrun a shark, battle King Kong, and survive a subway collapse, all before lunch?
The Studio That Actually Made Movies
Unlike Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Universal actually stuck to its production dreams. Throughout the ’90s, TV shows like Nickelodeon’s “Double Dare,” “Clarissa Explains It All,” and “GUTS” were filmed on-site.
Kids (including me) dreamed of getting slimed, climbing the Aggro Crag, or at least walking past the green slime fountain outside the studio.
There was even a working Murder, She Wrote post-production tour. Yes, Angela Lansbury once helped anchor a theme park attraction. Let that sink in.
The Original Icons We Still Miss
Let’s talk about the big ones. The rides that defined opening day, and in some cases, defined our childhood trauma.
Beetlejuice, and That Sweet, Sweet Graveyard Groove
Ah, Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue. The original version of this monster mash-up was a campy, rockin’, laugh-out-loud romp that somehow made these classic monsters cooler than they had any right to be. The later versions added more flair (and a bit less character), but I still remember the OG show with fondness, when Beetlejuice was less DJ and more devilish host.
There were several versions over the years, and while the sets and songs changed, Beetlejuice’s chaotic energy remained constant, until the show was (sadly) exorcised for good in 2016 to make room for Fast & Furious – Supercharged.
Smile, You Son of a…
Oh Wait, It’s Just a Ride
Let’s talk about Jaws. Or as it’s known in my house: ‘The ride that gave the kids trust issues.’
Jaws was the perfect blend of suspense, storytelling, and water-based panic attacks. From the boat captain’s cheesy one liners to the not so convincing shark popping up inches from your face it was theme park gold. Taking my two oldest kids on it as their first ever ride? Maybe not my finest parenting decision. I still hear their screams whenever I walk past Diagon Alley.
Sadly, it swam off into the sunset in 2012 to make way for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon. To this day, I’ll argue that no replacement attraction can quite capture that same suspense meets child inducing cries. But I wouldn’t want to give up having the chance to walk through Diagon Alley either.
Top Tip: For a nostalgic nod, check out the Jaws photo op in San Francisco. Yes, Bruce still hangs there — just don’t stand under him if you’re already nervous around seafood.
Who Ya Gonna Call? Nostalgia.
Here’s a fun fact: Ghostbusters was the first film I ever saw in a cinema. So naturally, the Spooktacular was a core memory waiting to happen. Giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man? Check. Ecto-1 sound effects? Absolutely. Cheesy 80s effects? Sign me up.
It’s a mystery to me why they haven’t brought the Ghostbusters back, especially since the franchise is alive and well. I mean, if we can bring back Twinkies and vinyl records, surely we can bring back four guys in jumpsuits fighting spectral slime?
Hasta La Vista, Universal
Now, if I had to crown a favourite attraction, it’d be Terminator 2: 3D – Battle Across Time. This thing was part movie, part live show, part “Whoa, did that T-800 just walk through a wall?!”
Me and my sister used to loop this attraction all day long. (Apologies to the poor Team Members who had to listen to “I’ll be back” for the 300th time.)
We even got to go backstage on one trip, seeing how the show worked behind the scenes was a bucket list moment for us budding theme park nerds. To this day, no attraction has blended film and stage so seamlessly for us.
From Production Lot to Park of IPs
As the years went on, the “studio” part of Universal Studios Florida slowly faded. Out went the behind-the-scenes tours and classic shows. The backlot tours are gone. The Nickelodeon slime fountain is dry. And Kong’s roar has faded into legend.
But in came shiny new IPs: Harry Potter, Transformers, Minions, The Bourne Stuntacular. The park has evolved fast to stay relevant in an era of IP-driven experiences. And for the most part, it’s done so brilliantly.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit offers thrills with a side of music. The Wizarding World brought immersive theming to new heights. And the new Epic Universe promises to take things even further.
I’ll admit, I miss the original charm, when every ride had a dose of movie magic and pyrotechnics that made you fear for your eyebrows. But the new additions still bring the crowds and keep the park relevant for today’s families.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning your first Universal trip or returning after only a few weeks away, Express Passes are a game changer. You can often save money by bundling your tickets and hotel with trusted partners like AttractionTickets.com. Seriously, it’s like having a time-turner in your pocket.
Top Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Florida Today
- Arrive early: If you want to conquer the park before the afternoon heat turns you into a walking butterbeer puddle.
- Express Passes are worth their weight in Galleons (especially during peak seasons).
- Don’t skip The Bourne Stuntacular. It’s the modern-day answer to T2:3D, and it’s surprisingly brilliant.
- For nostalgia buffs like me, take a walk through Hollywood Blvd and look for those subtle nods to the past and don’t skip a walkthrough the Tribute Store, this store rotates it’s theming throughout the year and is always a wonderful blend of immersive storytelling and souvenirs.
- Want to make the most of your Galleons and your time? Score bundle deals on Universal hotels and Express Passes with our friends at AttractionTickets.com
Affiliate Picks
for the Perfect Day at the Park
- Cooling Towels: For surviving the Florida heat (and Simpsons Land).
- Portable Chargers: Your phone will thank you after you have taken your 3000th selfie.
- Universal Orlando Guidebook: Updated annually, these can be great for first-timers.
- Themed Lanyards: Because who doesn’t want their Express Pass hanging from a Jurassic Park logo?
Final Thoughts (And a Few Tears for T2)
Universal Studios Florida has changed a lot over the years and will keep changing. That’s the magic of movies: they evolve, they surprise, and they stick with us long after the credits roll. Some of our favourite attractions have gone the way of the dodo. But the spirit of adventure and movie magic still lingers in the air especially if you close your eyes and imagine that Jaws fin circling the lagoon.
We may never get to ride Kongfrontation again, or watch Beetlejuice crack wise with Frankenstein, but I’ve got the memories, and frankly, I wouldn’t trade them for all the Fast & Furious: Supercharged rides in the world.
Which old-school Universal attraction do you miss the most? Have you got a nostalgic tale from the days of Earthquake or Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies? Share your story in the comments or tag us on social media!
For more history on Universal Studios Orlando theme parks check out Islands of Adventure here.
