Comcast's (CMCSA) Universal Orlando Resort is in perpetual update mode as it competes with its crosstown rivals Disney's (DIS) Walt Disney World Resort and SeaWorld Entertainment's (SEAS) SeaWorld.
Universal Studios Florida has closed different attractions throughout its KidZone area to refresh that section of the park. Closures were ones that were ready to have new life breathed into the attractions through new themes and characters. The attractions closed included Fievel’s Playland, based on the Fievel mouse character from the 1986 animated film "An American Tail."
Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse roller coaster also closed. The original Woody Woodpecker came about in the 1940’s, but the last time Woody Woodpecker graced the silver screen was in 2017 and the movie only grossed $15.3 million. The Curious George wet and dry play areas were also going to close and be part of the parks over all make over. While Curious George is still running on PBS, there is more love for other characters over the funny little monkey and his pet human in the yellow hat.
Image source: GREGG NEWTON/AFP via Getty Images
Universal Studios Overhauls Its Parks
After the massive success of the latest films by Universal Studios like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," which grossed over $1 billion, the theme park opening its Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Hollywood couldn’t have happened at a better time. Still to come is the Super Nintendo World in the new Universal Epic Universe park in Orlando which is set to open in 2025. Universal Studios Florida is also working on its newest addition to the park, DreamWorks Animation Land.
DreamWorks Animation Land is scheduled to open in 2024, according to the Theme Park Tourist. Some themes that come to mind for the new attractions are Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, and Trolls. Nothing has been confirmed by Universal Studios yet, but after the announcement was made that parts of the KidZone were closing in January 2023, speculation began. Confidential sources claim that Woody Woodpeckers coaster will be remade into a Trolls themed attraction and that the Curious George play areas would be remade into a Kung Fu Panda attraction. Fievel’s Playland is suspected to be rethemed with Shrek and friends in mind.
Not all of the KidZone is being remodeled, as some attractions have remained open during the construction, including E.T. Adventure, Animal Actors on Location!, SpongeBob StorePants retail store, and meet and greets with SpongeBob and his friends. The KidZone Pizza has remained opened as well.
Universal’s Acquisition Brings New Life to Theme Park
After Universal Studios acquired DreamWorks Animation, it got rights to characters that younger generations loved. The rights to box office animated hits and the ability to create attractions and parks around the much-loved characters and movies brings a whole new level of interest to the theme parks, when tourists decide whether to visit Disney or Universal Studios theme parks.
The addition of DreamWorks puts the competition at a whole new level when it comes to family entertainment between Disney parks and Universal Studios. Disney may have had the upper hand for years, but Disney hasn’t had a box office ‘hit’ since "Encanto" in 2021, where has Universal has had recent successes with "Minions: The Rise of Gru" and "The Super Mario Bros. Movie."
