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Universal Studios Florida
Orlando, FL
NBC Universal / Blackstone Group
Click to buy Universal Studios Tickets
 Park News - (3/15/10) Orlando Parks News has posted a photo update from Universal Studios Florida, showing off the Monsters Café which was open once again, Disaster still closed, and look around CityWalk.
(3/10/10) Here’s a video any fan of Universal Studios Florida just has to see… a complete look at the original version of Jaws when it first very briefly opened back in 1990 with the rest of the park. Very few people actually had the chance to ride this version of the ride because it was quickly shut down due to severe technical problems that kept it shut for the next three years until they could rebuild it nearly from scratch. While it lacks many of today’s new pyrotechnic effects as well as the finale, you do get a good look at the one really unique effect lost from the first version of the ride. This is when the shark seems to grab the side of the boat and proceeds to drag it around in the water. (Video credit goes to Screamscape reader, Martin Smith.)
(3/3/10) Well, looks like there is no connection to the roof repairs and any possible new HHN haunt locations. According to a couple of sources the building numbers on the one permit are a lagoon treatment building, the Richters building, a Starbucks, and a behind the scenes structure used by Merchandise.
(3/2/10) In yesterday’s HHN Update I mentioned permits for two roof repair jobs in USF were listed. We now know the location of one of the roof repair projects is the T2/3D building. The other permit fails to mention the roof repair buildings by name, it only has them labeled as B67, B54, B60 and B105. Anyone seen a plat book who can match up the building numbers with some names?
(2/23/10) A Screamscape source tells us that the Universal Classic Monsters sign that has gone missing has simply been taken backstage for a little refurbishment and will return.
(2/22/10) A reader tells us that the classic Universal monsters that used to be up on the roof of the drink stand outside the Monsters Café have been removed. I’m not sure if they are gone for good or just being refurbished.
(2/12/10) Work is moving right along on the lengthy Disaster rehab it seems, and yesterday insiders noticed that the refurbished trams were back on site and being lifted by crane back into the attraction. It wont be ready to reopen anytime soon however as I believe the plan is to reopen it just before the busy Spring Break season.
(2/5/10) Orlando Parks News has posted a general photo update from the park, showing off the various areas that are under construction or things that may have changed since your last visit. Check it out.
(2/1/10) The latest buzz from insiders regarding Fear Factor Live is a little inconsistent. On one hand, some have been told to expect to see it reopen again for Spring Break, though what happens after that had not been determined. Meanwhile others report in that they’ve been told that the venue is currently not slated for anything other than random special event performances.
(1/31/10) In the ‘about time’ category, the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit has finally begun using the moving floor in the station. The bad news, I’m told, is that this has forced them to drop down from 4 train operation to only 3 while the ride ops get the hang of things again with the moving walkway. It will soon go back up to four train operation before you know it. Of course, this is hardly full capacity, as I believe the ride was intended to run with at least 6 of the 7 trains at any given time, and they still have not been able to overcome the block / brake-system problems that have handicapped the ride’s throughput from the start. One step at a time I guess… hopefully they will get there before the start of summer.
2010 - Nothing new is likely at this point in time.
 2010/2011 - New Show - Rumor - (2/2/10) It looks like Universal is trying to come up with some more ideas of show ideas to fit into the Fear Factor Live venue. A reader was asked to take a survey yesterday with questions about how they felt about a variety of show ideas including a new a new Western themed show concept based on Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday a the OK Corral as well as ideas for an A-Team themed show, one based on Animal House, Scooby-Doo, Young Frankenstein and a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Musical.
Bueller? Bueller? A Musical?! What crack are they smoking? Young Frankenstein would be funny, but that could be a replacement for Bettlejuice instead. An A-Team show could be the way to go, especially with the new feature film on the way. Boy… I remember seeing the original A-Team Stunt Show at Universal Hollywood as a kid.
(1/31/10) Based on how the former Fear Factor: Live show has covered up the old logo, the chance of the show returning don’t look good at this point. Anyone know more about what may be planned for this show venue?
(8/21/09) We’ve heard one minor rumor claiming that Universal may be looking into a cost evaluation to see what it would take to bring back a modified version of the old Wild West show. Apparently they are just looking at all the options, so nothing to get excited or upset about yet…
The Future - (1/31/10) Over the past decade Universal Studios Florida has been focused on updating pretty much every old attraction in the park. King Kong became Mummy, Back To The Future became The Simpons, Earthquake became Disaster and so on. At this point however, there are really only two ‘old school’ attractions left in the park: ET Adventure and Jaws. Considering that ET was given a costly upgrade in the past decade to replace the track system to allow for an increased number of seats per car, I don’t think it’s going anywhere just yet. This leaves Jaws as the last ride standing... so to speak. Could a new attraction be in the works to replace Jaws in the not too distant future? I’d say the chances are good... eventually, however stronger rumors point the finger at a possible new attraction to replace Terminator 2: 3-D before Jaws takes the deep six. For now, enjoy them both while you still can.
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