For more than 85 years, Universal Studios has been bringing unique entertainment experiences to people of all ages. The Universal Orlando Resort, commonly known as Universal Orlando, is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida, and it is the largest property operated by Universal Parks & Resorts. Here you can experience rides like Transformers: The Ride 3D, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster, and Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts. There is literally no end to all the fun stuff you can do at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida! So, if you happen to be looking for a place to spend some thrilling times with family and friends, or just happen to want to know more about this incredible entertainment venue, we present to you 25 Things You Might Not Know About Universal Studios Orlando.
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Look out for Disney jibes in the posters outside Shrek 4-D, which poke fun at the Enchanted Tiki Room and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: en.wikipedia.org 24
In one of the pre-ride video sequences for The Simpsons Ride look out for a cameo by Doc Brown, who attempts to borrow money to save the Institute of Future Technology. This is a tribute to Back to the Future: The Ride, which was replaced by The Simpsons Ride.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: en.wikipedia.org 23
Back in the late 1990s, Universal had really ambitious plans for its Orlando resort. They planned to make it twice as big as it is now but after a disastrous opening year, the people in charge at Universal Studios Florida reconsidered it and thought it was a bad idea after all.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: en.wikipedia.org 22
The T-700 terminators that line the wall of the Terminator 2: 3-D theater are each eight feet tall, and are predecessors of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: sr.wikipedia.org 21
Legendary movie director Steven Spielberg makes an appearance in Men in Black: Alien Attack, wearing a Jurassic Park baseball cap and reading a newspaper. When shot, the figure lowers the newspaper to reveal a triple-headed alien.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: de.wikipedia.org 20
During the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, a statue of geologist Louis Agassiz fell outside the Stanton University Zoology building. Look out for a replica in Richter’s Burger Co., one of the restaurants in the San Francisco backlot area. It is partially buried, with its head embedded in the ground.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: commons.wikimedia.org 19
When you’re embarking on the Revenge of the Mummy ride in Universal Studios, keep your eye out for a king in the treasure room at the beginning of the ride. If you look to the front left of the room, you’ll be able to see a little golden statue of King Kong beating his chest.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: commons.wikimedia.org 18
You’ve heard of butterbeer, but have you heard of pumpkin fizz? Available at the Three Broomsticks or Hog’s Head Pub, this carbonated pumpkin drink is sure to add a little extra flavor to your trip.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: touringplans.com 17
Peer at the windows of the Metropolis Tribune building in the New York backlot. Each is marked with the name of someone who helped in the development of Universal Studios Florida, such as Charlie Gundacker, senior vice president of attractions development.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: orlandoinformer.com 16
When Nickelodeon Studios shut its doors in April 2005, Soundstage 18 was transformed over the next two years into a 1,000-seat venue for the Blue Man Group, which began its shows there in June 2007. The only element of the studios that is still visible from outside is the orange handrail on the second floor of the Sharp AQUOS Theater.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: en.wikipedia.org 15
While taking a walk in the New York area you will see the Empire Hotel, and you’ll come across a statue of Lew Wasserman, MCA’s late chairman, who green-lighted the construction of Universal Studios Florida.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: en.wikipedia.org 14
Right behind Mythos Restaurant is a bridge, and under the bridge is a mythical creature. If you stand right on top of the bridge behind Mythos Restaurant in Islands of Adventure, you can hear the groans of a troll.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: universalorlando.com 13
Don’t miss Frank the pug in Men in Black: Alien Attack. Shooting the dog will earn you a lot of points. He can be found in the second room, hiding in the newspaper stand on the far right-hand side.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: simple.wikipedia.org 12
Movie director Michael Bay hid his own “Easter egg” in Transformers: The Ride. In the scene featuring Bumblebee inside a hangar, look for the tail section of an airplane in the distance. It’s Bay’s private jet.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: en.wikipedia.org 11
In the queue line for Men in Black: Alien Attack, try jiggling the handles on doors to the various laboratories.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: en.wikipedia.org 10
In King’s Cross Station in the London section of Diagon Alley look to your left and you’ll see an advertisement that says “Make a little magic,” which is very similar to the one Harry and Dumbledore stand in front of in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: commons.wikimedia.org 9
Guests can get a full walking tour of the Hard Rock Cafe including a backstage tour depending on how busy the restaurant is or if there is a music act that day. Just ask one of the VIBE hosts for a tour and enjoy stories about the history of the Hard Rock chain, the musical memorabilia on the walls backstage, and numerous music genres.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: commons.wikimedia.org 8
O’Rourke’s Bar & Grill, in the New York area of the park, is named after Kelly O’Rourke, a tragic character from The Godfather.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: pixabay.com 7
The Flaming Moe effect is created by serving up the drink in a special cup equipped with a compartment at the bottom holding dry ice. When the drink is served, the dry ice bubbles up, creating the “smoke” effect.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: joblo.com 6
Take the time to look at the menu boards on Fast Food Boulevard. They were written by the writers of The Simpsons, and contain all manner of inside jokes.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: flickr.com by Ricky Brigante 5
To fit Transformers: The Ride inside its building, the attraction was split across two floors, with an elevator carrying the ride vehicles between them. So that guests don’t notice the transition, they witness a spectacular animation sequence while in the elevator—one that sees them encounter a full-scale Transformer. The first elevator scene sees Optimus Prime battling Megatron while Grindor chases EVAC until Grindor’s arm is broken off by a train. The second sees EVAC forcing the AllSpark into Megatron’s chest, causing both to free fall.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: en.wikipedia.org 4
If you dial 62442 (MAGIC) in the phone booth outside King’s Cross Station, it will connect you directly with the Ministry of Magic. So don’t miss the chance to dial up some “magic” while exploring Diagon Alley.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: commons.wikimedia.org 3
You can ask the goblin in the Money Exchange any question and he will respond, but he responds better to certain questions. Try asking him about the dragon in Gringotts next time you visit Diagon Alley.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: flickr.com by epSos.de 2
You can send mail from either Hogsmeade Village or from Rocket Air at the Port of Entry. If you send your mail from Hogsmeade, your letter will get a special Hogsmeade postmark.
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: commons.wikimedia.org 1
Many of the Egyptian hieroglyphics decorating the walls throughout Revenge of the Mummy spell out real words. And yep, some of them are warnings to you and the rest of the visitors!
Source: Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story, Image: Wikipedia Lists Going Viral Right Now
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