Played its final performance and closed for a multi-month reimagining after nearly 36 years; Universal announced a reworked version blending classic and modern horror properties while keeping the comedic tone, set to reopen later in 2026.
Everything that changed here
across the land, newest first- 2026
- 2025
Restored the 600+-drone segment to the nighttime show after the FAA re-cleared operator Sky Elements to fly over the park, ending the suspension that had kept drones out of the show since December 2024.
no drones→600+ drones restored - 2024
Suspended the show's 600+-drone segment following the December 21, 2024 Lake Eola drone-show accident that injured a child in downtown Orlando; the rest of the show (fountains, projection, pyrotechnics) continued nightly.
600+ drones→no drones - 2024
Debuted as Universal Studios Florida's nighttime lagoon show, featuring 228 fountains (reaching up to 131 ft), 4K projection mapping, pyrotechnics, and 600+ drones — the resort's first nighttime drone show and its first lagoon spectacular since Universal's Cinematic Celebration.
- 2024
Zone Updateat E.T. Adventure
Gained a new, larger entrance archway and signage during a May 6-15, 2024 refurbishment closure, relocating the attraction's entrance as its surrounding Woody Woodpecker's KidZone was demolished and replaced by DreamWorks Land (opened June 14, 2024).
Woody Woodpecker's KidZone surroundings→DreamWorks Land; new entrance archway and signage -
Zone Updateat Animal Actors on Location!
Surrounding Woody Woodpecker's KidZone was demolished for the new DreamWorks Land (opened June 14, 2024); the show stayed in its theater and was re-designated into the park's Hollywood area.
KidZone area→Hollywood area - 2020
Grand-opened at Universal Studios Florida in the Hollywood area, replacing Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time; a live stunt show blending performers with a 130-foot-wide, 28-foot-tall LED screen (~19 million pixels) and projection mapping.
-
Changedat Animal Actors on Location!
"Animal Planet Live!" closed and was reworked into the current "Animal Actors on Location!" show after the Animal Planet sponsorship ended.
Animal Planet Live!→Animal Actors on Location! -
Changedat E.T. Adventure
Reworked the pre-show video and story framing during a 2002 refurbishment marking the film's 20th anniversary, replacing the original premise (guests cast as 'actors' on an E.T. sequel holding studio 'backstage passes') with the current interplanetary-passport mission to return E.T. to the Green Planet.
studio-set 'backstage pass'/'actors' premise→interplanetary-passport / Green Planet story -
Changedat Animal Actors on Location!
Rethemed into the Animal Planet-sponsored "Animal Planet Live!," replacing Animal Actors Stage.
Animal Actors Stage→Animal Planet Live! -
Changedat Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show
Retitled The Gory, Gruesome and Grotesque Horror Make-Up Show; the live Phantom of the Opera framing was dropped and the souvenir-photo finale rethemed away from the Phantom.
The Phantom of the Opera Horror Make-Up Show→The Gory, Gruesome and Grotesque Horror Make-Up Show - 1990
Opened June 7, 1990 as an original opening-day attraction of Universal Studios Florida, a Steven Spielberg-collaborated suspended dark ride that flies guests by 'bicycle' to E.T.'s home planet to heal it.
- 1990
Opened with Universal Studios Florida as The Phantom of the Opera Horror Make-Up Show, hosted by a live Phantom of the Opera character; one of only two opening-day attractions still operating (alongside E.T. Adventure).
-
Debuted as "Animal Actors Stage," a live trained-animal stadium show, when Universal Studios Florida opened.