A Deep Dive Into Classic Universal Studios Florida (Part 2)

Today we're going to be taking a deep dive into classic Universal Studios Florida. This is Part 2, so definitely check out Part 1 here for full context: • A Deep Dive Into Class...
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[@em_casually8936]

I really wish they’d do a second generation Jaws and Back to the Future ride. I feel like the IP is timeless and both franchises lend themselves to either a dark ride or a story coaster particularly well.

[@jonathanwallis3300]

I wholeheartedly agree with you! ESPECIALLY with BTTF. That franchise’s popularity is just as big today as Jurassic Park, and even Star Wars. Much more popular then how it was when the original ride closed in 2007.

[@em_casually8936]

@@jonathanwallis3300 exactly!! Both the film industry and fashion industry right now are heavily involved with 80s nostalgia and have been for at least the last decade. I feel like back to the future is just as relevant now as it’s ever been. I watched it last weekend, they still run it all the time on cable TV.

[@NicEeEe843]

Yeah I wonder why they never bring back classic IP’s as much, hopefully the kong ride proves they can and would

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Perhaps a Universal version of The Great Movie Ride is in order? It seems like an easy win for the park.

[@munetpapaver]

Big agree! Especially seen as the back to the future musical in the UK is bringing a new gen of fans to the films

[@NotTheFirstNoel]

I won a trip to Universal Studios for my family through a drawing from my local Fox station when I was a kid in the early ‘90s and this brought back so many great memories. We must had been lucky, because we were able to get on all of the big rides without trouble. We also did Disney doing that trip, which I loved, but my best memories were of Universal and how REAL rides like Earthquake, Kongfrontation and Jaws felt (at least to a 10-year-old). Thanks so much for bringing me back there!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

It sounds like a great experience. I also agree that you were lucky, considering the state of so many of the attractions.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

As a kid I definitely loved Universal more than Disney. While Epcot was really cool, at the time I was a kid and Epcot was a tad bit too educational. LOL

[@Lordvader0727]

I agree with your hate on Rip Ride Rocket. Kidzone should be replaced except ET and should become a classic universal land. More practical effect should be used on Kong Skull Island. Ghostbusters should also have a presence in the park again due to the popularity of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Toon lagoon should be updated with more modern toon like a mix of Hannah Barbera and Nickelodeon but keeping that retro cartoon feel.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I have to say that I agree with all of your points. Still, I'm not really sure what they could add to Skull Island.

[@MrParkFan]

Since fear factor is gone the return of Ghostbusters: Spooktacular will be an awesome replacement

[@krillian23]

@@SirBlackReeds Afterlife had a budget of 75 million and 2016s was 144. 2016 total was 229 million and afterlife is right around 200. That differnce, along with Afterlife kiling it in its digital release, it has EASILY beat 2016 from a financial perpespective.

[@TooningIn2008]

@@PoseidonEntertainment Maybe they could revive one of those scrapped Jurassic Park ride concepts and have one of them come to fruition

[@floridafamilyfun1597]

Both parts of this essay are so well done. I love the channel you have created and it is clear that there is an abundance of thought, research and work behind these videos. Thanks so much!

[@anaz5918]

I remember the Jaws and Back to the Future ride and was surprised to see ET still running on my last visit to the park a few years ago . I hope they never get rid of ET is such a classic ride that everyone can enjoy.

[@tufab3494]

This channel is awesome, dude speaks the truth and only the truth. Keep up the good job G, greetings from Brazil 🙌🏽

[@ugaldk31]

The best part of the Twister attraction was the theater floor effect. At the end of the show, the floor would drop about half an inch. A simple but very cool effect. Great video, as always!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I don't ever recall that being an element. I kept reading about it for this video, but perhaps I was just unusually unlucky and the effect never happened to work when I was there.

[@CSReed]

I’m not gonna lie, learning Universal Orlando had the Psycho house and removed it is DEVASTATING! I love those movies and it’s one of those things that should have been a permanent thing. They should have built a haunted mansion style ride.

[@joeylantis22]

come to hollywood and see the real one.

[@CSReed]

@@joeylantis22 yeah but I’d rather have one guests could actually go into!

[@franklein1247]

The biggest reason "behind the scenes" type attractions have gone away is that with things like DVD extras and info on the internet how movies are made became more accessible to the common person (not to mention we can easily do green screen type effects on our phones). Beyond that, how movies are made also changed to where the physical effects they would demonstrate aren't widely used. Harry Potter really marked the change where people now want to become part of the fantasy of the movies instead of pretending to be making them.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I don't believe that narrative and regard it as a myth. If the Horror Makeup Show can continue to be updated for contemporary audiences, why not everything else?

[@FIREBRAND38]

@@PoseidonEntertainment I think the Management really missed out on the Nostalgia Market. It opened in 1990, 31 years ago. Kids that were taken there by their parents now have kids of their own. Management doesn't appreciate how powerful it is to have someone who spent a day at the park with Barney as a toddler can now watch their toddler sitting in maybe the same spot and enjoying the show as well. Same with the Hitchcock Theater Show. My oldest boy got to demonstrate the "runaway" Carousel Special effect in 1992. He has a 7 year old now, what do you think it would be worth to him to vacation at the park where he can maybe watch _his_ son have the same experience?

[@wt7553]

@@PoseidonEntertainment because makeup is still part of making movies and practical effects increasingly are not.

[@NinthShinigami]

A part of me really wishes I could’ve seen the old Universal. I would argue tho that the park hasn’t severely downgraded.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

It's just completely different I suppose. The current park is fun, but it just has the issue of being so overmatured with screen based experiences. They're not bad (perhaps with the exception of Fast and Furious) but they need other attractions to balance them out.

[@NinthShinigami]

@@PoseidonEntertainment definitely

[@NinthShinigami]

@@andrewphaggot297 fax. I believe he even brought this up as a point in one of his videos as well

[@lukedavis3977]

My boy did all this research just to take the fattest dump on current day studios at the end 🤣. These videos were awesome and you did an amazing job putting it together and it was very educational, I learned tons of new information about studios that I didn't know before. That being said the ending was strange to me as you basically talked about how every attraction that replaced an old one is terrible and how much you hate them all HAHA. It went from love story to diss track lol. I know its hard to see older attractions go but Universal needs to keep up with the times in order to stay in competition and unfortunately that means certain classic attractions gotta go, especially if they were faulty and never ran properly. If Universal never updated any of the rides it would be a tacky 90's time capsule that wouldn't attract large masses and crowds. We all wish we could ride Kongfrontation, Jaws, and Back to the Future, but its probably better that we cant anymore because its more beneficial for the park and its growth and for the company's growth rather than trying to appease to a minority who wants old attractions back. Thanks for your time bother.

[@alexschneider1667]

I think the fact that they replaced twister with Jimmy Fallon says everything about the downsides of the parks nowadays. I know twister was far from perfect, but it had a lot of really cool practical effects and sets and a lot of charm as well. The jimmy Fallon ride is just following jimmy Fallon on a screen. You could watch the video on your phone at home and get the same effect

[@bartsullivan4866]

It sounds like when these attractions were on and working they were fantastic, but on even given day several of them could be down really ruining your experience at the park. I have never been to see either of the Universal parks in Florida but it still looks cool. I would really loved to have done the Back to The Future ride or see the Live Action Ghostbusters show. That Kong looks amazing compared to the California Universal Studios. I would love to see Michael Keaton perform as Beatlejuice in the park sometime and surprise the crap out of the audience kind of how Johnny Depp does with the Pirates of the Caribbean in California.

[@raphaelmarquez9650]

Can you really believe there are some people who wanted the E.T. ride to be demolished for Super Nintendo World because "no one remembers this movie," despite being referenced in pop culture numerous times?

[@robertparker6280]

Wow! Well that's not going to happen because: 1) We are getting SNW for Epic Universe 2) Steven Spielberg has little control of the rides, that's why E.T. is still there.

[@markkalzer907]

I've come to wonder if my life long fascinating with filmmaking and practical effects comes from the one two punch of visiting both MGM Studios and Universal Studios Orlando in the early 90s. I was too young to go on many of the more scary attractions (and apparently Jaws was down, like usual) but both parks really dove deep into the art of filmmaking and MGM even had me go up on stage for the first time! I won't do my long rant about screen based attractions, I will only say that they don't leave anything to the imagination. They overload you with so much sensory information and I just can't help but feel that one or two practical effects would have far more of an impact than all of the CGI nonsense in the Transformers ride.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I agree. While there is a decent handful of things that make Spider-Man better than Transformers, one of the elements is the physicality. Even small elements like the garbage truck, the levitating crates, and the moving skyscraper effect make a significant difference.

[@cataquackwarlord5389]

The Barney and animal shows were the two things I remember experiencing during my one trip to the park as a kid - mostly because other rides like the Hanna Barbera one scared me at the time, so we just went to low-scare attractions like those.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Makes sense. I only did the Barney show a day before it closed and I was surprised at its production value.

[@michaelhill9007]

Another great video. I miss the edutainment aspect from both universal and disney that used to be prevalent in their attractions. My recent visit to universal echoes your thoughts, hagrids is truly a triumph and velocicoaster does what hollywood RRR fails to do: be a world class roller coaster first and also have a fun theme and excellent queue I'm interested to see what you think of the rumored shrek 4d replacement and your coverage of epic universe, once more is revealed about the park

[@kimberlyspencer5552]

Really enjoyed these videos. I miss King Kong but I loooove the Mummy! I miss the Beetlejuice show…don’t care what anyone says, it was bomb. lol I MISS Back to the Future! I enjoyed Jaws as well. I even enjoyed Murder She Wrote & the Hitchcock shows…from what I can remember. You took me back to my childhood. 🧡

[@Masarofia]

Thanks for describing Terminator 2 in so much details ! I was 10 when I saw it back in the days, could not understand a word of English, and yet, it left such a mark on me. I loved it ! Seeing the actors popping out of the screen and Schwarzenegger ride the motorcycle through the ruin of the city in 3D was beyond awesome to me ! :D

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

It was an interesting show for sure.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

Learn to speak mexican

[@bjvincent8786]

This was an amazing video and very nostalgic. Universal Studios has grown so much and it's wonderful to see the roots of Universal Florida. I cannot definitively say the classic 90’s Universal rides would absolutely beat the crap out of screen rides we have at Universal today. While Universal ride seems to have had their strengths and weaknesses; when it came to large animatronic and screen based rides. The rides were still actually unique, different, and interesting and the one thing I see is Universal Florida seemed to try to learn from their mistakes and problems and improve on them; which WDW refuses to do.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I really hope they do learn from this, as the Jurassic World retheme in Hollywood and the Secret Life of Pets look great. Still, whatever Minions themed attraction is replacing Shrek seems like a possible misstep. I'll wait until it opens to judge, but it sounds to be more screens.

[@em_casually8936]

@@PoseidonEntertainment I feel like the minions replacement is a cheap way to capitalize on the popularity of the new despicable me movie and fill the void of a family friendly attraction while focusing their real time and efforts to epic universe. It’s a little bit of a shame though because studios needs more to do in general compared to IOA and Epic.

[@bjvincent8786]

From what I have heard and read the current rumour is that Universal thinks they have found a supplier who has successfully created a moving walkway that can turn corners with people on it. The new Minions attraction allegedly is this experience was rumoured to take place at the Villain-Con location from the first Minions movie. Instead of walking from booth to booth to try your hand at firing interactive zappers, guests would instead be moved from one interactive shooting gallery to the next on large moving walkways (similar to what they use at airport when you collect your language).

[@everettgaspar3482]

Twister and Jaws seriously scared me when I went there as a kid

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Understandable. The park did catch a lot of people off guard, expecting it to be like Disney and not expecting something to be blowing up in their faces at every attraction lol

[@richardlong172]

I enjoyed the preshow and scenery of Twisted better than the actual ride

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I kind of agree. It wasn't even that involved, mostly just covering clips from the film. Still, they managed to do a really great job of making it feel exciting and building anticipation.

[@frankdux5785]

They need to release a vr game recreating og universal. Would be effin awesome and easily doable considering most of the og rides were more just sit and watch type rides vs the thrill u actually get from a real roller coaster or something.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

A VR game that allows you to walk around the parks would be awesome. It always seemed like a missed opportunity for both them and Disney.

[@Acidonia150reborn]

This kinda Exist with Universal Studios Japan two video games based on that version of the park was made. The bad one sold only on Nintendo Gamecube World wide and a Remake by Konami that was PS2 but only sold in Japan that has no english translation.

[@10zeldafan]

I only just realized that you only have 35k subs, dude with the quality of your content and consistency of your channel I thought you were getting close a mil at least.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Thanks, I appreciate the support lol

[@christopherpentecost785]

16:46 there was another pre-show they switched to before the Disaster reskin. Where in the first pre-show, they have 3 displays demonstrating how weather is made on screen (giving one of my favorite facts about Halloween, how the set used the same leaves for certain shots, and would have to rake and collect them all before each shot.) The second pre-show was the same. And the third pre-show, eventually, introduces, not only a scale model of a submarine, but would move on to the tub-o-balls.

[@Xenious]

I miss that both Universal and MGM nee Disney Studios have abandoned many of the learning aspects about the movie making process and just added more action IP. To be fair some of these are excellent and Harry Potter is a huge draw for them. Outside of HP, The Mummy and Transformers are stellar examples that Disney is learning from.

[@danielknauss5019]

The Twister attraction’s opening was delayed due to real world events too. Right before it was going to open, Orlando and Kissimmee were hit by tornadoes, causing a lot of damage and many lives were lost. Universal decided to delay the opening out of respect to the victims, as well as wanting to avoid the poor optics of appearing to sensationalize and profit from the misery of their neighbors.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I recall reading that somewhere. As interesting as it would be to go into the history of the individual attractions, the script was far too long as is though.

[@xoWhitney101ox]

This is exactly why I was so fearful of Twister. I went in 2007 with my friend’s family and I literally cried when they made me get on, as it triggered flashbacks to me getting trapped in my school as a tornado knocked down trees and blocked the exits a few years prior. I definitely did not feel the need to relive anything similar. I ended up somewhat enjoying it, as the pre show calmed me down a bit, but every single time someone mentions that ride, that’s all I can think about lol

[@dimmockracy2308]

Been waiting for part 2!! Ready to watch! Thanks for all your content! Super Good!!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

It took longer than anticipated. The entirety of the script was supposed to be no longer than 40 minutes, rather than an an hour and a half 🤷‍♂

[@sierrapalmer1911]

Twister genuinely terrified when I did it. I was only 12 and the previous year I had just gone through my states most horrific tornado event in the last century, and I was deathly afraid of storms, so Twister was an experience that sticks with me even as an adult.

[@TrainerCTZ]

That nightly boat show spectacular was amazing when watching right next to the fence. Those stunt drivers could charge at you at top speed and flip the boats 180 within a few feet or less of the wall.

[@smileycindy]

Fantastic part 2 video! This was like walking back into my childhood memories. I didn't really understand English much back then, but the rides and shows still left an impression nonetheless. I have fond memories of Earthquake and the Wild West stunt show. It was nice to see a video of it again. Different era, for sure.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

The western stunt show was incredibly underrated. Watching videos of it again, I forgot how good it was.

[@CosplayCore]

Dude... I never figured out there was supposed to be a family in that diner on Twister... haha I always assumed the light shining from it was to show the electricity winking out. haha

[@CosplayCore]

I used to love Earthquake, too... Being someone who finds the making of films interesting, Universal used to be one of my ideal parks... Now, not so much. The learning aspect of attractions like Earthquake and Twister was a lot of fun to me, even when I was a kid. I thought they were so neat and unique in how they used participation to teach audiences... I really miss old Universal. Nothing hurts worse though than missing Graveyard Revue but that's because I'm ADDICTED to the Beetlejuice cartoon and that show almost seems lifted from an episode, especially since the set resembles Lydia's transformed room from the theme song and BJ would wear his cartoon counterpart's outfit. NOTHING ELSE that has closed has quite approached that level of heartache for me. I used to go to Universal every two years, whenever I also went to Disney World, growing up. Now, I haven't been to Universal since Graveyard Revue closed because I'm afraid of how I'm going to feel when I pass its old location... I get the feeling that I might start to cry uncontrollably. :(

[@handroid3023]

You've slowly become one of my favorite youtubers to enjoy for a long video. If any the folks at Disney and Universal took a look at some of your videos.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Apparently people send my more critical videos to Disney management. I doubt it's going to change anything, but it's kind of funny.

[@itsjusteddie7384]

39:05 fun fact (from experience) if you happen to be there when it’s spontaneously raining so hard the paths are flooding the structure you can see just off to the left is a great place to dodge the rain without having to cram into an indoor space with all the other park goers

[@CosplayCore]

I was not expecting to suddenly start missing our "flying cow" today... ;u; Type "moo" if you miss her, too!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Moo?

[@TinaBiebe]

Moo 🐄

[@scotsmith2391]

My former roommate in the 1990s worked at the Wild West Stunt show and i loved that show. The nighttime lagoon show was challenging because the good viewing areas were limited and it was difficult to tell what was going on.

[@megandelgrosso8473]

Okay I just need to tell u before u diss the rip rocket music selection there’s a hack where u can put in a code and a secret list of songs with the codes online! My cousins and I literally all listened to rainbow connection by the muppets on it😭

[@jessi5401]

My dad took me in 1992 & 1994. I got to taste slime at Nick studios, looked down upon the set of Clarissa Explains it All. The Kong ride scared the crap out of me and I was endlessly disappointed to find that it was gone when I finally went back in ‘09. Jaws was AMAZING - back then they were still using all of the pyrotechnics and it felt like your face was going to melt off from the heat of them. E.T. was my absolute favorite. We did Disney as well but Universal was more enjoyable, especially for my dad lol. I don’t find screen rides a big draw but it seems like they get away with it, so why bother with the huge animatronics anymore…

[@yousaysilver]

that jaws ride was just So Cool and i love the acting from the skipper in the clips you used as well- it's always so cool seeing actors in theme parks that can pull stuff off that convincingly

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

The source video on that is incredible. Apparently it was one of the last rides ever and he really went all out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baakfaSDgqhro8k

[@yousaysilver]

@@PoseidonEntertainment thanks for the link!

[@alanwneatly-crowe1197]

Those really were the glory days of universal . As someone who's been lucky enough the visit Universal ( from the UK ) , during the 90's thru to last year, it really feels like the original essence and ' realness ' of the Ride the Movies idea has been sadly lost . More technology doesn't always mean something is better .

[@TitanKaiju75]

Babe wake up the new Poseidon Entertainment video just dropped!

[@jspihlman]

I like rip ride rocket, but boy did I not expect when I came back in 2021 for it to have the same list of songs. I get that there are timeless songs, like Bohemian Rhapsody, but a lot of the music was hits from around when it opened and they feel so stale now, like Finger Eleven "Paralyzer." Don't get me wrong, great song, but not going to be in a top 100 songs list.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I expect licensing issues play a large part in the song list staying the same. Still, having slowed down the ride vehicle at the top of the lift hill a few years ago, the songs don't even play in sync to the experience anymore.

[@228-n6f]

Queen’s current label is Hollywood Records, which is owned by Disney. In terms of music selections in RRR, they did missed one big opportunity by acquiring rights of timeless songs from labels owned by Warner Music Group who signed much more familiar names than Universal Music Group like Led Zeppelin for instance.

[@yousaysilver]

currently recovering from the absolute vibe check of the bates motel being replaced with barney of all things

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

The area clearly became Kid Zone before Kid Zone was a thing, yet still kept the Bates Mansion sitting back there all that time.

[@angiemenendez1970]

I think they should take a vacant room or sound stage and fill it with VR machines and bring back the classic rides (Kong frontation, jaws, back to the future, and twister) and make the que really cool with all the stuff rom the classics along with the theme songs of the classics only.

[@johnshoemakerpbc]

Love seeing all this amazing old footage. I miss some of these original attractions. When I was in high school, we went to the Studios and I still never ever forget a thing my friend said on Jaws. He said why does every ride have to have fire? It’s 9,000 degrees outside and these parks are like well hey let’s just light a fire! Lol. It’s so true though. With as hot as it already is why do we need to start fires outside? Lol

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I do remember how almost all of the attractions had pyrotechnics of some kind. Still, I enjoyed that aspect of it.

[@treepo-]

You always provide the best videos with so much depth in your research

[@MadResch98]

My first trip to Universal was in 2012, I wish I could've experienced these 90s attractions. I missed out on so much.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I missed out on quite a few as well, but I was still able to get on Kong about a year before it closed. Definitely a cool experience.

[@somecartoonweeb3947]

The new Minion attraction they're replacing Shrek with doesn't sound very exciting, but I really hope im wrong here and Universal once again blows our socks off

[@NinthShinigami]

Here’s hoping

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I agree, but I'm cautiously optimistic. I didn't think I would care for Bourne, yet it's grown on me as a pretty fantastic show.

[@darrenalmgren634]

My fiancé and I went to Orlando for our anniversary in 2018. ET’s ride was by far the jankiest and weirdest ride. Wish the BTTF or other rides/shows were saved instead of that one

[@FIREBRAND38]

Terrific video. I wanted to ask where you got the info that the Ghostbusters animatronics were below the stage? I've never seen a diagram of the layout despite years of looking. Also, glad for the shout out to the Psycho IV set. After the Motel was torn down there was a photo opportunity spot where you could stand with the Psycho House in the background. My second trip there my wife and I took a VIP Tour and she had arranged a surprise for me. After the Tour ended and the group broke up, the Tour Guide took us up to the house where we had our picture taken standing on the porch of the House. I even managed a set of photos of the back of the House (which you never see). Really sorry that's gone. I share your disdain for the Hollywood Rip, Ride Rock It inasmuch as it adds insult to injury by passing through the Ghostbuster's Firehouse but it also eliminates any pretense that Universal Studios is a working movie set backlot with all the noise it puts out.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I consulted a number of sources and but I couldn't recall exactly where it's stated that they're located underneath. In context with my knowledge on how the effect works in general, I probably just assumed it was the case as well.

[@FIREBRAND38]

@@PoseidonEntertainment Thanks for responding. I know that the classic Pepper's Ghost works that way because being in a concert hall there was literally nowhere else to put them. You'll recall, however, that in the Haunted Mansion you have animatronics above and below the Omni Mover track. It's fortunate that I've only found photos of closeups of the "ghosts" but no diagram of the Spooktacular layout. It's almost like I'd like to talk to any cast members that used to work that show back in the day so you could interview them or something.

[@rylansato]

Can you imagine just swimming through the water in the Jaws set? Even knowing it’s just a machine on a track it’d still look scary as hell to see a shark in the water.

[@danloki78]

Yea I've always thought this just falling in and seeing it that going on. 😢

[@roycem4945]

1:10 - yes pepper's ghost effect, but the ghosts were NOT under the stage and reflected onto the glass. Instead, they were located directly behind and above the audience and you saw their reflection onto the glass.

[@gabrieldally6044]

Amazing video as always. I honestly think Twister is a classic attraction that should've never left

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I agree.

[@Jayrod-qb3zb]

Jaws, Twister, and Poseidon’s Furry had me crying when I was little 😂😂!!! I have done Jaws and Twister again after that and enjoyed it the second time 😇🙏.

[@yousaysilver]

as someone who's lived in the bay area my whole life it sure is interesting to see how universal themed the san francisco area + what their interpretation of bart was like

[@NicEeEe843]

Had to get my popcorn for this one 🍿

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Definitely longer than I anticipated. The full thing, which I'll probably upload in a few months, is an hour-fourty.

[@celestemcduff]

Ahh, this makes me a bit sad I missed out on experiencing the original Twister/Disaster attraction but glad to hear of it here. Backdraft in Hollywood was one of the most memorable (albeit scary as a child) experiences I ever had at a theme park and Twister seems in the same flavor of attraction. Also lamenting the amazing Ghostbusters show I never got to see - it sounds awesome! These deep dives are interesting, thanks for another great vid!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Backdraft seemed incredibly interesting, and I think it would fit well at USF. The former Fear Factor stage seems like the perfect location.

[@Indyjonesfan]

The Ghostbusters ghost we're above the audience on the second floor. If you were to walk up to the glass and look back you could see the animatronics. They used to yell at you to stay away from the glass for this reason

[@Drac39]

It's criminal that they got rid of Jaws

[@NinthShinigami]

It’s so conflicting for me cause Harry Potter is one of my favorite movies/books, but Jaws is one of my favorite movies too.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I think I would be less upset if Gringotts were better. Diagon is fantastic, but Gringotts could really have stepped things up.

[@ftrwrwbg]

I never really did any proper research ahead of time, but I remember being hyped as hell when I heard they were bringing King Kong back to Universal. When I finally got to ride it the disappointment that hit me realizing it was just another screen ride was massive. The animatronic at the end is cool, but I’m beyond done with the screen rides.

[@ooninjapenguin7286]

Admittedly I thought it was one of the better ones. Better to replace stuff like jimmy and minions.

[@anaz5918]

@@ooninjapenguin7286 Minions the ride is meh but the end when you exit and get greeted by the Minions themselves dancing is pretty fun .

[@darkinetix]

15:19... man, kids today will never know. Earthquake was so intense I cried on my first ride (I was a kid with a hyperactive imagination, I had really let myself get immersed... don't laugh). Mind you I was a huge thrill ride and coaster fan. There was something about the combination of all the pre-show build up + practical effects on the ride itself... the gas truck sliding down and "exploding" next to you with fire you could FEEL, enough to practically singe off your eyelashes in the right seat, and what looked like a wild tsunami of water, all while the train is shaking and another train collides on top of yours. That and knowing something like that could actually happen IRL was pretty frightening for a little guy like me!! That ride made you feel like you were *legitimately* in danger unlike any other attraction I've ever experienced at any park, save for maybe its siblings Jaws and the OG King Kong. Truly a GOAT in theme park history. Also Richter's, the restaurant next door back in the 90s had theeee BEST cheeseburgers in the park. Didn't think about it until now. Thanks for bringing back all this nostalgia. Very pleased. Great and informative video as always.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I had a very similar experience. The first time I went, I did Twister, followed by Kong, Earthquake and then Jaws. There were so many intense elements to these attractions and they definitely left an impression.

[@Mockingdragon]

Nope, I do have one other memory of classic Universal. Having never seen ET, I went on THAT ride and freaked the hell out as a six year old when this strange, freaky-looking alien (that I didn't fully understand was friendly) knew my name. 🤣 My memories of the old park were traumatizing, and then the day I went to the current park in 2019 was just cursed (even when I got back to my Disney hotel and after-hours party things kept going wrong). Poor Universal, maybe it's not you!

[@squidpoequo7747]

What made Rip Ride Rocket cool was not an intended feature, but am Easter egg put in by the programmers, in that there was a secret code you could put in to unlock a hidden song menu that was janky and wasn’t fully fleshed out but added like, 80 more songs, some of which I’m SURE the6 didn’t own copyrights to (like Rainbow Connection), which made the ride kinda fun. Nothing like riding a roller coaster to Movin Right along by Fozzie and Kermit or Night on Bald Mountain.

[@CarloRufinoSabusap]

Just a quick correction, the peppers ghost effect was actually opposite of what you said. The animatronics were not under the stage but on a stage above the audience. If you ever went there in person, and sat down you noticed that the ceiling above the audience was quite low, it's because above the audience was the stage where the ghost animatronics were and you were seeing a direct reflection of them from the glass, because the big windows in front of the containment chamber were not tilted, but straight on, but still a very cool and convincing effect

[@87Timmer]

So I went to universal studios Christmas Day 1995 and AT&T at the movies was there then. I actually have a video of our trip to universal and it shows a small clip inside. In your video here you mentioned AT&T wasn’t till 1998. That info definitely can’t be right.

[@hgwilt1]

I loved Twister its a shame that the pre show ride closed to be replaced with Jimmy Fallon New York ride. Same taking out the disaster ride. Why didn't Universal FL want to keep these popular attractions why my guess is that: more thrills than pre shows RIP. 😢

[@FrankCostanza82]

The transition from the Bates Motel to Barney is the wildest swing in theming ever

[@MsDboyy]

Hearing the Back to the Future music on the ride is probably the most Exciting and satisfying feeling Ever for anyone who was lucky enough to have gone on that ride 😎🎶🎶🎵🎶🎻🎻🎻🎺🎺🎺🔊🔊🔊

[@STSGuitar16]

Been looking forward to this since you dropped part 1. Excellent content, as always, Mr. Poseidon.

[@Comedy4cast]

I just finished watching. Thank you for taking me back to my first trip to Universal Studios Florida (pre Universal Orlando) in 1992. We did take the tram tour and joke about it to this day. One thing you did not mention, and yes, admittedly it was a separate price vendor, was the "Star Trek Adventure" which was in the same building as King Kong. The entrance was the movie theater-looking doorway to the left side of the building. In fact, the "P" from Paramount is still there, even though the sign above the door now reads "Paradise."

[@gwell66v2AnimeReviews]

My parents brought me (we were joined by aunts, uncles, and same-age cousins as well)twice within its first 5 years, including the first summer of operation. Having been born in one of the five boroughs, it was so cool walking through "home" to get to Kong. The feeling of intense heat, the smell of fuel and the sight of Kong...man...burned into memory. It was so LOUD which, yknow, little kids don't always do too well with super loud things. Just like with fireworks, I had to cover my ears. I buried my face against my mom when we got to Kong. The helicopter part, I was confused by, then my dad pointed out we had passed Kong. I just stared and stared at him and went "wwoooooow" the way little kids do when they see something awe-inspiring. Funny enough the thing that made me cry hardest wasnt anything at Universal, it was the Disney portion of our vacation. I remember a weird little mermaid themed ride where your vehicle is under water or something and you see statues or anmatronics of the characters. Idk why but Ariel FREAKED me out. She looked like a horror movie creature to me. I have to of been mistaken but I remember her having like a kind of pointy spiral beak thing for a face despite the rest of her being Ariel. So I hid my head and closed my eyes for the rest of the ride. Jaws was wild, too. For whatever reason, maybe bc we were out in the light and the noises weren't as loud, I was able to remmeber it was just "a robot" and not get bothered. Earthquake was always my favorite for some reason. I was very lucky my family hadn't torpedo'd itself yet and I happened to be born when I was. The experiences I got to have were unlike anything any most kids could've even dreamed of at that age, and I got to share them with the people I loved most. Getting to excitedly recount each experience with my best friend/cousin at the time, getting to dance to goofy stage shows at both Universal and Disney and do things like gawk at the Ghostbusters (that show had an awesome cold air effect when the marshmallow man died). I hope epic recaptures a lot of that magic. I look forward to giving Universal a shot when it does. Shame what the greedy, awful, bottom line focused, cynical execs at Disney have done. I dont see myself going there for at least a decade or two...and even that's pending them unscrewing themselves. But at that point Ill no longer be the wide-eyed 3 year old barely familiar with the world, getting to walk around with my family and being so shy that I hide my head when cinderella comes to say hi. I'll be a 40+ year old man, with an entire life behind me, wondering how the hell time moved so fast and far. These two videos looking back at the earliest iteration of Universal were a huge gift for me. They allowed me to relive things that would be near impossible otherwise. With how big 80s and 90s nostalgia is for 30-50 year olds and with them being way more willing to spend on just themselves than in the past when things were mostly about family expenses, I'd bet that within the next 15 years they'll look to bring back some of these rides in some form. Jesus...I'll be in my 50s. Maaaaybe with a successful book or YT channel finally after years of trying so hard. Gt be honest, I don't like the look of that number! Anywaaaays, thx for the look back and the opportunity to meander through a long winded compilation of hot air, cold air and memories

[@janaialbertson2350]

I just went to universal and I felt bc I didn’t love Harry Potter there wasn’t something for me! Wish I could have experienced this!

[@MH2O_FTW]

So, theme parks have always been a huge part of mine, and my moms life. She used to visit universal and disney as a kid, a lot. One time, she visited, she got picked to be on the escalator in Disaster. She was acting SO WELL, that she accidentally fell 💀

[@Lalo_thr]

i think in universal studios Hollywood we had Backdraft instead of twister... good times

[@thecoolestmrprogangster]

as a kid i thought everything was actually real so I was crying and screaming at disaster rides like earthquake and twister, my brother saying that we're all gonna die did NOT help

[@timeverhartofficial]

Jaws was not open in Aug of 1994 in FL it was still being worked on I was there and it was not open. Sad about Psycho house but it was creepy to have it loom over the water park that was there in the 90s.

[@HartStreet4Ever]

I was a volunteer during the pre-show for the earthquake attraction. I portrayed a shopper as once the earthquake began i would hang off the escalator and make my legs feel like jello so it would look like i had trouble hanging off the side.. miss the original universal

[@bmas44]

ET isnt technically the last opening day attraction! The monster make up show is alive and well, not to mention it has the same two guys performing it from when i was a kid. I absolutely love that show. Also you could count the animal show despite plot changes over the years

[@JBBrickman]

Of all the things you talked about I really wish they would make a new Back to the Future ride also I’ve never seen the Terminator movies although the whole idea is cool, but that show you just showed was pretty epic I think they should do more of that, it was just really cool so I’m all for that one 👍

[@228-n6f]

I know this will never happen cause it isn’t family friendly, but I actually picture South Park as a very fitting replacement for Springfield that would bring in the ultimate “Simpsons Did It” joke, and a expansion of the area with a replica of the real Casa Bonita at Denver, Colorado.

[@filetofish7688]

I would actually love this.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I've never watched South Park, but in general I have no desire to see adult cartoons in theme parks. I'd rather the Simpsons building and Springfield be torn down and expand further back, building a new land based around something more interesting.

[@zackrichardson290]

I wish I could have ridden all of these or I wish they would bring back some of them especially jaws

[@betelman]

Thank goodness that WB jumped in to build the HArry potter Lands.

[@KingKafei]

I think universal is going to explode in popularity with the new park opening If everything is themed as well as Hogwarts and the Nintendo area is going to be.

[@allen9954]

Now that Disney's "Great Movie Ride" is dead, Universal should create their own version.

[@MzDoctorStrange2u]

I love learning new things about the Jaws ride. Even still today, it is one of a kind. I can’t believe it use to actually damage the boat 😅😂

[@HalloweenFreak365]

Ghostbusters looked amazing!!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I agree. Even with the lack of story, the technical aspects of the show looked impressive.

[@alankohn6709]

I'd be interested to see you do a look at Universal Australia which is on the Gold Coast and is a park and active movie studio where a lot of big name movies have been made but I understand the problems involved.

[@trackmastersdj]

The original park was the best. So sad that it's gone forever. Lots of great memories.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Agreed. I was lucky enough to ride Kongfrontation only about a year before it was removed.

[@Jamie_Jewel]

Bourne Identity a solid successor? I go to Universal frequently and I’ve never seen one person go into that attraction 😂

[@demonhunter7861]

I would take back twister over jimmy Fallon any day of the week.

[@Multi-Waves_Music]

What the heck twister was so cool Although the electric sounds are... Less than desirable

[@AlexanderAlfonso]

Went to Universal 2 weeks ago.... It lost all its magic. It's not what it used to be.

[@dennissmith5807]

yay my footage.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

All citations are provided in the lower left corner of the videos. Video descriptions also provide a link that lists all sources and provides direct links to them.

[@stevescarpetti9556]

Best video I’ve seen of the actual rides!!! Thank you

[@jcsfx710]

I waited two hours to go in the Earthquake ride to be told at the entrance of the ride that it wasn't working to come back later.

[@gigiisaweirdo8175]

There was a Barney show? I used to love Barney when I was little I would’ve loved it lol

[@feliciasingleton4849]

Did you see the Mickey ear hat on the car?

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I did not. What are you referencing?

[@feliciasingleton4849]

@@PoseidonEntertainment In Twister, the car in the ceiling...the wheels kept turning, so you had to look quick, but there was a flattened Mickey Mouse ear cap on one of the wheels... Universal was always doing stuff like that... allegedly there was a Mickey ear cap in the shark's mouth at JAWS....

[@TooningIn2008]

This was very interesting! Aside from Jaws, Back to the future, Kong and earthquake I never knew many of these rides listed in this video and part 1 existed. Really wish I could experience some of them. Now going off topic, I’m going to talk about a Toon Lagoon retheme. Personally I would retheme the land to the Peanuts franchise. I would replace The Popeye ride with a dark ride taking guests through one of the comic strips. I would also retheme Dudley Do to the raft scene in Race for your Life Charlie Brown, the drop at the end representing the waterfall scene from said special.

[@filetofish7688]

Cedar Fair owns the rights to the Peanuts franchise for the US parks so Universal would have to negotiate with them in order to have the peanuts characters. I think it could be possible since the nearest CF park to Universal is Carowinds.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

An interesting idea, but I enjoy Toon Lagoon as is. Still, I wish they would do something with the abandoned theater. Perhaps they could put in a small dark ride in that space.

[@iggyelle]

I went to Universal in ye olden days. Very early nineties because Jaws was not yet open. A caveat, I was young, still in middle school, and my memories are very spotty. I will say it was a bad day for the park. Various attractions were having technical problems, and it was a Florida summer. Miserably hot and humid. I remember my mom's biggest complaint was the lack of shade, which made the heat absolutely brutal. Back to the Future had just opened and I remember I was very excited about that having recently acquired a love for simulator rides of that ilk due to Star Tours and Body Wars. Now, I know I went on Back to the Future, but I can't for the life of me remember if it was on that trip or a second one, because I'm almost entirely certain the ride was having terrible troubles during the visit I'm talking about. Long lines, breakdowns, but just the same I don't recall a second visit so who knows. I'm working with some very rusty memories. Anyway, my strongest ones are of the Ghostbusters stage show which I found rather scary but it also broke halfway through and never got back up to finish. I liked Earthquake, possibly because it reminded me of Catastrophe Canyon, which I much enjoyed at MGM. E.T. struggled with my name at the end of the ride, which I thought was very funny. Judging from some of the behind the scenes show from your last video, I think I went to some of those because they seemed vaguely familiar. I have what might be a false memory of going on Kongfrontation, mostly because I can't possibly imagine going on it at that age or anyone trying to convince me to do so, but I swear I remember that animatronic and the smell of bananas. Maybe I spent most of it with my face pressed into a family member's shoulder. Anyway, I really enjoyed these videos. I don't have a huge connection with Universal. We were always more of a Disney family and I'm not sure that'll change any time soon. At least for me since all the really cool rides still seem a bit too intense for me. I never did get over my aversion to a majority of thrill rides. Even still I appreciate your thorough research and presentations. It's really astounding the differences between Disney and Universal in the way they change their parks. I feel like universal seems to have a better track record when it comes to ride replacements and overhauls. It is a shame though that it doesn't have much of a concept of loyalty when it comes to rides themselves, for lack of a better way to put it, but I think maybe the ambition was the problem. The rides were unsustainable, unlike Disney's older ones which were naturally less so due to the constraints of technology (not to mention the pile of money Disney is sitting on to afford to fix and refresh rides). tl;dr: your retrospectives are always very fun and enlightening.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Other than Pirates, Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise, I would argue that Disney doesn't really care too much about the legacy of their technically ambitious attractions either. They love to pretend that Horizons, World of Motion, Journey Into Imagination and the Universe of Energy never existed and I think that current leadership took too many ideas from Comcast executives about replacing attractions on the cheap. Still, it appears that Comcast execs have stepped back and are letting Universal do its thing.

[@iggyelle]

@@PoseidonEntertainment yeah, I was thinking about epcot a lot when it came to that quagmire of Disney and loyalty. Not to mention MGM. Maybe the only thing they pretend to be loyal about is the Magic Kingdom and everything else is negligible. Suppose I don't like thinking about how they've gutted Epcot because that breaks my heart. God I loved Epcot back in the day. I do admire the fact that it seems like Universal takes criticism in mind or at the very least takes into account what parkgoers want. I can't say the same for Disney these days.