The Theme Park History of Ghostbusters Spooktacular (Universal Studios Florida)

WARNING: This video contains some flashing images from 16:12 to 16:16
Ghostbusters Spooktacular was a special effects show that opened at Universal Studios Florida on June 7th, 1990. Based on the 1984 sci-fi comedy film of the same name, the attraction had guests join Venkman, Ray, Egon, and Winston as they battled the paranormal likes of Slimer, Gozer, the Terror Dogs, and many more.
Music Used
Ghostbusters II NES Soundtrack - Title Theme • Video
Ghostbusters Original Score - Main Title Theme • Main Title Theme (Ghos...
Ghostbusters Original Score - Buying The Firehouse • Ghostbusters (Original...
Magic (Extended Film Version) by Mick Smiley • Mick Smiley - Magic (E...
Ghostbusters The Video Game Score - Fight Loop 4 • Ghostbusters The Video...
Ghostbusters Theme (Instrumental) • Ghostbusters theme (in...
Ghostbusters The Video Game Score - Music Scuttles Loop 1 • Ghostbusters The Video...
Ghostbusters The Video Game Score - End Credits • Ghostbusters The Video...
Ghostbusters The Video Game Score - Firehouse Loop 1 • Ghostbusters The Video...
Ghostbusters Original Score - Dana’s Theme • Dana's Theme- Elmer Be...
Bustin by Neil Cicierega • Neil Cicierega - Bustin
Videos Used
Ghostbusters Pre-Show Video Universal Studios Florida • Ghostbusters Preshow V...
Ghostbusters @ Universal Studios Florida • Ghostbusters @ Univers...
Universal Studios Florida - Experience The Magic Of Movies • Video
Ghostbusters Special Effects: Slimer, Stay Puft and Library Ghost • Ghostbusters Special E...
Ghostbusters Trailer • Ghostbusters (1984) Tr...
The Real Ghostbusters Intro • The Real Ghostbusters ...
Extreme Ghostbusters Intro • Extreme Ghostbusters (...
Ghostbusters Spooktacular (1994) Universal Studios Florida by Tracy G • Ghostbusters Spooktacu...
Streetbusters Show (1991) Universal Studios Florida by Dennis Smith • Streetbusters show uni...
Universal Studios Florida Family Trip (1992) by SHOOTTHAFAIR1 • Universal Studios Flor...
Ghostbusters Stage Show Universal Studios Florida (1991) by Dennis Smith • Ghostbusters stage sho...
Universal Studios Florida Ghostbusters Show (1991) by JPL1311 • Universal Studios Flor...
Ghostbusters Spooktacular Show | Universal Studios Florida | March 12, 1992 by The Universal Evolution • Ghostbusters Spooktacu...
Universal Studios Florida (1992) by Aaron Roberts • Universal Studios 1992...
Travel: Ghostbusters at Universal Studios Orlando (1992) by adiblasi • Travel: Ghostbusters a...
Ghostbusters Spooktacular Full Show | Universal Studios Florida (1991) by TheMouseandMore • GHOSTBUSTERS SPOOKTACU...
Ghostbusters Paranormal Merchandise Store at Universal Studios Florida | 1992 by The Universal Evolution • Ghostbusters Paranorma...
Universal Studios Florida Electronic Press Kit • 1995 Universal Studios...
Universal Studios Florida (1996) by John65 • Universal Studios Orla...
Ghostbusters Attraction: Part 1 (Universal Studios Vacation: 6-10-1996) by EtepongeNekoKun • Ghostbusters Attractio...
Ghostbusters Spooktacular Show- Universal Studios Florida by Sketch105 • Ghostbusters Spooktacu...
Universal Studios Florida Ghostbusters Show by MamboDan • Universal Studios Ghos...
Universal Studios Escape - Islands of Adventure Announcement (1998) • VINTAGE Universal Stud...
Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way by Russell Tom • Extreme Ghostbusters: ...
Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way | Universal Studios Florida by The Universal Evolution • Extreme Ghostbusters: ...
Ghostbusters House Reveal | Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2019 • Video
Ghostbusters Highlights from Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 2019 by Attraction Magazine • Ghostbusters highlight...
Ghostbusters Highlights | Halloween Horror Nights 29 at Universal Orlando by Inside Universal • Ghostbusters highlight...
Ghostbusters at Halloween Horror Nights Orlando by Theme Park Insider • Ghostbusters at Hallow...
GhostBusters - Halloween Horror Nights 29 - Best Moments by Best Of Orlando • GhostBusters - Hallowe...
Halloween Horror Nights 29 | Their Screams Are Real • Halloween Horror Night...
I take no credit for any of the footage used in this video. Use the above links to view the full footage and give those videos the views they deserve.
Sources Used/Cited
pastebin.com/v...

[@adambezark2293]

Just found this video. I was the writer/director (at Landmark Entertainment) for the 1992 update of the Ghostbusters Spooktacular. It was incredibly fun to bring Louis Tully, Walter Peck and pitchers of slime to the existing attraction. And the big LN2 audience explosion at the end wound up being a kind of test for the bigger version we installed a few years later in “Terminator 2: 3D.” Thanks so much for posting this!

[@derekllewellyn6663]

Ghostbalrs I ain't afraid of bad jokes on gaslight theater it's really remember reel thing now I into show on

[@towelclipz]

Comments like these are my favorites in the comment sections of these videos! I love getting insider knowledge on behind the scenes stuff for media production of any sort!

[@keithoneil9894]

Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me (probably is) or was there a part of the updated show where slime ran through the theater floor?

[@TheBitBlock]

Given the insane wait times for the Ghostbusters house at HHN - Universal would be INSANE to not bring the IP back to the park in it's own ride. They can remove Jimmy Fallon or Fast & Furious and nobody would be upset at all. :)

[@TravelbyNick.]

God, I hate both of those rides. Wasted real estate. A massive Ghostbusters ride would be amazing

[@akari-kun8333]

Right

[@enzotab524]

How’s this: Instead of a Simple Universal screen ride, They should’ve created a Ghostbusters animatronic and Screen ride.

[@derekllewellyn6663]

@@enzotab524 it's looks like Tim burton movies are same time as Annabelle creation movie feeling like a new DVD releases review history books documentary about biography history books documentary about biography history channel VIP tickets tour New oasr awesome picture awards TCM hollywood netflix conjuring cast of the day away magic and make them tour New York City universal studios hollywood new wicked musical show starts at VIP tickets tour New oasr awesome picture awards

[@johnkrejsa517]

Personally, I'd replace Jimmy Fallon with a Ghostbusters shooter ride. I'd rather save Fast and Furious for a Power Rangers trackless dark ride.

[@daviddebergh254]

Ghostbuster, ET, and BTTF are my childhood even though I’m a 90s kid. Great video man.

[@CarloRufinoSabusap]

7:11 CORRECTION. The animatronics were actually ABOVE the audience during the show. The glass panels were not hidden at all, but featured in the show, as a new way of viewing into the containment chamber. The glass was not slanted, but standing straight up and down, a low ceiling was above the audience and the animatronics were set up above, hidden from view. If you were in the audience and listened carefully, you could hear the pistons and mechanisms of the animatronics going off above you. There was no space below the stage for the animatronics because you'd have to dig down 20 feet below the ground to allow space for the taller animatronics, and you'd hit Florida's water table.

[@TheKairielise]

I thought that sounded wrong. Knowing what I know about the layout of that building from the Twister years, and how the Haunted Mansion ballroom works, it didn’t make sense to have the glass slanted, or have the ghosts anywhere but above the audience.

[@DirectionerKelso1202]

Also I’d love for a Beetlejuice episode! That’s one of my earliest memories of Universal Studios ❤️

[@derekllewellyn6663]

New show documentary beetlejuice show documentary netflix picture awards TCM hollywood movies show TV and DVD years oasr pictures from home hollywood netflix

[@derekllewellyn6663]

NBS universal studios hollywood new 50th anniversary celebration party years birthday and 100th anniversary celebration party years fun making flash back past life look back at movie made into store story about how much money new number gaslight theater in new horizons show and make sure most amazing maze in the world part of the same time 30th would definitely anniversary celebration party years before New year old app magic key new number ride

[@reynaldipangestu259]

*Mocks Ghostbusters 2016* Me : *Realizes that Theme Park History made fun of F&F Supercharged in episodes focusing on Universal Studios* Careful dude. Your sass levels are reaching Kevin Perjurer (Defunctland) levels.

[@milkinamug3357]

I support the sass.

[@jimmymelendez1836]

Well, Ghostbusters 2016 stunk on ice.

[@morethanthrills1616]

I love seeing photos from 90s USF. Great video as always! 👍🏻

[@SpaceWizardCosplay]

Ironically, Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights had a Ghostbusters-themed haunt last year which was a success.

[@louispacetime1576]

This must've been amazing to watch!!

[@Stephen-tt5pj]

This was awesome! When I was a kid I got on the pre-show holding the goo so it brought back a lot of memories. Thanks!

[@SkullZThe_Skeleton]

This man put bustin at the end of the video. Amazing

[@stephensworldofadventure]

This looks so cool. Loved the scare house in hhn29 but I would love to have seen this 😊

[@TurboThrill85]

Thanks for doing this. This was one of my favorites as a kid

[@shine311]

Friend of mine is one of the original GB's from that show! It was cool to see his picture in your video. Nice work!

[@dannyc7227]

Nice. So what was his take on all of this? Did he enjoy the experience?

[@nicksullivan4994]

Now, This Makes Sense, Because It’s GhostBusters’ 35th Anniversary! Which is Why I’m Going as Peter Venkman with Slimer for Halloween!🎃

[@sirstupifie4958]

Founder of crystal head vodka Dan Aykroyd, these Jontron memes are leaking

[@drmario711]

SirStupifie , we can fix that leak with flex tape It even works under water

[@Ghostbustersfan64513]

Omg this is the best history of the Ghostbusters ay universal ever i love the spooktacular and the halloween house but the spooktacular will always be the best maybe one day theyll have permanent attraction like Ghostbusters spooktacular for the 2020 movie or in years to come

[@jakewimzy1988]

I really do miss the ghostbusters spookstakular show. I was saddened and upset when they had closed it.

[@Countangus]

I was one of the poor chumps holding the slime as a kid - completely ruined my shorts and missed out on the live show

[@SirEdgard1013]

It was the best, I remember I was so upset as a kid when they took it down ;(

[@jonathanwallis3300]

16:49, couldn’t have said it better than myself. Ghostbusters was my very first (and so far only) HHN house I went on! In Fact, HHN 29 was the very first time I ever attended the popular event! You saying that GB is one of the best houses made has made me happy and satisfied for picking that event! I highly regret missing the “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” house though. I only just now started to Love the movie!

[@LandauTST]

I'm glad I got to see this in 1995 before it got shut down. I still remember it fondly. :)

[@TBHJR]

Should also be noted that the Ghostbusters never left Universal in between the ride closing and the new Extreme GB street show. They stuck around and drove the Ecto 1 throughout the Nee York area periodically. I did a photo op with them and got autographs in 1999.

[@rct3isepic]

When you realize they started playing bustin at the end

[@DirectionerKelso1202]

I will always be totally in love with this movie. And Stay Puft.

[@tedgruver7618]

🎼“Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!”🎼

[@cartoonkeeper]

Well once again that was a pretty good video but I can't wait to see what you do with Escape from Gringotts Bank

[@slackingsource]

"A reboot nobody would ask for" lol

[@slagarcrue85]

Interesting the people that did stay puff design end up Here. They went from creating my favorite little vicious aliens from the first two of 4 films to doing all these ghost effects. That’s wow amazing achievement. Nice video

[@KingOfGaymes]

“A reboot nobody asked for in 2016” R O A S T E D

[@Kei-hz2bj]

You should do a video on The Grand fiesta tour starring the three Caballeros

[@michaeldennehy2096]

kay foxy OMG PLEAASE I WOULD DIE

[@kellyweingart3692]

Honey I Shrunk The Audience

[@sarahmcmann5253]

That’s my favorite ride

[@LiLTailormade]

Great vid I was there this year for the Halloween Horror Nights and I saw the Ghostbusters house and it was definitely jaw dropping and amazing!

[@SheathEntertainment]

3:56 “A reboot nobody asked for in 2016” Man that was straight up savage! 😂

[@MK1MonsterOck1989]

First King Kong And Then Ghostbusters Came Home Welcome Home Ghostbusters! =D

[@PaceFilmsProductions]

God, I would have LOVED to see this so much if I went there as a kid.

[@whatadumstory8483]

Great editing as always. Please do the beetle juice rocking graveyard.

[@sustelsuk]

I don’t know why but I love the term pepper’s ghost, sound cute

[@thegeekykidtv5986]

Do alfred Hitchcock: the art of making movies

[@DanielOrteez]

From Defunctland kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2alpaebftmdiZo

[@johncalder1961]

Good one

[@killerzombie2171]

God the only memory I have of that is when my mother told me to look down when “The Birds” segment started to happen...

[@kevindiossi]

I feel so bad for all the kids out there that never got to experience this show. I remember being so sad when Twister came out. Let's be real...once you've done Twister once, it never changes.

[@katiepersons6575]

I saw it in a Febuary long ago. I could not remember the year, but I remember adverts for the Terminator show were plastered everywhere, so it must have been 96. I'm so glad my mother got me there before they ended the show. I saw the version with Louis and I remember one of the proton packs he showed off was pink for female ghostbusters. I think he wore it during the light show.

[@LightYagami583]

Please do a video on Beetlejuice Rockin’ Graveyard Revue and Alien Encounter.

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

Fascinating! I’ve always heard that Disney’s Haunted Mansions were the largest pepper’s ghosts effects ever built. Was this one bigger?

[@vgexpert20001]

Depends on your definition of bigger. Haunted Mansion uses the effect more, filling an entire dining room of pepper's ghost. As for Ghostbusters, the animatronics used for the Pepper's Ghost effect were LITERALLY bigger.

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

David Gonzalez Which had the bigger glass?

[@vgexpert20001]

@@jennycraigadventures3314 oh! Hmmm well I believe the main theater in Ghostbusters was bigger than the dining hall in Haunted Mansion. Just going off by memory though. Lol

[@sarahhutchinson1644]

Well, since you mentioned it, The Great Movie Ride.

[@jacobdoyle426]

Another great history look of another classic attraction. I didn't think about this until recently and I'm sure it's been requested already but can we see the history of The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Since it closed not too long ago a history look would be a great way to honor it.

[@raphaelmarquez9650]

You forgot to mention that the scrapped Ghostbusters shooting dark ride was later realized and built at another theme park named Motiongate.

[@JoshKenfield]

Do a video on the Star Trek Experience or any of the theming that went on in Las Vegas during the late 90's and early 2000's (such as Caesar's Magical Empire).

[@rivs2439]

I actually was able to participate in this show as a kid where they would put a "mind reader" on you and it will show what you are thinking. And It was my face in a body builders body xD I also remember them bringing out the "pink slime" from Ghostbusters 2. Very cool experience!

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

Saw Ghostbusters Spooktacular in 1993, 94 & 95. Got picked to play a role in the Pre-Show in August 1994!!

[@hercules2666]

I really like your channel!!! Can you guys consider of doing a Theme Park History of Pirates of the Caribbean from all the Disney Parks? Big fan of your channel!!!

[@Adamguy2003]

Great look at this amazing attraction, which I'm sad I was never able to go on. I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said about the Ghostbusters House at HHN! It was indeed one of my favorite Houses in all of the 14 years I've attended the event! Not as scary as some other Houses have been, but damned fun! Also, while there have been loads of occasions when I've been sad as HHN closed down for the year, being sad that certain Houses won't be around anymore, the Ghostbusters House is the only one so far that had me actually saying, "You know, with a little tweaking, Universal REALLY ought to make this a permanent, year- round attraction!"

[@brycevo]

Have we covered BeetleJuice yet?

[@ebindelgado9660]

"a reboot that no one asked for" funny but true

[@SirBlackReeds]

To be fair, they couldn't do "The Adventures of the Geriatric Ghostbusters." That would just be making a Robot Chicken parody real.

[@binsoku6]

No one may have asked for it, but it was pretty decent.

[@lukegreen5341]

I've Used To Love Watching Ghostbusters The Original Classic In 1984 When I Was A Kid And Since Then I'm A Huge Ghostbusters Fan. Thanks Theme Park History Mate. PS I've Might Go And Watch The Squall To The Original. Ghostbusters 2 On Sky Cinema This Year. X

[@projectzoogunner8474]

Awesome 👍

[@xyves3295]

14:19 that coaster is Phantoms Revenge at Kennywood, and yet is in a Universal advertisement

[@stephenkostiak5769]

Can you please cover on a video about the history of the Halloween/Christmas overlay of The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Resort in California and Tokyo Disneyland in Japan inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas?

[@TheCottonCandyQueen]

[kicks down door] *WHO YOU GONNA CALL*

[@thealmightycornholio2722]

If there’s something strange in the neighborhood who you gonna call?

[@tedgruver7618]

The almighty Cornholio movie reviews and more Ghostbusters!

[@wstine79]

He-Man! He-Man!

[@Glowria_Explorez]

13:06 😂😂😂😂 me referencing to ex’s 😂

[@Rege1988]

Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies

[@thechronicdolls9019]

I would love to see a video on the seas / the seas with Nemo and friends in Epcot.

[@skimmaster5000]

Great video

[@Shocknfunk]

Love how the change was the beginning of bad calls universal would make

[@marrcarr3479]

until Harry Potter.

[@Shocknfunk]

Marr Carr3 you’re not wrong. I’m not really big into potter but ya they hit gold there

[@ricky99la]

Another Great Video!

[@phoenixrage1]

Could you guys do the history of Goosebumps at theme parks? That would be a great video for Halloween!

[@konesgotacone]

Great video! Do some theme park history outside of America like Alton towers in the uk

[@BigMoose386]

OH YEAH, FINALLY!!!

[@Buddyx86]

3:56 I LOVE THE SHAAAAADE

[@brentmartin3068]

Awesome!

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

This was one of the park's first major attractions to close!

[@tismejaytee]

Missed opportunity to mention the Ghostbusters DLC pack for Planet Coaster

[@hamursh]

For your next video I have three words. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!

[@seanpatrickcain2]

9:44 Venkman: What about the Twinkie?

[@coyoteartist]

So that's Rolland Smith's cameo in the defunct King Kong Encounter in Universal Hollywood. Doubt that was one of his 11 Emmys.

[@Tiki_terror]

I was luckily enough to have experienced the second version of the Ghostbusters ride as a kid and also attended the Twister ride. I remember thinking at the time although the twister ride was cool it really made zero sense, and was super subpar to The Ghostbusters experience. Ironically, Twister a huge hit that year in 96 has pretty much become a forgotten film in time while Ghostbusters has become an iconic franchise that has withstood the test of time with a highly anticipated third film on them. Basically, ghostbusters is more relevant than ever and we need a new ride!

[@RhiWJ]

I saw this in 1996 and loved it! 🖤 #nostalgia

[@wanniluv8671]

There literally is nothing left at Universal from our Childhood 😢😢😢😢

[@alteregobro4826]

please do the history of shrek 4-D pretty please

[@Napoleon2513]

The original attraction plan is literally the planet coaster dlc😂

[@Clay3613]

I got to be in the pre-show, they showed my head on Conan The Barbarians body.

[@kingofrapture]

I got hurt on Twister: Ride it out. I'm glad it's gone. I'm really sad I never got to see the Ghostbusters show, I got there too late.

[@phillipwest4352]

How did you get hurt on the attraction....its not a ride!

[@nicholastosoni707]

@@phillipwest4352 If I recall correctly, _Twister_ does a *BWOMP!* at the climax of the ride. If you're 1) caught off guard and 2) not holding onto a railing (at least I remember a railing), there's a slight risk of falling and scraping a knee or something.

[@Brand0n3500Official]

"Ghostbusters will go down as one of the best houses ever created by universal for the event" LMAO that maze was disappointing!

[@RandomBlake]

Cover the BeetleJuice show next

[@Eddytainment]

Great video man... any HHN vlogs? Or suggestion ... Theme park history of haunted houses at HHN. Maybe start with Michael Myers or TWD... you know one the the IP’s that has a long history with the event.

[@sunnygirl523]

me and my boyfriend love ghostbusters wish it was still there at universal studios Orlando ❤

[@dannygarrity1429]

can you please do the Gringotts ride :)

[@8675309858]

My father loved the show so much. Ever since the haunted house always announced I’ve yet to see it. Great vid btw I’d say Kunba would be a great choice for a video or even Sheikra

[@Boom12]

Beetlejuice would be the next great subject! Btw, what do you think of covering a ride from Alton Towers? Thinking perhaps SW3, Nemesis.

[@skunkman9815]

Do Muppet vision 3D or it’s tough to be a bug I wanna see the history and behind the scenes of those rides

[@Coophack6584]

Always when I work ugh I missed the Premier

[@RStudio-hg7tn]

Awesome 72

[@stagamer1235]

A Ghostbusters theme park? I'm in where do I sign up lol

[@johngosbee5574]

Three "strikes against shows like Ghostbusters being rebooted: 1) cost of talented humans, 12 hours per day (two shifts) x 7 days per week; 2) maintainance on lots of moving parts (pneumatic or hydralic systems, lubrication nightmares); and 3) hard to get large group of parkgoers efficiently through (to match other kinds of rides). They need to be "A-plus" (AND, stay that highly rated) to match a "B-minus" screen-based show.

[@mytubesweet16]

Can you do a video of Universal Studio Hollywood Escalator ? I see little info on the construction and the why behind it. It’s a such unique thing in a major theme park

[@zackschulz6448]

"Our grandfather was Egon Spengler. He was the Ghostbuster." - Phoebe Spengler "Go! Go! Go!" - Phoebe Spengler "Hey, budd... AAAAAHHHH!!!" - Gary Grooberson "Hey, flattop." - Raymond "Ray" Stantz "Have you missed us?" - Dr. Peter Venkman "Are you... a God?" - Gozer "I maybe a business, but I will always be a Ghostbusters." - Winston Zeddemore

[@LadyAngelXoXo]

I love it! Also the Ghostbusters maze at Horror Nights in Hollywood was amazing! And I don’t even like HHN that much! (I only went to see the Ghostbusters maze because I am a diehard Ghostbusters fan.)

[@stevengibson9768]

Do Body Wars

[@themeparkgeek1374]

Have you done the haunted mansion yet? (50th anniversary)

[@rodakscreens]

glad you credited Aykroyd as the co-founder of Crystal Head Vodka, my favorite Vinesauce meme of the year

[@sirstupifie4958]

Jontron*

[@rodakscreens]

@@sirstupifie4958 shut up

[@YaboyMattYT]

I have a suggestion, you should do the Fantasmic show at Hollywood Studios