History

Universal Studios Japan opens Donkey Kong Country, a new area of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ that increases the land’s size by 70%.

Created in partnership with DreamWorks Animation, Universal Orlando Resort opens DreamWorks Land – an expansive area with fun for the entire family – based on beloved animated characters Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda.

UDX Announces Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, TX

Universal Destinations & Experiences officially introduces Universal Kids Resort, the company’s first theme park designed specifically for families with young children, which will be located in Frisco, Texas.

Universal Destinations & Experiences reveals the name of the company’s first permanent horror experience, Universal Horror Unleashed, which will be located at AREA15 in Las Vegas, NV.

Universal Studios Hollywood announces its first high-speed outdoor roller coaster, “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift,” based on Universal Pictures’ blockbuster film saga, Fast & Furious.

Universal Destinations & Experiences Rebrand

Universal Destinations & Experiences announces new name and brand platform

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Hollywood opens, which immerses fans into the world of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach.

Universal Products & Experiences, a new division within Universal Destinations & Experiences, leads the development of high-quality, fan-first products and retail experiences across the globe.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Japan brings to life Nintendo’s legendary worlds, characters, and adventures, allowing guests to play inside their favorite games.

Universal Beijing Resort opens to the public and includes the Universal Studios Beijing theme park, CityWalk Beijing, and two hotels. It is the first theme park destination in the world to achieve the LEED Gold Community Certification.

Universal Orlando Resort dedicates 20 acres to affordable housing, created through Universal’s Housing for Tomorrow initiative.

First announcement of Universal Epic Universe

The fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Epic Universe, will take guests on a journey where beloved stories expand into vibrant lands, and will also feature an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more.

Universal’s Volcano Bay opens in Orlando, the first Water Theme Park developed by Universal.

Universal Studios Hollywood welcomes The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ to the west coast and its park.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™ Opens at Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Florida unveils The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™, creating the world’s first centrally-themed, multi-park experience connected by the famously known Hogwarts™ Express. In the same year, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ opens at Universal Studios Japan.

Comcast Completes Acquisition of NBCUniversal

NBCUniversal completes purchase of remaining shares of Universal Orlando Resort to attain sole ownership.

The second Universal Park opens in Asia, Universal Studios Singapore.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Opens at Universal Orlando Resort

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ amazes fans and the industry when it opens in Orlando. It immediately sets a new standard for immersive, themed, hyper-authentic attractions.

The merger brings together Universal’s film studio and theme parks with NBC’s television network to combine storytelling, broadcast, and innovative experiences under one unified brand.

Universal Studios Japan Opens

Universal Studios Japan stages its grand opening as the first Universal park in Asia, shattering worldwide attendance records in its first year.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure debuts next to Universal Studios Florida, leading to the creation of Universal Orlando Resort. In addition to the new park and Universal CityWalk, the destination adds its first hotel, Portofino Bay, and goes on to add The Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort by 2001.

Universal CityWalk, a themed dining and entertainment complex, opens outside the gates of Universal Studios Hollywood. Six years later, Universal CityWalk would also open in Orlando.

Universal Studios Florida hosts a small Halloween event called Fright Nights. A year later, it is renamed Halloween Horror Nights and goes on to become the world’s premier Halloween event. Currently, the annual event is hosted at four Universal parks.

Universal Studios Florida Opens

Universal’s second theme park, Universal Studios Florida, opens its gates. The park initially features rides based on Universal Studios Hollywood’s attractions with the addition of Nickelodeon Studios.

The Jaws Experience

The Jaws section of the Studio Tour debuts at Universal Studios Hollywood. The attraction features a 25-foot animatronic shark and paves the way for other early hits such as King Kong and Earthquake: The Big One.

Universal Studios Hollywood Launches the Studio Tour

Universal Studios Hollywood begins offering tram tours. Fixed attractions are later added to the tour, including the parting of the Red Sea.

Universal Studios officially starts welcoming visitors to witness the magic of filmmaking firsthand. The studio becomes the first in Hollywood to offer public tours, showcasing live film productions and giving audiences an unprecedented behind-the-scenes experience.