Animal Actors (Closing Nov 2026)

[LPCaptainDeath]

This post is spot on. It’s very hard to look at all this along with the rumor that Simpsons is staying and imagine that there are immediate plans to replace AA.

I’d also add that, while folks on this board like to look behind the curtain and figure out why things are happening, the bottom line is that Universal is currently charging the same amount for a diminished product.

Yesterday at 12:30PM EST they just announced a new 3-day base ticket for one park per day including EPIC that drops the daily cost to as low as $99 per person per day; One day at each park including EPIC. If you want to upgrade to Park-Hopper with this ticket, it stacks as $20 per person per day at its lowest for $119 per person per day.

That's $40+ off their EPIC day and $25+ off their IoA or USF days, which could be best summarized to $100 off the lowest common ticket cost and even more off when considering a more popular date-based range. Considering the Park-Hopper, i'm also seeing an additional $20+ per person per day savings.

Critical opinions on the matter within the parks aside, I think Universal is incredibly flexible with their pricing and constantly looking to make their product more affordable. As an agent who looks at this pricing every day, i can't say the same about Disney outside of their incredibly limited seasonal whims. You find a lower package cost with Universal? They'll update it no problem. You find a lower package cost with Disney? Good luck trying to actually get it and lock it in before it's gone forever, because it's definitely not available to everyone and you're going to have to fight for it. Not everything is US vs. THEM but Universal wins the 'pricing transparency' argument hands down. It's a consumer AND industry win to make things as accessible and flexible as Universal does.

 

[RFRees]

• HHN 35 is one of the best years in terms of quality they've ever had.
• HHN returns The Tribute Store to its full glory.
• The extended HHN hours are huge for Stay and Scream guests, and arguably has an effect to lower line times after opening.
• IOA is about to have a huge win with Pokemon, potentially.
• F&F coaster looks like it may get theming beyond what was offered at Hollywood; the coaster is 'on track' to be a world class attraction.
• The AP/TM discount store has consistently offered 70% sales on quality merchandise, including Epic / Nintendo merch.
• Above mentioned discount store moved to significantly larger space (F&F Supercharged exit gift shop).
• Work progresses on Category 10, the first major footprint expansion to CityWalk in over a decade.
• Epic already broke ground on it's first expansion, potentially for a Creature From The Black Lagoon ride that many people had given up on.
• They will soon break ground on the Potter expansion at Epic.
• Just opened a new nighttime show at Epic, with significant improvements made to lighting/effects.
• Added Captain Cacao m&g to Epic.
• Event Space / BoH building recently went vertical and continues work at Epic.
• UOR moving forward with a rumored transportation hub/hotel/etc space located near Epic.
• UOR is moving forward with a next generation transportation system to connect the parks and hotels.
• Several refurbishments taking place throughout the parks (JP, MIB, Finnegan's, etc), including rides and restaurants.

Just listing some UOR wins against the losses people have mentioned. It's not all bad news.

Edit:

Adding some controversial wins:

• Closed F&F. We asked for it to happen.
• Removed FFP w/ Express, reducing line times for standard guests.
• Removed Hagrid's Express, reducing line times for standard guests.
• Universal's partnership with Disney/Simpsons solidified with HHN offerings, proving the business relationship is not zero sum. (People have credited D'Amaro with this, but Universal leadership should be credited as well.)

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

• HHN 35 is one of the best years in terms of quality they've ever had.
• The extended HHN hours are huge for Stay and Scream guests, and arguably has an effect to lower line times after opening.
• IOA is about to have a huge win with Pokemon, potentially.
• F&F coaster looks like it may get theming beyond what was offered at Hollywood; the coaster is 'on track' to be a world class attraction.
• The AP/TM discount store has consistently offered 70% quality merchandise, including Epic / Nintendo merch.
• Epic already broke ground on it's first expansion, potentially for a Creature From The Black Lagoon ride that many people had given up on.
• It looks likely they'll soon break ground on their second expansion at Epic.
• Just opened a new nighttime show at Epic, with significant improvements made to lighting/effects.
• Several refurbishments taking place throughout the parks (JP, MIB, Finnegan's, etc), including rides and restaurants.

Just listing some UOR wins against the losses people have mentioned. It's not all bad news.

I thought they broke ground on the Ministry expansion already?
IIRC the Darkmoor expansion is already the second expansion in active development.

 

[Mad Dog]

Yesterday at 12:30PM EST they just announced a new 3-day base ticket for one park per day including EPIC that drops the daily cost to as low as $99 per person per day; One day at each park including EPIC. If you want to upgrade to Park-Hopper with this ticket, it stacks as $20 per person per day at its lowest for $119 per person per day.

That's $40+ off their EPIC day and $25+ off their IoA or USF days, which could be best summarized to $100 off the lowest common ticket cost and even more off when considering a more popular date-based range. Considering the Park-Hopper, i'm also seeing an additional $20+ per person per day savings.

Critical opinions on the matter within the parks aside, I think Universal is incredibly flexible with their pricing and constantly looking to make their product more affordable. As an agent who looks at this pricing every day, i can't say the same about Disney outside of their incredibly limited seasonal whims. You find a lower package cost with Universal? They'll update it no problem. You find a lower package cost with Disney? Good luck trying to actually get it and lock it in before it's gone forever, because it's definitely not available to everyone and you're going to have to fight for it. Not everything is US vs. THEM but Universal wins the 'pricing transparency' argument hands down. It's a consumer AND industry win to make things as accessible and flexible as Universal does.

Yes, I mentioned this yesterday on the ticket thread (as usual, they even have a cheaper ticket for local Florida residents). They really need to be proactive during this crucial time. I'm guessing the cheap $200/6 month ticket for locals that they introduced in July hasn't had the desired effect. When they have these ticket deals I think they really need to extend them to out of state tourists too, like this one does. That's where the incremental money is.

Universal may have reached the point with Epic, that most of the non AP locals have already been to the park, and just don't have the interest to return for a while. Newness does wear off. I'm 'guessing' that the AP's aren't jumping on the reduced daily Epic rates for AP's. Universal just might have to quit worrying about Epic capacity issues, get the rides fixed and running closer to their theoretical operating capacities, and offer a reasonably affordable three park AP. I'd 'guess' that would jumpstart interest in Epic and trickle down to USF & IOA. Keep using the word, but I'm 'guessing' the AP base that's left is a bit disgruntled. For one, I'm not seeing those busy Saturdays that we always saw, even on very slow weeks. But Universal really needs to get off of that lofty position, that they indicated on surveys some people received, of a more than double priced, plus very restrictive, AP plan. I guarantee that would not fly, not in this affordability environment.

Well, we're entering Labor Day weekend. Maybe Universal will get a little bump for a few days, and these opening weeks of HHN. Fingers crossed. But right now hotel occupancy rates don't look good.

But getting that once huge local/out of state AP base back into Epic/IOA/USF parks and hotels is probably the best thing they can do, but they're still hesitant. They really shouldn't worry about the bad reviews due to capacity/breakdowns/weather. They get so many, it really can't get any worse. Let the AP's flow.

 

[RFRees]

I thought they broke ground on the Ministry expansion already?
IIRC the Darkmoor expansion is already the second expansion in active development.

Permits filed and trailers moved/placed, but I don't think shovels are in dirt for the Ministry expansion yet. I could be wrong.

 

[DOOMBOT]

• Event Space / BoH building nearing completion at Epic.

This is a minor point, especially for this thread, but they are still very far from completion on SoundStage haha. There's barely even framing up for most of it. Groundwork has been slow going since the start of the year, but I'm expecting Fall 2027 at earliest unless we see a real rapid change of pace on it.

I thought they broke ground on the Ministry expansion already?
IIRC the Darkmoor expansion is already the second expansion in active development.

No groundwork for Ministry from what I can tell. They marked out the space late last year and have been getting permits over this time, but the plot is just about the same as it was a year ago.

 

[RFRees]

This is a minor point, especially for this thread, but they are still very far from completion on SoundStage haha. There's barely even framing up for most of it. Groundwork has been slow going since the start of the year, but I'm expecting Fall 2027 at earliest unless we see a real rapid change of pace on it.

Thanks; I've updated the wording.

I still feel 100% comfortable adding this to the list, considering several very minor downsides were mentioned in this thread. I'm also very hopeful they use this space in a similar way they've used these spaces at USF (e.g. seasonal offerings).

 

[Casper Gutman]

What Universal is losing right now and is very likely not going to recover is a rewatchability and a degree of unpredictability.

I visit the resort a lot, and when I do I spend most of my time at the Studios. As silly as it sounds, that was very largely because of three attractions - Makeup, F&F, and AA. Each offered something no other attractions in Florida had - freshness and unpredictably due to the improvising performers or the animal’s behavior. Of course F&F was stupid. Of course a lot of rides were much better. But those rides are the same thing each time, even if they’re masterpieces of the genre, and you can only watch Citizen Kane so many times in a row.

Now two of those attractions are gone and we have no idea about the third. Quite frankly I’m concerned about Makeup because the unpredictability I enjoy is exactly the sort of thing a modern theme park company doesn’t want. We’ll see. But the upshot is that the little things, the stupid things, the special things that got me to move over from WDW 15 years ago are gone or going. I know my tastes and way of doing the park are weird and unique, but I also know that whatever Universal is doing right now doesn’t seem to be working for more folks then just me.

 

[Legacy]

What Universal is losing right now and is very likely not going to recover is a rewatchability and a degree of unpredictability.

I visit the resort a lot, and when I do I spend most of my time at the Studios. As silly as it sounds, that was very largely because of three attractions - Makeup, F&F, and AA. Each offered something no other attractions in Florida had - freshness and unpredictably due to the improvising performers or the animal’s behavior. Of course F&F was stupid. Of course a lot of rides were much better. But those rides are the same thing each time, even if they’re masterpieces of the genre, and you can only watch Citizen Kane so many times in a row.

Now two of those attractions are gone and we have no idea about the third. Quite frankly I’m concerned about Makeup because the unpredictability I enjoy is exactly the sort of thing a modern theme park company doesn’t want. We’ll see. But the upshot is that the little things, the stupid things, the special things that got me to move over from WDW 15 years ago are gone or going. I know my tastes and way of doing the park are weird and unique, but I also know that whatever Universal is doing right now doesn’t seem to be working for more folks then just me.

I’m sorry… no other attraction(s) in Florida? SeaWorld has four animal shows that, yes, have to account for the unpredictability? Laugh Floor, Turtle Talk, and Po’s Training requires just as much (if not more) improv that Make-Up—due to the increased engagement with children (Make-up’s improv centers around the one adult victim).

Again, I understand a lack of confidence. But this is the narrowly focused, emotional doomsaying that I cannot view as reasonable.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

Monsters Unleashed was actually in development to go there.

They could've fit both MU and Ministry between Diagon and the sprungs area? Even without the accompanying lands, that's surprising.

MIB and MU are my two favorite Universal dark rides ever so that would've been a tough choice lol.

 

[UNIrd]

The AA acronym was really throwing me for a loop in this thread regarding the passion (or lack thereof) surrounding Audio Animatronics.

 

[DOOMBOT]

The AA acronym was really throwing me for a loop in this thread regarding the passion (or lack thereof) surrounding Audio Animatronics.

Widespread Kevin Perjurer-induced radicalization.

 

[AdamLRussell1989]

To be completely frank, Animal Actors had its moment in the spotlight, and it was definitely time for the show to wrap up. Universal made a smart move by deciding to close it down and pave the way for something fresh at that part of Universal Studios Florida. While some fans might be lamenting the end of the show and calling for a revival, it’s clear that change can be a good thing. The park is always evolving, and sometimes that means letting go of the old to make room for the new.

Looking ahead, there’s a lot of hope that Universal will introduce a new attraction that features physical sets rather than relying heavily on screens. There’s something truly special about immersive experiences that come from tangible environments, and many visitors crave that hands-on interaction. With the demand for more rides that offer real-world elements, it would be fantastic to see Universal focus on creating attractions that engage the senses and provide a memorable experience beyond just digital displays.

 

[TheUniC6]

This was mentioned on the USF general thread, but Alicia said to not get our hopes up for a DreamWorks phase 2. While I do think this is disappointing in that Shrek will likely never get a proper dark ride or land to do the IP justice, (unless something is planned for the UK) I think AA being folded into whatever the Simpsons or Springfield replacement is the better move here as if they want to go big in that back area of the park for the next big thing at USF, they are going to need all the space they can get.

 

[Casper Gutman]

This was mentioned on the USF general thread, but Alicia said to not get our hopes up for a DreamWorks phase 2. While I do think this is disappointing in that Shrek will likely never get a proper dark ride or land to do the IP justice, (unless something is planned for the UK) I think AA being folded into whatever the Simpsons or Springfield replacement is the better move here as if they want to go big in that back area of the park for the next big thing at USF, they are going to need all the space they can get.

Again, isn’t the word from insiders now that Simpsons is staying?

 

[Jake S]

Again, isn’t the word from insiders now that Simpsons is staying?

No, my understanding is that it’s a matter of time.

 

[Tbad556]

Again, isn’t the word from insiders now that Simpsons is staying?

I just went through the past 9 months of the Springfield thread & skimmed Theme Park Stop to try to make sure I'm not mistaken, but I believe the latest is: No one has said that.

People have taken the fact that Pokemon is now rumored for IOA, the Springfield contract has rumors, and the very minor HHN news to mean that it's sticking around, but all of that is pure speculation with no actual legitimate source stating as much.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

The most I could see regarding Simpsons is that maybe they reached a deal to extend the contract by a year or 2.

 

[Mad Dog]

Yeah, just 'rumors' of possible short contract extension 'talks' with Disney. but certainly nothing concrete anywhere. One note though: When we rode many multiple times in March and November 2026, the ride was looking very shabby and they were only running four sections of the queue on both sections of the ride. But in June 2027, during around eight rides, the larger section ran all, I believe, 10 queue lines and all of the queue lines in the smaller theater. And the ride vehicles in the smaller theater appeared to have been recently painted. All this while the park was real slow, so the Simpsons lines were shorter than the 2026 lines since all the queues were being used. So it looks like they're making some effort to keep the ride running. Though, who knows for sure how long they plan on keeping it.

 

[bdubsCEO]

I just went through the past 9 months of the Springfield thread & skimmed Theme Park Stop to try to make sure I'm not mistaken, but I believe the latest is: No one has said that.

People have taken the fact that Pokemon is now rumored for IOA, the Springfield contract has rumors, and the very minor HHN news to mean that it's sticking around, but all of that is pure speculation with no actual legitimate source stating as much.

Yeah my take on all the HHN stuff is that Matt Groening remembered that the event exists since it's become a massive mainstream thing in the past several years, then had the idea to do Treehouse of Horror without any idea what's currently going on with the Simpsons rights and is just assuming it'll work. It kinda sucks because if he'd decided to do this like, a decade ago, it could've been really fun.