Why isn't e.t. Going away
For the millionth time that we've explained it to you. First off, with Steven Spielberg a while back (even before the Amblin returning to Universal Pictures thing came up); the contract of Steven Spielbergs involvement in Universal Creatives endeavors have been extended for another period of time.
From what I gather in the original first page, its that Steven would pull back his contract with Universal's theme park division, Universal Creative if the last version of ET goes away. Now, its unclear if anything has changed in the contract, but I have to assume that its still the same as it was the last contracted period of time.
Also, as much as people will crap on me for this, E.T. Adventure is the true "Last original USF attraction", even more than Horror Make-up and that's saying something; as Universal Creative multiple times in the past ripped out some of the most famous original USF attractions much like Kongfromtation for ROTM, Back to the Future with Simpsons, and the one that still has major debates on other communities, Amity and Diagon.
I will say this, it is absolute crap as it is, but I have a feeling that within the next two to three years, we will probably see a major overhaul of ET to change some..more bigger things, much like the Preshow (which honestly, that can go away; and I love Steve); adding some new changes to the ride, much like Projection mapping for the Green Planet, and major changes to the AAs on the Green Planet.
Atleast, I expect ET to last for a long time, even with a really mediocre attraction for now.