When a park no longer has much space to grow, its only way to reinvigorate is to do away with the old for the new.
Universal Studios Orlando is bidding farewell to properties inside its borders which are older and no longer quite so relevant as they once were. While the ideal is for these properties to be revitalized for new generations, Universal as a whole may be moving on. It’s about the Minions now. It’s all about Kung Fu Panda. What’s hot?What’s hip? It’s certainly not these franchises from a former era.
Universal Orlando Resort today announced the closing of at least five attractions to make way for what it termed “new family entertainment.” Fievel’s Playland, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, DreamWorks Destination and Shrek and Donkey’s Meet & Greet will permanently close at end of day on January 15 203, according to an announcement posted to the resort’s Twitter page.
While those features are closing, Universal indicated that “the E.T. Adventure, Animal Actors on Location!, SpongeBob StorePants – including meet and greets with SpongeBob SquarePants and friends – and KidZone Pizza Company will remain open.”
— Tom Tapp, Yahoo! Entertainment
I’m glad to see E.T. sticking around. It would be nice to get an update and becoming a classic that we don’t have to worry about. But I will miss Shrek and Donkey — that’s a franchise I think fans would return to in mass if a good sequel was put out there. Unfortunately, it would have to compete for a box office slot with more Minions and Pets… something that Universal execs don’t seem to be interested in. Donkey, for sure, will be a significant loss for the park. Fievel too is part of a franchise that I think should be brought back. An American Tale is a worthy narrative that might be received well if it were not reimagined in a political lense.
As we prepare to say goodbye to these attractions, I thought it would be nice to look at them once more. And if you’re so fortunate as to visit them this holiday season, make sure to be extra kind to whoever is playing Donkey that day. It’s probably a sad time knowing something so fun is going to stop… even if bigger and “better” attractions are on the way.
Fievel’s Playland
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
Curious George Goes to Town
Shrek and Donkey’s Meet and Greet
Hopefully whatever replaces these attractions will be great enough that it warrants the loss. Sending you some love, Donkey and Fievel!
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