On Sunday night, Universal Orlando decided to permanently close a huge portion of the KidZone attraction at Universal Studios Florida.
Fievel’s Playland, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, DreamWorks Destination, and the relocated Shrek and Donkey’s Meet and Greet were among the attractions listed for closure by the theme park last year.
According to a press release, “Universal Orlando Resort will soon begin work on bringing exciting new family entertainment to Universal Studios Florida that will immerse guests in the adventures of beloved animated characters.”
The SpongeBob StorePants shop, the E.T. Adventure, Animal Actors on Location!, and the KidZone Pizza Company, according to Universal, will all continue to be open to the public.
Many of the KidZone attractions have been there longer than twenty years.
The first Fievel’s Playland, inspired by the 1982 movie “An American Tail,” opened its doors to the public the same year. Soon after, in 1998, Curious George Goes to Town and Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster debuted. After “A Day in the Park with Barney” at Universal ended in 2021, DreamWorks Destination launched the following year.
After the Shrek 4D attraction was closed to make room for Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast, Shrek’s Meet and Greet was opened to the public in July of last year.
There are rumors that Universal Studios Florida will add a new DreamWorks attraction. On the recently constructed construction walls at the former Woody Woodpeckers KidZone, there are large pictures of DreamWorks characters:
- Kung Fu Panda
- Madagascar
- Trolls
- Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
- Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
- How to Train Your Dragon
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
- The Boss Baby
- Shrek
- The Croods
What exactly will replace KidsZone at Universal Orlando Resort has not yet been officially confirmed.
