Opening Day Animal Actors on Location Show Closing for Good at Universal Studios Florida After 36 Years
Universal Orlando has announced the permanent closing of Animal Actors on Location, an opening day stage show that debuted in 1990. In addition to this, there are several upcoming ride refurbishments, closures and changes at Epic Universe, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios Florida. Here are the latest developments, along with our commentary.
Let’s start with Animal Actors on Location, since it’s the subject of this article. The attraction originally opened on June 7, 1990 as Animal Actors Stage, making it one of only three opening day attractions that remain to this day at Universal Studios Florida. The other two are modern classics that should stick around for centuries: the excellent E.T. Adventure and timeless Universal Horror Make-Up Show, which is currently undergoing a major refresh to maintain its relevance.
As for Animal Actors, here’s the announcement from Universal Orlando: “As Universal Orlando Resort continues to evolve, Animal Actors On Location! will take its final bow on November 2, 2026, making way for a future experience. A beloved part of Universal Studios Florida since opening day, the attraction has created lasting memories for Guests and Team Members for 36 years.”
For those who are unfamiliar with it, Animal Actors on Location is a live outdoor stage show featuring dogs, birds, pigs, and other animal performers and their trainers as the actors do gags and tricks.
Some of the animal actors have appeared in high-profile films and since “retired” to Universal Orlando. If you’ve been to a major zoo, you’ve probably seen a show like Animal Actors. This one is more polished and has higher production quality.
Animal Actors is like Feathered Friends in Flight at Walt Disney World, except with more than just birds. Still, the style is the same with some tried and true comedic gags and a certain 1990s-esque cheesiness that is either corny or charming depending on your perspective. There are audience participation gags and mildly risque jokes (one of the animals brings a bra on-stage, for instance), but it’s mostly just silly stuff.
The permanent closure of Animal Actors on Location is bittersweet news. I vividly remember this as a kid, and thinking it was absolutely hilarious. I have a lot of great memories of that show, along with the original iteration of Universal Studios Florida, in general. I would rather visit the park of 1996 than the one of 2026.
If I recall correctly, the original show featured an even wider range of animal actors back then, but I would hazard a guess that pushback from PETA (which had apparently been “investigating” the show for years) and evolving norms have changed what was appropriate between the early 1990s and today.
On the one hand, it stings a little to lose that bit of theme park history and something around which I formed fond memories.
On the other hand, we haven’t watched Animal Actors in ~5 years. We’ve probably caught it twice in the last decade, despite being Universal Orlando Annual Passholders most of that time. So if we really cared that much about the nostalgia and history, we would’ve voted with our feet and seen the show more frequently. We did not because, unlike E.T. Adventure and the Horror Makeup Show, it doesn’t really stand the test of time.
Trying to be as objective as possible, my perspective is that Animal Actors on Location has probably far outlasted its shelf life. Cheesy can be charming, but this just feels old and obsolete. It’s definitely a vestige of the 1990s, a decade that ended over 25 years ago. As noted above, you can catch similar productions at random regional zoos. There’s nothing all that special about it.
I would also add that the venue is ugly, and this whole corner of Universal Studios Florida just feels blighted and ready for something fresh. Animal Actors was previously part of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, which was replaced by DreamWorks Land two years ago.
It’s sort of in no man’s land now, and would benefit from being absorbed into Hollywood or the adjacent Springfield area, or whatever is planned to eventually replace that. DreamWorks Land is incredibly underwhelming, so we hope that there are more comprehensive plans for this whole corner of the park (minus E.T. Adventure, which is perfect as-is).
At the same time, we have a hard time cheering for the end of live entertainment, especially when there are no clear plans for a replacement. It was one thing to lose Animal Actors at Universal Studios Hollywood a few years ago, as we already knew that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift would take over that location, and offer an unequivocal upgrade. Here, there’s far less certainty of what, if anything, will replace Animal Actors.
Universal is clearly full steam ahead on investing in all three of its Orlando parks, which is good because additions and improvements are badly needed. At the same time, their recently quarterly results have left a lot to be desired, creating a “something’s gotta give” dynamic.
My expectation is that Universal will continue to invest in major capital expenditure projects, but at the same time, offset those to the greatest degree with operational cutbacks. I fear that this is the latter, not the former.
We’re already seeing this with Universal Cutting Epic Universe Offseason Hours, and the park now closing at 8 pm most nights going forward. Meanwhile, Universal Studios Florida closes at 5 pm most nights due to HHN, and 7 pm on normal evenings. Islands of Adventure is only open until 8 pm most evenings. If Walt Disney World pulled this with park hours, they would absolutely be excoriated by fans.
Beyond Animal Actors, let’s take a quick look at other upcoming refurbishments and closures at Universal Orlando…
The Untrainable Dragon will temporarily close for refurbishment from September 15, 2026 through September 20, 2026. The Untrainable Dragon stage show is scheduled to reopen on September 21, 2026. As always, dates are subject to change, extension, cancellation, etc.
Universal Orlando has not announced the reasoning for the closure, but the brief closure of only one week suggests it’s relatively minor. Further reinforcing the routine maintenance angle is that Le Cirque Arcanus in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic just closed last month for its own weeklong refurbishment. That show has since reopened without any material, guest-facing changes being reported.
In our Epic Universe Ride Reviews & Ratings, we gave the Untrainable Dragon a 9/10. If I were to revisit that review again, I might be inclined to increase Untrainable Dragon’s score to 9.5/10. Maybe even 10/10. The wow-factor and the majestic, suspension of disbelief quality of the puppetry really is the heart of the show and lifts this above any shortcomings it might otherwise have.
Between reduced hours and having an indoor attraction offline during storm season, Epic Universe might be a tougher sell right now. However, we’d note that wait times have fallen precipitously since school went back into session, and you will probably be fine most days.
If you want more advice on avoiding crowds, see our Epic Universe Crowd Calendar: Best Dates to Visit in 2026. The worst and least busy dates are actually pretty predictable, albeit slightly counter-intuitive and unlike the other Universal Orlando theme parks.
Here’s a current look at the full refurbishment calendar for 2026 at Universal Orlando:
Universal Epic Universe
- The Untrainable Dragon: September 15th, 2026 – September 20th, 2026
- Fyre Drill: January 25th, 2027 – February 4th, 2027
Universal Islands of Adventure
- Jurassic Park River Adventure: January 5, 2026 – November 19, 2026
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges: January 4, 2027 – February 2, 2027
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: February 8, 2027 – February 19, 2027
Universal Studios Florida
- Finnegan’s Bar & Grill: January 12, 2026 – Winter 2026
- Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show: May 12th, 2026 – Winter 2026
Universal Volcano Bay
- None at this time.
UPDATE: Universal Volcano Bay, which is currently scheduled to begin a maintenance closure on October 26, 2026, now has an updated planned reopening on or before April 1, 2027. (Previously was on or before March 24, 2027.) This should underscore the above note that dates are subject to change.
In addition to the above temporary refurbishments, Lost Continent is being demolished. The former Poseidon’s Fury and the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad theater have been reduced to rubble.
Earlier this summer, Universal Orlando quietly announced that more in Lost Continent will permanently close in phases to make way for a new themed area. No announcement as to what this will be has been made by Universal, but Pokemon is what’s widely expected. I’m still holding my breath for a last-minute change and the Legend of Zelda being the featured IP.
Once demolition progresses further, the replacement of Lost Continent will necessitate the permanent closure of fan-favorite Mythos Restaurant in 2027. Our expectation is that this restaurant venue will be rethemed as opposed to replaced, but it could be a dramatic transformation that basically just retains the kitchen and back-of-house facilities while completely gutting and retheming the dining room.
As an indirect result of that lost table service dining capacity, Thunder Falls Terrace restaurant in Jurassic Park quietly closed in late July for reimagining. Thunder Falls is right next to Jurassic Park River Adventure, which is likewise down for a lengthy routine refurbishment.
Universal Orlando previously announced that Thunder Falls Terrace would be transformed into an all-new dining concept that will become the new signature full-service restaurant in Islands of Adventure. The rethemed dining location will debut in 2027, presumably around when Mythos closes.
Not much else is known about the Thunder Falls Terrace reimagining, except that it won’t bear that name when it reopens. Permits suggest it’ll open in early 2027, which makes sense. We’d expect Mythos to close around then.
Beyond that, there are newly-added closures in Winter 2027 for Fyre Drill and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, both of which are water rides that often close for routine maintenance in the colder months. This is on top of the year-long closure of Jurassic Park River Adventure, which will wrap up before Thanksgiving 2026.
Finally, a brief closure to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has been added for February 8-19, 2027. This is terrible timing, as it encompasses the wildly popular Presidents’ Day/Mid-Winter Break/Ski Week and also Mardi Gras. It’s as if someone at Universal asked, “what would be the worst possible time to take a marquee attraction offline for about a week in the winter?” and landed on this window.
It’d be one thing if this were last-minute, urgently-needed maintenance. But the advance notice indicates it’s not, and the timing suggests the planners at Universal Orlando may not have access to calendars. I would not be surprised to see this closure moved 1-2 weeks earlier or later, because this is (quite literally) the worst conceivable timing in the months of January or February.
Need trip planning tips and comprehensive advice for your visit to Central Florida? Make sure to read our Universal Orlando Planning Guide for everything about Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Also check out our Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for everything about those parks, resorts, restaurants, and so much more.
Your Thoughts
Have you seen Animal Actors on Location? Will you miss it, or are you ready for something new? Have a similarly mixed reaction to this news? Thoughts on any of the other upcoming closures? Agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I attended this show for the first time in March 2025 and everyone loved it. Only about the first 10 rows were in use. The stage and background were in a state of disrepair though, with everything faded badly or dirty. They showed a very old VHS-quality intro recording at the start of the show, was this from 1990? We tried to go again in 2026 but the show doesn’t run during heavy rain. Sea World San Antonio and San Diego had a similar show that both closed in the last 10 years.
As someone who lives in California, Fast & Furious is not an “upgrade”. It’s called Universal STUDIOS!, not Universal “amusement”. Rides don’t put you in the movies. Interacting with a giant phone did. Seeing humans fighting the Cylons around you did. Seeing cowboys punch each other, fall off buildings, get shot and have a frame fall over them like Buster Keaton did. Seeing a helicopter crash in front of you followed by King Kong shaking the bridge you’re on did. Seeing where some of my favorite movies and tv shows were filmed did. Being able to walk on an ACTIVE film set did. Being able to meet real directors, gaffers, set builders, camera operators, and celebrity actors – including animals was not only put you in movies, it was showing you how magic is made.
The magic is now dying thank to people who are satisfied with cheap thrills provided by less than 3 minutes rides that they wait in a line hours for.
But I guess I’m glad that you’re happy with the same mundane provided by Disney that is now infecting Universal.
Who needs magic, right?
Are you suggesting that Disney started the trend of more simple and straightforward coasters, and Universal is following their lead?
You’re obviously entitled to your opinion on whether the coaster is a good fit for USH, but Disney starting this trend is a wild take to me.
I saw this show recently for the first time (I’m fairly new to Universal fandom, and to Disney fandom, for that matter!) The show is very cute but I wondered how much longer it would last given the sparse attendance.
I have to say I’m not a fan of The Untrainable Dragon. I agree the effects are amazing, but the story feels bland and predictable to me. I love Le Cirque Arcanus though!
The story is definitely a bit on the bland side, which I attribute to it being a pretty 1:1 clone from Beijing. I feel that the visuals overcome that, but to each their own.
It’s fascinating to hear people have such divergent opinions on this and Le Cirque Arcanus. I love both, but understand why others do not!
Now there’s only 2 attractions leftover from Universal Studios’ early years. It feels sad, because those early years were a golden time. It felt like they would last forever. Then they closed the Ghostbusters show, & changes started rolling from there.
I have mixed feelings about changes to theme parks. Nostalgia competes against the excitement of being able to experience new things. And as someone who’s been a passholder, new shows/rides/restaurants keep things fresh & give me a reason to keep visiting. Still, I yearn for some of the attractions & even restaurants of the past.
I love animals, but I’m not an animal rights extremist, so I absolutely hate PETA. They wish everyone would become vegans. Not gonna happen. The Bible allows for eating meat, so it’s not a morality issue as some vegetarians & vegans might claim. I love Weird Al, but I wish he would stop boasting about how he’s a vegan. He’s like Jef the cyclist from “Pearls Before Swine” thinking his lifestyle is superior to others.
So here I’m going to show my age. The memories I have of this show are when they had a horse who would talk like Mr ed. My 6 year old daughter at the time had just discovered Mr ed in reruns and thought it was the greatest show she had ever seen. The performer with the horse showed how they used peanut butter to make Mr ed look as if he was speaking. I imagine PETA made them stop doing that but my daughter loved it to see how they made Mr ed talk, lol
Holy cow, I totally forgot about it until your comment, but I remember that!!!
Now to go down the rabbit hole of finding old clips on YouTube of the 1990s version of the show…
Extremely disappointed with Universal for closing this with no clear replacement announced. The last thing these parks need is another empty outdoor amphitheater eyesore. I really hope we don’t have to wait eight years for this to be demoed (a la Sindbad).
Say what you want to about the D23 model of announcing new projects, but at least when Disney closes something we have an idea of what will be replacing it.
I maintain that Disney fans only say they like the Universal approach of “build now, talk later” because they have less interest in Universal and, in that circumstance, it can be exciting to learn about something that’s coming so soon.
If Walt Disney World did things like Universal, it would drive fans crazy.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: I wish there were a happy medium between the two. That applies in several different ways, with this being one of them.
I can easily see why this is on the chopping block as the format is pretty dated. Still, last year, it was the perfect little respite when my sister and I felt unexpectedly terrible from all of Universal’s screen rides. It was cute, charming, corny, and funny – enough to boost our spirits after a couple of hours feeling crummy. As an animal lover, I’m glad I got to see it once before it’s gone!
Mythos is one of our favorite theme park restaurants. When we were there in June, the waiter told us that the restaurant will be demolished, and not replaced. We were incredibly disappointed, as its one of the most beautifully themed buildings I’ve even seen.
I am sorry to see this show close, but I could see the writing on the wall. We love this show, but to be honest, it’s something we only attend maybe once a year. (We are Universal Orlando annual passholders.) This show hasn’t been drawing the crowds it once drew, and I am sure it’s labor intensive to produce. To compete with Disney, Universal Orlando needs to add new attractions to its Studios park. I would love to see this show replaced with another show. Many Universal fans are clamoring for Universal to bring back another Beetlejuice show.
That’s an interesting idea. The recent Beetlejuice film did reasonably well at the box office. I’m not sure if it was strong enough to warrant a theme park presence, but maybe!