Shortly after Universal Studios Florida became a success, Jay Stein – former President of Universal’s theme parks, started to come up with ideas for a second theme park. Since the Universal Orlando was an expansion of their movie studio/theme park in Hollywood, it was a challenge to come up with a concept that didn’t revolve
In October of 1989, a pivotal moment in the history of Islands of Adventure happened before Universal Studios Florida even opened, when Jay Ward passed away due to cancer. Ward was the creator of the original Rocky and Bullwinkle television series in addition to characters like Dudley Do-Right. After Ward’s passing, his family inherited the
After Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990 and became a worthy contender to compete in the theme park capital of the world, a small task force was put together to expand the property. The plan was to build a second gate along with hotels and a central shopping and dining complex. As early as 1991,