In 2003, Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies closed to make room for Shrek 4-D, and the Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show closed in favor of Fear Factor Live. Nickelodeon Studios moved to California in 2005, shuttering its Florida facility. Back to the Future was the last classic attraction to close during this era, replaced by The Simpsons Ride in 2008.

One of the last and arguably most confusing maneuvers of this time was the installation of a roller coaster, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, right through the Production Central and New York sections of the park. By all accounts a technological breakthrough, the coaster nonetheless completely destroyed the sightlines and careful theming of those areas of Universal. Area theming had become increasingly unimportant to the company, as evidenced by the installation of the Egyptian-themed Mummy and the Midwestern Twister, both in the middle of New York, but at least those were largely hidden by facades. The bright red roller coaster tracks now dominate the skyline, and are impossible to ignore.

Interestingly, little changed at Islands of Adventure during this decade. Perhaps because the park was nearly 10 years newer, or maybe because the majority of attractions could be run with a relatively small crew, only a couple of high-maintenance cost attractions were removed. The Island Skipper Tours closed in 2001, followed by Triceratops Encounter in 2003.

2009 to Today: The Comcast Years

Coupled with slashed maintenance budgets, the closure of classics and replacement with relatively soulless, hastily constructed new attractions led many to question Universal’s staying power. By the end of the 2000s, even the once-mighty Islands of Adventure was beginning to show its age.

In 2009, media giant Comcast announced its intention to acquire a 51% share in NBC Universal. Meanwhile, Universal had already shocked the world by obtaining the exclusive theme park rights to the phenomenally popular Harry Potter franchise. The first phase of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Islands of Adventure in 2010 to rave reviews. The Comcast deal went through in 2011, and the company wasted no time in announcing a Harry Potter expansion, which would be located in the Universal Studios park.

In 2013, Comcast bought out the remaining 49% share, giving the company sole ownership of, among other properties, the theme park division. Comcast has been sinking money into the parks at a record pace, restoring maintenance schedules and focusing on new attractions.

The timing is ironic, given that Comcast is currently being crucified in the media for its customer service record. Yet, at the same time, the company is being lauded by theme park fans for revitalising Universal.

Time will tell whether all of the ambitious plans will come to fruition, but for now, it appears a glorious new day has dawned for Universal Orlando.