Nickelodeon Closes at Universal Studios Florida

Universal Orlando: Going there in 2 weeks, my kids will be bummed if this is true.

Can anyone confirm or deny this report? We are heading there Jun 3-10 and my kids are gonna be bummed. If this is really the case I have to start prepping them now that they won't be seeing some of that stuff. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Nickelodeon Studios at USF closed a few days ago. The area is now blocked off and USF is in the process of removing all the logos and things of that sort. (The "Jimmy Neutron" ride will continue to operate unaffected)

I'm kind of sad to see it go, but I really don't think Nickelodeon used it much anymore. In the early 1990s almost all of Nickelodeon's live shows were filmed at Universal Studios, but in the last 7 or 8 years Nick has pretty much stopped using the Florida facility entirely.

I was there on Sunday and the Green Slime Machine was gone and a lot of the other props that used to be there. Don't worry though. Just starting introducing them to Dr. Seuss books and they will forget about Nickoloden once they are in Seuss landing.

Wow! I can't believe they got rid of the Slime Machine! I think it has something to do with the decline, in my opinion, of Nickelodeon. I remember it used to be a big deal with all the hit shows they had in the 90's especially with Marc Summers! I am bummed out too and I am 19!

Everytime I was at Universal these last 5 years you noticed that there were less and less people in the audience. I thought that was about to change due to last summer they filmed a live show there. My niece got to be on it and hold a sign. It is the highlight of her life as she tells EVERYONE about it. I am really sad to see it go. ANy news on what will go in that space?

I heard Viacom would not renew the license and are moving Nickelodeon related items to the Paramount Parks

That would be monumentally foolish, unless Paramount is planning to open its own parks in Central Florida and Southern California sometime this summer.

Um... I don't think so.

Paramount needs exposure for its Nick characters in the highly popular SoCal and Orlando markets. Universal has very capably provided that. Unless Paramount's about to cut a deal with SeaWorld, pulling out of these parks in favor of the Paramounts in Ohio, Virginia, San Jose and Toronto would be a dumb business move.

We're trying to get a source on the record, but I suspect that Nick just didn't need the studio space anymore. And with no filming -- no attraction.

Yeah, they were filming hardly anything there anymore. Considering Jimmy Neutron is the first part of a big deal to bring "big Nickelodeon attractions" to Universal, I'm sure the closing of the Nick Studios has nothing to do with licensing and everything to do with its lameness. I mean, come ON! Most kids weren't even thrilled with most of that crap. And USF didn't seem to try too hard anymore.

Now, considering that plot of land is right behind Seuss Landing, they can follow through with my plans to create a Mulberry Street extension from here to that IOA land and create a couple more dark rides and the long-awaited Grinch coaster!!!!!

I work at Universal...and yes they closed Nick...They took at the Slime Geyser thingy. And Nick Live! is no more. But we still have all the characters and rides by Nick.

I cannot imaginie that they wouldn't replace it with a new ride. It would seem silly for them to pull the characters out of such a high profile park.

We went to IOA for the first time two weeks ago and that Grinch coaster looked really cool. A worker told us that they will run cars on occasion. I wonder why it never opened.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. My kids will be relieved that at least the character rides are still there. We leave on Friday and return on Saturday the 11th. I will let you guys know how things went! Have a great week!

I read over the weekend that Nickelodeon just opened a hotel somewhere in Orlando. It sounds kind of cool - they use various character motifs in the kid's area of the rooms. I wonder if the hotel negotiated some type of "exclusive" licensing use of the Nickelodeon name/characters/etc.

that sucks that universal closed down nick studios. I mean i understand that they never use it anymore but i never got a chance to see it. I use to love nickelodeon but now that im older i dont watch it anymore but i still would like to see nickelodeon studios

i loved nick and now its closed down.I meen i went in june and i was realy exited about going to the studio and now its closed im realy upset.I like acting and i want to be an actress and i was looking forward to seing the stages and it all closed down im realy realy sad. I realy hope it sets up somwere nearer to england. If enyone knows enything important or wants to give me advice about nick studios plz email me on jessebabe@hotmail.co.uk.I would like to speak to somone realy important like an actor or actress on the nick show or somone from nick tht can set it back up again or if enyone is reeding this and knows enyone from the show plz plz let me know how i can get in toach with them thanx for reading this lots of luv jess xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Oh yea I went last week it was closed. I was seriously upset. I remember I was 7 and I went to that show. It was such a classic for Universal. I wonder why they took it out. I really wonder most what theier putting in its place.

look i was really mad that nick closed down! I loved nick games and stuff like that. Universal Orlando should be careful what they take down for.

I went there once when I was little and I told my folks that I needed to the restroom while we were in line for a show and my dad spanked me and he and my mom wouldn't take me. I don't remember what other trouble I caused and my folks wlll not take me back to Nickelodeon. I decided that I would go back by myself when I was older. I'm now 20.

Strict parents.

Nick studios transfered alot of the production to Calif. this is due in part to the cartoon section of the studio really taking off with Jimmy Neutron, Spongebob, Dora, Fairly odd Parents...etc etc and the live shows and taped shows are more easily produced out there. I did see nick live once when it was open and we had a blast... my nephew was "Slime kid DuJour" for the show and it was hilarious. im sure they will come up with something to put there.

Jay why are you being annoying and commenting on all this old stuff dummy

Be nice everybody! Jay does have a point, the nick stuff was a big draw. Being not that old, I grew up on double dare and all those wonderful Nick shows before it got really stupid! You are old enough to remember the good Nick aren't you? This was the last place where you could live those good ole days of Nick! Now, I can only find confort in my Pete and Pete DVD's!

yea i get you i grew up on that too but jay is being annoying on commenting if u notice only on universal stuff and dere old things too

I've been going to USF since the early 1990s as well,but I have no love loss for Nickelodeon Studios. I think it's neccessary to close Nick studios to provide room for expansion. Nickelodeon at USF was never a "must see" in my opinion,sure it may have been entertaining,but I never really thought about it to be true theme park material. I mean it's cool that they shot Slime Time Live and a variety of other shows from the studios, but none of that really adds to the average visitor's experience. I think NBC/Universal may be doing the right thing (for once),but we'll have to see what they put in its place first.

Yea NBC/Universal are geniuses they replaced nick studios with offices!!!!!!now i kno people prefer seeing offices instead of nick studios come on no competition.Lol yea i think right now is universal toughest period.It use to be lets make a fantastic park to beat disney but over years there realizing thats gettting harder and harder to do.There attendance is dropping and they still can't even beat Animal Kingdom.You know what dey need is a Fresh new board of directors and also to stop being cheap.Yea Kong was showing its age but i think they should have torned down earthquake before kong. Just because the building had an L shape they decided to take off kong and not earthqauke because it was difficult To build munmmy in an L shaped building.I think either upgrade Back to the Future or tear it down take off earthquake take off twister Barney is not as poular as it use to be replace that too.Fear factor waist of time.And get back characters to bring more kids in!!!!!There so against Disney but there still beating them in evry way.Come on UNIVERSAL listen to ur customers!!!!!!!

I highly doubt Nickelodeon Studios will be used for offices. Nick studios is in prime location being in the front of the park,perfect location for a flashy new attraction (probably a family attraction due to its surroundings).

Its already in use for offices and its not in da front of the park as soon as you enter yuo go to the left and there it is but now its offices .

I've been going to USF for 16 years now and I'm very much aware of the location of Nickelodeon studios,while not the very first attraction you encounter when you come through the gates it is definitely one of the first noticed. I have not been in about 3 months so maybe they have done something with the Nickelodeon building by now,if it is being used as office space it could be a temporary fix. I plan to go back in about 2 weeks and hopefully I'll have the info for a trip report.

Not being used for offices at all.
Most recently it was used for a corporate event (GM), black tie affair with Dinner and ceremony!

So there!

Thanks for the info Gareth.

No problem Chris!!

Is it me or has anyone else noticed the increasing amount of corporate events being held at USF & IOA?

They even have the cheek to close the parks an hour before the "internet posted" closing hours just to accomodate them!

What does all that mean?

What does all that mean?

Why are you repeating yourself

Why are you repeating yourself

I don't know! I think that Disney World has many corportate meetings and stuff, but it is just too big of a place for anybody to notice!

But USF seem to treat these events more importantly than they do the final hour of Park hours! To close the park at such short notice, when the park closes very early as it is, seems a little wrong!

Yea i think disney has alota space for that too sorry Gareth i didn't mean to post it 2 times i had a computer problem

No probs Gabriel, made me chuckle!

Disney does have a lot of space!!!
You could pretty much do anything on the WDW resort, if you have the money!

I know that All That is stll on and there are new cast members and Nickelodeon closed in Florida. Where is it and some other shows like Zoey 101 and Drake and Josh being taped now I wonder?

Their California studios I believe.

I went to Florida a few years ago for the first time on a band trip and I went to disney and universal for the first time. When I was younger I always wanted to go to a nickelodeon show and see it. Whether it was one of the game shows or something else with a studio audience I wished I could go to one. Although I was 17 and hadn't watched nickelodeon since about 1996, I was still excited to see the Multicolored building they always used to promote after double dare or legends of the hidden temple. When I finally got the chance to go there, I think a piece of my childhood nostalgia was ripped from me( wiping away the tears.....hehe). I was really sad to see the building faded and nobody there except a stand with one degraded looking college girl leaning and staring into the empty part of the park. When I was 8 that was the coolest thing to see on TV and the thing you wanted to do when you would ever go to florida. Of course my parents never had the money or reason to go to florida until my grandparents moved there a year ago. But looking at the faded building and the slime gusher thing that had stopped running with the dried watery looking slime stuck to the side, I felt saddened by the fact that I had not seen it in it's prime day. Although Nick may not be today what it was back in it's heyday, I still thought it was cool to actually see it once. I guess it's like being a girl who liked princesses and didn't go to disney went to The magic Kingdom when they were 12 instead of 4. By The way I also thought it was cool to see all of the movie props they had laying outside from movies like The Lost World and Flipper. I think now it has been replaced by an ampitheatre. Goodbye Nick!

Does anyone know if the time capsule will be left or will it be dug up and moved (Perhaps to the Nic Hotel?)

Time Capsule....Wait- Don't remeber much about it...Fill us in on this

Theres a big old time capsule buried in front of the old queue area. Big metal plaque on the floor with the date it was buried. Just wondering if they're gonna dig it up and place it somewhere else, like CA for example, or transfer it to the Nic hotel in Orlando

I just got back from UniversaL Tday and i almost cried lol..Nick Studios is terrible its totally gone now... irts just a plain old faded building,with no signs and no slime gyser its soo sad

The Nickelodeon time capsule was buried on April 30, 1992 with intentions to open it on April 30, 2042. The plate marking its location reads as follows:

"The Nickelodeon Time Capsule was buried on this spot on April 30, 1992 as a gift to kids of the future".

A few months ago I wrote a letter to Universal Studios to find out what would happen to the time capsule. I actually received a real response and not a form letter. The important part of that letter follows:

"In my research about the time capsule I found that nostalgia is important to a lot of team members at Universal Orlando including upper management. There are no current plans to build new attractions surrounding that time capsule. I think it is safe to say that on April 30th 2042 you may watch the time capsule being opened from the Universal Orlando Resort."

I sent the letter to Nickelodeon as well, but it appears it was never delivered (according to tracking). I'll be sending out another one to them soon.

I'll see if I can't get a picture of the time capsule and a scan of the letters online sometime.

You should write them another letter and tell them to turn nickelodeon studios inot a museum. Im sure that would get a lot business from the kids of the 90's era. I just cant stand to see it go

Thanks for the response about the time capsule Adam, I pass it everytime I go to USF (I always take the side entrance) and always walk past it. Good to hear they'll keep it!

They should turn it into a museum im telling you guys. Im sure anyone from the 90's would love to go and see all the props from legends of the hideen temple and double dare and stuff

I would love to see a museum of old Nickelodeon stuff. That would be awesome. If they did that though, they should make a DVD series only available at USF with all the old shows or something.

I iwsh i could talk to a high ranking member og USF and get all the details...ive called universal and they dont tell me anything

I was curious to know if anyone knows what was done with all the props from the Nick Studios. Are they for sale , is there anywhere where we can view them.

I'm Baaaaack!

Okay let's face it, Nick hasn't been much since the early 1990's. The last time I was there and actully walked over that way the place was utterly devoid of life and frankly I can't recall the last time Nick even shot a series there. So it's not to much of a surprize that it's moved out of Universal, not when they have other big names like Suess and Shrek.

Also Nick pulling the plug might has something to do with the fact that Mall of America got a huge endorcement from them and are in the process of re-doing everything. Even the name has changed into "Nickelodeon Universe". However I can't see them going to Paramount considering Paramount no longer own's any theme parks at all, they where sold off and to my knowledge they where all purchased by Cedar Fair.

What I wonder about is what's going to happen to the Holiday Inn Resort that they themed out as Nick Style down in Kissimmee?

EDIT- Double posted, stupid internet!

After they stopped the live shows back in '99, they had no reason to use it. All nickelodeon carries is taped cartoons now. I WANT MY 90's NICKELODEON BACK!

That place used to be a hub of activity.
Slime Time Live, Figure It Out, All That, Keenan and Kel, Double Dare, all used to be filmed live with a studio audience that used to actually come from the park itself. The news really is too bad. Getting a backstage look at your favorite shows used to be a real treat back in the day. But i saw the decline coming, all they had done since IOA opened in 99 was a cheesy Slime Time Live themed fake show. Heard the studios are gonna be the site for Hollywood Rip, Ride Rockit. But to hear the slime machine is gone kinda bums me out, but sadly most little kids now have no clue what slime has to do with Nickelodeon anyways.

I WANT MY 90'S NICKELODEON BACK TOO!!!!!!!!

yes unfortunatly, it is true. Its quite upsetting, when they took everything down, it represented the old nickelodeon. all the old shows were a big part of my childhood, and now its basicly gone. and i never even got to see the inside of the studios.

Theme Park Insider...offering the most up to date information, even if the question was asked and answered 4 years ago.

There have been some rather ancient threads called back up lately. Perhaps time for an "audit"?

42 more comments and we perform a self-audit.

This was one of my early threads just after I had joined TPI in April 2005. Everyone was so helpful, I kept coming back, and now four years later here I am hanging outiside abandoned and retired Discussion Threads with James Rao getting in trouble. Anyone got some marshmallows and a match? :D

Whaaaaaaaaat? They closed it? Hope they don't remove the time capsule.
Maybe they'll stick in a show, with Blue men or something, like a "Group"
Could never seem them filliing in an areas with a coaster though. That would just be insane!

Wait, I forgot, they already did/have.

D'Oh!

40

Why is this thread back up?

It's part of the new internal audit system for TPI to find aged, dying, and dead threads that need to be properly retired or burned while roasting marshmallows to ensure they never return!!

Die, thread, die!

37...

My life won't be complete until I spend a week at Worlds of Fun during a slow week waiting in a long line while only one train is running. Oh, wait, I can do that right here at Universal. :]
Just kidding. (mostly)

Then again I could be back in Jersey waiting 2 hours for Kingda Ka only to have it go down just as I am about to finally get on.

Ah, Jersey.

Thats great!

Is it true that Kongfrontation is going away?

This thread touched my sister. Kill it now.

I hear Harry Potter might be coming to IOA? Is that true? Whats next? Blueman Group and the destruction of the Enchanted Oak? Scandalous! :)

Is Frank Sinatra still performing at The Sands?

William - you can spend a lot of time in a line anywhere, but trust me I would rather have Spider-Man at the end of that wait than anything at Worlds of Fun (sorry, WoF, didn't mean to hurt your feelings, just being honest).

Anthony - say it ain't so! Next you are going to tell me that Universal is going to replace Back to the Future with a ride based on some badly animated Fox cartoon! Quit pulling my leg.

I did hear a rumor that a second gate was going to be opened at Disneyland resort in California. I wonder what it will be? I hear it is going to be called California Adventure or something like that. Since it is Disney at least we don't have to worry about the quality. I mean, Disney would never build anything with a carnival atmosphere, simple midway rides, carny games, and readily available beer, wine, and liquor, would they?

Hey I did also hear that at DAK there will be a really cool roller coaster based on the Everest and the Yeti or Big Foot!

There going to have a one of the biggest Audio-Animitronics figure that wont work!

Why build something that doesn't work, Dan? That's just silly. Disney would never let one of their rides fall apart like that, would they?

A ride that not all ways work lets see...

Hey is it true that Sea World is building a new water park that incorporates animals into the attractions? That's amazing!!! :D

they have already built it and its been rated on this site its called aquatica

I'm just hoping that Sea World will one day build a new coaster. Something killer with a cool name, right Steve Irwin. (Sorry) sick humor...

Oh and from of the other recent closed threads, I like Juice as well. :o)

22 to go

All these back from the dead thread makes me wonder what the oldest, unclosed thread we have out there is now.... Going searching...

Forgot, 20 to go...

Careful what you may find David as there are some dead threads haunted by the ghosts of TPI past that may be better off left to rest in their unbothered state! Reminds me of a story once about three guys sitting around a campfire... :D

Boy Don, spend a few days in jail and I'm lost. When I got out this morning and looked for the other thread, I found it had been archived, oh well good bye. If your wondering what happened to me, I bought a new set of strings for my guitar since I was to supply the music for our marshmellow roast.

Any way, I strung them on the guitar and went out onto my front porch to practice. I was singing "Row,Row,Row Your Boat" from a well known Star Wars movie with a marshmellow scene around a camp fire. And appropriate song I thought for our roast. Well all of a sudden the police came with lights flashing and sirens going. It seems like one of my neighbors thought I was killing someone from all the racket I was making, although it sounded like music to my me.

Of course I'd stopped singing as soon as the police came, but that didn't stop them from pouncing on me and slamming me to the ground. With a knee on the back of my neck, I tried to tell them I was singing, not trying to kill someone, so they left me up.

That's when the one officer suggested I prove I was singing. So, I picked up the guitar and started to sing away. Well, after about fifteen seconds, three of them grabed the guitar, while two more grabed my arms and slapped on the cuffs. I was arrested and you'll never guess the charge, Assault on a police officers' ear drums.

After they released me this morning, an officer gave me back my guitar. The strings were cut in half, and he warned me to NEVER, EVER get another set. So guys, this time I'll bring the marshmellows, OK!!!!! 18 to go. :)

Thats hilarious!!

or

Poor neighbors!

LOL Robert

16 more...

Awesome contribution Robert! That's what you get for hanging out with the James Rao gang. Guilty by association! :)

HEY!!!!! Who ate all the marshmallows???!!!!

Hey - it's Robert's gang! He's the only one who has done time in the slammer! He's earned the right to lead this rag-tag bunch! Plus, his crooning is sweet music to our ears!

Does that make Robert the TPI William Hung?

Does that make Robert the TPI William Hung? But hopefully better :o)

If I were the cops, I would have gone Blutarsky on the guitar by smashing it.

Sorry, the story somehow sent my mind to the scene in Animal House when the guy is playing guitar and singing "I Gave My Love" (or whatever) to some girls. Belushi walks by, gets a weird look on his face, takes the guitar and thoroughly destroys it.

lol I still want MarshMallows.. Anyone know if they still do the canoe trip at night from Fort Wilderness to watch the night boat parade and roast marshmallows? Man, been years since I did that...

9 more

Ummmm....Marshmallows and Juice! What a night!

The LOST season finale was genius. Pure, unadulterated genius. I am so happy to be part of the event. My life is forever changed.

7 left....

Personally, I'm waiting for The Office season finale Thursday night. The twists and turns of the last 5 episodes have been good. I'm hopelessly addicted to that show.

If you like the Office, I hope you gave BETTER OFF TED a chance, as the two shows had a lot in common. TED was amazingly smart and funny - and amazingly short lived. Sadly, TED will be yet another brilliant show that falls in the wake of American Idol's inexplicable popularity. A casualty of lowered viewer standards and the closing of the increasingly dumbed down American Mind.

AI Blows!

5 to go...

OK gang, here we go, sing this thread into the archives!!!!! Good thing the police can't hear me or you guys.

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream!!!!! :)

The Robert Niles version:

"Push, Push, Push your pirate boat
Gently down the track
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Ouch, this hurts my back!"

:D

There's been ads in the paper for months about a new movie starring Al Jolson and he's going to talk and sing!!

Well, with all this talking, I've worked up quite a thirst. I think I'll take one of those new fangled trolleys down to the drug store soda fountain and meet the boys for a cold sarsaparilla. Oh... ha ha, I'm sorry, I forgot... we're drinking root beer now! Same kind of thing, different name. Well, that's progress for you. Speaking of progress...

There's a great BIG BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW!

but not for this thread.....

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