Another piece of Universal Studios Florida history is coming to an end.
Universal Orlando has announced that Animal Actors on Location! will permanently close this fall, ending a run that dates all the way back to the opening of Universal Studios Florida in 1990.
The show’s final performance is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026. After that, the longtime attraction will close permanently to make way for a new experience at Universal Studios Florida. Universal has not yet announced what will replace the show.
A Universal Studios Florida Original
Animal Actors on Location! is more than just another attraction leaving the park. The show is one of the few remaining pieces of Universal Studios Florida’s opening-day history.
The attraction originally opened on June 7, 1990, as Animal Actors Stage. It later became Animal Planet Live in 2001 before taking on its current name, Animal Actors on Location!, in 2006.
For more than three decades, the show has given guests the opportunity to see trained animal performers take the stage while learning more about how animals are trained for television and movies.
The attraction has featured a rotating cast of animal performers over the years, including dogs, birds and other animals, along with audience participation and plenty of comedy.
And, of course, working with animals means the performances could sometimes be a little unpredictable—which was part of the fun.
One of the Last Pieces of Opening-Day Universal
The closure is particularly notable because Animal Actors is currently one of only a handful of experiences that can trace its history back to Universal Studios Florida’s opening.
The park has undergone enormous changes since 1990.
Guests who remember the original Universal Studios Florida may remember attractions such as Jaws, Kongfrontation, Back to the Future: The Ride and Twister…Ride It Out. All have since disappeared as Universal has continued to reinvent the park.
Animal Actors, however, managed to remain through those transformations.
Its closure will mark another significant change for a park that looks very different from the one that welcomed its first guests more than 36 years ago.
Animal Actors Survived a Major Transformation
The timing is also interesting because the area surrounding Animal Actors has already experienced a major transformation.
The attraction was previously associated with Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, much of which closed as Universal prepared to create DreamWorks Land.
DreamWorks Land officially opened in 2024, bringing new attractions and experiences inspired by popular DreamWorks Animation characters.
Animal Actors survived that transformation and continued welcoming guests even as the surrounding area changed.
Now, the theater itself is getting ready for its next chapter.
What Will Replace Animal Actors?
For now, Universal is keeping that part under wraps.
The company has confirmed that a future experience will replace Animal Actors on Location!, but no details have been announced regarding the theme, type of attraction or opening date.
That means any rumors about what could be coming next should be treated as speculation until Universal makes an official announcement.
For Universal Orlando fans, however, the closure is another reminder that the resort is continuing to evolve at a rapid pace.
With Epic Universe now part of the Universal Orlando Resort lineup and ongoing changes taking place at the original parks, there is plenty of new entertainment on the horizon.
Your Last Chance to See Animal Actors
If Animal Actors on Location! has a special place in your Universal memories—or if you’ve simply never experienced the show—there is still time to see it.
The final performance will take place November 2, 2026.
That gives guests visiting Universal Studios Florida this fall an opportunity to experience the show before it permanently closes.
For families, longtime Universal fans and anyone who loves the nostalgic side of theme parks, this could be one attraction worth adding to the list before its final curtain call.
And who knows? Years from now, you may be telling your kids that you remember when you could watch the animal stars of Universal take the stage.
Planning a Universal Orlando Vacation?
With attractions constantly changing, having a plan can help you make the most of your vacation—especially if there are experiences you don’t want to miss before they close.
Ready to start planning your Universal Orlando vacation? Academy Travel can help you build a vacation around the attractions, experiences and memories that matter most to your family.
