Universal Orlando Resort has never been shy about saying goodbye to attractions that helped make its theme parks famous.
Over the years, longtime visitors have watched beloved rides close, familiar characters disappear, and entire sections of the resort receive completely different themes.
Now, another piece of Universal’s history is being removed, though visitors won’t see these changes in the theme parks.
Instead, the resort is giving a major location a makeover, replacing several familiar Hollywood franchises with newer names.
And for fans who remember Universal Orlando in its earlier years, the latest project means another longtime tradition is coming to an end.
Universal Orlando Says Goodbye to More History
Universal Orlando Resort has retired numerous attractions since opening its first theme park in 1990.
Universal Studios Florida previously closed Back to the Future: The Ride, Kongfrontation, Jaws, and Twister…Ride It Out.
Across the resort, Islands of Adventure permanently closed Poseidon’s Fury in 2023.
Universal Studios Florida also recently retired Animal Actors on Location!, which welcomed audiences for the final time on November 2, 2026.
Now, Universal is bringing that same willingness to replace older experiences to an area visitors might not immediately think about.
The resort’s massive parking complex is receiving an overhaul, including the removal of franchise names that have helped visitors find their vehicles for decades.
The garages date back to around 1999, when Islands of Adventure opened, making the existing system approximately 27 years old.
Three Famous Franchises Are Being Replaced
For years, Universal Orlando has divided its parking garages into themed sections named after popular entertainment franchises.
Unlike a traditional system that gives every floor a different identity, Universal’s previous arrangement extended individual themes across multiple levels.
The north garage featured Jurassic Park, King Kong, and Jaws.
Meanwhile, the south garage uses Spider-Man, The Cat in the Hat, and E.T., with those sections positioned at different distances from security.
Universal has now started removing the north garage’s longtime identities.
The most noticeable change involves Jurassic Park, which is losing its familiar signage to make room for Trolls.
Bright pink illuminated signs are replacing the older Jurassic Park markers on the first level.
Universal is also changing signs near stairwells, escalators, and parking rows.
Although the update may make navigating the garages easier, it also removes another recognizable part of the resort’s original identity.
A Completely Different Lineup Takes Over
Universal isn’t simply swapping one franchise for another.
Instead, the resort is changing how visitors identify their parking locations by assigning separate themes to individual floors.
The north garage’s updated arrangement includes:
- Level 1: Trolls
- Level 2: E.T.
- Level 3: Shrek
- Level 4: Minions
- Level 5: Transformers
Four of these franchises have never previously served as parking garage identities.
Each floor will receive its own colors and character imagery, helping visitors distinguish one level from another.
The changes also give Shrek another prominent location at Universal Orlando.
Although Shrek 4-D permanently closed in 2022, the franchise returned to greater prominence with DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida.
Now, Shrek represents the north garage’s third level, which provides access toward Universal CityWalk and the theme parks.
One Original Universal Favorite Gets a New Location
Not every longtime franchise is disappearing from the parking garages.
E.T., which previously appeared in the south garage, will receive a new home on the north garage’s second level.
Universal is also updating the character’s appearance.
Instead of the familiar green signs, visitors will see light-blue signage featuring Elliott riding his bicycle with E.T. in the basket.
The franchise remains closely connected to Universal’s beginnings, especially since E.T. Adventure continues operating at Universal Studios Florida.
However, the move leaves questions about what Universal plans to do with the south garage.
Will Jurassic Park Return Somewhere Else?
Universal has not announced the final naming arrangement for the south garage.
Interestingly, all five franchises selected for the north garage have attractions or experiences at Universal Studios Florida.
That could mean Universal eventually assigns Islands of Adventure franchises to the south garage.
If that happens, Jurassic Park and King Kong might return as parking garage themes.
Jaws could disappear from the system altogether, although Universal hasn’t confirmed that outcome.
For now, crews continue installing updated signage while older markers remain in portions of the complex.
Jurassic Park itself remains a major part of Islands of Adventure, but its familiar parking garage presence is being dismantled after nearly three decades.
For longtime Universal fans, it’s another reminder that even the resort’s smallest traditions aren’t necessarily permanent.
