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Years-Long Battle with Universal Studios Finally Settled Out of Court

jimmy fallon universal ride

Universal Studios Orlando Resort has finally come to an agreement with a ride manufacturer contracted by the resort to design and build the Jimmy Fallon-themed attraction at the resort.

Universal Orlando Resort - Guide to Florida Theme Parks

Credit: Universal

Universal Studios Orlando and an Austrian ride manufacturer, Dynamic Motion Group, have reached a settlement agreement regarding a suit filed by the manufacturer against Universal’s Central Florida theme park resort. The suit was originally filed by Dynamic in March 2021 with the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Orange County. In the complaint, the manufacturer accused Universal of failing to make payments for services related to building a new ride at Universal Studios theme park, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, which opened to guests in 2017.

Jimmy Fallon's Race Through New York ride review

Credit: Universal

The Austria-based manufacturer, formally listed in court documents as Dynamic Motion Rides GMBH and Dynamic Motion Group GMBH, alleged it was owed more than $5 million in “unpaid invoices” related to services rendered.

Court documents detail a long history of back-and-forth communication between the manufacturer, referred to as Dymorides, about substantial changes in the design of the attraction. There were also details about frequent communication related to the participation of an additional contractor on the project and usage rights of the associated intellectual property (IP). The communication appeared to have taken place throughout the development of the ride.

Universal accused the manufacturer of working too slowly on the Fallon-themed project, while Dymorides alleged that Universal Studios Orlando continually made changes to the ride and in its expectations related to work that was to be performed.

Universal Studios in Orlando: Three Great Parks - Travel Leaders /  Destinations Unlimited

Credit: Travel Leaders

Ultimately, following months of disagreements, Universal terminated its agreement with the manufacturer. Dymorides alleged that Universal began withholding payments soon after the termination.

“No additional costs were noted, billed, or ever mentioned to Dymorides except long after termination when Universal took over the project themselves and drove up the costs after termination,” the complaint reads in part. “Universal knowingly caused, induced, and/or materially contributed to the ongoing use without paying a royalty of the Dymorides IP, which constitutes breaches of the [agreement] and Universal’s duty of good faith and fair dealing. The Dymorides IP is being used in the attraction. Thus, Universal is liable for past due invoices.”

Jimmy Fallon Tours His Brand New Attraction at Universal Orlando Resort -  Discover Universal

Credit: Discover Universal

Universal ultimately countersued Dymorides.

In March 2023, however, the two entities came to an agreement outside of court and settled their differences, though no specifics about the settlement have been made public.

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon Soft Opens at Universal Studios  Florida | Inside Universal

Credit: Inside Universal

The Jimmy Fallon-themed ride at Universal invites guests to “Face Jimmy Fallon and all your favorite characters from NBC’s The Tonight Show in a fun-filled race through, below, and above New York City. Board the unique ‘flying theater,’ and you’ll speed through the busy streets of midtown Manhattan, soar over skyscrapers, and even dive into the East River as you hurtle neck and neck toward the finish line.”

About Becky Burkett

Becky's from the Lone Star State and has been writing since she was 10 and encountered her first Disney Park when she was 11. It was love at first Main Street Electrical Parade. Joy is blank lined journals, 0.7 mm pens, and all things Walt, Woody and Buzz, PIXAR, Imagineering, Sleeping Beauty (make it blue!), Disney Parks history and EPCOT. At Disney World, you'll find her croonin' with the birdies at the Enchanted Tiki Room or hangin' with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land. If you can dream, you really can do it!