Do you remember?

[Metallicat]

I was looking through some old pictures of our first visits to Universal Studios back in the early 90's yesterday and thinking that the park has really changed since they first opened. Most attractions are the same, but a few others are no longer there. I remember my first visit just 2 months after the Studios opened and falling in love with the park back then even though there was no citywalk or Islands of Adventure. here are a few things that I remember from way back then. can you think of any others?

Remember when the Psycho house sat on a hill where men in black is now?
remember the Hitchcock attraction and a man was picked to be "Mother" and jumped out of the shower?

Remember when the Universal globe was black and gold?

Remember the Murder she wrote attraction? now thats an oldie!

Remember when there was an INDOOR Ghostbuster attraction and the ghostbuster guys looked like the REAL ghostbuster actors?

Remember when the horror make up show played the phantom of the opera music and was called the gory gruesome and grotesque make up show?

Remember when Hard Rock Cafe sat behind the E.T. area?

Remember TAKING TRAMS FROM THE PARKING LOT TO THE FRONT GATE???

Remember when there was no twister, shrek, MIB, ROTM, jaws, woody woodpecker kid zone, JN?

Remember when the Monster cafe was called the commissary?

Remember a tram tour through the back stages?

Remember when tickets were called backstage passes?

Remember when horror nights were at the studios and they had a halloween parade?

Remember when the Partidge family bus was parked in front of the Nick studios?

Remember when there was no Universal hotels? (GASP!)

Remember Universal ESCAPE?

Remember hearing tv show music like Sanford and Son being played in the park?

I know we all remember Kong, hanna barbera, & hitch, but can you remember any other stuff from the early years?

 

[Princess Michelle]

I'm sad to say I don't remember anything but not having MIB. I didn't go to Universal for the first time until 1998.

 

[themepark]

I don't remember any of this since the first time I went was last year. But I do remember hearing about Universal Escape. What was that?

 

[Motherfletcher]

Crawling up on the rocks to watch the lagoon stunt show and fireworks.
Drinking coffee from a stand at the entrance to Central Park on benches that used to be along the asphalt sidewalks.

 

[Dznefreek]

Remember when the Psycho house sat on a hill where men in black is now?

Psycho House was on a hill near the old HRC where Barney/Curious George is now. MIB was a field.

Remember when the Universal globe was black and gold?

Wasn't it silver/stainless??????

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

You used to be able to exit the park by the Psycho house and go to the Hard Rock Cafe. Now, no Psycho house and new HRC.

 

[Metallicat]

The globe was silver with gold letters. I have photos of my daughter standing in front of it. seems like I remember them changing the globe 3 times. I'm not sure. does anyone know?

 

[MagicalMom]

I remember thinking I was soooo cool having my pic taken with Xena the warrior princess!!! I can't even believe I used to watch that show! (please don't tell everyone!!!!)

 

[MagicalMom]

I have this great pic of DH, myself, my 3 children, mom & sister all standing in king Kong's hand. We LOVE that pic. It bring back such great memories.

 

[Metallicat]

I remember on the way to HRC, there was a tall piece of concrete wall that said "THE WALL" on the top of it. I have a picture of me standing in front of it with my Pink Floyd concert shirt on. I thought that was so cool.
When they had the ghostbuster attraction my DD was chosen to be a ghostbuster. they put one of the ghostbuster coats on her and gave her some kind of squirt gun and it was meant to go off and squirt the audience. it did and she was so embarrassed! got it all on video... another time at HRC they got her to stand on the table and they all sang happy b'day to her. there must have been hundreds of people in the place and she wouldn't speak to me for 3 hours

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I love this thread. Please keep sharing. One memory I have is that I lost my first part time job because of Universal.......

I was 16 and my family decided that they were going to go to Universal for the first time ever!!!! Well I was not going to miss out on that. So I called in sick. My boss called me at home and found out that I had gone out, so I lost my job. Lesson learned, but what a great time I had!!!! No regrets!!!! I would never do that now as an adult, but gosh I had fun!

 

[Prince Eric1]

We were there in 1992 and I do remember the Murder she wrote and lots of Hanna Barbera characters. I loved the Hanna barbera ride where Jimmy is now and remember Kong breaking down as we were right under his mouth. Now I've got to get out the old picture album and see what else I've forgotten.

 

[Metallicat]

I remember a few days after Sept. 11th, Universal calls us to see if we are ok. now, we live in Alabama not NYC. they go on to ask if the tragedy will affect out future plans to visit and then tells my DD (she answers the phone) that they love her! that really blew me away. of course that was when they had different owners...

 

[Motherfletcher]

About the Globe:

I'm color blind so I can't help with the color schemes. It does however rotate in the opposite direction from the real thing. The reason? It wouldn't say Universal but would read more like "Less Revenue!"

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Yes to all above.

I also remember the old earthquake preshow, and when ET you could ride in bikes or spaceships!

 

[Metallicat]

Spaceships? I wonder how I missed that one? are you sure your not thinking about Mission Space? just kidding! Linda

 

[Blueberry]

I remember the old Pyscho house and trying to get my husbands picture in front of it, he is pointing at in the photo and I missed the house and got him...

I remember getting your hand stamped to go the Hard Rock Cafe at the back of Universal near where the kids area is now. They had a store there with Hard Rock items that was very small. You had to stand in line to go in the store as only so many could go in at a time. A clerk waited on each person and you ordered your merchandise from them, and the stuff was in bins behind them. There were no racks of clothes or items, all was behind the counter and you had to get in line to get it from the clerks..very weird!!!

I remember the Monster Cafe being a terrific Italian Resturant, cannot remember the name, but they had an outstanding buffet lunch there, that we eat at each visit. what a great way to fill up hungry teenagers for the day, and the Italian food was wonderful there!!

 

[Metallicat]

I remember my DH was picked to participate in Murder she wrote. his part was to sort of lip sync along with lines from a show. anyways, his mouth didn't move along with what was being said at exactly the right moment, and the CM made a joke about it seeming like a bad godzilla movie. the audience cracked up. I'll never forget that one!

Hey, I saw former president and first lady George & Barbara Bush at EPCOT 3 weeks ago riding around on a golf cart through the flower and garden show. did anyone else see them?

 

[Tony M]

What about Herc & Xena Show???
I Loved getting pick for that. Have great picks (somewhere) of Me & Mrs. in Minotaur suits.
Did anyone get to ride the original JAWS ride?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I rode the original Jaws. I didn't like it much, though. I like the current version of Jaws.

I also remember Robosaurus from HHN 2 and 3.