Without debating which is a better ride, Kongfrontation (1980-2002) fit into New York much better than Revenge of the Mummy (2004- ). Unfortunately, Universals New York has been going downhill. With several side streets, detailed window displays, and a variety of ground floor businesses, Universal’s New York offers a more convincing representation of a New York neighborhood than the New York section of the Streets of America “movie set” at Disneys Hollywood Studios. There’s still a reduced version of the tribute to Lucille Ball inside, but you wouldn’t know it from the second photo.Ī side entrance still has a sign for Lucy - A Tribute, described by the official Universal Studios Florida website as a “loving tribute that takes you through the dazzling career of America’s queen of comedy, Lucille Ball.”

The building has not changed, but the sign now promises something entirely different (and there’s now a red carpet at the door). The two photos above are were taken just two years apart. Yes, the real restaurant on Wilshire really did look like a derby hat.Įntrance to Lucy - A Tribute (2009 photo)Įntrance to Lucy - A Tribute (2011 photo) Universal’s version is a hat shop based on the Brown Derby restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard. section of Universal Studios Florida hasn’t changed much-although the hat was smoother in 2000 and the canopy over the entrance walkway has changed.ĭisney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios Florida both feature the Brown Derby.ĭisney’s version is a signature restaurant based on the Hollywood Brown Derby. , Curator of Yesterland, December 23, 2011 The “Then” photos aren’t as old as my Disney photos, but there have been some interesting changes.

Today, I have a “Then and Now” article about Universal Studios Florida. I had fun putting together seven “Then and Now” photo essays about Walt Disney World for Yesterland in 2011.įiguring out the right location, camera angle, and focal length to match a photo taken many years earlier is quite a challenge.

Universal studio pictures