For years, Universal Studios Florida has hidden ornaments honoring their retired attractions in their holiday decorations. Guests can search for Easter eggs like the “Back to the Future” DeLorean, “Jaws” shark, Rosie the Robot from “The Jetsons,” Ghostbusters slime, and more throughout Universal Studios Florida. Universal Islands of Adventure has never followed this tradition — until now!
This year, we spotted ornaments honoring Dueling Dragons, The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad Stunt Show, and the recently closed Poseidon’s Fury in Universal Islands of Adventure.
Retired Islands of Adventure Attraction Ornaments in Port of Entry
While the retired attraction ornaments in Universal Studios Florida are near the attraction’s original location (like a Terminator skull in The Bourne Stuntacular decorations), the Islands of Adventure ornaments are all hidden in Port of Entry — the park’s main entrance area.
Two dragon ornaments are tucked into the pieces of garland around the awnings over the main entrance of Islands of Adventure Trading Company.
On the left side is a blue dragon, while a red dragon is on the right.
Dueling Dragons was an opening-day roller-coaster at Universal Islands of Adventure, in the Merlinwood section of The Lost Continent.
It featured two “dueling” tracks, one red and one blue.
The coaster was later turned into Dragon Challenge when the Merlinwood area was transformed into the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.
Dragon Challenge permanently closed in 2017 and was replaced with Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Universal honored Dueling Dragons another way this year — with a Halloween Horror Nights house inspired by the defunct attraction.
The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad Stunt Show is represented in the wreath above the Expedition Photography entrance.
This stunt show was also part of The Lost Continent. It closed permanently in 2018 and nothing has yet to replace it.
The show is represented by a pair of crossed scimitars with a red gem in the center.
Above the entrance to the right, a garland is across a balcony.
Here, you’ll spot an ornament representing the most recently closed attraction at Universal Islands of Adventure — another The Lost Continent staple.
A small trident with blue and red stripes is stuck in the garland, representing Poseidon’s Fury.
The attraction closed permanently in May of this year and also has yet to be replaced.
The holiday season at Universal Orlando Resort officially begins on November 17. Christmas is mostly celebrated in Universal Islands of Adventure at Seuss Landing, where guests will be able to meet the Grinch and watch the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.”
The nighttime projection show “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” will return to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. While it’s always winter in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, crews have begun adding holiday decorations to the lands.
The Holiday Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida is already open. The park will also have Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
Have you spotted any of these ornaments while visiting the parks for the holidays? Let us know in the comments.
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