Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition Opens in Philly: Here’s Why the Kids Will Love It

Movies like “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” and the Harry Potter and Minions series never get old. But have you ever wondered how your favorite movies are made? A new attraction at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia delves into the magic behind not only the films, but also the theme parks that celebrate them. “Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition” opens to the public this weekend, and we got a first look during a media tour on Thursday.

The goal is to pull back the curtain and see how imagination and engineering bring movies, theme parks and iconic stories to life, Larry Dubinski, president and CEO of The Franklin Institute, said during the World Premiere event. The 18,000-square-foot exhibit has 8 gallery themes spread across two floors of the museum, which makes it feel part-studio tour, part-museum, part-science classroom and part-gaming space.

Even the entrance to the exhibit has a theme park-like feel: you have to walk up several ramps to get to the lobby, which mimics the corralled lines when waiting for a ride at the parks. Next, you enter a “tram car,” which is essentially a small stand-up movie theater where you learn the history of Universal Studios and how it’s morphed from Carl Laemmle’s Universal City for the horror genre into the mega Universal Destinations & Experiences of today.

Next, you’ll see a dilophosaurus from Jurassic Park: The Ride. Behind it are four giant farm animals from Shaun the Sheep that animate: you can blink their eyes, tilt their heads and open their mouths with the use of a joystick.

You can choose a projection show for Halloween or Mardi Gras, manipulate little wooden maquettes to make them run and jump, see how technicians tighten bolts by hand or via tools, or design your own roller coaster.

A series of models and prototypes show you how franchises move from the screen to the parks, according to Abby Bysshe, chief experience and strategy officer for The Franklin Institute. Check out the Power-Up Bands and AR Goggles from Super Nintendo World; see the illuminated E-Liminator X from Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast; look at an animated figure of Max from “The Secret Life of Pets” that marched in Universal’s Superstar Parade; and get nostalgic with a 3D printed raptor, lead car and coaster track from Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Florida.

The second floor of the space is dedicated mostly to horror films, but is still family-friendly enough for kids. There are props from legendary monsters like Werewolf, Dracula and Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, and Terra Guard on his motorcycle from Halloween Horror Nights.

You’ll also see life-sized versions of Toothless from “How to Train Your Dragon,” Tigress and Po from “Kung Fu Panda” and Gingy from “Shrek.” There’s a baby Gronkle from “How to Train Your Dragon,” too.

There is a model of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride that’s opening next year at Universal Studios Hollywood.

There’s no shortage of photo ops, too. Check out a Minions backdrop, a pizza delivery cart from “The Secret Life of Pets,” Nintendo’s Super Mario ? Block, and a scene from Le Cirque Arcanus.

There’s even a showcase of popcorn buckets from the theme parks!

Everything is meant to be interactive, whether you are testing your senses at a horror sound machine, looking at elaborate movie costumes, or playing on robotic machines.

“This gives a rare view behind the curtain of how we build our parks,” said Page Thompson, president of New Ventures for Universal Destinations & Experiences.

And of course … it wouldn’t be a theme park, or a museum, without a gift shop at the end. There’s tons of Universal and Franklin Institute themed merch to hold you over until your next trip to FL or CA.

The Franklin Institute was chosen for several reasons: Comcast NBCUniversal (which partnered on the project) is headquartered in Philly, Philadelphia will be celebrating America’s 250th birthday this year with innumerable events (in addition to hosting six FIFA World Cup games, the PGA championship and the MLB All-Star Game), and who better to represent innovation, imagination and inspiration than Benjamin Franklin himself?

Michelle Singer, senior vice president of Political Engagement for Comcast, said Philly is a City of Firsts, where imagination becomes reality, and it provides a proving ground for what comes next. She said the power of ideas invites audiences into a world of discovery, and inspires future idea makers and adventurers – just as this exhibit will.

“Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition” will be be open from February 14 to September 7 at The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA.

Hours are 9:30 am to 5 pm daily. Daytime tickets are included with admission to the museum, and are $47 for adults, $43 for teens ages 13 to 17, and $41 for kids ages 3 to 12. Special evening hours will be held Thursday to Saturday, and the cost is $25 per person, any age. All tickets are timed and dated.

There’s lots more to do and see at the Franklin Institute while you’re there, like live science shows and demos, planetarium shows, a SportsZone where you can test your athletic abilities (like racing down a track or pitching a baseball), the ability to crawl inside your brain, and the gigantic Baldwin 60000 steam engine train.

At the end of the Franklin Institute run, the Universal exhibit will hit the road for a five-year North American tour. Universal is also expanding, with the recent Epic Universe in Orlando, Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, the soon-to-open Universal Kids Park in Texas, and a theme park outside of London scheduled for 2031.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Universal Theme Parks exhibit via our Instagram page.

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Read More:
The Ultimate Guide to Family-Friendly Theme Parks in New Jersey
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