Animal Actors on Location! has permanently closed at Universal Studios Florida after 36 years on November 2, 2026. We were there for its final performance.
Animal Actors on Location! Final Performance
Animal Actors on Location! opened on June 7, 1990, as Animal Actors Stage, making it one of only three opening-day attractions still operating at Universal Studios Florida. It was renamed Animal Planet Live in 2001, then finally renamed Animal Actors on Location! in 2006.
Universal shared the following statement in September when the closure was announced:
As Universal Orlando Resort continues to evolve, Animal Actors On Location! will take its final bow on November 2, 2026, making way for a future experience. A beloved part of Universal Studios Florida since opening day, the attraction has created lasting memories for Guests and Team Members for 36 years.
Adam Kingsley, Vice President of Park Operations – North Campus, began his 30-year Universal Orlando career as an attendant at Animal Actors On Location! He said:
Animal Actors holds a special place in the hearts of many Team Members and Guests. We are grateful for the legacy of this attraction and the Team Members who made it so special.
The final performances took place on Monday, November 2, with the last show ever starting at 5 p.m. Wristbands were required to attend the final show.
Rainy weather didn’t deter guests from showing up to cheer on the two- and four-legged cast of the long-running Universal Studios show.
Video
Watch our POV video of the complete final performance of Animal Actors on Location!:
Photos
The stage is styled like a ruined jungle temple, or rather, a movie set of one that includes elements like a waterfall and slide.
The director’s chair is for volunteers (usually kids), and signs posted around say things like “Hot set” and “Quiet! On the set.”
A bright scarlet macaw entertained the crowd by cleaning up the stage and dropping trash into a blue recycling bin.
More bird tricks followed with an umbrella cockatoo.
The canine cast of Animal Actors includes some of the best boys and girls who flawlessly perform tricks for belly rubs.
Trained hawks and pigeons put on a display, landing on a volunteer’s head.
Another macaw, this one a stunning green with a yellow chest and blue tail feathers, assisted with some more stage cleanup.
An otter also helped out, picking up and depositing a water bottle in the bin.
Another dog then towed the bin away.
Animal Actors also counts a pig, porcupine, and skunk among its cast.
At the end of the final 5 p.m. show, the cast welcomed everyone in the audience who had ever worked at Animal Actors to the stage for a final bow and a group photo.
Universal said additional details about the future of the Animal Actors space will be shared at a later time.
With the closure of Animal Actors on Location!, the only remaining opening-day attractions at Universal Studios Florida are E.T. Adventure and Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, which has gone through several iterations and is currently closed while being revamped to include Blumhouse franchises.
Will you miss Animal Actors on Location! at Universal Studios Florida? Let us know on social media.
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