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Animal Actors on Location
Universal Studios Florida
NameAnimal Actors Stage (1990–2001)
Animal Planet Live (2001–2006)
AreaExpo Center (1990–1999)
Woody Woodpecker's KidZone (1999–2024)
Hollywood (2024-present)
StatusOperating
Opening date1990 (1990)
Universal Studios Hollywood
NameAnimal Actors School Stage (1970–2001)
Animal Planet Live (2001–2007)
AreaUpper Lot
StatusRemoved
Opening date1970 (1970)
Closing dateJanuary 8, 2023 (January 8, 2023)
Replaced byFast & Furious: Hollywood Drift
Universal Studios Japan
NameToto & Friends (2006–2011)
StatusRemoved
Opening date2001 (2001)
Closing date2011 (2011)

Animal Actors on Location (formerly known as Animal Planet Live and additional names) is a live stage show at Universal Studios Florida, and formerly at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan. The show features multiple animals performing stunts and tricks.[1]

Summary

The attraction is a live show featuring dogs, cats, birds, pigs, and other animals performing tricks onstage in a covered outdoor theatre. This show also integrates video segments and comedy from the human trainers. One of the trainers acts as the show's main host, explaining how the animals are conditioned to perform the tricks. Several of the animals are veteran actors of TV and film productions, many who were rescued from shelters. The show makes use of audience volunteers, primarily children, during several of its training segments. After the show, guests are invited to meet and pet some of the animals. The show's rotation of animals has varied throughout the years, including otters, horses, orangutans, and skunks.[2][3][4]

Animal performers that have appeared throughout the attraction's run have starred as:

History

The attraction opened in Hollywood as "Animal Actors School Stage" in 1970, in Florida as "Animal Actors Stage" in 1990, and in Japan as "Animal Actors Stage" in 2001. Both US versions of the attraction received an Animal Planet-sponsored theming from 2001 to 2006.

The Japanese iteration of the attraction was rethemed to "Toto & Friends", as part of the Land of Oz area in 2006, until being closed for the construction of the Universal Wonderland area in 2011.[8] The Hollywood incarnation of the attraction, known as "Universal's Animal Actors," closed on January 8, 2023, alongside Special Effects Stage, and both will be replaced by a Fast & the Furious-themed rollercoaster.[9][10]

References

  1. ^ "Universal Orlando-Animal Actors on Location". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  2. ^ "Animal Actors on Location | Universal Studios Florida". touringplans.com. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  3. ^ "Animal Actors on Location in Universal Studios Florida". UO FAN GUIDE. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  4. ^ "Animal Actors on Location! Review - Universal Orlando Florida - Sights | Fodor's Travel". www.fodors.com. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  5. ^ "UOFan.com – Animal Actors on Location | Universal Orlando Florida". uofan.com. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  6. ^ "Universal Studios Hollywood - Los Angeles, California - Official Site". Universal Studios Hollywood. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  7. ^ "Animal Actors Walk Of Fame Pictures and Photos - Getty Images". www.gettyimages.com. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  8. ^ "Animal Actors (Theatre)". TV Tropes. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  9. ^ Davis-Friedman, Samantha (2022-11-10). "Two Universal Studios Hollywood shows are closing". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  10. ^ Martinez, Christian (2023-07-13). "New 'Fast & Furious' coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
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