It had today been announced that the highly anticipated Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition is set to open in 2026.
The exhibition was created by The Franklin Institute in partnership with Universal Destinations & Experiences and will debut at The Franklin Institute — in Philadelphia, PA — on February 14, 2026.
The exhibition will take guests through an inside look at storytelling, innovation and an in-depth look behind Universal’s legendary creations from the studio tour all the way up to their most recent groundbreaking project, Universal Epic Universe.
There will be eight themed galleries and 25 interactive experiences taking up 18,000 square feet of space.
Concept Art, Halloween Horror nights artefacts and event artefacts from attractions such as Jurassic World, How to Train Your Dragon and Universal Monsters will all be on display for the public to enjoy.
Experience an inside look at the storytelling, innovation, and world-building behind Universal’s legendary creations—from The World-Famous Studio Tour to the launch of Universal Epic Universe.
The Franklin Institute says:
“From animatronics and ride design to costuming and special effects, explore the artistry and technology behind the thrills and chills of the award-winning Universal theme parks. Dive into the creative world of storyboard artists, animators, game designers, visual effects artists, and prop masters for a rare glimpse into the universe of innovation powered by the talented teams pushing the boundaries of themed entertainment and shaping the future of epic experiences.”
This is such a brilliant idea and I wish a lot more theme parks around the world celebrated their heritage.
Fans have been crying out for Alton Towers to have a museum for decades as it’s a park that prides itself on its history yet instead chooses to shy away from it.
We certainly need more theme park museums either within the parks themselves or off-site the world deserves more cool experiences like this and it’s yet another promotional aspect to showcase Universal history, legacy and pave the way for more future experiences and exhibitions showcasing their standing as one of the world leaders in the attractions industry.
I look forward to seeing Universal Theme Park The Exhibition when it opens up to the public next year. Bring it on!
