Racing down a hill at a high rate of speed is a lot of fun and it’s one of the main reasons amusement parks are so successful. The loops, the spins, the shows and all the thrills also have years of cutting-edge science behind them to not only keep everyone safe, but to make sure the fun continues for years. “Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition,” a groundbreaking new exhibit that takes guests inside the immersive and innovative world of Universal Destinations Experiences’ theme parks, recently made its world premiere at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. It will be open through Sept. 7. Tickets and schedules are available at https://fi.edu. “ ‘Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition’ is a trailblazing concept that pulls back the curtain on an industry that entertains and thrills millions, revealing the science, innovation, and creativity in some of the most epic experiences in themed entertainment,” said Larry Dubinski, president and CEO of The Franklin Institute. “The exhibition brings beloved moments to life in new and exciting ways, delivering a truly unique and fun experience that we are proud to present as a world premiere in 2026.” Step into a scene in a movie at ‘Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition’ at the Franklin Institute. (Vince Carey / MediaNews Group) Meet some of the most famous characters at ‘Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition’ at the Franklin Institute. (Photo by The Franklin Institute) Jump just like Mario at ‘Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition’ at the Franklin Institute. (Photo by The Franklin Institute) Learn how animatronics move around at ‘Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition’ at the Franklin Institute. (Photo by The Franklin Institute) Get into a roller coaster seat at ‘Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition’ at the Franklin Institute. (Photo by The Franklin Institute) Show Caption1 of 5Step into a scene in a movie at ‘Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition’ at the Franklin Institute. (Vince Carey / MediaNews Group) Expand The 18,000-square-foot exhibition spans eight galleries, 20 interactive experiences, and 100 artifacts, and features fan-favorite attractions including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jaws, Illumination’s Minions, The Secret Life of Pets and Sing, Jurassic World, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, Universal Monsters and Super Nintendo World. The exhibit intro mimics the famous Universal tram experience — Babs retired years ago — with a multimedia feature that helps bring Universal’s legacy to life with archival footage, photos, and behind-the-scenes moments. Throughout the galleries, guests will program an animated figure, experiment with projection mapping, call a live show, and more. They will see objects, props, design models, mood boards, and production materials that illustrate the stages of design and the creation of theme parks and experiences. Immersive photo ops will place guests inside a ride vehicle, alongside a walk-around character, in a classic Jaws storyboard, and with Nintendo’s iconic Super Mario. Video shorts featuring storyboard artists, lighting designers, prop masters, and others will offer a glimpse into the universe of innovation. “The themed entertainment industry is innovative and future-ready, and has never been explored this way before,” said Abby Bysshe, the institute’s chief experience and strategy officer. “We curated this exhibition so that every object tells a story, and every interactive introduces a creative concept, all within a fun, hands-on environment. Guests aren’t just observing how theme parks are made, they are stepping into the process. Working with talented partners like MDSX and Universal Destinations Experiences has been incredible, and we are extremely proud of the experience that unfolds within this exhibition.” Eight different galleries help bring visitors into different aspects of the theme park design and how things work. They are: • An Unconventional Spirit showcases the innovative spirit that has fueled Universal’s century-long effort to push the boundaries of immersive entertainment. • Storytelling Wonder highlights Universal’s distinctive approach to experiential world-building, tracing the journey from early concepts and sketches to fully realized environments. • Technology Innovation focuses on the creative and technical expertise behind Universal’s most groundbreaking experiences. • Thrills The Rush of Adrenaline examines how the thrills of the big screen come to life, balancing safety and adrenaline to create jaw-dropping moments. • Scares Horror delves into Universal’s legacy of horror to understand how design and storytelling combine to create close-up encounters. • Big, Bold Entertaining celebrates live entertainment as a cornerstone of Universal’s legacy, captivating audiences with grand emotion, energy and excitement. • Authentic Immersive highlights how immersive worlds extend beyond attractions, with a focus on food, merchandise and interactive play to complete the overall experience. • The Creative in You looks toward the future, envisioning the imagination and potential of the next generation of creators. “Universal Destinations Experiences is driven by a commitment to innovation, creativity and storytelling,” said Page Thompson, president of New Ventures, Universal Destinations Experiences. “We are excited to partner with The Franklin Institute on this new exhibition offering a behind-the-scenes look at how our teams bring awe-inspiring, immersive experiences to life for our guests.” ...read more read less