Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition opens in Oregon Nov. 21. Plus: demolition reaches Mythos at Islands of Adventure, and passholders get a bigger discount store.
Universal’s traveling museum show about its theme parks has a second stop.
Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition opens at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland on Nov. 21, Laughing Place reported. It runs through April 18, 2027, and tickets are on sale now through the museum.
It’s the exhibit’s first move since its world premiere at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on Feb. 14, according to Attractions Magazine. The Philadelphia run ended in September.
Here’s NBC10 Philadelphia’s look at the exhibit before it opened:
What’s inside Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition?
A lot of Universal history. The exhibit fills 18,000 square feet with eight themed galleries, about 20 interactive stations and more than 100 original artifacts, Laughing Place reported.
Visitors can:
Build coasters, design monster masks and program animated figures using real theme park tools
See ride vehicles and props from attractions like Jurassic World and Universal Monsters
Pose with show costumes for characters like Toothless, Po, Tigress and Gingy
Learn the science and effects behind the rides
Attractions Magazine toured it in Philadelphia with Mike Aiello, a senior director of entertainment and creative development at Universal. A few things stood out:
3D-printed models used to prototype everything from VelociCoaster’s raptors and ride vehicles to the Constellation Carousel at Epic Universe
Early designs for the monsters in Epic Universe’s Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s costume, worn by the live performer who played her at Epic Universe’s media preview and grand opening
Halloween Horror Nights history, including a Terra Guard bike from 2005
What’s happening to Mythos at Islands of Adventure?
Demolition has reached it. Crews working on The Lost Continent have torn away a large section of the themed rockwork at the back of Mythos Restaurant, exposing the structure underneath, Attractions Magazine reported Sunday.
A construction wall now blocks the guest path behind the restaurant. A yellow barrier also sits in the lagoon at the base of the rockwork.
Universal confirmed earlier this year that Mythos will close in 2027 as The Lost Continent is redeveloped into a new themed area, according to Attractions Magazine. PNP covered what’s rumored to replace The Lost Continent on Sept. 13.
Why do Universal fans love Mythos so much?
It’s one of the last pieces of Islands of Adventure’s opening day in 1999. The cave-like dining room, with its waterfalls and carved rock, made Mythos feel more like an attraction than a restaurant, and it showed up on plenty of “best theme park restaurant” lists.
It also outlasted a lot. Mythos kept going through the arrival of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park’s shift to Jurassic World and the closing of Poseidon’s Fury.
Islands of Adventure won’t be without a sit-down signature spot, though. Universal plans to reopen Thunder Falls Terrace, near Jurassic Park River Adventure, as the park’s new signature full-service restaurant in 2027, Attractions Magazine reported.
What’s the new Universal passholder discount store?
It’s a bigger version of an old perk. Universal Orlando annual passholders and team members now have a larger discount store at Universal Studios Florida, Laughing Place reported. It’s been open for several weeks.
The store sits in the former exit gift shop for Fast & Furious: Supercharged, which closed in August. Shoppers line up outside the old entrance to Earthquake and Disaster!, then walk in through the same double doors.
When Laughing Place visited, items were 70% off, including Epic Universe merchandise, the UNIVRS collection and leftover Fast & Furious: Supercharged gear. The stock changes often, so what you find one day could be gone the next.
The store replaces a smaller one at the Hollywood Brown Derby near The Bourne Stuntacular. It has a capacity limit, which is why there’s a line outside.
Elsewhere in the park, facade work for the coming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster is moving quickly, Laughing Place reported.
If you’re in Portland this winter, the exhibit is the closest you’ll get to Universal without a plane ticket.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Laughing Place (Oct. 25, 2026), the Oregon dates and exhibit details, the passholder store and Hollywood Drift’s facade work
Attractions Magazine (Oct. 24 and 25, 2026), the exhibit tour and Mythos demolition
Pirates & Princesses (Sept. 13, 2026), The Lost Continent’s replacement
NBC10 Philadelphia on YouTube (Feb. 13, 2026), the exhibit preview
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