Wacky and Wonderful – Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone at Universal Studios
Heh-heh-heh-HEHHHH-heh!
Woody Woodpecker is back with his quirky antics and outrageous laugh as he seeks to entertain kiddos and adults alike in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone! Universal Studios is known for its over-the-top thrill rides, but there are also so many great rides and attractions for tykes under 42 inches tall, many of which can be found in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone.
Join not only Woody, but also cartoon favorites like Spongebob Squarepants and Curious George for a splendid afternoon of fun, games, and pizza the entire family can enjoy!
Guess Who?
Our national symbol might be the bald eagle, but ever since his cartoon debut in 1940, Woody Woodpecker has been giving eagles a run for their money, evening earning his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With his bright colors and obnoxiously memorable laugh, Woody continues to leave a lasting impression on all who encounter him.
Journalist Denis Gifford recounted how “Within the year Woody shot to the top of the cartoon tree and cute li’l Andy Pandy was put out to grass.”1
Woody was animated by Walter Lantz, who is also known for having animated Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. (This was after Universal Studios garnered the rights to Oswald after a contract dispute with the rabbit’s creators, Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.2)
Lantz was inspired to create Woody while honeymooning with his wife, Grace. They were staying in a cabin in California and “were amused by an acorn woodpecker who was poking nuts under the roof shingles. They liked the ‘little raucous scream’ the bird emitted.”3 Grace told her husband he should make the little bird into a character.
That character was Woody, who is now immortalized in roughly 200 cartoon shorts.
And his very own KidZone at Universal Studios, of course!
Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone: Fun For All Ages
Woody Woodpecker brings smiles and laughter once again through his KidZone, filled with fun rides fit for short-stacks, play areas to clamber through and explore, and live entertainment to dazzle and delight all ages.
ET Adventure
Everybody’s favorite alien, the adorable ET, is ready to transport you from Universal Studios to another planet – the Green Planet, to be exact! During ET Adventure, you’ll swirl through the stars and help ET save his home while meeting all of its whimsical inhabitants along the way. Keep an eye out for Easter eggs from the movie, and listen closely at the end of the ride: ET will personally thank you for all of your help and wave goodbye as you head back to earth. (Talk about getting hit right in the feels!!)
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
The perfect way to introduce kiddos to the wonder of roller coasters, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster offers thrills on a smaller scale. There’s one “big” hill and several tight turns, but no loop-de-loops or unexpected special effects.4 (There are, however, plenty of corny jokes in the queue.) This coaster is outdoors and reaches speeds of about 20 miles per hour, making it a delightful rather than daunting prospect for the youngest people in your party. However, keep in mind that the ride is only a minute long; depending on the length of the lines, you may decide it’s not quite worth the wait.5
Fievel’s Playland
Dedicated to adorable Fievel the mouse, this playground is littered with giant-sized props that shrink you down to Fievel’s size! Inspired by An American Tail and Fievel Goes West, activities include tackling a spider-web ropes course, exploring enormous tin cans (not to mention the inside of a cowboy boot), crossing swaying bridges, and plummeting down a 200-foot long waterslide!
This is a great space for kiddos to expend some energy before waiting in a line or sitting down to eat lunch. If they’ve seen Fievel’s feats on the screen, they’ll love getting to play pretend in a familiar and favorite setting.
Curious George Goes to Town
One of the most classic cartoon characters ever, Curious George graces Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone with his soft (yet mischievous) presence. Like a page from one of Margaret and H. A. Ray’s books, cartoon buildings pop up around this playground to transport your child into the world of Curious George.
You can launch foam balls at one another thanks to the Man with the Yellow Hat’s Ball Factory, but the highlight of this Curious George attraction is the water features (especially on those hot, summer days)! There are sprinklers for running through and hoses for all-out water fights.
Animal Actors on Location!
If movies like Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, Milo & Otis, and Babe speak to your soul, then Animal Actors on Location! is a must-see attraction at Universal Studios! The entire family will enjoy learning how animals are trained for the rigors of Hollywood life and absolutely love the live routines performed by talented dogs, talkative birds, frisky cats, and friendly pigs.
Character Encounters
As we’ve mentioned, Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone is home to several beloved cartoon characters, and now’s your chance to meet them all!
Spongebob Squarepants has his own meet-and-greet spot where kiddos can interact with their favorite, yellow, porous Bikini Bottom resident. Sometimes Squidward and Patrick are there, too! (So far, there are no reported sightings of Gary the meowing snail, unfortunately.)
There’s also a fantastic, interactive DreamWorks character encounter where kids will have photo-ops and a full-on dance party with favorite animated friends from Madagascar, Puss in Boots, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda!6 If you want to experience each and every character, be prepared to hang out for about an hour at DreamWorks Destination!
With fun, kid-friendly rides and attractions (and pizza!), Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone is a great place to spend the day if you are visiting Universal Studios with younger kids! And for the record, we think ET Adventure is awesome no matter how old you are.
Cover Image
Photo: Jeremy Thompson via Flickr
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