The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show

The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show
Universal Studios Hollywood
Status Closed
Opening date 1980
Closing date 2002
Universal Studios Florida
Status Closed
Opening date 1991
Closing date 2003
Universal Studios Japan
Status Closed
Opening date 2001
Closing date 2006
General statistics
Attraction type Live Action
Theme Wild West
Set for the show in Universal Studios Florida.


The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show was a live-action theatrical presentation featuring dangerous-appearing stunts in a scripted presentation along with various mechanical and pyrotechnic special effects. The show was first mounted at Universal Studios Hollywood, opening in 1980.

History

The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show was a live stunt show at Universal Studios Hollywood, based upon a hodgepodge of Universal's Western films. Opening in 1980 in the upper lot section of the park, the show featured cowboy-themed actors surviving death-defying stunts, shootings and explosions. The show closed in 2002, leaving the arena abandoned except for its use during Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas.[1][2] It was finally demolished in 2012.

The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show was also opened at Universal Studios Florida on July 4, 1991, in the Amity section of the park. The show was nearly an exact recreation of the show from USH, although the ampitheater was more modern and better appointed.[3][4] The show closed on September 1, 2003, and was replaced by Fear Factor Live which opened on June 3, 2005.[5][6][7]

A similar show is still shown at former Universal-owned theme park PortAventura.

The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show opened on March 31, 2001, in the Western Town section of Universal Studios Japan.[8][9] The show closed in 2006 and has since been replaced by Wicked. The Western Area, and with it The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show and the Animal Actors show, were revamped to become Land of Oz in 2006. This involved completely re-theming two live shows, one restaurant, and a number of retail facilities.

A re-themed version of this show was opened at Wakayama Marina City's Porto Europa Theme Park under the title Viking Adventure. Although featuring vikings rather than cowboys, the script was virtually the same, and the major stunts were re-created verbatum. This included the high fall onto a wooden breakaway platform, and the climactic "falling facade" gag. The show is now closed.



References

  1. ↑ Strother, Susan G. (12 July 1991). "Universal Kicks Off Western Show". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  2. ↑ "How the West was stunted". Lakeland Ledger. 12 July 1991. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  3. ↑ Strother, Susan G. (July 12, 1991). "Universal Kicks Off Western Show". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  4. ↑ "How the West was stunted". Lakeland Ledger. July 12, 1991. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  5. ↑ Pack, Todd (August 8, 2003). "Universal To Close Wild West". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  6. ↑ Mussenden, Sean (January 17, 2005). "Never Fear – Creepy-crawly Fun Is On Way". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  7. ↑ Strother Clarke, Susan (April 22, 2005). "Fear Factor Live Pleases Visitors, Not Tummies". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  8. ↑ Strother, Susan G. (12 July 1991). "Universal Kicks Off Western Show". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  9. ↑ "USJ theme park has continued to misuse explosives". Japan Weekly Monitor. 19 August 2002. Retrieved 11 July 2011.


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