After 26 Years, Universal Just Quietly Removed a Sign That’s Been at Islands of Adventure Since Opening Day—And It’s Because of a Play on Words That Could Be Offensive

Universal Orlando Resort just made a quiet change to Islands of Adventure that ended a 26-year run for one of the park’s original elements. The “Honorable Hu Nhow Plaza” sign at Port of Entry has been removed and replaced with a new mural—and Universal did it without any public announcement or explanation.

According to Inside the Magic, the sign—which had been part of the park since it opened in 1999—featured a play on words that could be considered offensive to Asian cultures. The phrase “Hu Nhow” could be interpreted as a mockery of different languages, accents, or pronunciations.

What Replaced the Sign

The updated mural now features Universal Islands of Adventure’s iconic Pharos Lighthouse with splashes of water alongside text reading “Îles D’Aventure Eau De Toilette Spray Since 1999″—a tongue-in-cheek reference to the restrooms located inside the building. It’s a much more lighthearted joke that doesn’t risk offending anyone.

The location where the sign once stood is near the recently refurbished restrooms at Port of Entry, right at the park’s entrance. Interestingly, the “Honorable Hu Nhow Plaza” sign survived a substantial restroom renovation that concluded in September 2025—just months before its removal. That timing raises questions about why Universal waited until now to make the change.

Other Changes at Port of Entry

Along with the mural replacement, Universal also relocated two guest amenities that previously sat in front of the alcove. The FuelRod charging station machine is now positioned near the water fountains on the other side of the restroom building. The pressed pennies machine has been moved closer to the entrance of the men’s restrooms, near the rental lockers.

Why This Matters

This change reflects a broader trend in the theme park industry toward reviewing legacy elements for cultural sensitivity. What may have seemed like harmless wordplay in 1999 can be viewed very differently today, particularly when it involves potential mockery of language or accent—something that disproportionately affects Asian and immigrant communities.

What’s notable here is Universal’s approach. Rather than making a public statement or drawing attention to the removal, the company simply made the change during routine maintenance. No press release, no social media announcement, no explanation. For a sign that had been part of the park for over a quarter-century, it disappeared with remarkably little fanfare.

That quiet approach likely reflects Universal’s desire to avoid the polarizing “culture war” debates that often erupt when theme parks make these kinds of updates. By handling it discreetly, Universal updated its park to be more welcoming while avoiding the controversy that comes with public explanations about what was problematic.

The new mural maintains Port of Entry’s whimsical, travel-themed atmosphere while steering clear of anything that could be interpreted as insensitive. And for most guests who never noticed the old sign in the first place, this change will go completely unnoticed—which may be exactly what Universal intended.