Universal Just Opened an 18,000-Square-Foot Museum Exhibit in Philadelphia—And It’s Like Walking Through the Parks

Universal Destinations & Experiences just launched something completely unexpected this week, and theme park fans who can’t make it to Orlando or Hollywood should be paying attention.

On February 14, 2026, Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition made its world premiere at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. This isn’t a small traveling display tucked in a corner somewhere. We’re talking about an 18,000-square-foot exhibition featuring eight themed galleries, 25 interactive experiences, and over 100 original artifacts from some of Universal’s most beloved attractions.

The timing is particularly interesting. Universal Epic Universe opened in May 2025, and now the company is taking its storytelling and technology on the road to show people exactly how the magic happens behind the scenes.

What You’ll Actually See Inside

The exhibition walks visitors through Universal’s evolution, starting with the earliest Studio Tram Tour experiences and moving all the way through to Epic Universe. You’ll see original props, ride vehicles, and design materials from attractions that have defined the theme park industry.

The interactive component is where this gets interesting. Rather than just looking at artifacts behind glass, visitors can engage with 25 hands-on experiences that demonstrate the technology and creative processes Universal uses to build immersive worlds. Think of it as equal parts museum and theme park design school.

Eight different galleries break down the experience by theme, giving you an inside look at how Universal brings franchises like Harry Potter, Jurassic World, and Super Nintendo World to life in three-dimensional space.

Why This Matters for Theme Park Fans

Universal is essentially opening up its playbook. For anyone who’s ever wondered how Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure came together, or what goes into designing a land like Super Nintendo World, this exhibition provides real answers with real artifacts.

The Philadelphia location makes this accessible to a completely different audience than the parks themselves. If you live on the East Coast and a trip to Orlando or Hollywood isn’t in the cards right now, this gives you a way to experience Universal’s creative process without boarding a plane.

The exhibition runs through September 7, 2026, at The Franklin Institute’s Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion and the Mandell Center. Daytime tickets are $47 for adults, $43 for teens, and $41 for children ages 3-12, with general museum admission included. Evening hours run Thursday through Saturday after 5 p.m. for $25 per person.

The Bigger Picture

This feels like a strategic move by Universal to expand its brand presence beyond the physical parks. We’ve seen Disney do museum exhibitions and traveling experiences for years. Universal stepping into this space signals they’re thinking about how to connect with audiences in new ways.

For theme park enthusiasts who live and breathe this stuff, the exhibition offers something the parks themselves can’t provide—a behind-the-curtain look at the design and engineering that makes modern theme park attractions possible. You’re not just riding through a Jurassic World environment. You’re seeing the blueprints, the prototypes, and the artifacts that made it real.

Philadelphia gets this first, but Universal has already announced this will tour North America. If you’re not near Philly, you may get another chance to see it closer to home later this year or in 2027.

For now, if you’re anywhere within a few hours of Philadelphia and you care about theme park design, this is worth the drive. It’s a completely different way to experience Universal’s creative vision—and you won’t have to wait in line for Space Mountain to do it.