Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster

Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster

Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster was a junior roller coaster located in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone at Universal Studios Florida. It opened on March 13, 1999, and held the distinction of being the first roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida, as well as the first coaster constructed at Universal Orlando Resort. The ride was designed to be a family-friendly experience, appealing to younger guests while still providing mild thrills. It was manufactured by Vekoma, a well-known roller coaster company that specializes in smaller-scale family coasters.

The attraction was themed around the classic animated character Woody Woodpecker, a mischievous and energetic woodpecker who first appeared in the 1940s. Created by Walter Lantz, Woody Woodpecker became an iconic figure in animation, known for his distinctive laugh and playful antics. The coaster was designed to reflect Woody’s unpredictable and chaotic personality, taking riders on a wild journey through his very own nut factory.

Queue and Ride Experience

Guests waiting in line for the ride encountered various interactive elements, including bells that could be rung to make different sounds. Along the queue path, there was a sign featuring Woody’s niece and nephew, Splinter and Knothead, humorously arguing over who would sign it first. As guests progressed through the factory-themed queue, they were eventually led to the ride vehicles, designed to resemble makeshift roller coaster carts hastily assembled by Woody himself.

Once seated, riders secured their lap bars, and a bell rang to signal the start of their adventure. The train ascended a small lift hill, providing a view of the surrounding KidZone area before reaching the top. A sign reading “Ready or nut… Here we go!” greeted riders, followed by Woody’s signature laugh. The coaster then dropped into a series of twists and turns, simulating a frantic and unpredictable ride through the nut factory. The layout consisted of gentle drops, winding curves, and small hills, making it an accessible but exciting experience for children and families. Toward the end of the ride, signs warned riders that the track was ending with messages reading “STOP! TRACK ENDS! NOW!”. The train then returned to the station, concluding the journey.

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster was part of a larger section of the park known as Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, which was designed as a dedicated area for younger visitors. The area featured attractions based on animated and family-friendly properties. Some of the other experiences that were part of KidZone included:

• E.T. Adventure – A classic dark ride that remains in operation, taking guests on a journey to help E.T. return home.
• Fievel’s Playland – A themed playground inspired by An American Tail, featuring oversized props and a giant water slide.
• Curious George Goes to Town – A large interactive water play area based on Curious George, with fountains, climbing areas, and dumping buckets.
• DreamWorks Destination – A character meet-and-greet location where guests could interact with characters from DreamWorks animated films.
• Shrek and Donkey’s Meet and Greet – A photo-op area featuring Donkey, who engaged in humorous banter with guests.

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone was a long-standing part of Universal Studios Florida, catering to younger audiences for decades. However, the section saw reduced attention in later years, and in 2022, Universal announced that it would be permanently closing to make way for a new themed area.

Closure and Replacement

On November 1, 2022, Universal Orlando announced that Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, along with several other KidZone attractions, would be closing to make room for future projects. The coaster officially shut down on January 15, 2023.

The ride’s location has since been reimagined as Trolls’ Trollercoaster, a new family coaster inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls franchise. The new coaster is part of DreamWorks Land, a refreshed area featuring attractions and experiences based on DreamWorks properties such as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and Trolls. This area introduces new interactive elements and character encounters, replacing the KidZone section with a fresh set of experiences for families visiting Universal Studios Florida.

While Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster is now a part of Universal’s past, it remains a memorable attraction for those who visited KidZone during its run. The ride provided countless first-time roller coaster experiences for young visitors and was a nostalgic staple of the park’s family-friendly offerings for over two decades.