Copied to Clipboard
A little piece of theme park magic comes to Philadelphia when a brand-new Universal Studios theme parks exhibit makes its world premiere at The Franklin Institute in early 2026.
Exhibition attendees can learn about the studio’s bevy of entertainment offerings over the years, from Universal’s earliest Studio Tram Tour — the trolley rides offered through the Universal movie lot, which have been in operation since 1964 — to newer projects like Universal Epic Universe, the Orlando-based theme park (one of the largest and most technologically advanced of its kind) that made its grand debut in May 2025.
In true Franklin Institute form, the display will have an educational focus, playing up all the science, technology, engineering, artistry and math involved in theme park design.
Read on for a guide to the exhibition — part of ongoing events in Philadelphia dedicated to America’s Semiquincentennial — that runs from February 14, 2026 through September 7, 2026.
Original artwork, replicas, models and interactive elements are on full display at Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and world-building that goes into each of the storied amusement parks.
And trust us, whether you are a theme park enthusiast, film fanatic or aspiring engineer, you are in for an incredible ride.
— Rendering by MDSX Creative
Spanning 18,000 square feet, this large-scale exhibition features eight themed galleries and 25 interactive experiences, showcasing the magic (and mathematics) behind the animatronics, robotics, ride design, costuming and special effects at Universal Studios theme parks.
Inspect over 100 vehicles, props and other original artifacts from famous rides, attractions and live shows, including Jurassic World, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda, and Universal Monsters.
Activate your imagination with hands-on activities challenging you to build coasters of your own, design monster masks, and program animated figures using real-life theme park tools and tech.
Fill your camera roll with tons of photo ops in immersive environments and with costumes of your favorite Universal live show characters, like Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon, Po and Tigress from Kung Fu Panda, and Gingy the gingerbread man from Shrek.
Considering a path in theme park design yourself? Guests of all ages can see firsthand all the very important science that goes into making thrilling coasters and immersive rides. You’ll see how these impressive professionals — storyboard artists, animators, game designers and more — translate famous movies and video games into immersive theme park experiences.
Timed tickets are required for Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition, separate from general admission to The Franklin Institute, and on sale now.
Folks can snag daytime tickets for $47 (adults), $43 (teens ages 13-17) and $41 (children ages 3-12). The best part: General museum admission to the rest of The Franklin Institute is included in the cost.
Looking to save on tickets? Consider visiting during the exhibition’s evening hours, which run from Thursdays to Saturdays after 5 p.m. These tickets will cost you $25 per person and do not include admission to the rest of the museum.
For maximum flexibility, Flex Time Tickets get you access to the exhibit at the time slot of your choosing — no advance scheduling required. Flex Time Tickets cost $65 and must be purchased in person at the box office or over the phone.
Wait, there’s more: Purchase your ticket before January 24, 2026 to be entered into a giveaway to win a four-night trip for four to Universal Orlando. The prize pack includes round-trip airfare, accommodations at the Universal Terra Luna Resort and park admission to Universal’s four theme parks, including the brand-new Universal Epic Universe.
Universal Destinations & Experiences opened its first theme park in 1964: Universal Studios Hollywood, which grew out of studio tours dating back to the 1910s. Today, there are five theme parks worldwide, in Orlando, Hollywood, Beijing, Singapore and Japan, with more parks on the way in Las Vegas; Frisco, Texas; and the United Kingdom.
The Franklin Institute has hosted world premieres of other A-list attractions, like Harry Potter: The Exhibition and Disney100, highlighting artwork and storytelling from the book/movie franchise and entertainment studio, respectively.
The Franklin Institute — Photo by R. Rabena for Visit Philadelphia
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and priceless peace of mind.
ES_EC 
EN 
ES 
FR 
PT 
FR_FR 
HR