u/cowmissing

Here's a photograph taken around 1992 at Universal Studios Hollywood, showing the Moulin Rouge along the Streets of the World.

One interesting detail is that the windmill blades were still attached to the building.

You can also see the surrounding European-inspired storefronts and architecture that helped give this area its distinctive atmosphere.

I'm sharing this as part of my ongoing efforts to document and preserve Universal Studios Hollywood's history through the Cow Missing Archive.

Does anyone remember this area or know approximately when the windmill blades were removed?

More history: https://cowmissing.com

Caught this great frame from the preshow safety film for Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland.

Sallah is enthusiastically demonstrating the wonders of the seat belt, while her expression seems to say, “I’m suddenly having second thoughts about this expedition.”

It’s such a small thing, but this old-school safety film has so much personality. Even the instructions became part of the attraction’s storytelling.

Buckle up, secure your earthly treasures and, of course, don’t look into the eyes of Mara. 👀

Anyone else able to hear Sallah’s voice just from looking at this photo?

I wanted to share this because I think it’s worth recognizing Universal Studios for meeting directly with members of the surrounding community regarding concerns about Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.

The meeting took place at the end of September and included discussion about the new attraction, sound mitigation, and how the coaster is affecting nearby communities.

Whatever your opinion on the noise concerns, communication between Universal and its neighbors is a good thing. Universal Studios Hollywood will continue to grow and evolve, but maintaining a good relationship with the surrounding community is important as well.

Hopefully both sides were heard, and the meeting produced something productive.

October felt like a good time to revisit Universal’s House of Horrors.

These photographs show the entrance and some of the interior scenery. The work lights and equipment give a different view of spaces many of us remember walking through in the dark.

Did you ever go through it? Which room or scare do you remember most, and were you the person leading the group or hiding behind everyone else?

I run the Cow Missing Archive, where we bring together theme park photographs, videos, and historical material. There are more House of Horrors photos and videos here if you’d like to explore: https://www.cowmissing.com/archives/house-of-horrors/

Six Flags Magic Mountain announced today that X2 has been permanently retired.

The coaster originally opened as X in 2002 before being transformed into X2 in 2008. It became one of the park’s most recognizable attractions, known for its independently rotating seats and unusual fourth-dimension coaster design.

X2 had been closed since July 12. Six Flags Magic Mountain President Brian Oerding said that while the attraction consistently passed numerous safety tests, the park ultimately decided permanent retirement was the appropriate course amid concerns surrounding guest confidence. The announcement comes amid ongoing litigation involving allegations of serious rider injuries.

I thought I’d share these two photos from the Cow Missing archive documenting X2 during its operating years.

For those who rode it: what was your first experience on X/X2 like?

44 years ago today, audiences were introduced to Michael Knight and K.I.T.T. when Knight Rider premiered on NBC.

There’s a great Universal Studios connection as well. The Universal Television production used Universal’s soundstages and backlot extensively throughout the series. K.I.T.T. later became an attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, where guests could sit inside the car and “talk” with him.

For those who visited Universal during that era: do you remember seeing K.I.T.T. at the park?

A view of the Jurassic World: The Ride show building and its massive T-Rex silhouette at Universal Studios Hollywood.

If you look to the right, you can also see a boat climbing the first lift hill before entering the attraction.

I really like this angle because it gives you a sense of the show building's scale that you don't necessarily notice while you're down at the attraction.

On this day, September 24, 1939, motion picture pioneer Carl Laemmle passed away at the age of 72.

Laemmle founded the company that became Universal Pictures and, in 1915, opened Universal City, California, creating a major motion picture production center that also welcomed visitors to watch movies being made.

More than a century later, Universal City remains home to the historic Universal studio lot and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Today, 87 years after his passing, we remember Carl Laemmle and his remarkable contribution to motion picture history—and the beginnings of a place that would eventually become an important part of theme park history as well.

Carl Laemmle
January 17, 1867 – September 24, 1939

Preserving Theme Park History.

Thought some fellow Universal/theme park history fans might appreciate this.

This is an original 1981 Universal Studios Tour plastic bag promoting the Special Effects Stage, presented by Kodak.
One of my favorite details is the artwork. The imagery depicts the destruction from Universal’s 1974 motion picture Earthquake, which was a perfect fit for an attraction devoted to demonstrating how Hollywood special effects were created.

Robert Wagner appeared as the prerecorded video host for the Special Effects Stage — he was not an in-person host. Studio Guides filled the in-person role.

The attraction was housed in Soundstages 30 and 32, both of which are now gone. The site where those stages once stood is now occupied by TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The bottom of the bag still carries the original © 1981 Universal City Studios, Inc. copyright.

It’s interesting how something as disposable as a plastic shopping bag can survive for 45 years and end up documenting a part of Universal Studios Hollywood that has otherwise completely disappeared.

Does anyone here remember seeing the Special Effects Stage in person, or have photos of Soundstages 30 and 32 from this era?

Spotted this while walking Main Street today. The window honors Dave Smith, founder of the Walt Disney Archives and Disney’s first archivist.

I especially like the wording they chose: “Preserving, Protecting & Presenting Our Fond Memories of the Past.” It’s a fitting tribute to his work preserving Disney history.

Another great example of why it’s worth looking up when walking through Main Street, U.S.A.

Arriving at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California! Starting the day at Disney California Adventure before heading over to Disneyland Park.

What attraction is always your first stop?

Part 2 of our journey through the Art the Clown Terror Tram at Universal Studios Hollywood. After meeting Art in Part 1, we continue farther into his twisted and blood-soaked world.

A look back at the entrance to Jurassic Park: The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. The original attraction operated from June 21, 1996, through September 3, 2018.

I always thought these gates did a great job of making the transition into the Jurassic Park area feel like you were actually entering the movie's world.

Super Nintendo World—Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Peach’s Castle, interactive elements, food, merchandise and more.

It’s interesting just how much they managed to pack into the land and how many details there are beyond the attraction itself.

I filmed this outside “it’s a small world” during my Disneyland visit. Thought you might enjoy a couple of minutes taking in the view out front.

Is this a regular stop for you, or an occasional ride?

I filmed KILLceañera: Music by SLASH during the opening night of Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood and edited the footage into a highlight reel.

The original haunted house follows Lola as she invites her childhood bullies to a twisted quinceañera inside the burned remains of her family home. The experience combines supernatural revenge, Latin American folklore, and an original score composed by SLASH.

This isn't a complete walkthrough, but it includes spoilers for scenes and characters inside the house.

If you've experienced it, what did you think of KILLceañera?

I took these while going through Evil Dead Burn at Universal Studios Hollywood during Halloween Horror Nights 2026.

It’s always interesting going back through the photos afterward because you get a much better look at the Deadites, makeup, sets, and little scenic details that go by incredibly quickly when you're actually walking through the house.

There are some pretty wild scenes in this one.

For anyone who has already gone through it, what did you think of Evil Dead Burn compared with the other houses this year?

I took these photos inside the Stranger Things haunted house during the opening night of Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The Demogorgon encounters were some of the most intense moments in the maze, especially the one bursting through the door. Which photo is your favorite?