LUCY: A TRIBUTE Closed!

August 17, 2015

On August 17, 2015, Universal Studios Florida (USF) closed their LUCY: A TRIBUTE exhibit and gift shop. 

The exhibit first opened its doors in May 1992, two years after the Orlando theme park / studios debuted. For the first two years of USF’s operation the building housed Silver Screen Collectibles, a movie-themed gift shop and collectibles store. 

A similar attraction had previously opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in 1989. It too, closed its doors permanently in 1997. 

Universal had so much memorabilia left over that they decided to open a similar exhibit on the East Coast. 

In addition to the many costumes, portraits, personal letters and jewelry worn by Lucy, the collection also featured all five of her shows’ Emmys on display.

Some of the Emmys have disclaimers that the Lucille Ball Estate granted Universal Studios permission for the recreations.

The exhibit featured a scale model of the sound stages where “I Love Lucy” was filmed.  

The museum also had interactive elements like The “I Love Lucy” Quiz. 

The exhibit was a combination of personal and professional memorabilia. 

All good museum experiences end at the gift shop!

After the exhibit closed, many of the items found their way into the collection of the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown, New York. 

The building was transformed into a Hello Kitty / Betty Boop themed gift shop. Notice the heart embossed in the building’s trim remains. 

A reproduction of Lucille Ball’s Walk of Fame Star is still part of the pavement outside the exhibit. 

You can still find Lucy impersonators roaming the park, despite the closure of the exhibit. 

The only remnant of Lucy in the building today is on the ‘make a penny’ machine, which embosses your penny with the Lucy logo or a Vitameatavegamin bottle. 

Lucy merchandise can still be found at The Film Vault Motion Picture Memorabilia gift shop, a short walk away. 

[some photos credit Alicia Stella of Orlando Park Stop and World of Micah]