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Credit: Universal E.T. might have phoned home, but that doesn’t mean everyone picked up.
One of the few remaining original attractions in Universal Studios Florida is the E.T. Adventure Ride, located in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone. The ride gives Guests a chance to transport E.T. from our planet here on Earth to the Green Planet, where he is able to use his magic touch to save the dying world and all of his friends.
Related: Universal Toned Down Animatronics on Jurassic Park Ride
Unfortunately, Guests visiting the Green Planet earlier this week may not have gotten the full experience.
Theme Park Reporter Alicia Stella posted a photo of Magdoll, one of E.T.’s best friends on his home planet, who fell unresponsive even after E.T.’s magic touch made it back home. She wrote:
Magdoll is passed out.
Magdoll is passed out. pic.twitter.com/kszU87yCtO
— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) December 21, 2021
Magdoll is supposed to stand up and exclaim, “You have saved our planet, come celebrate with us!” But, unfortunately, the animatronic was not responsive. Of course, had you not known she was supposed to be there, you probably wouldn’t have noticed at all.
Related: VIDEO: Hitchhiking Ghosts animatronics return to The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World
Universal Orlando Resort’s official description of E.T. Adventure Ride reads:
Fly With E.T. to His Home Planet.
E.T.’s home planet is dying and he needs your help to save it. Board your flying bike and take off on a thrilling (but gentle) ride through the sky. You’ll dodge bad guys and soar into the stars where his magical home awaits, filled with wondrous otherworldly creatures.
Just recently, Universal Orlando announced the return of one of the best portions of the E.T. Universal Studios attraction. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Universal had done away with the preshow and the distribution of Interplanetary Passports. These passports, which have your name, are synched with the attraction and allow E.T. to tell each person goodbye as the ride comes to a close.
E.T. was previously just saying ‘Goodbye, friends,’ but now, with the return of these passes, he’ll say your name if you ride the attraction, which is an awesome feature.
E.T. is one of just a few remaining Universal Picture originals in the Parks, with Back to the Future (1985) and Jaws (1975) gone. Jurrasic Park (1993) and Jurassic World (2015) are represented next door in Universal’s Islands of Adventure.