Man who helped create Universal Studios Florida, Jay Stein, dies
Updated: 2:09 PM EST Nov 7, 2025
Jay Stein, the pioneer behind Universal Studios Florida who aimed to compete with Walt Disney World, has died. His family told WESH 2 he was 88. Stein worked alongside Steven Spielberg to produce many of the original attractions when the park opened in 1990, including the Universal Studios tram tour, “Jaws,” “E.T.” and “Back to the Future.”Recently, he helped Universal’s creative team bring Epic Universe to life.Stein worked his way up the Universal ranks through the 1950s and 60s before being put in charge of the studio’s famous Studio Tram Tour in 1967.In 1986, Universal followed Disney to Florida and began designing a similar experience to the one they had in Hollywood. Sam Gennawey, a friend and author who wrote a biography on Stein, spoke about his enduring influence. “Mark Woodbury, who runs the theme parks over in Universal, was hired by Jay Stein. He’s a Jay Stein protege. So and everybody who I’ve talked to who were designers at Epic Universe constantly kept telling me that the whole Jay bangs concept and the attitude that Jay the DNA of the Theme Parks was constantly reinforced to them, which is why that park turned out so so well,” Gennawey said. “I’m glad that we’re celebrating the life of somebody who really deserves a celebration.”Stein is survived by his wife, brother, daughter, and numerous other family members, friends and supporters.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Jay Stein, the pioneer behind Universal Studios Florida who aimed to compete with Walt Disney World, has died.
His family told WESH 2 he was 88.
Stein worked alongside Steven Spielberg to produce many of the original attractions when the park opened in 1990, including the Universal Studios tram tour, “Jaws,” “E.T.” and “Back to the Future.”
Recently, he helped Universal’s creative team bring Epic Universe to life.
Stein worked his way up the Universal ranks through the 1950s and 60s before being put in charge of the studio’s famous Studio Tram Tour in 1967.
In 1986, Universal followed Disney to Florida and began designing a similar experience to the one they had in Hollywood.
Sam Gennawey, a friend and author who wrote a biography on Stein, spoke about his enduring influence.
“Mark Woodbury, who runs the theme parks over in Universal, was hired by Jay Stein. He’s a Jay Stein protege. So and everybody who I’ve talked to who were designers at Epic Universe constantly kept telling me that the whole Jay bangs concept and the attitude that Jay the DNA of the Theme Parks was constantly reinforced to them, which is why that park turned out so so well,” Gennawey said. “I’m glad that we’re celebrating the life of somebody who really deserves a celebration.”
Stein is survived by his wife, brother, daughter, and numerous other family members, friends and supporters.