Jay Stein

The initial idea for the exhibit came from Jay Stein , chief executive of MCA ( Universal's parent company ) Recreation Services.
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The initial idea for the exhibit came from Jay Stein , chief executive of MCA ( Universal's parent company ) Recreation Services.

JAY STEIN

Universal Studios Florida's spectacular presence in Orlando began with the vision of one man: Jay Stein.His work, along with the hundreds of people he inspired, has resulted in what is now Universal Studios Escape, one of the world's great theme park resort destinations.Stein began his career in the mailroom at MCA in 1959 and proved himself time and again in position after position.In 1967 he was promoted to president of Universal Studios Tour in Hollywood and fathered its expansion.In 1974, he was appointed president of MCA Recreation Services Group and became the critical driving force behind MCA/Universal's acquisitions and further expansion for many years following.Most significantly, Jay Stein was the vision and momentum behind the creation of Universal Studios Florida, which opened in 1990.The controversy and excitement behind the realization of USF still rings throughout the industry.It changed the face of the Orlando landscape, along with the idea of competing and complementary attractions, forever.

The association honored four industry pioneers posthumously:

What many people don't realize is while Universal was being opened, former recreation chief Jay Stein was conceiving Islands of Adventure.According to some reports, about 70% of what he envisioned actually made it into the park.