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.

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