All things Universal Studios Hollywood

[Gusey]

Maybe I’m biased but when thinking about all the potential Potter additions to the park I think USH needs Hagrids more than Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Paris or MoM. I think Diagon Alley or Paris would be overkill in the same park. The last thing USH needs is more screen based rides. So Gringotts is out. From what I understand MoM is so grand and so unique that it sort of trancends being perceived as a stereotypical “screen ride.” But it has to go somewhere and that means Paris or Diagon Alley. Hagrids is the ideal way to add more Potter to the park if they are keen on doing so. It’s checks a few boxes for USH. Physical (non screen based), indoor/ outdoor family coaster attraction. It also would fill the role the Mummy currently plays for the park which I believe is not long for this world.

As much as I’d love a Classic monsters presence at USH I also think the Monsters ride and land at Epic U would be a bit redundant due to the similarities with FJ’s ride system and Wizarding Worlds aesthetic.

If they wanted, they could make Diagon Alley without the Gringotts ride, instead adding an entrance to the Ministry of Magic, as both Diagon and MoM are located in Londond. It would make more sense than Paris to London like at Epic

 

[mickEblu]

If they wanted, they could make Diagon Alley without the Gringotts ride, instead adding an entrance to the Ministry of Magic, as both Diagon and MoM are located in Londond. It would make more sense than Paris to London like at Epic

Yeah I proposed this a while back on this very thread but still don’t think it’s the ideal ALL-IN move for USH.

 

[MistaDee]

Maybe I’m biased but when thinking about all the potential Potter additions to the park I think USH needs Hagrids more than Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Paris or MoM. I think Diagon Alley or Paris would be overkill in the same park. The last thing USH needs is more screen based rides. So Gringotts is out. From what I understand MoM is so grand and so unique that it sort of trancends being perceived as a stereotypical “screen ride.” But it has to go somewhere and that means Paris or Diagon Alley. Hagrids is the ideal way to add more Potter to the park if they are keen on doing so. It’s checks a few boxes for USH. Physical (non screen based), indoor/ outdoor family coaster attraction. It also would fill the role the Mummy currently plays for the park which I believe is not long for this world.

As much as I’d love a Classic monsters presence at USH I also think the Monsters ride and land at Epic U would be a bit redundant due to the similarities with FJ’s ride system and Wizarding Worlds aesthetic.

no. more. potter. please.
Universal has so many great IPs to pick from and JK Rowling is a massive tool as well

Hagrid’s is really some of Universal Creative’s finest work and would add a ton to the park, but I don’t think it’s their best move for two reasons.

1) it’s not space efficient enough from an overall footprint perspective, and would be very difficult to make work from a sightlines perspective. F&F as more of a naked coaster with a modern day theme can get away with views outside the park/backstage more than I think Hagrid’s could

2) With such limited space I do think USH has enough Potter already, especially with the Potter-mania seeming to have faded from its peak.
If they do feel the need to go back to the well I think we would likely see a streamlined version of Diagon with MoM so they can bring the latest and greatest technology as well as additional retail, dining and interactive wand space.

I’m also still hoping they start emphasizing exclusive experiences between Orlando/Hollywood so cloning anything Potter would be a step back

I do wonder if they plan to have a major new attraction open for the World Cup/Olympics that would require having shovel ready plans - in which case Monsters Unchained or MoM would be the main candidates and Darkmoor would easily be my preference.

 

[mickEblu]

Hagrid’s is really some of Universal Creative’s finest work and would add a ton to the park, but I don’t think it’s their best move for two reasons.

1) it’s not space efficient enough from an overall footprint perspective, and would be very difficult to make work from a sightlines perspective. F&F as more of a naked coaster with a modern day theme can get away with views outside the park/backstage more than I think Hagrid’s could

2) With such limited space I do think USH has enough Potter already, especially with the Potter-mania seeming to have faded from its peak.
If they do feel the need to go back to the well I think we would likely see a streamlined version of Diagon with MoM so they can bring the latest and greatest technology as well as additional retail, dining and interactive wand space.

I’m also still hoping they start emphasizing exclusive experiences between Orlando/Hollywood so cloning anything Potter would be a step back

I do wonder if they plan to have a major new attraction open for the World Cup/Olympics that would require having shovel ready plans - in which case Monsters Unchained or MoM would be the main candidates and Darkmoor would easily be my preference.

You don’t think Hagrids would work in the Falls Lake area? I can agree with the notion that more Potter in a land with limited expansion opportunities may not be ideal. However I’d prefer a bad @$$ ride like Hagrids to another “screen ride” or something too similar to experiences already found in the park. Old European village featuring kuka arm ride I’m not sure is the move either. As much as id like to see Classic Monsters have a presence at USH. Not to say they can’t give us a different Monsters ride entirely. Not sure how realistic that is though.

 

[MistaDee]

The park’s limitations make USH a really fun problem solving exercise, sort of how DCA has been. I think there’s actually quite a bit of potential expansion space, though all of it requires major infrastructure changes:

 

[CaptinEO]

You don’t think Hagrids would work in the Falls Lake area? I can agree with the notion that more Potter in a land with limited expansion opportunities may not be ideal. However I’d prefer a bad @$$ ride like Hagrids to another “screen ride” or something too similar to experiences already found in the park. Old European village featuring kuka arm ride I’m not sure is the move either. As much as id like to see Classic Monsters have a presence at USH. Not to say they can’t give us a different Monsters ride entirely. Not sure how realistic that is though.

I'd rather USH have a unique ride than another Florida transplant. At least we have Secret Life of Pets and the new Fast and Furious Coaster.

 

[mickEblu]

I'd rather USH have a unique ride than another Florida transplant. At least we have Secret Life of Pets and the new Fast and Furious Coaster.

I’d rather have the higher quality experience. I don’t travel to Florida often. I don’t particularly care for SLOP and FnF is just an unthemed coaster that will probably either be too intense for me and/ or just not worth the wait/ long lines it’ll command.

 

[MistaDee]

You don’t think Hagrids would work in the Falls Lake area? I can agree with the notion that more Potter in a land with limited expansion opportunities may not be ideal.

I think they could definitely find a way to make it work, I guess I'm just not convinced it would be the optimal long-term way for them to develop the space they do have.

However I’d prefer a bad @$$ ride like Hagrids to another “screen ride” or something too similar to experiences already found in the park.

Yeah 100% agree with you here, and part of the reason I'm drawn to Monsters Unchained or a similar practical effects led experience

Old European village featuring kuka arm ride I’m not sure is the move either. As much as id like to see Classic Monsters have a presence at USH. Not to say they can’t give us a different Monsters ride entirely. Not sure how realistic that is though.

Yeah having a unique adaptation of Monsters would be great if time and cost were no object but probably not realistic if they're trying to open something around the Olympics.


The park’s limitations sure make USH a really fun problem solving exercise to speculate on, sort of how DCA has been through its evolution.

I think there’s actually quite a bit of potential expansion space, though all of it requires major infrastructure changes. Falls lake is maybe the biggest single pad of flat land they have

so I'm thinking they'd want to maximize the park's long-term capacity this would be for this to be guest accessible space and the anchor of a big new land. Pipe dream would be Lord of the Rings but who knows with that IP.

In terms of their next big project I think the Tram Plaza plus adjacent backstage space is more likely than Falls Lake:

6.3 acres of not altogether flat land:

which is why I see some reason in doing more Potter since Hogsmeade can be made very proximate with some kind of Hogwarts Express/Metro Floo/Epic Portal effects tunnel escalators

If they choose to follow Dumbledore's advice and choose what is right over what is easy, then those acres could anchor a small land like Darkdmoor without the spinning coaster, or as you've raised maybe having two lands with european gothic architecture and kuka arm based dark rides would be too similar, too close.

4.5 acres without Werewolf

I wonder what other IP's they'd consider using, maybe some of what's supposed to be coming for Universal Beijing but still unannounced

 

[lazyboy97o]

I do wonder if they plan to have a major new attraction open for the World Cup/Olympics that would require having shovel ready plans - in which case Monsters Unchained or MoM would be the main candidates and Darkmoor would easily be my preference.

Neither of those would be “shovel ready”. You can’t just take drawings created for Florida and use them in California. The drawings couldn’t even be reused in Florida because of how old they are.

New, unique expansion is possible for 2028 if it can escape the development hell that has become Universal Creative.

 

[mickEblu]

I think they could definitely find a way to make it work, I guess I'm just not convinced it would be the optimal long-term way for them to develop the space they do have.

Yeah 100% agree with you here, and part of the reason I'm drawn to Monsters Unchained or a similar practical effects led experience

Yeah having a unique adaptation of Monsters would be great if time and cost were no object but probably not realistic if they're trying to open something around the Olympics.


The park’s limitations sure make USH a really fun problem solving exercise to speculate on, sort of how DCA has been through its evolution.

I think there’s actually quite a bit of potential expansion space, though all of it requires major infrastructure changes. Falls lake is maybe the biggest single pad of flat land they have

so I'm thinking they'd want to maximize the park's long-term capacity this would be for this to be guest accessible space and the anchor of a big new land. Pipe dream would be Lord of the Rings but who knows with that IP.

In terms of their next big project I think the Tram Plaza plus adjacent backstage space is more likely than Falls Lake:

6.3 acres of not altogether flat land:

which is why I see some reason in doing more Potter since Hogsmeade can be made very proximate with some kind of Hogwarts Express/Metro Floo/Epic Portal effects tunnel escalators

If they choose to follow Dumbledore's advice and choose what is right over what is easy, then those acres could anchor a small land like Darkdmoor without the spinning coaster, or as you've raised maybe having two lands with european gothic architecture and kuka arm based dark rides would be too similar, too close.

4.5 acres without Werewolf
View attachment 857388

I wonder what other IP's they'd consider using, maybe some of what's supposed to be coming for Universal Beijing but still unannounced

I agree. It’s fun to speculate and armchair imagineer with USH just like DCA.

The fact that USH doesn’t have a lot of expansion space is kind of double edged sword though isn’t it? On one hand you want attractions that are unique but on the other you don’t really have a lot of room for failure or mediocrity. If I had my way the IP/ attractions in the running at USH would be Hagrids, Monsters, Ghostbusters, LOTR, and mayyyybe more Nintendo. A Shrek boat ride would be cool too. I’d say TMNT but I know it wouldn’t be my generations TMNT.

 

[Phroobar]

How about a Battlestar Galactica ride along the lines of the Millennium Falcon ride. We get to choose between Cylon or Colonial in a space shooter.

A Creature from the Black Lagoon Jungle Cruise boat ride would be interesting.

How about a Blum House haunted house? Or a Conan the Barbarian ride?

 

[CaptinEO]

I’d rather have the higher quality experience. I don’t travel to Florida often. I don’t particularly care for SLOP and FnF is just an unthemed coaster that will probably either be too intense for me and/ or just not worth the wait/ long lines it’ll command.

But you always could travel to Florida. I haven't even been to USF, why not have more unique rides in the world?

 

[mickEblu]

But you always could travel to Florida. I haven't even been to USF, why not have more unique rides in the world?

Because im only going to fly Florida a handful of times at most. Why would I want an original ride just for the sake of it being original instead of something of higher quality? Are you telling me if Universal called you and gave you the choice between Hagrids or the FnF coaster you would choose the latter because it’s original*? Now if the choice was between two attractions of equal value then I’ll probably go with the original but I’ll never prioritize originality over quality.


*original for now

 

[Rich T]

Maybe I’m biased but when thinking about all the potential Potter additions to the park I think USH needs Hagrids more than Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Paris or MoM. I think Diagon Alley or Paris would be overkill in the same park. The last thing USH needs is more screen based rides. So Gringotts is out. From what I understand MoM is so grand and so unique that it sort of trancends being perceived as a stereotypical “screen ride.” But it has to go somewhere and that means Paris or Diagon Alley. Hagrids is the ideal way to add more Potter to the park if they are keen on doing so. It’s checks a few boxes for USH. Physical (non screen based), indoor/ outdoor family coaster attraction. It also would fill the role the Mummy currently plays for the park which I believe is not long for this world.

As much as I’d love a Classic monsters presence at USH I also think the Monsters ride and land at Epic U would be a bit redundant due to the similarities with FJ’s ride system and Wizarding Worlds aesthetic.

I think USH could find a way to fit in a version of Hagrid’s, reworked to fit the park’s spaces. It could have a different storyline, and even leave the themed area, as Hagrid does fly the motorcycle in the non-magical muggle world in the books/films. It could even take off from a version of Diagon Alley.

I can’t see Ministry of Magic being recreated-even without the Paris world—as the show building takes up so much real estate, and I think the company probably wants it to be an EU exclusive for a long time to come. But, I wouldn’t be surprised to see its technical breakthroughs adapted into another attraction for USH.

I do think USH could bring Monsters Unchained to California; if they feel the outer aesthetic looks too similar to Hogsmead, they could design a different manor and surrounding area—More swamp-like, for instance. Or even enter the attraction through a movie theater or museum/movie Time Machine.

I don’t think the ride system would be an issue; just about everyone who has ridden it at the EU previews has been on FJ, and all I hear are raves about how much more fun its use is on Monsters. (And I agree: It’s like all the fun practical set portions of FJ on steroids with none of the dome-screen nausea.)

And, so far, it seems to handle crowds very well. I think it could be a smash hit in Hollywood.

 

[eddie104]

New, unique expansion is possible for 2028 if it can escape the development hell that has become Universal Creative.

Not to be too intrusive but do you work in the industry or something ?

Because how do you know this ??

I’ve see you post similar things related to Imagineering as well.

 

[Rich T]

no. more. potter. please.
Universal has so many great IPs to pick from and JK Rowling is a massive tool as well

The thing is, Potter is one of the most brilliant and appealing fantasy worlds of our age—not to mention theme park perfection. No one thinks about Rowling while there. The creation has, thankfully, taken on its own life, and the creation has a ton of positive things to say about equality, inclusion, compassion and kindness. Dumbledore’s gay and the Hogwart’s Legacy game has a very strong, courageous trans character in it.

But, that aside, yes, yes, yes on a greater variety of Universal IP’s going forward, absolutely!

I’m imagining what they could do if they took the technology of Ministry and used it on a Back to the Future or Jaws attraction. Or How to Train Your Dragon. Lord of the Rings? Zelda? I think they’re just getting started blowing people’s minds.

 

[Rich T]

But you always could travel to Florida. I haven't even been to USF, why not have more unique rides in the world?

Well… time’s a thing. If a company creates a fantastic ride like Monsters Unchained, it’s quicker to adapt it to another park than start from scratch (though, a west coast version of a Florida ride should at least have a few changes to make both versions worth experiencing.)

I don’t want parks to be identical, but I say spread the joy if it’s a good fit for both coasts. I also say please tear out the Jimmy Fallon ride and give Florida SLoP.

That said, if the Rip Ride Rocket replacement here at USF is revealed to be F&tF instead of Ghostbusters or Back to the Future, I’m gonna be ticked off.

 

[eddie104]

I also say please tear out the Jimmy Fallon ride and give Florida SLoP.

People give Jimmy a lot of crap but it’s relatively popular and gets good guest scores.

SLOP finally coming to Orlando would be nice.

Also I agree about the coaster not being themed to Ghostbusters I will be disappointed. Perfect area for it for as far as theme goes.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Well… time’s a thing. If a company creates a fantastic ride like Monsters Unchained, it’s quicker to adapt it to another park than start from scratch (though, a west coast version of a Florida ride should at least have a few changes to make both versions worth experiencing.)

Transformers: The Ride - 3D at Universal Studios Florida was a very unique situation that even Universal would have trouble repeating, and it has completely distorted fan expectations. Most of the time savings in clones is at the front end regarding only the show aspects and isn’t that great in terms of the overall project timeline. If Monsters Unchained was snapped out of existence, Universal couldn’t even just grab the existing blueprints and rebuild it in the same spot because the drawings are now too old because they were based on a building code that is now two editions out of date.

 

[truecoat]

The thing is, Potter is one of the most brilliant and appealing fantasy worlds of our age—not to mention theme park perfection. No one thinks about Rowling while there. The creation has, thankfully, taken on its own life, and the creation has a ton of positive things to say about equality, inclusion, compassion and kindness. Dumbledore’s gay and the Hogwart’s Legacy game has a very strong, courageous trans character in it.

But, that aside, yes, yes, yes on a greater variety of Universal IP’s going forward, absolutely!

I’m imagining what they could do if they took the technology of Ministry and used it on a Back to the Future or Jaws attraction. Or How to Train Your Dragon. Lord of the Rings? Zelda? I think they’re just getting started blowing people’s minds.

I wonder how the new Potter series will affect these Potter attractions. You'll have a new set of kid actors playing Harry and all the other characters.