All things Universal Studios Hollywood

[J4546]

The launch is the best part, it’s powerful and amazing. Where the ride falls apart is swooping up immediately into a block break immediately after and traversing the rest of the ride at half speed.

meh i like the ride though i wish it was longer, either way the canopy is awesome and add so much ambience to that area at night, i love it.

 

[Phroobar]

Where is the restraint device? Looking at the in park art it clearly shows a u shaped lap bar that would come down from shoulder height. The car picture shows none of that.

 

[Parteecia]

Thanks for bringing up Sierra Sidewinder - the only spinning coaster I’ve been on. If it spun anything like that it would 100% a No for me. Not because it gets me sick but because I don’t like the feeling of greying out. But really any amount of spin on those inversions at that speed doesn’t sound great to me.

I can do Grizz's spin but get sick on the teacups. On Roger Rabbit I fight the steering wheel to go straight. Looks like I'll have to sit this one out.

 

[truecoat]

Doesn't this one spin like Cosmic Rewind? Not freewheeling but turning the cars with purpose.

 

[Too Many Hats]

Looks awesome. I didn’t even realize it’ll have actual “cars” as coaster trains.

 

[mickEblu]

Looks awesome. I didn’t even realize it’ll have actual “cars” as coaster trains.

Yeah honestly it looks bad@$$. Might have to ride for the coaster car alone.

 

[Rich T]

The vehicles look cool. Wish I could get excited about this but the 360 spinning on top of the inversions etc. Yeah I dunno if it’s for me. They go from the Mummy to this? Nothing in between?

I’m on your side, but this’ll be a huge, spectacular attention-grabber for the park and probably sell a lot of APs to thrillseekers. Hopefully a great, lengthy, themed family coaster in the range of Hiccup’s or Hagrid’s is being planned for the near future, as it seems park owners are becoming aware that these new-gen launched family coasters are hitting a sweet spot with nearly every demographic.

 

[MK-fan]

For those of us old enough to remember when the park was simply a park with shows and a tram tour, around when would you say you began to consider USH to be a theme park?

 

[mickEblu]

For those of us old enough to remember when the park was simply a park with shows and a tram tour, around when would you say you began to consider USH to be a theme park?

I was a kid so it already felt like a theme park as there was a huge gorilla shaking our tram, a shark trying to eat me and a cool show with a dragon that came out of a pit. But objectively I’d say maybe when Back to the Future opened? Followed by ET.

 

[Phroobar]

I was a kid so it already felt like a theme park as there was a huge gorilla shaking our tram, a shark trying to eat me and a cool show with a dragon that came out of a pit. But objectively I’d say maybe when Back to the Future opened? Followed by ET'

I'd say when the lower lot opened with Jurassic Park and E.T. Before then it was a stop for the tram to show us the Special Effects show before moving on.

 

[MK-fan]

I was a kid so it already felt like a theme park as there was a huge gorilla shaking our tram, a shark trying to eat me and a cool show with a dragon that came out of a pit. But objectively I’d say maybe when Back to the Future opened? Followed by ET.

I never got to experience USH growing up as a child but I remember going into local places and seeing the awesome brochures they had and just being so excited by them and wishing I could go. They always made earthquake, Kongfrontation look like actual separates rides so I didn’t know any better lol. Backdraft also looks like a ride in that photo and the Kongfrontation page literally has a stock photo from USF. Living in SoCal, we never visited USH and I didn’t experience it until 2001 but at least I got to go on ET before it closed.

 

[mickEblu]

I'd say when the lower lot opened with Jurassic Park and E.T. Before then it was a stop for the tram to show us the Special Effects show before moving on.

E.T opened a few years before Jurassic Park right? I think 92 and 96? So yeah E.T would be a good choice too as you now had the lower lot and two actual attractions in the lower lot and upper lot. But Back to the Future would probably be the point that tipped their hand and where people like us would say ok I guess they re moving into being an actual theme park now. First actual ride outside the Tram if I’m not mistaken.

 

[MK-fan]

E.T opened a few years before Jurassic Park right? I think 92 and 96? So yeah E.T would be a good choice too as you now had the lower lot and two actual attractions in the lower lot and upper lot. But Back to the Future would probably be the point that tipped their hand and where people like us would say ok I guess they re moving into being an actual theme park now. First actual ride outside the Tram if I’m not mistaken.

Yes, ET opened in 1991 along with the lower lot across from the newly relocated Studio Tour while Back to the Future opened two years later in 93’. As soon as the Studio Tour moved down to the lower lot, it moved again in no time in late 94 to make way for Jurassic Park’s 1996 opening. Fun fact, Jurassic park the ride was in development a year or two before the movie was even being filmed.

Key Dates for attractions:

1986: Kongfrontation
1988: Earthquake The Big One
1991: ET Adventure
1993: Back to the Future The Ride
1996: Jurassic Park The Ride
1999: Terminator 2:3D Battle Across Time

1996 was a very pivotal year in the transition to becoming an actual theme park. Their shining achievement “Jurassic Park” just opened and they spruced the park entrance up with the iconic Universal Globe, Universal archway and a more traditional “Main Street” style entrance to the park.

It’s kind of sad that after 96’, with the exception of the three year old Terminator 2:3D attraction debuting in 99’, the park kinda suffered in terms of creative until the opening of Transformers in 2012 but have been pretty aggressive since then.

 

[mickEblu]

Yes, ET opened in 1991 along with the lower lot across from the newly relocated Studio Tour while Back to the Future opened two years later in 93’. As soon as the Studio Tour moved down to the lower lot, it moved again in no time in late 94 to make way for Jurassic Park’s 1996 opening. Fun fact, Jurassic park the ride was in development a year or two before the movie was even being filmed.

Key Dates for attractions:

1986: Kongfrontation
1988: Earthquake The Big One
1991: ET Adventure
1993: Back to the Future The Ride
1996: Jurassic Park The Ride
1999: Terminator 2:3D Battle Across Time

1996 was a very pivotal year in the transition to becoming an actual theme park. Their shining achievement “Jurassic Park” just opened and they spruced the park entrance up with the iconic Universal Globe, Universal archway and a more traditional “Main Street” style entrance to the park.

It’s kind of sad that after 96’, with the exception of the three year old Terminator 2:3D attraction debuting in 99’, the park kinda suffered in terms of creative until the opening of Transformers in 2012 but have been pretty aggressive since then.

Oh well know I know why I was confused @Phroobar I thought Back to the Future came first.

Thanks for the USH history. I don’t know it as well as Disneyland so it’s interesting to me. As a kid I went to USH just as often if not more than DL. My old memories of the lower lot was it being a ghost town with just E.T and the Lucy Tribute down there. And maybe backdraft. It’s crazy to think there were times as a kid that some of these theme parks were absolutely dead on weekdays. I remember feeling like was alone on that lower lot.

Yeah the park had a couple rough decades. For me like 87- 96 were the golden years at USH but that could be nostalgia talking too.

 

[MK-fan]

Oh well know I know why I was confused @Phroobar I thought Back to the Future came first.

Thanks for the USH history. I don’t know it as well as Disneyland so it’s interesting to me. As a kid I went to USH just as often if not more than DL. My old memories of the lower lot was it being a ghost town with just E.T and the Lucy Tribute down there. And maybe backdraft. It’s crazy to think there were times as a kid that some of these theme parks were absolutely dead on weekdays. I remember feeling like was alone on that lower lot.

Yeah the park had a couple rough decades. For me like 87- 96 were the golden years at USH but that could be nostalgia talking too.

The seeds for the Back to the Future were actually planted back in 1988 for the park. In 88’, they opened the new parking structure and created more park space by building on top of it, this is when they opened international streets of the world and Mel’s Diner. BTTF was scheduled to open in 1989 but plans changed and they built an international carnival with a carousel, runnning it for a couple of years and Feivel’s playland next to it. You can see it in the map below, it was going to be where Silly Fun Land is now.

USH history with accurate dates is really hard to find online. I have a timeline of the park and about 90% of it is pretty accurate when looking at older park maps. There is no official timeline nor does the park care too much about their history.

 

[mickEblu]

Spent a half a day at USH yesterday and in absolutely perfect theme park weather. High 70s and an almost coastal like breeze. A few thoughts:

The upper lot desperately needs a signature attraction or two. Particularly something non screen based. The new coaster should help. One of Simpsons or Minions needs to be replaced with a non simulator.

Jurassic World is such a great attraction. Checks so many boxes. It’s almost like the Splash Mountain of Universal. I think it might be better than any attraction at DLR not named POTC. I miss the classic Jurassic Park colors and probably prefer that version more but it’s still a great ride. Overall I really enjoy that entire complex including the ride and shop. I realize that it’s kind of 90s level immersion/ theming but for me that whole area has always made me feel like I’m at the Visitor Center from the first movie. I dunno I think the staging and set up is all great. It all feels very “airy” and island like. Yesterday for the first rime I discovered that lovely seating area along the flume right before unload where you can watch people get off their boats and get splashed by the dilophosaurus’. Have those always been there? All the greenery helps too. I was kind of bummed when I saw Donkey Kong POVs for the first time but apparently it’s a lot better than it looks. I’d be ok with either extending the Jurassic park theme down there or adding DK to go with the jungle motif which would still be right next door to Super Nintendo World proper.

That Mario kart queue is themed really well but it’s a drag even with fast passes you end up waiting about 25 minutes +. Those last two pre show/ holding rooms are annoying and then only to end up on that stairwell for another 10 minutes.

All the foreign tourists at USH add a fun energy to the park that you don’t really feel or see at DLR. Our JP boat was filled with tourists (from Argentina) I believe who were having the time of their lives.

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

adding DK to go with the jungle motif which would still be right next door to Super Nintendo World proper.

From my time over on the IU forums apparently DK was rumored to be added to USH's SNW as a phase 2 but was pulled due to capacity concerns.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Spent a half a day at USH yesterday and in absolutely perfect theme park weather. High 70s and an almost coastal like breeze. A few thoughts:

The upper lot desperately needs a signature attraction or two. Particularly something non screen based. The new coaster should help. One of Simpsons or Minions needs to be replaced with a non simulator.

Jurassic World is such a great attraction. Checks so many boxes. It’s almost like the Splash Mountain of Universal. I think it might be better than any attraction at DLR not named POTC. I miss the classic Jurassic Park colors and probably prefer that version more but it’s still a great ride. Overall I really enjoy that entire complex including the ride and shop. I realize that it’s kind of 90s level immersion/ theming but for me that whole area has always made me feel like I’m at the Visitor Center from the first movie. I dunno I think the staging and set up is all great. It all feels very “airy” and island like. Yesterday for the first rime I discovered that lovely seating area along the flume right before unload where you can watch people get off their boats and get splashed by the dilophosaurus’. Have those always been there? All the greenery helps too. I was kind of bummed when I saw Donkey Kong POVs for the first time but apparently it’s a lot better than it looks. I’d be ok with either extending the Jurassic park theme down there or adding DK to go with the jungle motif which would still be right next door to Super Nintendo World proper.

That Mario kart queue is themed really well but it’s a drag even with fast passes you end up waiting about 25 minutes +. Those last two pre show/ holding rooms are annoying and then only to end up on that stairwell for another 10 minutes.

All the foreign tourists at USH add a fun energy to the park that you don’t really feel or see at DLR. Our JP boat was filled with tourists (from Argentina) I believe who were having the time of their lives.

Jealous that you have great weather when we've been under heat advisory for the last several days, with several more to come.

I thought the Singles line moved decently well for Mario Kart. You also entirely skip the preshows.

 

[mickEblu]

Jealous that you have great weather when we've been under heat advisory for the last several days, with several more to come.

I thought the Singles line moved decently well for Mario Kart. You also entirely skip the preshows.

It’s been really nice here but I’m sure that’ll be changing very soon haha.

Never done single rider but skipping all of that sounds nice!

 

[Disney Vault]

Universal needs to take a page from Disneyland and add some fun coldbrews