All things Universal Studios Hollywood

[PiratesMansion]

The problem with Waterworld leaving is that it's pretty much the end of an era. It's really the last major stunt show still running I can think of outside of older-than-I-am shows at DHS and (I guess) Bourne at USF. I remember my local Six Flags park having stunt shows in the nineties, and plenty of old stunt arenas are still around. But the stunt show itself is basically dead as a theme park offering, at least in the U.S. Whether it's because of lawyers, perceived outdatedness, or what, I don't imagine these shows are ever going to make a comeback, and it's a real shame.

Bourne, the newest of these sorts of shows I can think of, uses CGI backdrops and even extras at times. There's a certain visceral thrill of a stunt show like WaterWorld where it's all live, it's all practical, real life explosions are happening in front of you that aren't valued enough by modern park audiences or executives.

Even if people don't love these stunt shows, they also suck up quite a lot of people, which is handy in a park with so few rides.

So I will be very bummed if WaterWorld leaves, even if I'm the only one who might feel that way. As much as I would love for them to expand and add more attractions, I liked the Special Effects Stage. I liked Animal Actors. I liked the year-round Haunt they used to have. All of those things seemed to have decent utilization whenever I visited, but oh well.

 

[lazyboy97o]

There’s a Waterworld at every resort except Orlando for a reason. And it’s likely going into the UK park as well.

Lower Lot expansion and original attractions are a very real possibility.

 

[Misted Compass]

Has this been posted before?

View attachment 881240

FWIW the Waterworld replacement has been in these plans for 20 years, with not even the plot's shape changing. So I wouldn't take this as absolute confirmation.

 

[mickEblu]

Would this view going away be a bad thing?

 

[Phroobar]

USH recently cut about 100 yards of hillside away from the hill next to the Mummy for a retaining wall. It is a giant concrete wall about five stories tall. They put the queue for the Jason Universe maze there. They just finished this project a week or two ago. Right in the middle of that huge wall is a huge crack. If that wall came down, the hillside would bury the entire area. That crack was scarier than the maze.

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Phroobar]

Five nights at Freddy's maze was huge and excellent. Lots of Jim Henson audio animatronics that walk. It wasn't scary but a technical marvel.

The Terrifier maze had a 200 minute wait. It was gross, disgusting and wet. It's Art's greatest kills. People loved it! There is a hallway with bleach barrels on either side. Art machine guns the barrels and they spray water as you walk through. You are drenched because people move slow in the maze. I didn't get caught in it but my sister did.

Poltergeist felt empty because of the large number of boo boxes. Scarecrow was okay but Knott's Pumpkin eater was far better. Monstrous 3 was pretty much the same as last year. All three of these were pretty weak.

Fallout looked just like the show. It had great effects and gory scenes. WWE was chaotic. It felt like Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Jason was a series of his best kills.

The blumhouse tram featured Megan and Black Phone 2. Very similar to last year.

 

[Phroobar]

 

[PiratesMansion]

What is the best/least bad place to eat at USH these days?

Previous experiences include Antojitos (I swear it was good the first time. 2nd time though? Not so much), Toothsome (so far have really only liked the chocolate bread appetizer), Vivo (this was actually good, but don't have to dine here again), and the Bumblebee taco truck (fine).

Especially looking for in-park recommendations as I'll inevitably end up eating dinner there prior to HHN starting. I have the 2 PM entry ticket and Early Entry for the houses, so leaving the park for dinner isn't really an option.

 

[mickEblu]

What is the best/least bad place to eat at USH these days?

Previous experiences include Antojitos (I swear it was good the first time. 2nd time though? Not so much), Toothsome (so far have really only liked the chocolate bread appetizer), Vivo (this was actually good, but don't have to dine here again), and the Bumblebee taco truck (fine).

Especially looking for in-park recommendations as I'll inevitably end up eating dinner there prior to HHN starting.

Honestly nothing is that great. Three broomsticks Is decent.

As always I recommend Ohana BBQ. Not to be confused with a chain of a similar name which apparently exists. Great Hawaiian food down the street from USH. Favorite Mac salad in the world. It’s less mayo-y and has more of the consistency of potato salad. I like it more than any I’ve had in Hawaii. Go for the dark meat bbq chicken plate if you don’t mind thighs/ fattier chicken Otherwise white meat bbq chicken plate. Go double green salad (that comes with an excellent dressing) and just get a nice 16oz Mac salad on the side. Their steamed rice is good sushi joint quality. Chicken is great. Their teriyaki/ bbq sauce is top notch made in house but that thick syrupy stuff.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Honestly nothing is that great. Three broomsticks Is decent.

As always I recommend Ohana BBQ. Not to be confused with a chain of a similar name which apparently exists. Great Hawaiian food down the street from USH. Favorite Mac salad in the world. It’s less mayo-y and has more of the consistency of potato salad. I like it more than any I’ve had in Hawaii. Go for the dark meat bbq chicken plate if you don’t mind thighs/ fattier chicken Otherwise white meat bbq chicken plate. Go double green salad (that comes with an excellent dressing) and just get a nice 16oz Mac salad on the side. Their steamed rice is good sushi joint quality. Chicken is great. Their teriyaki/ bbq sauce is top notch made in house but that thick syrupy stuff.

Sounds like this might be a good lunch option.

Unfortunately I'm definitely stuck eating dinner in the park with the 2 PM ticket and HHN early entry. I remember Three Broomsticks being fine a few years ago but not super exciting. Still, if it's the best option for dinner I might just have to go with it anyway.

 

[mickEblu]

Sounds like this might be a good lunch option.

Unfortunately I'm definitely stuck eating dinner in the park with the 2 PM ticket and HHN early entry. I remember Three Broomsticks being fine a few years ago but not super exciting. Still, if it's the best option for dinner I might just have to go with it anyway.

Whatever you do don’t eat at Toads Cafe. It makes Alien Pizza Planet seem like a Michelin star restaurant.

 

[D.Silentu]

I think it's safe to say that Universal ought to spice up their food offerings. If I have to eat at the park I usually end up at Three Broomsticks or getting the nachos from the food truck at Simpsons Land. Wish I had better advice to share.

 

[mickEblu]

I think it's safe to say that Universal ought to spice up their food offerings. If I have to eat at the park I usually end up at Three Broomsticks or getting the nachos from the food truck at Simpsons Land. Wish I had better advice to share.

Anything good at Mel’s? Never tried it.

@PiratesMansion forgot to say I had an excellent corn dog once at Mummy Eats on the lower lot. My second time trying it wasn’t nearly as good. Hit n miss just like DL’s corn dogs. I hear Minions Cafe is decent.

 

[D.Silentu]

I have eaten at Mel’s, back when the I Love Lucy experience was open! Needless to say it’s been a while. Minion Cafe is a place that I forget exists, I should give it a try next time.

 

[Professortango1]

Don't they still have Panda Express?

 

[mickEblu]

Don't they still have Panda Express?

Yes but I haven’t tried it in over two decades. I remember the consensus being it tasted like a knock off Panda Express.

 

[mickEblu]

I have eaten at Mel’s, back when the I Love Lucy experience was open! Needless to say it’s been a while. Minion Cafe is a place that I forget exists, I should give it a try next time.

Same here. By the time we usually get over to that part of the park we’ve already eaten.

 

[J4546]

USH recently cut about 100 yards of hillside away from the hill next to the Mummy for a retaining wall. It is a giant concrete wall about five stories tall. They put the queue for the Jason Universe maze there. They just finished this project a week or two ago. Right in the middle of that huge wall is a huge crack. If that wall came down, the hillside would bury the entire area. That crack was scarier than the maze.

that walls not going anywhere

 

[Phroobar]

that walls not going anywhere

Cracks happen on new concrete. They just need to smooth that area over. It's right in the middle.