Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Now Open!

[Andrew C]

I think the problem is they desperately need at least one more attraction here (if we are being honest, probably 2 more, maybe even a third smaller one), and with 3 lands now, there is only so much you can do in terms of ideas for what you run around on. I'd say the broom idea works as long as it's not a thrill type ride similar to the others.

I would still love to have some sort of thrilling experience into Newt's suitcase. I think it could definitely differ enough from the stage show. Uni can still stick to their ride formula that something has can awry.

 

[rd805]

How does Universal benefit from this situation? They currently keep Disney from utilizing Marvel, are making tons of money from the merch, have two, immensely popular rides that are staples of Islands and the DC brand is definitely the weaker of the two.

I won't believe it until I see it because I just don't see this as anything but a loss for Universal.

IDK - while they are utilizing the property, they are also giving free advertising to their competitors owned IP (with said popular attractions). Just saying "Spiderman" and remembering how good the Spiderman ride is/was may get others to see the next movie(s) that continue to pump out. If they have a brand they own, they should probably be using that IMO.

 

[UNCgolf]

IDK - while they are utilizing the property, they are also giving free advertising to their competitors owned IP (with said popular attractions). Just saying "Spiderman" and remembering how good the Spiderman ride is/was may get others to see the next movie(s) that continue to pump out. If they have a brand they own, they should probably be using that IMO.

But they're also preventing Disney, their direct competitor in Orlando, from using Marvel properties in their parks. Having it as a potential draw/preventing Disney from using it as a draw is more beneficial to them than Disney potentially making some additional money on movies.

It's hard for me to imagine a business scenario where it would make sense for Universal to give up their Marvel rights to Disney (absent Disney paying them an exorbitant amount of money).

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

(absent Disney paying them an exorbitant amount of money).

And there isn't any real incentive for Disney to do so. Building a bunch of Marvel rides in WDW isn't going to move the needle that much on attendance, so what is the ROI?

 

[Andrew C]

And there isn't any real incentive for Disney to do so. Building a bunch of Marvel rides in WDW isn't going to move the needle that much on attendance, so what is the ROI?

Disney doesn't even know how to build a proper Marvel ride anyways...

 

[Jon81uk]

The intent of FJ is that you are flying on a broom. I don't want to fly on a broom again, no matter the ride system. A

but as far as I remember you're supposed to be on a broom in the context of what's happening in the attraction despite physically sitting on a bench in the real world.

During the pre-show and at the beginning of Forbidden Journey Hermione literally states that she has enchanted benches for us to ride on, they are benches physically and in the story presented.

 

[Jon81uk]

from what I remember, brooms hardly even feature in Fantastic Beasts. At the beginning of Crimes of Grindelwald is all I can recall off the top of my head. Anyways...I get that this previously developed ride is what is likely.

The current rumour is the previous VR ride is not being built. This is a different concept more like a rollercoaster.

 

[lazyboy97o]

During the pre-show and at the beginning of Forbidden Journey Hermione literally states that she has enchanted benches for us to ride on, they are benches physically and in the story presented.

The benches are an explantation for why you, a muggle, are flying and with three other people. The domes in particular are very clearly trying to provide a sensation like flying on a broom.

 

[TalkToEthan]

Bench or broom,…..sticking us in front of that screen— a nauseatingly unclear screen—is hands down my single worst theme park ride moment. It’s a blurry first rate internal organ rattler.

 

[UNCgolf]

During the pre-show and at the beginning of Forbidden Journey Hermione literally states that she has enchanted benches for us to ride on, they are benches physically and in the story presented.

Now that you say it, I do remember that. I still think it was clearly a decision made for capacity reasons, though, and then kind of handwaved away as part of the story -- the whole ride more or less feels like you're supposed to be on a broom.

Bench or broom,…..sticking us in front of that screen— a nauseatingly unclear screen—is hands down my single worst theme park ride moment. It’s a blurry first rate internal organ rattler.

Even if the screen wasn't blurry, it's just not very interesting. You're just going around the outside of Hogwarts and it's dreary and gloomy. The other parts of the ride are good, but the whole thing comes to a screeching, boring halt for the simulator portions.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Now that you say it, I do remember that. I still think it was clearly a decision made for capacity reasons, though, and then kind of handwaved away as part of the story -- the whole ride more or less feels like you're supposed to be on a broom.

Hogsmead and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey were designed with the idea that guests are muggles. So it’s not just capacity, but also trying to explain how you, a muggle, is doing something very similar to riding a broom.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Hogsmead and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey were designed with the idea that guests are muggles.

Breaking the wizarding prime directive, and in FJ, to have the whole school smile and wave at one's muggleness seems a bit... out of character.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Breaking the wizarding prime directive, and in FJ, to have the whole school smile and wave at one's muggleness seems a bit... out of character.

It is and pretty much everyone has ignored that little bit of story and it has t been part of anything since. I’m honestly surprised they’ve never gone in and just removed that bit of dialogue. It only really needs to be removed from the queue, as it would still work as an insult from Draco.

 

[earlthesquirrellover23]

Yeah, I haven't been on FJ in a long time (and I didn't think it was a very good ride, mostly because the simulator parts were terrible IMO despite the attraction being very impressive from a tech standpoint), but as far as I remember you're supposed to be on a broom in the context of what's happening in the attraction despite physically sitting on a bench in the real world. I think the bench is just a way to increase capacity.

They call it a flying bench in the attraction.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Hogsmead and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey were designed with the idea that guests are muggles. So it’s not just capacity, but also trying to explain how you, a muggle, is doing something very similar to riding a broom.

The same WWoHP where we are Muggles unless we want to buy a $70 wand. In that case, we are wizards and witches performing the most remarkable magic they've ever seen!

I bought one and STRONGLY suspect they are using fake phoenix feathers. Couldn’t even turn my cat into a stopwatch. Zero stars.

 

[danlb_2000]

The benches are an explantation for why you, a muggle, are flying and with three other people. The domes in particular are very clearly trying to provide a sensation like flying on a broom.

I have always assumed that the original intention for the ride was for you to be riding a broom, but they just couldn't figure out a good way to make that work.

 

[DKampy]

I have always assumed that the original intention for the ride was for you to be riding a broom, but they just couldn't figure out a good way to make that work.

A Boom ride seams as it would be among the logical first thoughts when it came to Harry Potter….. capacity wise I think it could be difficult…. I think a Flight of Passage style ride could work…. But I am sure Disney is the ownership on those patents

 

[lazyboy97o]

I have always assumed that the original intention for the ride was for you to be riding a broom, but they just couldn't figure out a good way to make that work.

It would make sense. They had also been working on the Van Helsing robocoaster ride for roughly the same spot.

 

[LSLS]

At the end of the day, does it really matter if you have two broom rides at the resort? WDW has at least like 5 that are trains and it's never really even crossed my mind cause the rides are for the most part different enough.

 

[Andrew C]

At the end of the day, does it really matter if you have two broom rides at the resort? WDW has at least like 5 that are trains and it's never really even crossed my mind cause the rides are for the most part different enough.

Not really. I am just talking about my personal preference to see something different.