All things Universal Studios Hollywood

[mickEblu]

I would love for that to be true...or even better something exclusive and yoshi themed to blend into jurassic world haha

The Donkey Kong coaster sounds awesome to me. That mine cart level was probably one of my favorite video game levels of all time. In the SNES games and to a lesser extent the N64 game. Sounds like it has all the ingredients to be a great theme park ride. So did Mario Kart but that was more just the concept and what I thought it like be in my imagination. We know enough about Donkey Kong to at least be cautiously optimistic.

 

[mickEblu]

Another rumor - the may knock down the Fast n Furious building from the tram tour finale and combine it with Falls Lake to bring Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express to USH. That elevation change would be a neat change to Hogwarts Express I imagine.

 

[mickEblu]

Diagon Alley/ Gringotts/ Hogwarts Express, the FnF drift coaster and the Donkey Kong coaster in addition to Super Nintendo lane would move the needle for USH in a major way. Then you have what will eventually will go in the Simpsons area too. Hopefully classic Monsters.

According to Alicia Stella the loose plan is to have it all done by 2028 for the Olympics so it would go …

2023 - Super Nintendo Land/ Mario Kart
2024 - FnF Drift coaster
2025 - possible Bourne stunt show replacing Water World
2026 - Donkey Kong coaster
2027 - Simpsons replacement
2028 - Diagon Alley/ Hogwarts Express. She didn’t specifically mention Gringotts but I’d imagine it would have to be included.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Diagon Alley/ Gringotts/ Hogwarts Express, the FnF drift coaster and the Donkey Kong coaster in addition to Super Nintendo lane would move the needle for USH in a major way. Then you have what will eventually will go in the Simpsons area too. Hopefully classic Monsters.

According to Alicia Stella the loose plan is to have it all done by 2028 for the Olympics so it would go …

2023 - Super Nintendo Land/ Mario Kart
2024 - FnF Drift coaster
2025 - possible Bourne stunt show replacing Water World
2026 - Donkey Kong coaster
2027 - Simpsons replacement
2028 - Diagon Alley/ Hogwarts Express. She didn’t specifically mention Gringotts but I’d imagine it would have to be included.

I'm not emotionally prepared for them to ditch all the theater shows
It's probably time, and I suppose I can't say they didn't have a more than fair run time, but to lose Special Effects AND Animals AND Waterworld potentially over a five year period is just a bummer.

KUNG FU PANDA IS SITTING RIGHT THERE! GET RID OF THAT IF YOU NEED TO GET RID OF A SHOW!

I suppose I could understand, but would still similarly be bummed by, replacing Mummy with something else.

Still, it's hard not to feel like they're kind of about to do what USF did and rip out a bunch of stuff instead of truly adding capacity. We ding the WDW parks and particularly DHS regularly for doing that, why not ding USH for the same thing?

 

[mickEblu]

I'm not emotionally prepared for them to ditch all the theater shows
It's probably time, and I suppose I can't say they didn't have a more than fair run time, but to lose Special Effects AND Animals AND Waterworld potentially over a five year period is just a bummer.

KUNG FU PANDA IS SITTING RIGHT THERE! GET RID OF THAT IF YOU NEED TO GET RID OF A SHOW!

I suppose I could understand, but would still similarly be bummed by, replacing Mummy with something else.

Still, it's hard not to feel like they're kind of about to do what USF did and rip out a bunch of stuff instead of truly adding capacity. We ding the WDW parks and particularly DHS regularly for doing that, why not ding USH for the same thing?

Well USH doesn’t exactly have the blessing of size and they re still finding ways to expand. Regardless, we do hold Disney to a higher standard but that’s because we expect more from them.

It’s hard not to get excited at that list of future projects for USH, assuming it’s true. They re almost doubling their ride count in just a few years including coasters/ rides that aren’t screen focused. Not to mention fully fleshed out themed lands replacing generic backstage theming which makes me wonder if Transformers is long for this world on the lower lot. I like the Mummy but think Donkey Kong would be a net positive.

I’m ok losing the stage shows. I haven’t seen Miami Vice, oops I mean Water World in 20 years. I suppose I should take my son to see it next time I’m at USH. I have an an annual pass and haven’t been since early July. I have a soft spot for Animal Actors studio. At this point it’s one of the oldest things at USH along with some of the tram tour attractions like Jaws, flash flood and earthquake. It’s the oldest attraction on the upper lot for sure. I have a one very early memory there being chosen for the bird trick. Still I’m ok losing it even though I’d prefer they found a way to keep it. No real affinity for the Special Effects Stage- it’ll always be the Conan the Barbarian show to me. Hahah Kung Fu Panda is not going anywhere. They ll just keep switching it out with a new show/ IP every few years. That’s what it’s set up for.

I’m getting more excited for the FnF coaster. At first I kind of pictured more of a Six Flags coaster high in the sky but being that these are supposed to be cars drifting if they found a way to hug the ground/ terrain a bit closer I think that would be cool and make it feel a lot more unique.

Oh ya and maybe if all this stuff happens they ll stop closing at 6pm!

 

[J4546]

The better not get rid of waterworld.....thats the best live show anywhere imo.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Well USH doesn’t exactly have the blessing of size and they re still finding ways to expand. Regardless, we do hold Disney to a higher standard but that’s because we expect more from them.

It’s hard not to get excited at that list of future projects for USH, assuming it’s true. They re almost doubling their ride count in just a few years including coasters/ rides that aren’t screen focused. Not to mention fully fleshed out themed lands replacing generic backstage theming which makes me wonder if Transformers is long for this world on the lower lot. I like the Mummy but think Donkey Kong would be a net positive.

I’m ok losing the stage shows. I haven’t seen Miami Vice, oops I mean Water World in 20 years. I suppose I should take my son to see it next time I’m at USH. I have an an annual pass and haven’t been since early July. I have a soft spot for Animal Actors studio. At this point it’s one of the oldest things at USH along with some of the tram tour attractions like Jaws, flash flood and earthquake. It’s the oldest attraction on the upper lot for sure. I have a one very early memory there being chosen for the bird trick. Still I’m ok losing it even though I’d prefer they found a way to keep it. No real affinity for the Special Effects Stage- it’ll always be the Conan the Barbarian show to me. Hahah Kung Fu Panda is not going anywhere. They ll just keep switching it out with a new show/ IP every few years. That’s what it’s set up for.

I’m getting more excited for the FnF coaster. At first I kind of pictured more of a Six Flags coaster high in the sky but being that these are supposed to be cars drifting if they found a way to hug the ground/ terrain a bit closer I think that would be cool and make it feel a lot more unique.

Oh ya and maybe if all this stuff happens they ll stop closing at 6pm!

I suppose they have to be more creative about where to put things and there's only so much usable land-California gonna California I suppose. THAT SAID, I still feel like for the prices they're charging and the number of attractions they have, USH I'd say is still more overpriced and a worse value than DLR, something that is not the case in Florida. At least, right now. The equation may well be different when all of their expansions are finished.

I know that part of my sadness over the stage shows is a reflection of not being exposed to the same old, same old for 30 years and that if I had grown up visiting the place every five years or so I might feel differently. Still, they did a better job updating the Special Effects Show at least so that it always felt reasonably current vs, say, the shows they have/had at DHS.

I get that the new lands are going to be more immersive, and that's probably a positive, but USH is also the only park where the backlot theming actually works. Bittersweet.

FNF should be amazing. There's so much potential.

I wouldn't necessarily count on a later closing time unfortunately. The Universal parks in Florida are still a little skimpy on closing times. It's still a lot easier to do things there vs. WDW so it doesn't end up being as bad as you might expect, but they could stay open later for sure. It's especially frustrating in Florida when they close both parks at the same time, so it's madness at the parking garages.

 

[mickEblu]

I suppose they have to be more creative about where to put things and there's only so much usable land-California gonna California I suppose. THAT SAID, I still feel like for the prices they're charging and the number of attractions they have, USH I'd say is still more overpriced and a worse value than DLR, something that is not the case in Florida. At least, right now. The equation may well be different when all of their expansions are finished.

I know that part of my sadness over the stage shows is a reflection of not being exposed to the same old, same old for 30 years and that if I had grown up visiting the place every five years or so I might feel differently. Still, they did a better job updating the Special Effects Show at least so that it always felt reasonably current vs, say, the shows they have/had at DHS.

I get that the new lands are going to be more immersive, and that's probably a positive, but USH is also the only park where the backlot theming actually works. Bittersweet.

FNF should be amazing. There's so much potential.

I wouldn't necessarily count on a later closing time unfortunately. The Universal parks in Florida are still a little skimpy on closing times. It's still a lot easier to do things there vs. WDW so it doesn't end up being as bad as you might expect, but they could stay open later for sure. It's especially frustrating in Florida when they close both parks at the same time, so it's madness at the parking garages.

I would imagine that with all these additions we’d at least get a more average closing of time of say 8pm.

I think that tram tour more than has the backlot theming covered.

No doubt the value of a USH day ticket is pretty poor compared to DLR. Annual passes however are pretty reasonable for locals.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I guess it's good that I'm almost certainly going to USH next summer. I'm finding myself weirdly sad about losing a lot of these things. Hopefully I'll be able to soak quite a few of them in for potentially the last time.

 

[J4546]

I hope of they do expand its not daigon alley or another land that's already in FL. Give USH something exclusive to the west coast.

 

[mickEblu]

I hope of they do expand its not daigon alley or another land that's already in FL. Give USH something exclusive to the west coast.

I’d rather get Hagrids than Diagon Alley but that wouldn’t be as profitable for them.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Trouble is, if not Diagon Alley, what compelling Potter land/area could they port?

There really aren't any other options.

I do get the desire to not just copy and paste Florida's Diagon Alley, but if not Diagon Alley, would they bring over in its place?

Hagrid is awesome but there's no way they can just port over the Florida plans. They would have to do a whole other ride-and that didn't work out super well for them the last time they did that (Mummy).

 

[mickEblu]

Trouble is, if not Diagon Alley, what compelling Potter land/area could they port?

There really aren't any other options.

I do get the desire to not just copy and paste Florida's Diagon Alley, but if not Diagon Alley, would they bring over in its place?

Hagrid is awesome but there's no way they can just port over the Florida plans. They would have to do a whole other ride-and that didn't work out super well for them the last time they did that (Mummy).

Another way to put it is what else would bring them in the guaranteed revenue that Diagon alley will? Never been but I imagine they make a boat load off food and merch.

 

[Kirby86]

Trouble is, if not Diagon Alley, what compelling Potter land/area could they port?

There really aren't any other options.

I do get the desire to not just copy and paste Florida's Diagon Alley, but if not Diagon Alley, would they bring over in its place?

Hagrid is awesome but there's no way they can just port over the Florida plans. They would have to do a whole other ride-and that didn't work out super well for them the last time they did that (Mummy).

Ministry of magic like the rumored epic universe land. 1930s New York from Fantastic Beast. The Quidditch world cup camp that was in Goblet of Fire. There are places they can go. Or if they are really ambitious as JK Rowling if they can create something original. Granted she'd have to have final approval

 

[mickEblu]

Ministry of magic like the rumored epic universe land. 1930s New York from Fantastic Beast. The Quidditch world cup camp that was in Goblet of Fire. There are places they can go. Or if they are really ambitious as JK Rowling if they can create something original. Granted she'd have to have final approval

So what is the ride system on that Ministry of Magic ride? The building isn’t tall enough to be a drop tower ride.

 

[mickEblu]

I have to say Epic Universe is moving the needle for me in a major way when it comes to USO. It’s always been kind of an afterthought. A day (if that) I would maybe make time for on a long WDW trip that I was planning. Now I can’t see myself going out to Orlando without making some time (at least 3 days) for Universal.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Ministry of magic like the rumored epic universe land. 1930s New York from Fantastic Beast. The Quidditch world cup camp that was in Goblet of Fire. There are places they can go. Or if they are really ambitious as JK Rowling if they can create something original. Granted she'd have to have final approval

I think people might want to visit Ministry of Magic briefly, but that's probably more of an attraction than a land. Because when you get right down to it, the MOM is...a bureaucratic office building. Not exactly something that makes a compelling theme park land. Attraction yes, land no.

Despite Warner Bros.' efforts, people don't care about Fantastic Beasts, so they'd need to really do something mindblowing for anything specifically based off of those movies to work.

World Cup doesn't seem viable to me either. They didn't really show the World Cup in the films, and when they weren't at the game they were avoiding being attacked for sport by Voldemort's supporters. Doesn't seem like a good theme park land basis.

As for JK Rowling creating something original, it doesn't seem like it's been working out all that well with Fantastic Beasts.

But Diagon Alley, where it's basically just Hogsmeade but with more room? That will print money. It already helps that it's a shopping street, which makes money and is readily understandable even to people with no HP knowledge.

That said, I do wonder if they've decided that they're too similar to put both lands into one park because there's a fair amount of redundancy between the two areas when you take the rides out of it. I've no doubt they want to develop more Potter areas, but there really aren't any compelling lands beyond the ones that have already debuted. Attractions and walkthroughs, sure. Something that can sustain a land? Not so much.

 

[Rich Brownn]

So what is the ride system on that Ministry of Magic ride? The building isn’t tall enough to be a drop tower ride.

Rumor is a redesigned scoop vehicle

 

[Kirby86]

I think people might want to visit Ministry of Magic briefly, but that's probably more of an attraction than a land. Because when you get right down to it, the MOM is...a bureaucratic office building. Not exactly something that makes a compelling theme park land. Attraction yes, land no.

Despite Warner Bros.' efforts, people don't care about Fantastic Beasts, so they'd need to really do something mindblowing for anything specifically based off of those movies to work.

World Cup doesn't seem viable to me either. They didn't really show the World Cup in the films, and when they weren't at the game they were avoiding being attacked for sport by Voldemort's supporters. Doesn't seem like a good theme park land basis.

As for JK Rowling creating something original, it doesn't seem like it's been working out all that well with Fantastic Beasts.

But Diagon Alley, where it's basically just Hogsmeade but with more room? That will print money. It already helps that it's a shopping street, which makes money and is readily understandable even to people with no HP knowledge.

That said, I do wonder if they've decided that they're too similar to put both lands into one park because there's a fair amount of redundancy between the two areas when you take the rides out of it. I've no doubt they want to develop more Potter areas, but there really aren't any compelling lands beyond the ones that have already debuted. Attractions and walkthroughs, sure. Something that can sustain a land? Not so much.

Oh Diagon Alley is the most likley thing. I just threw put some places that could work if Universal wanted to try something different. But like you said the issue with Harry Potter is since most of the books take place in one location there isn't much that they can expand without being creative or cloning stuff from existing parks.

 

[Kirby86]

So what is the ride system on that Ministry of Magic ride? The building isn’t tall enough to be a drop

I think the early rumors claimed it was a scoop ride.