All things Universal Studios Hollywood

[Touchdown]

One other bit of confirmation off the merch (not that it wasn’t heavily rumored) is that the Ministry ride will definitely involve time turners, it’s heavily featured on the shirt.

 

[Rich T]

…To be honest, Donkey Kong regardless of its quality is going to be such an operations disaster I don’t really know what’s the solution.

This is the one that puzzles me most: I mean, we see Hagrid’s over there at IoA rapidly dispatching train after train and still building up a 90-120 minute wait most of the day… And now here comes Mine Cart Madness with its 4-passenger single vehicles… um…..

It looks amazing and super-fun. Everyone’s going to want to try this. What’s the plan, guys?!?

 

[Rich T]

Trackless would be a great fit for the Luigi's Mansion dark ride rumored for Phase 2 of Epic Universe.

I’d love a Luigi’s Mansion ride, but I’d actually like to see it done as a traditional busbar tracked dark ride with a more intimate, closed-in, in-your face experience full of jump scares, sharp turns, and most-importantly—“crashing” through doors!

But trackless would be fine if they want to go with a more floaty, scooty, start-and-stop approach… also if it’s an interactive ride.

Either way, the most important thing for me would be practical sets and great art/sound design.

 

[DrAlice]

This is the one that puzzles me most: I mean, we see Hagrid’s over there at IoA rapidly dispatching train after train and still building up a 90-120 minute wait most of the day… And now here comes Mine Cart Madness with its 4-passenger single vehicles… um…..

It looks amazing and super-fun. Everyone’s going to want to try this. What’s the plan, guys?!?

Wait... what?!?!?! I hadn't heard that. To quote my tween: BRUH.

This adds to my general anxiety about overall park operations. Hopefully Universal has more plans on that front that we aren't hearing about.

 

[Rich Brownn]

I don’t think motion sickness with Monsters will be anywhere near as nausea inducing as Forbidden Journey.

Any screen-based/projected media should be supplemental in nature rather than “the show” as with FJ.

To be honest, Donkey Kong regardless of its quality is going to be such an operations disaster I don’t really know what’s the solution.

According to rumors (very reliable ones) Monsters Unchained will have few, if any, screens. Its all practical

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

They don’t have one. It’s going to be a problem and they know it.

DK was rumored for USH but was scrapped. Capacity was the culprit.

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

It’s going to be a problem at Japan in particular but also Epic.

I believe USH didn’t have a larger land for Nintendo partially because they didn’t want to lock themselves in with only a few franchises given a lack of land. It obviously was cheaper as well but that was the approach they took. Regardless, besides the lower than expected GSTAT scores for Mario Kart (despite me personally loving it), the land as a whole is a slam dunk success basically on the level of Potter.

Expect all of the Lower Lot to receive aesthetic updates over the next few years alongside an entire new land that I can’t mention quite yet.

Over on the IU forums, posters have said SS 16-24 are earmarked for theme park expansion. I personally think that with the stuff currently of Universal's plate from the F&F coaster, a Simpsons replacement with the contract up in 2028, and getting the park in its best state possible for LA2028, any expansion in the lower lot will not be until 2030 or beyond.

 

[Nland316]

Expect all of the Lower Lot to receive aesthetic updates over the next few years alongside an entire new land that I can’t mention quite yet.

A new land that we’ve seen elsewhere or something entirely new and exclusive?

 

[Professortango1]

I'd imagine that Mummy would be up for consideration soon as I doubt they want to pay to retrack it given the mid draw it is and the value of space at USH.

 

[eddie104]

I'd imagine that Mummy would be up for consideration soon as I doubt they want to pay to retrack it given the mid draw it is and the value of space at USH.

What do you think should replace it?

 

[mickEblu]

I'd imagine that Mummy would be up for consideration soon as I doubt they want to pay to retrack it given the mid draw it is and the value of space at USH.

Yeah and it seems even more expendable now that the FnF coaster is coming. Granted Mummy is a themed indoor coaster and much more family friendly. I wonder if they would get rid of it or retheme it.

 

[Nland316]

Yeah and it seems even more expendable now that the FnF coaster is coming. Granted Mummy is a themed indoor coaster and much more family friendly. I wonder if they would get rid of it or retheme it.

I feel like the placement of the coaster really gridlocks any meaningful placemaking / expansion opportunities.

Getting rid of that coaster opens up so many new pathway configurations that aren’t limited to its current layout — especially if they demo those few soundstages behind it.

Personally, I’d love to see a lake or body of water make its way down there — no matter how unlikely it is.

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

I'd imagine that Mummy would be up for consideration soon as I doubt they want to pay to retrack it given the mid draw it is and the value of space at USH.

If they want to expand the park into SS 16-24, you would almost have no choice but to knockdown Mummy.

 

[Rich T]

I'd imagine that Mummy would be up for consideration soon as I doubt they want to pay to retrack it given the mid draw it is and the value of space at USH.

If they get rid of Mummy… that would make extra sense if by any chance they’re considering adding the Epic Universe Monsters ride….

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

There have also been talks of the studio tram tour moving. If that is true, Maybe they are planning on the Simpsons replacement expanding into the spot?

 

[AlexMBush]

Multiple soundstages are indeed slated for park expansion with some closing for studio-use relatively soon.

Bringing up (ohai everyone~ I be lurking); when they announced the series of soundstages that was to be built on the former Red Sea--they've always had it planned that it would eventually allow the park to expand into the cluster of 16-24. I know they tried scooping it up during the Pandemic early; but I don't believe it worked out then.

Maybe with the Barham stages complete, and the number of soundstages lost would put them back to where they'd be without Barham--gives USH the opportunity to scoop up the land around the cluster?

 

[Phroobar]

Well they ever remove SS-15 behind Transformers? That is where they've been putting mazes lately. I believe it is also the old special effects show building back in the 80s where the tram would dump you off for the show.

 

[AlexMBush]

Well they ever remove SS-15 behind Transformers? That is where they've been putting mazes lately. I believe it is also the old special effects show building back in the 80s where the tram would dump you off for the show.

Yup--since 2018 they've been using 15 for HHN as a primary venue typical for what they'd consider a "Headliner" (elephant doors actually just opened up last week I think as they're about to gear up for work in there again).

When I've looked into it; I believed the Park scooped that up due to it's close proximity to Transformers, as there is now proper gating that separates James Stewart Avenue and the area around SS15. Whether or not that'd mean they are looking at the next step of removing it; that I doubt due to how prominent they use it for HHN (and I believe for certain buyouts).

 

[Phroobar]

Yup--since 2018 they've been using 15 for HHN as a primary venue typical for what they'd consider a "Headliner" (elephant doors actually just opened up last week I think as they're about to gear up for work in there again).

When I've looked into it; I believed the Park scooped that up due to it's close proximity to Transformers, as there is now proper gating that separates James Stewart Avenue and the area around SS15. Whether or not that'd mean they are looking at the next step of removing it; that I doubt due to how prominent they use it for HHN (and I believe for certain buyouts).

It's very weird standing in front of it looking around and realizing you've been here before your youth. We would go in and work our way from one set demonstration to another.

 

[mickEblu]

Well they ever remove SS-15 behind Transformers? That is where they've been putting mazes lately. I believe it is also the old special effects show building back in the 80s where the tram would dump you off for the show.

Speaking of Transformers, I remember all the stuff that used to be there. Backdraft, the Special Effects show and at one point I even remember a huge set for Scream (or Scream 2) and Small Soldiers you could walk through. A necessary evil I suppose to draw guests at a park where land is at a premium but they’ve definitely hacked away at the soul of the park. Animal Actors- gone. Special Effects Stage/ Conan on the upper lot- gone too. It’s crazy to think that the only thing left from 1995 and earlier is the Studio Tour which also looks very different.