All things Universal Studios Hollywood

BasiltheBatLord

Well-Known Member
Have you been? It at least looks colorful and whimsical. The restaurant looks fun. More fun than the Maersk Tavern in GE for sure. Not sure if it’s enough to compensate for a lackluster ride though. Also looks small and cramped.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Donkey Kong expansion on the lower lot in a few years.
The restaurant is the sleeper hit of the land. If it's anything like Japan's I think it will surprise people - both the theming and the food.
 

waltography

Well-Known Member
The restaurant is the sleeper hit of the land. If it's anything like Japan's I think it will surprise people - both the theming and the food.
Toad/Kinopio is my favorite character so I'm very excited he's got the restaurant for the land. If the food is as creative as it is in Japan, it'll be a knockout (though given the translation of food from Japan to stateside, I'm worried we'll get burgers and milkshakes instead).
 

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
Toad/Kinopio is my favorite character so I'm very excited he's got the restaurant for the land. If the food is as creative as it is in Japan, it'll be a knockout (though given the translation of food from Japan to stateside, I'm worried we'll get burgers and milkshakes instead).

That’s what I’m worried about as well. At the very least I’m hoping it looks the same inside.
 

ProjectXBlog

Well-Known Member
Reservations are still going to be required for SNW, yeah? Strange we haven't heard any news about that system yet.
All they’ve said so far is that reservations are required for both the land and Mario Kart. Platinum APs can access the land after 3PM once a day without a reservation but will need a Mario Kart reservation no matter what to access the ride.
 

Parteecia

Well-Known Member

"... The creative division of Universal theme parks has been “gutted” by the exit of high-ranking executives responsible for developing rides, shows, lands and theme parks around the globe, according to an exclusive story by The Wrap."

but then ...

"'It won’t be hard for Universal to select new top creatives who have power and respect in the theme park industry as there are lots of talented people in the industry who are either out of work at the moment or likely to be willing to jump ship,” ...
 

CaptinEO

Well-Known Member

"... The creative division of Universal theme parks has been “gutted” by the exit of high-ranking executives responsible for developing rides, shows, lands and theme parks around the globe, according to an exclusive story by The Wrap."

but then ...

"'It won’t be hard for Universal to select new top creatives who have power and respect in the theme park industry as there are lots of talented people in the industry who are either out of work at the moment or likely to be willing to jump ship,” ...
Seems like all these big media companies have struggled since the pandemic, especially with their streaming investments. It also appears that themeparks end up taking the hit. It makes sense, a company can't go spending like a high roller when they are in massive debt.

I also think it's important to be realistic when thinking of themepark concept vs completion. Companies will over promise to excite their customers and investors.
 

Phroobar

Well-Known Member
All they’ve said so far is that reservations are required for both the land and Mario Kart. Platinum APs can access the land after 3PM once a day without a reservation but will need a Mario Kart reservation no matter what to access the ride.
Are they not doing virtual queuing like they have for Secret Life of Pets?
 

ProjectXBlog

Well-Known Member
Are they not doing virtual queuing like they have for Secret Life of Pets?
There’s actually been an update since I posted that — now they’re saying that the land will be free to enter without a reservation requirement, but they will be using a reservation system once the area reaches capacity. I assume they’ll do some form of the Pets system for that? I’m very curious to see how it plays out.
 

DCBaker

Premium Member
Details on Annual Pass Member previews -

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ Pass Member Preview

You're invited to be among the first to experience the brand-new SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ before the official grand opening. Let loose in this incredible, colorful land of play featuring the groundbreaking ride, Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge and imaginative interactive areas.

SELECT DATES: Jan 29 - Feb 11

An advance online reservation is required for entry into this preview. Reservations are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reservations will open here starting Jan 5, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. PT.

Event Offerings:
  • Access to the Park during regular operating park hours (for Pass Members who may be blacked out on event dates)
  • Opportunity to preview SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ before our official grand opening to the general public
  • Access to ride Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge
  • Explore the world of Super Mario™ and enjoy interactive play
  • Access to select retail and food and beverage locations within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™

 

Rob562

Well-Known Member
Not having been to USH since the 80's, how insane would we be to try and go on a weekday soon after the official SNW opening? Like in the Feb 27-Mar 2 range?

And do we think VIP Tours will be given any kind of improved access?

-Rob
 

Phroobar

Well-Known Member
Not having been to USH since the 80's, how insane would we be to try and go on a weekday soon after the official SNW opening? Like in the Feb 27-Mar 2 range?

And do we think VIP Tours will be given any kind of improved access?

-Rob
USH is a totally different park from what you saw in the 80s. Outside of a few Tram experiences the park is completely different. It's a very small park so you might get the Express entrance option to get on Mario Kart.
 

GiveMeTheMusic

Well-Known Member
Not having been to USH since the 80's, how insane would we be to try and go on a weekday soon after the official SNW opening? Like in the Feb 27-Mar 2 range?

And do we think VIP Tours will be given any kind of improved access?

-Rob

I would be shocked if USH experiences horrifying crowd surges the moment SNW opens. At the moment, even on extremely crowded days you can rope drop and negate the need for an Express purchase easily. Remains to be seen what will happen once SNW opens, so just keep an eye on social media and the forums to see what the best strategy will be post opening.
 

Phroobar

Well-Known Member
SNW is about as far as you get to the back of the park. The upper lot will be fine. Knowing how long the internal queue is, it shouldn't spill over into Transformers or elsewhere.
 

BuzzedPotatoHead89

Well-Known Member
Not having been to USH since the 80's, how insane would we be to try and go on a weekday soon after the official SNW opening? Like in the Feb 27-Mar 2 range?

And do we think VIP Tours will be given any kind of improved access?

-Rob
I usually only do USH for HHN, but as others have said paying for VIP is probably not worth the $$ for such a small park.

Assuming they open the land then do an overflow virtual queue to enter Nintendoland, to start your day the best cost saving strategy may just be regular admission but to go at opening and virtual queue Nintendo since everyone will be swarming the escalators lower lot only to very likely get pushed into VQ shortly after opening. Better to just register for the VQ from your phone once it opens and in the meantime you could hit up all of the “E-tickets” in the upper lot attractions starting with Pets, Forbidden Journey, Studio tour, etc.

Then once your virtual queue is called for you to head down to lower lot you can go enjoy Mario Kart and the land and then hit up the other more thrilling rides down there after (like Jurassic, Transformers, and Mummy). End the day with Water World if you can. But WW and the Tour require you to keep tabs on the schedule since they end operations early.

Time permitting you can hit Hippogriff, Minions, and Kung Fu Panda but honestly these are all very, very skippable. I’d say unless you’re a mega-fan of these properties or traveling with small children you may be better off wandering Hogwarts and checking re-riding FBJ again or looking at the detail of the shops. Simpsons also fits in this skippable category though it’s more thrilling if you like motion simulators.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom