IOA's next big thing/thrill attraction?

[dxwwf3]

What's wrong with MIB? That's one of the better rides at UO... I can get 999,999 everytime and I still ride it whenever I'm there... it blows Buzz Lightyear way out of the water... it'd be like comparing the Hulk to Barnstormer...

There's nothing WRONG with MIB, I just like the queue and storyline better than the ride. That wasn't ment to be a knock on the ride as much as it was a praise of the queue and storyline.

MIB has grown on me alot more with repeat rides.

Even though MIB is better in a technical sense, I think Buzz is more fun and enjoyable. Just my opinion.

 

[speck76]

What's wrong with MIB? That's one of the better rides at UO... I can get 999,999 everytime and I still ride it whenever I'm there... it blows Buzz Lightyear way out of the water... it'd be like comparing the Hulk to Barnstormer...

Exactly, it would be like comparing Hulk to Barnstormer...

MIB was a huge investment and is a anchor "E-ticket" attraction

Buzz is not, it is a minor diversion....more comparable with ET or Cat in the Hat.

 

[JROK]

There's nothing WRONG with MIB, I just like the queue and storyline better than the ride. That wasn't ment to be a knock on the ride as much as it was a praise of the queue and storyline.

MIB has grown on me alot more with repeat rides.

Even though MIB is better in a technical sense, I think Buzz is more fun and enjoyable. Just my opinion.

I'll agree with you, the queue is nice... especially when you turn the door handles and they do stuff... it reminds me of the Spider-Man queue for some reason... sorry to get all crazy but MIB has a soft spot in my heart...

Exactly, it would be like comparing Hulk to Barnstormer...

MIB was a huge investment and is a anchor "E-ticket" attraction

Buzz is not, it is a minor diversion....more comparable with ET or Cat in the Hat.

You do have me there... but I was trying to compare them like coaster to coaster or in this case laser tag to laser tag... I hate how in Buzz it's just one solid line going through rooms and you can't remove the gun... but I do like how you can turn the cars themselves...

Personally I'd rather do the shooting arcade in Frontierland than Buzz... but that's just my opinion... wasn't trying to start a war or walk on anybody's toes...

 

[dxwwf3]

I hate how in Buzz it's just one solid line going through rooms and you can't remove the gun... but I do like how you can turn the cars themselves...

I do wish they would add the gun types from the DL version. That is the only thing that I don't like about WDW's Buzz. If they had removeable guns, I would ride it alot more.

 

[dxwwf3]

I'll agree with you, the queue is nice... especially when you turn the door handles and they do stuff... it reminds me of the Spider-Man queue for some reason... sorry to get all crazy but MIB has a soft spot in my heart...

No, it's ok. I just didn't explain what I ment enough.

I really like the whole MIB backstory too. "We are alone in the universe". Unfortunately the Single Riders don't go through all of that. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and wait in the stand by line the next time I go to USF (Whenever that is).

 

[NemoRocks78]

I love MIB....I hate BLSRS (I would rather ride Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion at Carowinds, and that thing is a joke) for many reasons. However, if we had MIB at USF and BLAB at MK, I think I would like BLAB more. That thing was a hell of a lot more fun than BLSRS, and if I didn't go on MIB a lot during my visits to the Studios (gotta love the SRL) then I would definitely say BLAB was my favorite of them all.

 

[Testtrack321]

"Rip-off Soarin' clone"? That attraction was initially planned for IoA back in '95. That was even before DCA was in development. Anyway, Soarin' is just BttF flipped upside down, so if anything Soarin' is Disney taking Universal's idea into something different.

Now, I'm not as fine tuned in Universal as I am Disney, so if you could provide some links, I'd love to look up the plans and read more about it as I've never known about this before.

 

[speck76]

You do have me there... but I was trying to compare them like coaster to coaster or in this case laser tag to laser tag... I hate how in Buzz it's just one solid line going through rooms and you can't remove the gun... but I do like how you can turn the cars themselves...

Personally I'd rather do the shooting arcade in Frontierland than Buzz... but that's just my opinion... wasn't trying to start a war or walk on anybody's toes...

I am not trying to be an ______, but the kiddies have posted the whole "MIB blows Buzz away" thing so many times.......

yeah....it does, but they were not designed for the same purpose. It is apples vs. grapples

 

[Michael72688]

Now, I'm not as fine tuned in Universal as I am Disney, so if you could provide some links, I'd love to look up the plans and read more about it as I've never known about this before.

If I can find the original picture of the IoA layout, I will post it, it shows a large building right infront of the Discovery Center with a helipad on top. The site also shows logos for the area, including the Jurassic Park Jeep Tour and Helicoptours.

 

[NemoRocks78]

If I can find the original picture of the IoA layout, I will post it, it shows a large building right infront of the Discovery Center with a helipad on top. The site also shows logos for the area, including the Jurassic Park Jeep Tour and Helicoptours.

There's also a model of the island in the queue for JPRA that mentions all of the current attractions along with the Jeep Tours and Helicoptours.

 

[Michael72688]

By now, I will be happy if they build almost anything.

 

[Lynx04]

I think Universal is trying to ride Disney's HOCOE celebration. Why intruduce a new attraction now when Disney is trying to increase their attendence. I think the smart thing to do is have the attraction ready for when the celebration is over.

 

[Legacy]

I think Universal is trying to ride Disney's HOCOE celebration. Why intruduce a new attraction now when Disney is trying to increase their attendence. I think the smart thing to do is have the attraction ready for when the celebration is over.

The announce it in the middle of the celebration (September- November). Build it, open it in the beginning of 2007 after the celebration. Also, they don't have to fight marketing of Everest as much.

 

[speck76]

I think Universal is trying to ride Disney's HOCOE celebration. Why intruduce a new attraction now when Disney is trying to increase their attendence. I think the smart thing to do is have the attraction ready for when the celebration is over.

From what I have heard from our Universal contacts is that attendance is down sharply from last year

 

[Legacy]

From what I have heard from our Universal contacts is that attendance is down sharply from last year

I wouldn't be surprised at all. Attendance went up last year because of the triple threat addition at the Studios. Now... nothing. Personally I think they need to start pushing that "Take Back Your Vacation" campaign a bit more.

 

[speck76]

I wouldn't be surprised at all. Attendance went up last year because of the triple threat addition at the Studios. Now... nothing. Personally I think they need to start pushing that "Take Back Your Vacation" campaign a bit more.

I think Universal has devolved from "destination" theme park to "regional" theme park.

They really do not offer anything majorly different than the other parks in Orlando, but they do not have the Disney name.

That being said, most regional parks see large increases when an addition is made, and large decreases when no addition is made.

SeaWorld does not have this issue, as they offer something different from the other parks in Orlando......and their attendance seems to follow the economic trends, as do the Disney parks.

For Universal to have solid attendance year after year, they need to be more aggresive with their capital improvements, and become a destination again.

 

[Lynx04]

I think the only reason why they haven't been as aggressive is because of the IOA and City Walk expansions. Once they get over the expense of the expansion they will have more money to dump into the park.

 

[Madison]

"Rip-off Soarin' clone"? That attraction was initially planned for IoA back in '95. That was even before DCA was in development. Anyway, Soarin' is just BttF flipped upside down, so if anything Soarin' is Disney taking Universal's idea into something different.

Soarin' is quite a bit different mehanically than Back to the Future and is something else entirely than it "flipped upside down."

If you're claiming simply that they're both simulators -- well, Disney is the innovator there, having developed Star Tours 15 or so years earlier than IOA and DCA opened.

 

[Legacy]

Soarin' is quite a bit different mehanically than Back to the Future and is something else entirely than it "flipped upside down."

If you're claiming simply that they're both simulators -- well, Disney is the innovator there, having developed Star Tours 15 or so years earlier than IOA and DCA opened.

But Soarin' is essentially a simulator utilizing an IMAX size screen, the only innovation being that the simulator hangs and the screen is below you. I am not arguing that Disney developed simulator technology (although I've read articles where Disney took it while in mid-development and perfected it), however Soarin' is like Back to the Future only flipped upside down.

 

[speck76]

I think the only reason why they haven't been as aggressive is because of the IOA and City Walk expansions. Once they get over the expense of the expansion they will have more money to dump into the park.

But they will never get over that cost

The business model for IOA was that the 9million people that used to visit USF would also visit IOA.....since IOA opened, USF attendance tanked, and IOA attendance has never been good.

Last year, both parks were in the 6million area.....and that was a "good year"

IOA was built on a BAD business model, and the model had to change for both parks as a result.