Is Universal Closing Too Many Attractions At One Time?

NMBC1993

NMBC1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hello all.

So this has been bothering me ever since the announcement of Disaster closing a few weeks ago. It's not that I mind attractions closing to make room for new, fresher ideas but does it seem that Universal is trying to do too much at once? If the rumors are true by 2016 -

Disaster - Closed
Twister - Closed
Beetlejuice - Closed
The Lucy Tribute - Closed
The Incredible Hulk - Refurbishment until next summer

On top of all that King Kong does not open until next summer. I would have thought they'd hold off on at least one attraction closure until the grand opening. What are they going to do when the busy holiday season rolls around? Surely Diagon Alley can't hold that many people.

I understand in the grand scheme of things the attractions listed above were always considered walk-ons but even so, they at least managed to suck up some guests to help with other lines. Maybe it's me but this seems like a strange move. I know DHS is doing the same thing but WDW has four parks to balance out guests while Universal has two. Kinda feel sorry for anyone who was saving up for APs this holiday season.

Anyway, I'm curious to know what everyone's thoughts are on the matter :)
 
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Jwhee

Jwhee

Well-Known Member
I think it is a lot that they're closing, but at the same time they're making up for it with all the new entertainment that they're adding.
 
NMBC1993

NMBC1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Jwhee said:
I think it is a lot that they're closing, but at the same time they're making up for it with all the new entertainment that they're adding.
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I do agree that it's good to see Universal trying to make up for the closures with some new entertainment. The only issue I see (which goes back to my original point) is that all these new experiences take place in the streets and with no actual "attractions" for people to stand in-line, the streets are going to become a cluster. I'm imagining 2012 on steroids. I saw a video recently of the new "construction crew" act and the entire street around them was crammed full of people, making it very difficult to get around. So in a way, it's good that Universal is trying to compensate, but I feel this will cause more harm than good.
 
Disneyhead'71

Disneyhead'71

Well-Known Member
The Sanrio store/meet and greet should be open pretty soon. There is a rumor Beetlejuice is moving to the Fear Factor theater.

And let's not forget that KidZone including Animal Actors will be closing sometime in the near future.
 
NMBC1993

NMBC1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Disneyhead'71 said:
And let's not forget that KidZone including Animal Actors will be closing sometime in the near future.
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I completely forgot about Kidzone/AA. For the love of Galactus, lets hope that area remains open until everything else (Kong, F&F, Jimmy Fallon, etc.) is finished or else Universal Studios might become the new "half-day" park in Central FL.
 
J

JT3000

Well-Known Member
I think a mountain is being made out of a molehill. The closed attractions aren't going to have a big effect on park capacity, as they weren't exactly people eaters. Hell, as much as I despise what's replacing it, there were rarely more than a few people at a time in the Lucy tribute.

When Kidzone closes, that's when the park will feel it, but it's a necessary evil if we want progress.

NMBC1993 said:
I know DHS is doing the same thing but WDW has four parks to balance out guests while Universal has two.
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Other parks don't help balance out the park you're in. WDW could have 100 parks and it wouldn't make a difference. This is why it also doesn't matter when Kong opens if you're talking about closed Studios attractions. Not that I would compare what USF is doing with what DHS has been doing anyway. They're in very different situations as far as what offerings they currently... offer.
 
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GLaDOS

GLaDOS

Well-Known Member
I think you need to look at how normal guests looked at these experiences. Twister, Beetlejuice, and Disaster were nearly always 1/2 empty. Lucy was always empty, and will be replaced in a month or two. Hulk's in a different park, and is therefore irrelevant to the conversation.

When KidZone closes the park may feel it...but even then, the only attraction anyone cares about back there, ET, will remain open. USF has a HUGE amount of attraction capacity. They'll be able to handle it, especially considering Diagon, Transformers, and Springfield are still the things the guests care about most.
 
captainmoch

captainmoch

Well-Known Member
Meh, I think the park has enough other attractions to support it for now. Besides Hulk (which is in a different park anyway), none of these were particularly popular.

KidZone on the other hand, will definately have an effect. I can see that potentially having an effect on IoA/Seuss Landing.
 
Jon81uk

Jon81uk

Well-Known Member
Lucy will be replaced by Hello Kitty within months.
Nobody knows for certain when Twister will close, but I guess early 2016 after the Xmas crowds.
I would expect Beetlejuice to re-open in the Fear Factor stage once HHN is over (as Bill & Ted use that stage).

So only really Disaster being closed to worry about at the moment. Kong will sort of fill the gap left while Twister is closed.

As others say if they start closing KidZone in 2016 then we will see the park feeling emptier.
 
JoeCamel

JoeCamel

Well-Known Member
As far as kids zone closing impacting my park time it won't for me. I ride ET once in a while but for the rest it is not my demo so no impact for me. The rest I can take or leave so the sooner they get them closed and replaced the better I like it
 
Evolution

Evolution

Active Member
NMBC1993 said:
I completely forgot about Kidzone/AA. For the love of Galactus, lets hope that area remains open until everything else (Kong, F&F, Jimmy Fallon, etc.) is finished or else Universal Studios might become the new "half-day" park in Central FL.
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Even with all that closed you still have...

Despicable Me
Shrek
Rip Ride Rockit
Transformers
Mummy
Gringotts/Diagon Alley
Men in Black
Simpsons/Springfield
ET
Terminator
Horror Makeup Show

Hardly a half day park.
 
IAmFloridaBorn

IAmFloridaBorn

Well-Known Member
NMBC1993 said:
I completely forgot about Kidzone/AA. For the love of Galactus, lets hope that area remains open until everything else (Kong, F&F, Jimmy Fallon, etc.) is finished or else Universal Studios might become the new "half-day" park in Central FL.
Click to expand...
Lets hope that area doesn't stay open. That area is like putting 87 octane gas into an Infiniti G35. Costing money but not returning any $! They need to go ahead and BULLDOZE EVERYTHING BEHIND THE SIMPSONS.
 
danpam1024

danpam1024

Well-Known Member
JoeCamel said:
As far as kids zone closing impacting my park time it won't for me. I ride ET once in a while but for the rest it is not my demo so no impact for me. The rest I can take or leave so the sooner they get them closed and replaced the better I like it
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Agreed- other than Lucy- I can't remember when we visited the others on the list.
 
JoeCamel

JoeCamel

Well-Known Member
To bring it back to UNI I will say they have plenty of attractions open while building new so I have no problem spending my money in their parks. WDW is another matter though.
 

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