Phroobar
Well-Known Member
I wonder if fire code would allow fireworks to be shot off on top of a parking structure.
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Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway - Disneyland
- Thread starter GiveMeTheMusic
- Start date
Model3 McQueen
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
What is the city paying the Fire dept. for anyway? Give 'em some action. Move the fireworks to a more hazardous area.
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
Let’s get those fireworks centred for the first time!!
mlayton144
Well-Known Member
They should aim the fireworks right at the fun wheel , a special 4th of July extended version no less
Model3 McQueen
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
That’s it. Just move the fireworks to Pixar Pier. Then we re just one firework gone wrong from the whole land burning down.
Did WDI think about it before we did?
BasiltheBatLord
Well-Known Member
Am I wrong in thinking that sounds like a total logistical nightmare?
FerretAfros
Well-Known Member
No, it will not. This has been discussed extensively. SWL was designed with the fireworks in mind, with the northern flanks of the land inside buildings. It's yet another way to that the land was designed for the specifics of the DL site, and later copied and pasted into WDW; not that it's a terrible fit for the Studios, but the context isn't the same.
There may be some extreme situations where they have to close a portion of the land near the Falcon attraction temporarily due to unusual wind patterns, similar to how Small World Mall gets closed for pyro a couple times per year, but that will be the exception rather than the rule. I wouldn't be surprised if for the first several months they cancel the fireworks more frequently due to wind, rather than risk having to close part of the land.
I've been to several special events with fireworks from the roof of parking structures, but I think they had to clear all cars off the roof. I'm not sure if it would be worth the hassle for DL's nightly shows.
If the launch site gets moved, I can only hope that it will shift to the east, to be more centered on the castle rather than awkwardly off to the side.
CosmicDuck
Well-Known Member
I had no idea USH had the room for a Nintendo anywhere in that park. It can really use a boost, Anything not HP or the tram tour there is pretty bad. Took two friends to both USH and DLR for the first time and they were amazed at how bad USH was outside of HP. It's even worse in comparison to UOR and how great those parks are.
Any idea if 2021 USH Nintendo will be the first Nintendo we see state-side?
TwilightZone
Well-Known Member
What's bad about it? I've only been to the california version. It's pretty small and chock full of simulators, but that's the only problems I have with it.
CosmicDuck
Well-Known Member
Those are all pretty much exactly the issues for me. The size of the theme park itself is tiny and cramped, which means that theming of any kind is virtually non-existent. It also means that the queues are generic and bad. It's also nothing but simulators for the most part. If they charged 25-35% less than DLR they'd begin to make a case for it but at roughly the same cost it's definitely a far cry.
I guess in isolation that isn't the worst package, but it's sitting in the entertainment capital of the world and just a stone's throw away from Disneyland Resort which makes it look like a joke. I'll always go to bat for Universal Orlando but I've never seen anybody try to defend USH, especially compared to DLR. It's essentially an incredible land and a great tram tour surrounded by mediocre screens. It not only suffers in comparison to its sibling parks in UOR, and its competition in DLR, but even inside itself it's amazing that something like Hogwarts can co-exist with the rest of it.
What it basically comes down to is that if someone is making a trip to California and visiting DLR, I would never suggest they give up a resort day to go to USH. Unless HP is a massive draw for you, I think the extra day at DLR is always time/money better spent.
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
It seems the most egregious portion is where the actual MF prop sits. Nearly everything else captured by the extreme edges of that radius are the borders of the outdoor accessible guest areas. I assume they've thought this through.
I actually think in the end if this ride goes ahead they'll just deal with it and close it for fireworks. It's reasonably higher capacity from what I understand, so a majority of people should still be able to experience it during the day. That'll suck for the first little while when its fresh, but perhaps that will give an excuse to save on fireworks for a few months...
SuddenStorm
Well-Known Member
Fixed that for you
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I’ve defended USH many times, and I’ll do it again.
Universal has occupied that land for over 100 years, the studio tour (different from the current one) being the first attraction before a theme park was built. Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio first, theme park second. For this reason alone, along with the rich history, I separate this park from the imitations elsewhere. I think it’s amazing what they’re able to work with with the small piece of land that they have. One good thing about Universal is everything can be done in one day, unlike the DLR. For a family on a budget, USH is a viable option in comparison to the DLR. The studio tour, while not unique in terms of movie studios, it is a unique attraction in terms of theme parks. Countless movies, television shows, commercials, etc. have been filmed on that lot throughout decades, many of them considered to be classics. I’ve personally witnessed filming while on that tour, and it was pretty awesome.
Now, the attractions. I’m sick of simulators, yes. In saying that, the rides are still fun and entertaining. There’s nothing like WWoHP anywhere else in California (not Cars Land either). Water World, while dated, is a solid stunt show. The new Special Effects show is much better than its predecessor.
Grinchmas at USH is fantastic, in my opinion, for many reasons. The decor, the corny but cute tree lighting, and the other special entertainment options are great. While I prefer Halloween at Disneyland, I prefer Christmas at USH.
Another thing I admire about Universal is their hospitality. My mom and I were visiting during winter once, and it was absolutely FREEZING. We were all bundled up, but it didn’t seem to be enough. The park offered guests free hot chocolate, not in paper coffee cups, but actual Universal mugs that seek probably for at least $10. On another day, it was raining pretty hard, and Southern Californians just can’t seem to function in the rain. Later on that day, a parkwide announcement was made, letting everyone know that they would be receiving complimentary tickets due to the bad weather. Disney would NEVER do something like that. Ever.
I won’t bother getting into City Walk and how much better it is than Downtown Disney. But one thing USH does horribly is their merchandise. It’s atrocious.
I wouldn’t call USH a “stone’s throw away from Disneyland.” With that traffic on the 101, it’s going to take one at least 45 minutes to get from there to Disneyland, most likely even longer. Knott’s is a stone’s throw away from Disneyland. Yes, USH is located in the entertainment capital of the world, aka Los Angeles. Why anyone would travel all the way to Los Angeles and only go to Universal is beyond me. Universal is an attraction within the actual destination, Los Angeles. There are so many other things to do in the city and the county. USH would make a great option on a list of things to do in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is more than theme parks. I say the same thing about California in general. I always find it amusing when WDW vets and people in general travel to California is for Disneyland and Disneyland only, then complain about it not being a vacation spot with lots of things to do. That’s because California is the vacation spot and Disneyland is an attraction. MCalifornia is not Florida. There isn’t a heavy focus on theme parks. But even if there was, USH and Disneyland are each in their own separate leagues with two different offerings.
Come to Los Angeles, visit LACMA, Original Farmer’s Market, the Griffith Observatory, the Last Bookstore, Santa Monica, Universal Studios Hollywood, a beach, Grand Central Market, etc., and you’ve got yourself a solid vacation. Come to Los Angeles and only visit Universal and maybe Disneyland, and you’ve wasted valuable time.
My point is, Universal Studios Hollywood is very nice.
USH is OK and has improved with WWoHP but sadly it still feels like a half day park that is barely themed in most areas. I went about 4 times last year (bought the cheap local AP to see HP) and there are probably about five attractions I can genuinely say are good: FJ obviously, Transformers, Tram tour (but NOTHING like its heyday), Jurassic Park and the Mummy. Those are probably the 'E tickets' of the park and if HP is not that busy you can do all of that in a few hours even on a super busy day. The day time and night time entertainment is still mostly a joke. Waterworld is good but how long has that been around? The HP laser show is decent but it's five minutes. Compare that to DLR that has literally F!, Fireworks, Parade and WOC all in the same night. THat's 90 mins of night time entertainment.
USH overshot themselves when they opened HP and thought they could try and sell DLR type of Aps only to realize people weren't that excited about the boy wizard as much as they use to and those thankfully fell a ton. Maybe the newer stuff will be good but I think USH will always just be the after thought park, something to do for a day after you did Disney. I DO think it's worth seeing for sure but it's still not something you have to do more than once a year where as DLR you can go every month and still not get sick of it (especially people on these boards lol).
But I do agree with you that California (or SoCa) is not a theme park mecca like Orlando is and that's a good thing. Sadly I've only gone to Florida to do Disney world. Of course there are other things but you have to drive out of Orlando to see it. Great thing about L.A. and O.C., you get quite a bit of things to see and do within an hours drive. And USH adds to the L.A./Hollywood culture since it's all within 10 miles of the park so lots of things for tourists to do if they are sick of over priced theme park tickets.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
My thing is, why do you compare USH to the DLR? Is it because they’re both theme parks? Why are they being compared at all? When I’m at USH, I appreciate it for what it is. When I’m at the DLR, I appreciate it for what it is. When I’m at Six Flags Magic Mountain, I appreciate it for what it is. Maybe if people stopped comparing these parks to each other, they’d get more out of their experiences.
There actually are people out there who prefer USH to Disneyland. When I worked at Universal, I met multiple guests who talked about how much they disliked Disneyland, but was enjoying their time at Universal. Look through online reviews and you’ll find people who prefer Universal. Different strokes.
Sharon&Susan
Well-Known Member
I haven’t been to USH since 2016, but that new Hollywood seating area/Hello Kitty Shop, that replaced Cartooniversal, has a lovely exterior and wonderful courtyard. If only Disney was actively improving their Hollywoodland at DCA.
Why wouldn't they be? Universal is Disney's direct competitor, especially in Florida for decades now. They hired a lot of ex Disney imagineers to build rides similar to Disney's, some even better like Spider-Man and obviously WWoHP. And especially when you consider USH is not that much cheaper than DL these days, but the AP is a steal for locals at least.
And I didn't say anyone can't like the park more. And I been to every Universal theme park worldwide with the exception of Singapore and I plan to see that one next year. I like the Universal parks in general, IOA easily my favorite. USJ a close second. But sadly USH is probably the weakest in terms of actual theme park experience but the most authentic being a real working studio. And of course people can like USH over DL. There are people who like Six Flags over Disneyland. But it's clear none of those parks has close to the rabid fanbase as Disney does and why there are 100 Disney websites. I don't even know if there is an independent Universal website out there. There probably is but I usually just discuss them on other Disney sites like this one.
In time that may change though but I truly felt Universal shot its wad with Harry Potter. There hasn't been anything on that level since.
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TwilightZone
Well-Known Member
Not until Nintendo World/Mario Land that is.
I think so? I’m not familiar with UOR’s plans at this point, but if anything Nintendo opens at UOR by then it will be different than what’s built at USH.