NYT: "Universal....Takes Aim at Disney"

[ChrisFL]

This is an eyesore?

No, THIS is:

That's the ACTUAL Soarin' building...not The Land, which is just the entrance

 

[ChrisFL]

Yeah. The Land doesn't quite look like that anymore ... it has two giant domes (unthemed) attatched to its backside (not gonna make an Imagineer/fanboi joke here ... nope, not gonna do it ... gonna think it though!)

Its ok, Disneyland had 2 big domes with a huge rocket out front for a while in Tomorrowland

http://www.disneybymark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Tl1955Aerial.jpg

nothing phallic there...

 

[RSoxNo1]

I'm confident Universal would have hid the FJ show building if they had the room there. But they didn't. That basically took up the entire remaining plot of land for IOA excluding the relocation of backstage facilities which is something that would have to be done in the future.

Universal should paint a Tibetan Village on the side of the show building.

Also, I miss the old multi-quote option.

 

[disneyrcks]

No, THIS is:

That's the ACTUAL Soarin' building...not The Land, which is just the entrance

Is that bad? Maybe because I am younger and do not remember the skyline before that, but I don't think it looks bad. Actually I have never noticed that before. What is so bad about it?

 

[menamechris]

Is that bad? Maybe because I am younger and do not remember the skyline before that, but I don't think it looks bad. Actually I have never noticed that before. What is so bad about it?

Ya, that's bad. There is no Soarin' show building in Canada... I don't know what they could have done to prevent this, however. I guess it fools enough people being painted blue?

 

[Kiff]

Ya, that's bad. There is no Soarin' show building in Canada... I don't know what they could have done to prevent this, however. I guess it fools enough people being painted blue?

Some rockwork made to represent the Canadian rockies would help from most angles. Would look great from across the lagoon as it would add depth to the Canadian pavillion. The detail wouldn't need to be through the roof either since it would always be viewed from a fair distance.

Sadly, not going to happen any time soon.

 

[flavious27]

While I don't really have an opinion on The Land and whether it is an eyesore, I think you need to get a much more recent photo than one from 1982...that is 30 years ago now. Most buildings fall into a bit of disrepair over a 30 year time span and end up needing updated. It hard to judge a building on its current merits with a 30 year old picture.

Better?

 

[flavious27]

No, THIS is:

That's the ACTUAL Soarin' building...not The Land, which is just the entrance

I haven't see that view before bu they tried to hide it like this

Maybe if the candians complain enough that disney will try to decorate it in 18 years.

Though it isn't as jarring as this

They did nothing to help blend that in, it doesn't blend into the park in the first place.

 

[flavious27]

Tons did. Remember, it was open for 10 years. It was a victim of Cedar Fair ownership (after the Paramount Buyout), the shift of Vegas to back to trying to be all adult, and generally the idea of a concept that was too big/expensive to operate stand-alone. The stand-alone point has been the doom of many popular concepts that simply couldn't get the economies of scale in place to keep the place looking like an attractive enough investment to keep operating.

The place was top notch and matched or surpassed Disney in lots of ways.

I saw the documentary about it on the tng movies blu ray pack. It looked very well themed, which it should being that they would have the set designers from trek helping them.

I could and would like to see something similar to this added to dhs, it would work there. It would also be better than hoping that the tour of the sets is within a days drive of your house.

 

[marni1971]

Better?

Not really. Like a lot of Epcot, the foliage has been left to virtually run rampant.

It's worse further back. You can hardly see the building.

 

[flavious27]

Not really. Like a lot of Epcot, the foliage has been left to virtually run rampant.

It's worse further back. You can hardly see the building.

Well they could just put these up and take out the trees, they don't grow by their own.

 

[marni1971]

Well they could just put these up and take out the trees, they don't grow by their own.

Another radical idea of mine... Take both out!

 

[jt04]

That's fine you don't think they've proven they can achieve the scope in quality of WDI, that's your opinion. But I am curious and as others have just asked...have you actually visited Harry Potter since its opening? Heck, have you even experienced Spider Man or the Mummy? When was the last time you were actually at Universal? You STILL have yet to answer that question after several posters have asked. And please be honest. Because unless you have since the advent of Potter, I can't take you very seriously. As I've said before in the thread, Uni was dying before HP but it has now wrought an impressive, very impressive turnaround for Universal with no signs of stopping.

And good things may come to those who wait but I'm not sure it is the case here. As has been said numerous times on many threads, TDO is nervous and freaked out by the new success of Potter and Universal as a whole. That does not sound like someone who is "letting Uni show their cards before reacting." Avatarland is their next big announced project...I could be wrong but that announcement/new project seemed like a direct reaction to the success of Uni. They grabbed the hottest property they could find (and could get rights to) to develop. (If they had the rights for Marvel to appear in their parks, I'm guessing it would have been that and not Avatar). And we are already hearing reports that Avatarland is going to be scaled back!

I do think they will eventually have to do much more than Avatarland to keep ahead of their competitors (ie. I actually do hope your talk of good things coming to those who wait comes true but given how TDO has reacted in most recent projects, I'm skeptical). I don't think the Universal experience is the equivalent of Disney (or any of their other competitors) but they are getting closer. Disney's standard used to be just the Disney Worlds of years past. They were that good. Now they have let actual competitors creep into the field.

Spare me the talking point that Disney is "freaked" by the success of Potter. It has been proven WDW benefits from the success of Universal Orlando. It brought people to Orlando that would not have been there anyway and Disney benefitted.

I will tell you who is showing signs of panic and that is Uni as evidenced by there recent approval to expand Potter. I am sure they had hoped to ride the phase 1 of Potter a bit further. But the buzz has already diminished as evidenced by decreased wait times.

I have not experienced FJ, don't need to. I have read numerous reviews from people I know are not trolling on behalf of Universal. And even the most rabid fanboys can't disguise the undercurrent of dissappointment. I am not saying it is not great as it likely is but for the vast majority the hype could not equal expectations. Marketing can be a two-edged sword.

I will not revisit the Orlando area until they add enough new content. I have too many other commitments to be able to go to Orlando area regularly. But I have been to Universal several times and have experienced everything except FJ and after.

Again, I read tons of reviews and trip reports and FJ may be the most advanced theme park experience ever but it still lacks that special secret recipe WDI keeps locked in the vault.

When more that one person whom I respect claims to love FJ but that they still think Spiderman is a better experience at Universal, then that is all I need to know. As for me. I will stick with the Haunted Mansion. It has all the ingredients. Created by people who understood committment and have/had a depth of character that is rarely found today. And it shows in the final product.

You and others can rant and rave about FJ all day but you can't change this fact no matter how much you would like to.

 

[flavious27]

Another radical idea of mine... Take both out!

But then what would we complain about? They aren't going to demo m:s to rebuild horizons and wol is going to be an eyesore on the corner of the park.

 

[marni1971]

I will tell you who is showing signs of panic and that is Uni as evidenced by there recent approval to expand Potter.

Sorry JT but that made me laugh. Tell me now panicking is spending hundreds of millions of dollars?

It's not panic. It's the realisation that spend properly and you'll recoup the rewards. As said by USF management. And you can quote me. Potter phase one recouped its budget in EIGHT WEEKS. Thats 200 million in 2 months. Only idiotic management would rest on their laurels and squeeze as much out as they can without continuing the momentum.

 

[flavious27]

Sorry JT but that made me laugh. Tell me now panicking is spending hundreds of millions of dollars?

It's not panic. It's the realisation that spend properly and you'll recoup the rewards. As said by USF management. And you can quote me. Potter phase one recouped its budget in EIGHT WEEKS. Thats 200 million in 2 months. Only idiotic management would rest on their laurels and squeeze as much out as they can without continuing the momentum.

Isn't phase two of wwhp part of the contract that uni signed with wb?

 

[bubbles1812]

Spare me the talking point that Disney is "freaked" by the success of Potter. It has been proven WDW benefits from the success of Universal Orlando. It brought people to Orlando that would not have been there anyway and Disney benefitted.

I will tell you who is showing signs of panic and that is Uni as evidenced by there recent approval to expand Potter. I am sure they had hoped to ride the phase 1 of Potter a bit further. But the buzz has already diminished as evidenced by decreased wait times.

I have not experienced FJ, don't need to. I have read numerous reviews from people I know are not trolling on behalf of Universal. And even the most rabid fanboys can't disguise the undercurrent of dissappointment. I am not saying it is not great as it likely is but for the vast majority the hype could not equal expectations. Marketing can be a two-edged sword.

I will not revisit the Orlando area until they add enough new content. I have too many other commitments to be able to go to Orlando area regularly. But I have been to Universal several times and have experienced everything except FJ and after.

Again, I read tons of reviews and trip reports and FJ may be the most advanced theme park experience ever but it still lacks that special secret recipe WDI keeps locked in the vault.

When more that one person whom I respect claims to love FJ but that they still think Spiderman is a better experience at Universal, then that is all I need to know. As for me. I will stick with the Haunted Mansion. It has all the ingredients. Created by people who understood committment and have/had a depth of character that is rarely found today. And it shows in the final product.

You and others can rant and rave about FJ all day but you can't change this fact no matter how much you would like to.

What an asinine post. Please link me to an actual article showing how Disney has benefited from Uni...I don't mean you just spouting that it has or other people, but an actual legit article or source.

I don't think Potter 2.0 is a result of Uni panicking. I think it was a say of..."Hey, this makes a freak ton of money and Jaws is really really old so let's make another area and make some more money." I don't think they are panicking when they know their going to get millions pumped in every year from there owners and making millions. And you are judging its supposed decrease in wait times based on decreased wait times? How silly. There are times when Disney's most popular attractions have decreased wait times too and I don't think they are any less popular. I am not sure where you are getting "rapid fanboi undercurrent of disappointment" or that the "vast majority" the hype did not equal expectations...from what I've seen online on other forums and in my own experience with people who have been to the parks, the majority are quiet happy with what Uni has done and of course what they are planning to do in the future too.

You seem to be judging the whole of HP based on peoples reactions to FJ alone. Of course some people will always like other rides better. They are different and varied and everyone has their preferences. Though the majority seems to enjoy it but whatever, even beyond that, I don't think you can argue that Universal didn't go all out where their presentation...they built the entire Hogwarts castle and a walk through that stands all on its own without the ride. You also haven't been on it to judge for yourself so there is that...

Overall it's just hard to take you seriously though since it sounds like you haven't visited Universal or Disney recently. Or even in the past few years. Reading trip reports and reviews while informative aren't the same as experiencing it yourself. Also, please note....I am not "trollin for Universal." That is about the dumbest thing I've seen you write thus far. I can and do like both places.

 

[bubbles1812]

Isn't phase two of wwhp part of the contract that uni signed with wb?

I never heard that they had to do anything more than what they did for Potter phase 1.o?? I'm sure there was something in the contracts saying if you reach certain goals, we can explore expanding or something... but either way, not exactly panic when you are making millions upon millions each month.

 

[jt04]

Sorry JT but that made me laugh. Tell me now panicking is spending hundreds of millions of dollars?

It's not panic. It's the realisation that spend properly and you'll recoup the rewards. As said by USF management. And you can quote me. Potter phase one recouped its budget in EIGHT WEEKS. Thats 200 million in 2 months. Only idiotic management would rest on their laurels and squeeze as much out as they can without continuing the momentum.

We will just have to disagree here. I am sure it succeeded beyond their most optimistic projections. However, I am not sure we have seen the inertia they were hoping for. The buzz died down rather quickly and they approved phase 2 quicker than I would have guessed.

Don't get me wrong, I think phase 2 could very well create something that does rival Disney. From what we are hearing it can be the game changer everyone has been hoping for including me. Disney needs this kind of pressure to start investing in all of the parks again so I hope it is as great as it has the potential to be.

Time will tell.

 

[GLaDOS]

And even the most rabid fanboys can't disguise the undercurrent of dissappointment. I am not saying it is not great as it likely is but for the vast majority the hype could not equal expectations.

You are so full of crap. FJ is widely regarded as one of the greatest rides ever. There is no "undercurrent of disappointment" and you know it. It just won Theme Park Insider's best attraction in the WORLD as voted on by thousands of fans. I've yet to read one person who isn't blown away by the attraction aside from the Disney fanboys.

Welcome to my ignore list jt04. You and Jimmy Thick can have a delusional party together.