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

[MichWolv]

Isn't Transformers AMAZING?! Oh my word, I was stunned after I got off that ride. It's fantastic.

Amazing effects and wonderful use of the ride/screen technology in combination. A bit simple on the plot, but it does make it easier to follow than Spiderman. Transformers certainly sets the mark for the thrilling dark ride segment of the theme park industry.

But my wife and I were even more amazed by the King Kong segment of the tram tour. Just a shaking platform with 3-D screen on two sides, and limited by the fact that it has to deal with a whole tram of people who are looking wherever they wish, not wherever they are pointed. But it comes off so well, and there is so much happening at any point no matter which way you look. King Kong exceeded my expectation by a huge amount.

 

[Orangelake555]

What is this proposed 'SS44' that is being mentioned for Uni?

I must have missed the original explanation of it.

SS44 is the stage where they use to show the old "Murder She Wrote" stage, then it became the Hercules and Xena show. that building is Sound Stage 44. Uni just filed permits for its demolition. the rest of it is just guessing that transformers may be going into that plot

 

[Orangelake555]

Oh I'm Sure he is right. Basically I knew of a second phase of MIB that was never built but the land was left open for. You can see the M and the I on the facade? Well, the other part would also incorporate the B. But of they have better use for the land then I hope they go for it.

Ive been staring at pictures of the facade for a day now and i cannot for the life of me see the "M" and the "I". if the "I" is the towers then what is the "M"?

 

[ChrisFL]

Ive been staring at pictures of the facade for a day now and i cannot for the life of me see the "M" and the "I". if the "I" is the towers then what is the "M"?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anlima/5154803724/

 

[Orangelake555]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anlima/5154803724/

thanks. i thought it was on part of the main ride building. i even ran over there real quick yesterday (for fathers day ate at emeril's so got there early). I was looking at the arch over the main entrance for so long thinking im missing something

 

[ChrisFL]

I don't know where the "I" is though...

 

[lazyboy97o]

Looking at Bing Maps, it looks like the "I" is a wall that comes out from the main wall of where the restrooms are located.

 

[Orangelake555]

Looking at Bing Maps, it looks like the "I" is a wall that comes out from the main wall of where the restrooms are located.

thank you. i can actually see it now. its a shame they never built that "B" building. would have been a real cool easter egg

 

[Captain Chaos]

Man... is Transformers going to look good where SS44 resides (but not for much longer)...

 

[marni1971]

An attraction like Transformers would nessetate large expanses of blank walls with not much chance of decent theming. Considering this location can be walked and viewed around from all sides, would it really be the best place for such an attraction?

 

[HenryMystic]

An attraction like Transformers would nessetate large expanses of blank walls with not much chance of decent theming. Considering this location can be walked and viewed around from all sides, would it really be the best place for such an attraction?

It can't be any worse than the building that is currently there. However, one would hope that they'll give it a proper facade.

 

[bubbles1812]

An attraction like Transformers would nessetate large expanses of blank walls with not much chance of decent theming. Considering this location can be walked and viewed around from all sides, would it really be the best place for such an attraction?

Like you mean on the outside? Or inside? Sorry, confused. What would stop them from putting decent theme elements on the outside of the building? They are outside and the attraction is inside? Or am I just totally confusing the meaning of your post? Haha

 

[Orangelake555]

Like you mean on the outside? Or inside? Sorry, confused. What would stop them from putting decent theme elements on the outside of the building? They are outside and the attraction is inside? Or am I just totally confusing the meaning of your post? Haha

If you look at the other transformers buildings they are just flat blank walls with what amounts to marvel superhero island cutouts on it. If they put that level of theming, in that spot, it would look really bad, or would take a lot to make look good. putting it back between say MIB and Simpsons only have to theme one side

 

[bubbles1812]

If you look at the other transformers buildings they are just flat blank walls with what amounts to marvel superhero island cutouts on it. If they put that level of theming, in that spot, it would look really bad, or would take a lot to make look good. putting it back between say MIB and Simpsons only have to theme one side

Got it. I haven't actually seen what the outside of the Transformers building looks like. That does sound pretty boring/bad. I really hope that if Transformers goes in there, they do more than that. Maybe whylightbulb would have some insight into what Uni would do? (And that goes for absolutely anything going in there...I hope they theme it well)

 

[HenryMystic]

It's not like anything in that section of the park is particularly eye-pleasing. Mostly soundstages.

 

[Orangelake555]

This should give and idea what Hollywood Universals transformers ride looks like. i believe the one in asia is a bit better themed

 

[Captain Chaos]

I believe this is the Singapore facade:

 

[RSoxNo1]

Where is Building 66 at Universal?

 

[Jim Handy]

An attraction like Transformers would nessetate large expanses of blank walls with not much chance of decent theming. Considering this location can be walked and viewed around from all sides, would it really be the best place for such an attraction?

It's a real tough spot for anything really. Not many attraction buildings in any park can be seen from all sides, at least on stage. There are certainly ways that the building could satisfy all viewing angles.

I'm still trying to figure out what's going in here. What ever it is is moving at record pace. Disney would still be picking the color of the construction walls.

 

[WDW1974]

Man... is Transformers going to look good where SS44 resides (but not for much longer)...

I don't think so.