Project 971

[AndyMagic]

My guess is Universal is moving toward the type of theming they did over at Universal Studios Singapore which has pretty much every major attraction contained within its own mini land. In theory they could just turn the area around Simpsons into Springfield and the area around Men in Black into "Queens" since that is the theming used for the exterior. The existing "New York" could be renamed "Manhattan" to distinguish the two areas.

 

[Turtle]

Many problems arise with the theming and attractions, probably 5x worse than DHS' case



- Futuristic themed land with Transformers? Problem is that Men In Black and Terminator should go there too but it's on the other side of the park.
- Dreamworks Animation Land? (Uni owns rights) Shrek is super far away from where it would go (Woody Woodpecker)
- A New York land? Twister doesn't fit into New York. What is the theme of Rip Ride Rockit?
- How Does Shrek and Despicable Me fit into 'Production Central'
- Many more problems but after all a major park refurb is underway (London, Transformers)


What CAN work is: Rumored Springfield, Potter 2.0 London,

 

[cheezbat]

I don't see the park going As far to retheme areas and move rides and shows. It's just not a move they would see a return of investment on.

That being said, I'm very stoked to see the changes and attractions that are coming our way in the next five years.

As things stand right now, the Singapore park looks great and has a great amount of attractions and a really cool looking parade...and I personally think with the Potter Expansion at Universal Japan, that park may be their best...most of the good attractions from USF, including Back to the Future and Jaws, and original attractions like Hollywood Dream and Space Fantasy..but there is a lot coming soon to USF!
I would love to see Universal Orlando shine as the crown jewel of Universal resorts!

 

[JT3000]

Many problems arise with the theming and attractions, probably 5x worse than DHS' case

- Futuristic themed land with Transformers? Problem is that Men In Black and Terminator should go there too but it's on the other side of the park.

Terminator is the only attraction that takes place in the future, so a futuristic land isn't necessary. Men In Black and Transformers have sci-fi elements but they take place in the present. We don't know what the Transformers exterior will look like, but I doubt they'll go the sci-fi route in that location.

- Dreamworks Animation Land? (Uni owns rights) Shrek is super far away from where it would go (Woody Woodpecker)

This is a possibility, but not a necessity. It isn't a problem if it doesn't exist.

- A New York land? Twister doesn't fit into New York. What is the theme of Rip Ride Rockit?

New York is admittedly a bit of a hodgepodge. I'd like to see Twister replaced next. Rockit is a music-themed attraction that ties into Production Central's music plaza. It flies through NY but isn't part of that land.

- How Does Shrek and Despicable Me fit into 'Production Central'

They don't. But neither did Hanna-Barbera. And despite not having a thematic connection to the area it's in, I think most guests prefer an attraction that tries to be immersive, at least inside, over another, "This is how movies are made" attraction at this point. Production Central's exterior theme would be too difficult to change at this point. I chalk that one up to it being a studio park. DHS has the same problem, over a larger portion of the park.

 

[Turtle]

DHS has the same problem, over a larger portion of the park.

I have to disagree because DHS has easy expansion ground when they change their theme. Echo Lake (Indy Stunt Show, Sounds Dangerous, Backlot Express Restaurant, American Idol Experience) can be easily converted into a Star Wars land. The backlot can be dumped for Pixar Place expansion. Lower area of Streets of America (Mama Melrose, Pizza Planet, Stage 1 Company Store) can be easily themed to a Muppets mini-land.

 

[JT3000]

I have to disagree because DHS has easy expansion ground when they change their theme. Echo Lake (Indy Stunt Show, Sounds Dangerous, Backlot Express Restaurant, American Idol Experience) can be easily converted into a Star Wars land. The backlot can be dumped for Pixar Place expansion. Lower area of Streets of America (Mama Melrose, Pizza Planet, Stage 1 Company Store) can be easily themed to a Muppets mini-land.

They aren't actually doing any of those things though. And even if they did, ridding themselves of the park's current soundstage aesthetic would likely require a complete demolition of the relevant areas and starting from scratch. Not exactly an easy makeover.

 

[Turtle]

They aren't actually doing any of those things though. And even if they did, ridding themselves of the park's current soundstage aesthetic would likely require a complete demolition of the relevant areas and starting from scratch. Not exactly an easy makeover.

I never said it was a definite though haha. Point is: Both parks are in bad shape as far as theming

 

[JT3000]

I never said it was a definite though haha. Point is: Both parks are in bad shape as far as theming

That's where we disagree. I think DHS is in much worse shape than USF. IMO, the only part of DHS that is on par with most of USF's theming is Hollywood Blvd. The rest is a seemingly random collection of soundstages and a very sterile, fake feeling NY area. There's also no sign of any changes coming in the immediate future.

By contrast, Universal's worst area is World Expo, in the vicinity of The Simpsons, which we know is being fixed soon. The Potter expansion is rumored to be even more detailed than Potter 1.0. Transformers will hopefully be an improvement over what was previously there. They're even rumored to be doing something with Kidzone. Production Central and Rockit's field trip through NY will continue to be blights in the theming department, but these are small issues compared to DHS.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Terminator is the only attraction that takes place in the future, so a futuristic land isn't necessary. Men In Black and Transformers have sci-fi elements but they take place in the present. We don't know what the Transformers exterior will look like, but I doubt they'll go the sci-fi route in that location.

Only part of Terminator 2 3-D takes place in the future and we see the time travel take place. The rest of the show takes place in the past.

 

[cheezbat]

I personally hope to see the different sides of Transformers covered and themed to the surrounding areas. On the side facing the lagoon and Shrek, something remniscent of Hollywood, while the other two sides feature buildings from a New York styling...and hopefully the attraction's entrance will either be placed on the side facing the lagoon or the side facing New York.

It would be great to see some more immersive environments created at USF instead of just the old school soundstage buildings. It's such a shame they didnt replace Kong with Men In Black, and then placed Revenge of the Mummy where MIB sits...they could've gone alot farther with cohesive theming that way.

I also hope that in the major KidZone redo we see a new pathway extended from KidZone to between the Simpsons and MIB. I really dislike how that expansion pad sits open and empty, and the KidZone area is basically just one big dead end. This would make accessing the expansion pad so much easier when the time comes to use it.

 

[HTF]

This will go into high gear in a few weeks. Can't do a lot of the infrastructure work to IFFF, Kwik e Mart, restrooms, and the waterfront area in front of the Simpsons ride until after HHN. The opening of the waterfront will also ease the loss of UCS viewing on the Simpsons side. In the end their wont be a whole lot to it but the area itself is going to look fantastic. This is a project by management to spruce up a dead area as well take advantage of a billion dollar franchise with new unique food and merch options. Think of it more as a business investment.

 

[cheezbat]

I'm really interested in this project. It's so neat to find out just how much Universal cares about sprucing up the older stuff and areas. This park is going to be one great place in five years!

 

[disney fan 13]

Simpsons games now open...(The amity games are closed now right?)

http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog...-skill-now-open-at-universal-studios-florida/

 

[djlaosc]

Simpsons games now open...(The amity games are closed now right?)

http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog...-skill-now-open-at-universal-studios-florida/

Aren't these just the same Amity games reused with a Springfield facelift?

 

[disney fan 13]

^They might, though 2-3 weeks ago when I was walking towards Disaster from MIB I saw a variety of games near the Amity bathroom.

Supposedly its going where the Trikes are at. Not sold on it myself but thats the inside word. And it would be aimed at families to go toe to toe with the Snow white Mine Train which also will be opening in 2014.

Family coaster like Everest or family Coaster like BTM?

 

[djlaosc]

^They might, though 2-3 weeks ago when I was walking towards Disaster from MIB I saw a variety of games near the Amity bathroom.

From the article that you posted...

Universal Studios’ games used to be located in the Amity area of the park before it was closed to make way for a new attraction. They were then temporarily moved near the Fear Factor theater, and have now opened as part of The Simpsons Ride.

So, either the same games have moved, or they have removed the Amity games and built new games.

 

[disney fan 13]

From the article that you posted...



So, either the same games have moved, or they have removed the Amity games and built new games.

Yeah just looked at the new games in the article didn't read the text... But yeah I must have seen the FFL location.

 

[JT3000]

They may be the same games (I wouldn't know, I don't go to theme parks to play carnival games) but at least they rethemed them properly. I was afraid they wouldn't. They're still annoying, but at least they make sense in their location now.

 

[HTF]

These are brand new games and the Amity games are now retrofitted to be temporary portable Ames for special events. Prep on 971 is underway.

 

[JT3000]

These are brand new games and the Amity games are now retrofitted to be temporary portable Ames for special events. Prep on 971 is underway.

Speaking of special events, who do I have to kill to get them to stop pulling out the carnival games and obnoxious merchandise stalls during HHN? They crowd the street and ruin the mood.