News Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Historical Construction/Impressions

[dweezil78]

Yeah, I'm aware of the layout differences and that the Orlando property is a sprawling destination resort. As theme parks go it looks amazing, even better than at least one Disney park I can think of, but I'm skeptical that the overall delivery isn't much different from USH. In other words it's probably not worth a flight to Florida, car rental, and hotel for me to see.

Yeah, hard to justify a trip to FL just for Universal. You'd have to tack on time at WDW for that to be worth it IMO unless you actually lived in FL. I haven't been to Universal Orlando in about 15 years now, but I was an AP holder when IOA first opened and really loved the place then. The quality of the parks were both top notch, way closer to Disney standards than USH is. The only strikes the parks have against them are the handful of (relatively) unthemed coasters - but even all of those are pretty incredible for what they are and offer some kind of unique twist.

 

[TP2000]

New video from inside the park looking north. Most of this isn't technically Star Wars Land, but it shows just how much the northern edges of Frontierland and Critter Country are changing due to Star Wars. This is a huge improvement and major plussing of aesthetics and placemaking for these decades old environments at Disneyland!

 

[Daveeeeed]

Yeah, hard to justify a trip to FL just for Universal. You'd have to tack on time at WDW for that to be worth it IMO unless you actually lived in FL. I haven't been to Universal Orlando in about 15 years now, but I was an AP holder when IOA first opened and really loved the place then. The quality of the parks were both top notch, way closer to Disney standards than USH is. The only strikes the parks have against them are the handful of (relatively) unthemed coasters - but even all of those are pretty incredible for what they are and offer some kind of unique twist.

Universal Studios Orlando is a destination in itself. It is very very good now (especially IOA). Though for me personally I think I will 90% of the time go to Disney and then Universal too if we feel like it. But now Universal could be worth a long weekend trip to alone.

But Universal Studios Hollywood... oh boy. It's just so half-assed.

 

[rle4lunch]

There's certainly a difference between Potter and the rest of the park but it's NOT Six Flags. Not even close. I would know as I've been to one.

Oh, and to everyone else, USO doesn't exist. It's either USF (Universal Studios Florida) or UOR (Universal Orlando Resort).

Small pet peeve of mine

Hi Mike. I've been to quite a few Six Flags in my day, most Great America in Chicago and Magic Mountain in Cali. I've been to Six Flags over Texas as well. My point was that there is a stark difference in immersion quality between what they've done with Potter and what they've (not) done with the rest of the park. They're starting to change for the better (see Kong's queue, beautiful, although the ride sucks), but they need to go a lot farther. The workers don't go out of their way to make you feel like you're on vacation, and the restaurant quality is vastly sub par and way overpriced (Disney is overpriced too, but I know where I can get real quality food at both DL/WDW for a good price).

 

[rle4lunch]

Universal Studios Orlando is a destination in itself. It is very very good now (especially IOA). Though for me personally I think I will 90% of the time go to Disney and then Universal too if we feel like it. But now Universal could be worth a long weekend trip to alone.

But Universal Studios Hollywood... oh boy. It's just so half-assed.

USH has always been bad. The only redeeming quality was the back lot tour. The rest of it feels like it was built on top of itself.

 

[rle4lunch]

Yeah, hard to justify a trip to FL just for Universal. You'd have to tack on time at WDW for that to be worth it IMO unless you actually lived in FL. I haven't been to Universal Orlando in about 15 years now, but I was an AP holder when IOA first opened and really loved the place then. The quality of the parks were both top notch, way closer to Disney standards than USH is. The only strikes the parks have against them are the handful of (relatively) unthemed coasters - but even all of those are pretty incredible for what they are and offer some kind of unique twist.

Their coasters are top notch. the 3d screen rides are good once or twice, but don't have ANY "stay power" with me.

 

[RMichael21]

So I know I've already posted a post like this before, but could we stick to Star Wars construction please? There's plenty of threads across the forums dedicated to Universal/the screens debate.

Anyways, I'm super excited to see the progress on this at the end of June!!!

 

[rle4lunch]

So I know I've already posted a post like this before, but could we stick to Star Wars construction please? There's plenty of threads across the forums dedicated to Universal/the screens debate.

Anyways, I'm super excited to see the progress on this at the end of June!!!

okay okay, you're right. How bout that rebar sticking out of the ground? that stuff looks like a safety hazard. lol...

in all seriousness, we'll be there in 2 weeks and I hope to get some up close shots of the construction.

 

[Incomudro]

We were surprised how much we enjoyed Universal's two parks. Daigon Alley far exceeded anything Disney has yet to do of course, but I loved MIB far more than Buzz Lightyear and The Mummy was an awesome coaster we did a few times. Popeye and Bluto's Barges blew Kali River Rapids out of the water with how fun the ride was, and Spiderman is of course a great ride. The quality outside of Potter is of course sub-Disney, but the ride designs are actually superior for many attractions. Things might not look as great, but you have more fun as a rider.

I can see being bored if you only did one Universal park per day instead of doing both together.

We did both parks.
Yes, some Uni rides are superior to some WDW rides.
Then again, some WDW rides are superior to some Uni rides.
Overall though, Uni doesn't come close.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

So I know I've already posted a post like this before, but could we stick to Star Wars construction please? There's plenty of threads across the forums dedicated to Universal/the screens debate.

Anyways, I'm super excited to see the progress on this at the end of June!!!

The latest video shows great things going on Critter Country and Frontierland. The video before showed a lot of trees going in around the outside part of SWL.

 

[Incomudro]

There's certainly a difference between Potter and the rest of the park but it's NOT Six Flags. Not even close. I would know as I've been to one.

Oh, and to everyone else, USO doesn't exist. It's either USF (Universal Studios Florida) or UOR (Universal Orlando Resort).

Small pet peeve of mine

Some of it's pretty close.
That whole cartoon area for instance.

 

[rle4lunch]

Some of it's pretty close.
That whole cartoon area for instance.

Woof. hit the nail on the head with that.

 

[Phroobar]

okay okay, you're right. How bout that rebar sticking out of the ground? that stuff looks like a safety hazard. lol...

in all seriousness, we'll be there in 2 weeks and I hope to get some up close shots of the construction.

Looks like that set of pipes on the rock is going to be a fallen tree.

 

[Daveeeeed]

Some of it's pretty close.
That whole cartoon area for instance.

It's interesting because they both have their pros and cons. I wouldn't say there's a massive leap overall. Uni's main problem is the screen problem and whether people want to admit it or not it is very repetitive. This is why I love IOA -- it's my personal favorite park in Orlando as it has so many good rides the capacity is very good, so wait times are far lower than Disney at the same time. I really don't like US as that park haa the true screeen problem. Diagon Alley is its saving grace. All four parks at WDW make it hands down win, but Uni has a ton of things to ride especially at IOA. It's a trip that I wouldn't want to do every year like Disney, but it keeps getting better and better. Although Disney I still think is obviously superior. Uni also has more of a rides are everything approach pretty much everywhere, but The Wizarding World (which is so good).

 

[Mike S]

Some of it's pretty close.
That whole cartoon area for instance.

Better than the Looney Tunes area I saw at Six Flags. Way better. It's supposed to look like you entered a comic strip and it does its job. Dudley sucks though except the drop while Popeye is great all around.

 

[Stevek]

New video from inside the park looking north. Most of this isn't technically Star Wars Land, but it shows just how much the northern edges of Frontierland and Critter Country are changing due to Star Wars. This is a huge improvement and major plussing of aesthetics and placemaking for these decades old environments at Disneyland!

Very much so. Becoming more confident with every video that this area will be stunning. So that weird pipe thing in the video...for water? Maybe part of the unfinished waterfall?

 

[The Mur]

No, the pipes are likely the "bones" for a fallen log or some other non-rock feature.

 

[Phroobar]

Yup, a fallen tree branch as stated in #4173.

 

[Kman101]

I know it surprises some that UOR isn't loved by everyone. I enjoy it (was just there this week) but it does have a lot of repetition when it comes to relying on screens and high thrills. They're fun but not everyone likes to be jerked around (Transformers and Spiderman are great but can be rough ...) or can handle a motion simulator so that leaves little to do if someone isn't able to do them. Just a different perspective. I'm glad I don't have a problem with motion simulators, and because I don't do certain coasters, Rip, Hulk and Dragon are out for me, like I'm sure they are for a lot of people. Disney has a lot more variety with their attractions. Again, just trying to put in a different perspective. And some don't like getting soaked ... but they all of that appeals to a certain audience Universal has and it's worked for them but they do need to cool it with the simulation. Nintendo can't come soon enough.

I like that we have a balance with SWL. A simulator that gives the impression you are piloting the Falcon and what sounds like an amazing LPS attraction with animatronics and sets mixed with screens. And with Pandora there's a simulator but there's also an immersive boat ride. It's balance.

 

[mickEblu]

I like that we have a balance with SWL. A simulator that gives the impression you are piloting the Falcon and what sounds like an amazing LPS attraction with animatronics and sets mixed with screens. And with Pandora there's a simulator but there's also an immersive boat ride. It's balance.

I agree with all this except for the Pandora boat ride. That has "underwhelming" written all over it.