The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[dweezil78]

And no free fastpass options.

Well they have the VIP line thing, but as long as you get there early enough, there's no reason to pay for that. Arriving at opening (or earlier if you can) is 100% essential for enjoying any theme park IMO. Universal does 1 hour early admission for any tickets purchased online which is pretty cool.

One thing I meant to mention earlier that I love is the amount of single rider lines they have too. Forbidden Journey, Mummy, Jurassic Park, and Transformers all have one.

 

[dweezil78]

Damn you.

That thing is also nearly the size of my head, no joke. They are almost always sold out of them though (the Memphis Mafia). I've only been able to get it once in my three visits to Voodoo.

 

[Rich T]

It occurred to me that the upper lot of the park is so spatially limited, they probably had no choice but to go with screens.

So what's Florida's excuse? Actually, of all the theme parks on Earth, I think USH has every right to be a "screens" park, since they are based entirely around movies and TV (until Nintendo World opens), and they've always been focused on illusions and fakery and letting the audience see how it's done. Screens fit their legacy. It all comes down to: Is the experience effective?

For me, personally, the screens aren't a problem: I just can't stand Universal's atmosphere and tone. With the exception of Hogsmeade, they focus mostly on everything crass, obnoxious, violent, mean-spirited and negative about pop culture and humanity in general. No thanks. I'm rooting for them to do a great job with Super Nintendo World, as that Mario Kart ride sounds like it could be jaw-droppingly amazing if they pull off what they're promising. That would get me back through the gate.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

So what's Florida's excuse? Actually, of all the theme parks on Earth, I think USH has every right to be a "screens" park, since they are based entirely around movies and TV (until Nintendo World opens), and they've always been focused on illusions and fakery and letting the audience see how it's done. Screens fit their legacy. It all comes down to: Is the experience effective?

For me, personally, the screens aren't a problem: I just can't stand Universal's atmosphere and tone. With the exception of Hogsmeade, they focus mostly on everything crass, obnoxious, violent, mean-spirited and negative about pop culture and humanity in general. No thanks. I'm rooting for them to do a great job with Super Nintendo World, as that Mario Kart ride sounds like it could be jaw-droppingly amazing if they pull off what they're promising. That would get me back through the gate.

I haven't read too much about the Mario Kart attraction, but that does sound like it would be a lot of fun.

I also have to agree on the environment/tone. It never truly felt like I had stepped into something special and unique. It just felt like a bunch of square buildings with some cheap carnival facades. Even Hogsmeade wasn't that impressive. Also, SUPER bizarre to see Beetlejuice, Dracula, Puss in Boots, the girls from Despicable Me, and Marilyn Monroe as walk around characters...

OH! Also, I SWORE that I heard some BGM near the entrance that sounded exactly like part of the Soarin' soundtrack. I actually had to stop and listen to more of it, humming through it in my head. It was ultimately different enough, but man...it took me by surprise.

 

[Curious Constance]

Well they have the VIP line thing, but as long as you get there early enough, there's no reason to pay for that. Arriving at opening (or earlier if you can) is 100% essential for enjoying any theme park IMO. Universal does 1 hour early admission for any tickets purchased online which is pretty cool.

One thing I meant to mention earlier that I love is the amount of single rider lines they have too. Forbidden Journey, Mummy, Jurassic Park, and Transformers all have one.

You have to pay like $60 or more for the VIP line thing! That puts one day at near $200 for one person. HUH?!

 

[dweezil78]

OH! Also, I SWORE that I heard some BGM near the entrance that sounded exactly like part of the Soarin' soundtrack. I actually had to stop and listen to more of it, humming through it in my head. It was ultimately different enough, but man...it took me by surprise.

You may have hard the IOA 'Call to Adventure' which they play at the entrance often (or some version of it). It pre-dates Soarin by a few years!

 

[dweezil78]

You have to pay like $60 or more for the VIP line thing! That puts one day at near $200 for one person. HUH?!

Yeah, totally unnecessary IMO unless you are loaded with $$$ to spare. Otherwise, just get there early and knock 'em out!

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

You may have hard the IOA 'Call to Adventure' which they play at the entrance often (or some version of it). It pre-dates Soarin by a few years!

Hmmm that wasn't quite it, but I can see how that could be mistaken for Soarin'. I'll keep digging.

EDIT: OK, I think I have it figured out...both the Soarin' queue loop and the USH entrance loop use the theme from Apollo 13.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

That's because everything at City Walk feels like a gimmick.

Agreed. LA's Universal CW is pretty crappy. I remember how cool it was when it first opened in the early 90s, but now too many other newer entertainment "marketplaces" have copied the formula, some better, some worse. The last time I was there I felt like I was on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, and that's not a compliment.

 

[Rich T]

I haven't read too much about the Mario Kart attraction, but that does sound like it would be a lot of fun.

I know the final ride won't look exactly like this, but I think this is my favorite piece of theme park concept art ever.
(EDIT) I think that's a young George Costanza in the blue shirt on the left.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

View attachment 260557
I know the final ride won't look exactly like this, but I think this is my favorite piece of theme park concept art ever.
(EDIT) I think that's a young George Costanza in the blue shirt on the left.

Well that makes Disneyland's Autopia look like poop, doesn't it?

 

[No Name]

I don't know if you did, but a lot of people don't notice the second ride in that picture. It isn't happening anymore, I don't think, but the Mario Kart ride sure is. And will hopefully be excellent.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

So what's the deal with DL's Tom Sawyer's Island? It was a mess after the pirate overlay and the changes to the river just wrecked it, in my opinion.

The last time I was there, there was like nothing to do. Even the charming cemetery is gone. Sure, it functions for Fantasmic and you can see the new scenes from the back, but that's about it.

Meanwhile, WDW's is more fun despite the awkward touristy boringness? Is DL's in worse shape than any classic attractions currently open?

 

[JD2000]

I can't stand interactive dark rides (for example; Roger or Buzz) because the interaction (the spinning, shooting, or whatever) really distracts you from truly absorbing it (the sights, sounds, and such around you). So I am that person who rides Buzz and doesn't shoot even once, for instance.

 

[mickEblu]

I can't stand interactive dark rides (for example; Roger or Buzz) because the interaction (the spinning, shooting, or whatever) really distracts you from truly absorbing it (the sights, sounds, and such around you). So I am that person who rides Buzz and doesn't shoot even once, for instance.

I can kind of see your point on Roger (if you re spinning the whole time but what is their to really see on Buzz? Isn’t it just a bunch of cutouts with targets? To your point, whatever detail does exist, I’ve probably missed as the only thing I’m interested in is beating my wife.

 

[westie]

Yes to more interactive rides! WDW has or had a VR PotC. I love(d) that thing!(its been 10 years)

 

[Curious Constance]

I can't stand interactive dark rides (for example; Roger or Buzz) because the interaction (the spinning, shooting, or whatever) really distracts you from truly absorbing it (the sights, sounds, and such around you). So I am that person who rides Buzz and doesn't shoot even once, for instance.

LOL I never shoot either. All the pictures are of my family looking like they are on a shooting range and me just chillin.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Guest participation/interaction in rides is usually lame. The best example, the gold standard is seeing yourself in the mirrors riding with the ghosts in HM. Everything else suffers the Mission:SPACE button effect where it feels forced and pointless.

Men in Black at USF is a million times better than the Disney shooting rides.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

LOL I never shoot either. All the pictures are of my family looking like they are on a shooting range and me just chillin.

I took a friend on Buzz once and he didn't know that you could manually direct the vehicle towards the various targets. He didn't figure out that I was quietly using the toggle to my advantage until the ride was almost over. We both had a good laugh over it.

 

[Rich T]

I can't stand interactive dark rides (for example; Roger or Buzz) because the interaction (the spinning, shooting, or whatever) really distracts you from truly absorbing it (the sights, sounds, and such around you). So I am that person who rides Buzz and doesn't shoot even once, for instance.

I love Buzz, Roger and especially TSMM. If the interaction doesn't appeal to you, don't ride, because the interaction is the entire point. The sets on Roger are not meant to be viewed from one steady angle as you would on a normal dark ride, and Buzz is a ride-through shooting gallery. I don't want any *more* rides of this type, but I think they add a great change of pace to the park's other offerings.