The Universal Rumors thread

[pheneix]

Potter mania is way down from its levels 5 years ago. Until JK writes a new story, it will just drift further into obscurity. Heck, even Daniel Radcliffe wants nothing to do with Potter anymore.

Because Snow White totally became irrelevant when its book sales in Germany slowed down in the late 19th century.

Totally.

 

[HTF]

I will try it again, however as a Potter fan, I thought Forbidden Journey failed to capture the magic of Potter. The storyline was weak(flying benches really?), and they basically just threw you in front of various monsters from the Potter series while they jerked you around. Even the Dementor finale lacked any pop, where was the huge Patronus light to banish the creatures? It was just a massive disappointment(to be fair I also think Star Tours could use a more cohesive storyline).

You really should and every ride has its flaws so no worry. I personally wish one of the earlier versions of the FJ ride made it as our current one misses a few grand opportunities. One version which happened to be the second revision of the attraction was a much more physical attraction but in the end it came down to money. The level of detail in Hogsmeade was deemed more important than bigger physical sets and AA's in the FJ. Under old owners they had a budget, which they still blew (thank you Hogwarts rock work) but now with Comcast at the helm you will see a much grander experience in Gringotts. In the end they obviously made the right decision by placing a massive budget in Hogsmeade.

 

[djlaosc]

HTF mentioned he is not aware of a closing date, but prep work has started... I would think, after the holiday rush, the attraction may be going down for the count... So, given that time frame, a little over a year for another massive e-ticket... And yet, another theme park would just finally be opening a minor little coaster...

Yeah, at first, I was thinking about our trip, but then thought about it and as we would be there December 2014, it's going to be closed anyway (although if anyone can do it in 6 months, it would be Universal... )

So, I guess the question is, is the "San Francisco" area going to close? Or, are they going to move the entry of the Disaster building for King Kong (assuming that it will be set in New York, not Skull Island)? At the moment, Beetlejuice (San Fran) is in between Disaster (San Fran) and Revenge of The Mummy (New York).

 

[SJN1279]

As a huge Simpsons' fan, I think that is one property that Universal did an awesome job with. The ride has a complete storyline and a ton of laughs. Looking forward to visiting Springfield next summer!

 

[djlaosc]

And the other question is, when is Twister going to close?

• June 7, 1990: E.T. Adventure (KidZone redo - future not certain)
• Spring 1991: The Blues Brothers
• July 2, 1992: Fievel's Playland (KidZone redo - future not certain)
• July 10, 1995: A Day in the Park with Barney (KidZone redo - future not certain)
• April 27, 1996: Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time
• May 4, 1998: Twister...Ride it Out
• Summer 1998: Curious George Goes to Town (KidZone redo - future not certain)
• Spring 1999: Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster (KidZone redo - future not certain)
  
• April 4, 2000: Men in Black: Alien Attack
• June 12, 2003: Shrek 4-D opens with Donkey's Photo Finish
• May 25, 2004: Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride
• May 2005: Fear Factor Live
• Spring 2006: Delancey Street Preview Center
• Fall 2006: Animal Actors on Location.
• January 17, 2008: Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You!
• May 15, 2008: The Simpsons Ride
• February 21, 2009: The Universal Music Plaza Stage
• August 19, 2009: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit opens.
  
• May 8, 2012: Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories
• May 8, 2012: Universal's Superstar Parade
• July 2, 2012: Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
• June 1, 2013: Simpsons Fast Food Boulevard.
• June 20, 2013: Transformers: The Ride
• Summer 2014: Diagon Alley
• Summer 2015: King Kong

 

[scoobygirl39541]

I am actually looking more forward to Seven Dwarves than I am Gringotts. I am thinking it is going to be a fun attraction and a good family coaster. A Harry Potter attraction with secondary characters and more 3D screens just does not sound all that appealing. Potter peaked 5 years ago, and is continuing on its downward course.

Star Wars is where it will be at!

I'll be the first to admit I HATE Harry Potter, but after reading that description of what's to come.. for the first time, I'm actually excited about a HP ride (gasp)! I didn't feel this way about Forbidden Journey (or whatever), so that's saying something.

 

[HenryMystic]

Potter mania is way down from its levels 5 years ago. Until JK writes a new story, it will just drift further into obscurity. Heck, even Daniel Radcliffe wants nothing to do with Potter anymore.

Taken by Orlando Informer last week.

 

[disney fan 13]

Taken by Orlando Informer last week.

Looks dead to me.

 

[englanddg]

Taken by Orlando Informer last week.

Bah. It's an illusion. Expecto Pa-crowd-o!

 

[truecoat]

It would be interesting to see how they pull that off...as passive 3D (heck, all 3D) requires that the glasses be lined up in a certain way to function well...

It works for the kuka arm rides because they can "stop" and "slow" the ride to give you specific views, but with a coaster...<shrug>

Not saying it's not doable, just very interested in how they would pull it off...

I remember someone posting some patent artwork from Uni for a rollercoaster that essentially stopped on a hydraulic platform. This platform could be manipulated like any motion control ride ala spiderman or transformers. It would then line up with a track and send the car on it's way only to come back to the platform for more mayhem. The key was that you wouldn't really know you were back at the same spot and it could resend you on several different tracks intersecting at this platform. Not sure if they are really using this but it does sound kind of like it. I'll see if I can find pics.

 

[flynnibus]

Never did the Mummy...the kid was too scared by the queue and we backed out, and it wasn't open yet when I went in early 2004.

I'll need to google up some on ride vids...

It's a very cool hybrid of technologies... combined with large sets, cool effects, etc. Imagine a dark ride with show scenes... combined with effects like you'd find in a large scale attraction like Indy.. and then topped off with Rock N Rollercoaster.

 

[truecoat]

How does it work? The motion base track invention is actually very similar to the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. The track is mounted to six actuators in an arrangement called a six axis or “Stewart Platform.” Fixed to the top of the platform is a ring and pinion gear which enable the track to rotate 360 degrees, both clock and counterclockwise. This entire assembly could then be mounted on another component allowing the entire track to slide back and forth from side to side.


Thanks to coaster101 for the above info!

 

[truecoat]

So if you have this platform in the center, you can reuse it for other scenes. And you only need one of them. I do not have any direct knowledge on this ride or know if it's even being used. This is not the track layout, just an example....

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Potter mania is way down from its levels 5 years ago. Until JK writes a new story, it will just drift further into obscurity. Heck, even Daniel Radcliffe wants nothing to do with Potter anymore.

I find your comment "Potter mania is way down from its levels 5 years ago" absolutely ludicrous! Being a self proclaimed Potter fan you would know that Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows l & ll hadn't even been released in theaters yet. Those three movies combined brought in $3,236,201,011. So yeah, since 2008 no one has cared about Harry Potter.... (All I have to say is "Troll! In the dungeon! Troll in the dungeon! Thought you ought to know.")

 

[magicallactose]

I find your comment "Potter mania is way down from its levels 5 years ago" absolutely ludicrous! Being a self proclaimed Potter fan you would know that Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows l & ll hadn't even been released in theaters yet. Those three movies combined brought in $3,236,201,011. So yeah, since 2008 no one has cared about Harry Potter.... (All I have to say is "Troll! In the dungeon! Troll in the dungeon! Thought you ought to know.")

Agreed. Also, all the insiders have made it very clear that Diagon Alley and Gringotts is going to far surpass the theming and immersiveness of Hogsmeade. The Universal that built Phase One was cash-strapped. The new Universal is flush with money, willing to spend it, and hungry to become the top dog in Orlando.
So even if Harry Potter were to completely fall off the pop cultural radar, this new land and rides will still be a bar-raising, innovative experience that people will flock to.

 

[Captain Chaos]

I am actually looking more forward to Seven Dwarves than I am Gringotts. I am thinking it is going to be a fun attraction and a good family coaster. A Harry Potter attraction with secondary characters and more 3D screens just does not sound all that appealing. Potter peaked 5 years ago, and is continuing on its downward course.

Star Wars is where it will be at!

Peaked really? In whose world has Potter peaked? Oh wait, you are looking forward to a ride with a character that came out in the 1920's and hasn't been relevant to anyone over the age of 3.... Never mind. Your opinion is worthless.

 

[HTF]

How does it work? The motion base track invention is actually very similar to the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. The track is mounted to six actuators in an arrangement called a six axis or “Stewart Platform.” Fixed to the top of the platform is a ring and pinion gear which enable the track to rotate 360 degrees, both clock and counterclockwise. This entire assembly could then be mounted on another component allowing the entire track to slide back and forth from side to side.


Thanks to coaster101 for the above info!

So if you have this platform in the center, you can reuse it for other scenes. And you only need one of them. I do not have any direct knowledge on this ride or know if it's even being used. This is not the track layout, just an example....

Old stuff, things have changed drastically.

 

[HTF]

Agreed. Also, all the insiders have made it very clear that Diagon Alley and Gringotts is going to far surpass the theming and immersiveness of Hogsmeade. The Universal that built Phase One was cash-strapped. The new Universal is flush with money, willing to spend it, and hungry to become the top dog in Orlando.
So even if Harry Potter were to completely fall off the pop cultural radar, this new land and rides will still be a bar-raising, innovative experience that people will flock to.

Phase 1 Budget 240 Million
Phase 2 Budget: Nearly Double that...

 

[Captain Chaos]

Yeah, at first, I was thinking about our trip, but then thought about it and as we would be there December 2014, it's going to be closed anyway (although if anyone can do it in 6 months, it would be Universal... )

So, I guess the question is, is the "San Francisco" area going to close? Or, are they going to move the entry of the Disaster building for King Kong (assuming that it will be set in New York, not Skull Island)? At the moment, Beetlejuice (San Fran) is in between Disaster (San Fran) and Revenge of The Mummy (New York).

I'm interested to know this as well... I keep reading about a rebranding of the Studios park... maybe the Studios part is going the way of the dodo... Extinct?

 

[disney fan 13]

I'm interested to know this as well... I keep reading about a rebranding of the Studios park... maybe the Studios part is going the way of the dodo... Extinct?

If that was to happen, they would need to do something about all those ugly @$$ Soundstages...