The Universal Rumors thread

[Funmeister]

"Tent pole" seems to be a term thrown around a lot in the movie industry. I think they can be a good thing...and in some cases a bad thing. In this case a good thing.

I see Universal expanding its theme park business just like a well balanced slate of movies. Major blockbusters (WWoHP and WWoHP-DA) with smaller quality movies (Transformers, Springfield, CityWalk expansion/redo, etc.) filling in the gaps.

As we approach the premiere of the next tent pole attraction, WWoHP-DA, what do you think the next major blockbuster will be?

The rumored JP addition will be great but not on the same level as Potter. DO they follow up WWoHP-DA with a HP phase three? Is it the third gate? Resort expansion? IOA expansion? USF expansion?

Pass the popcorn...

 

[drew81]

I'm looking forward to the new Beetlejuice show.

New lighting or automation would be nice.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

New Beetlejuice show starts Feb 8th according to the updated calendar on UNI's site. Any chance of a soft opening a day or two before?

 

[yeti]

The rumored JP addition will be great but not on the same level as Potter. DO they follow up WWoHP-DA with a HP phase three? Is it the third gate? Resort expansion? IOA expansion? USF expansion?

Pass the popcorn...

Well, if Peter Jackson leaves impressed after the new Kong...

 

[zooey]

I'm jumping into this thread and have not read through. Can someone get me up to speed on the Toon Lagoon redo? Is it a Beatles mini land? I always thought that would be great.

 

[pheneix]

Comcast is buying Time Warner Cable.

As far as theme parks go, the only consequence this will have is increasing Comcast's free cash flow by even more insane amounts going forward.

Also, your cable bill is probably going up.

Reposting this in case anyone forgot some of the people who post the good stuff around here. I think I originally tipped off the good people on this message board that such a merger was a legitimate thing back in November?

http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/12/investing/comcast-time-warner-cable/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Bob Iger's little "Hollywood chess game" of buying content is over. Comcast just smashed the game board in half.

Pheneix - Meanwhile, in Orlando, Wet N Wild just announced ANOTHER new water slide....

 

[pheneix]

And before anyone trolls around with insider trading and "confidential information" nonsense, I would like to point out that Comcast has been telegraphing this move and anyone with a brain that studies these companies knew this was inevitable. Comcast was publicly kicking tires back in November. But still, there were doubters....

 

[marni1971]

I'm jumping into this thread and have not read through. Can someone get me up to speed on the Toon Lagoon redo? Is it a Beatles mini land? I always thought that would be great.

Errr... no.

 

[zooey]

Errr... no.

Thanks. I read that in a different thread, sounded... off, but I like the idea, regardless.

 

[Matt_Black]

Reposting this in case anyone forgot some of the people who post the good stuff around here. I think I originally tipped off the good people on this message board that such a merger was a legitimate thing back in November?

http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/12/investing/comcast-time-warner-cable/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Bob Iger's little "Hollywood chess game" of buying content is over. Comcast just smashed the game board in half.

Pheneix - Meanwhile, in Orlando, Wet N Wild just announced ANOTHER new water slide....

On the other hand, I think that this means that at some point, I'm saying within five years tops, Uni will give the Marvel theme park rights back to Disney and retheme the superhero stuff in the park to DC.

 

[JT3000]

On the other hand, I think that this means that at some point, I'm saying within five years tops, Uni will give the Marvel theme park rights back to Disney and retheme the superhero stuff in the park to DC.

They bought Time Warner Cable, not Warner Bros. Two completely different companies. Contrary to its name, TWC wasn't even owned by Time Warner anymore. Sort of like how Universal Music Group is still owned by Vivendi instead of NBC-Universal, despite using the Universal name and logo.

So no, they aren't retheming Marvel Superhero Island, and they certainly aren't giving Disney the rights. If I could have a super power, it would be the ability to erase this idea from everyone's head, because it ain't happening.

 

[Matt_Black]

They bought Time Warner Cable, not Warner Bros. Two completely different companies. Contrary to its name, TWC wasn't even owned by Time Warner anymore. Sort of like how Universal Music Group is still owned by Vivendi instead of NBC-Universal, despite using the Universal name and logo.

So no, they aren't retheming Marvel Superhero Island, and they certainly aren't giving Disney the rights. If I could have a super power, it would be the ability to erase this idea from everyone's head, because it ain't happening.

Well, sloppy reporting from CNN then. In their story, they repeatedly used the term "our parent company".

 

[pheneix]

On the other hand, I think that this means that at some point, I'm saying within five years tops, Uni will give the Marvel theme park rights back to Disney and retheme the superhero stuff in the park to DC.

No chance. Comcast signed a comprehensive content deal with DIS in 2012 that lasts for 10 years and covers just about everything DIS has to offer to a cable company including online streaming.

Until 2022, there isn't likely going to be much drama between DIS and CMCSA other than whatever competition they engage in with their respective products. All the important matters are basically taken care of...

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Saw this on OTPN:

"Since the Garden of Allah Villas area will soon become an attraction again, let's take a look around to see what's the current status of the structures"

What does that mean?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Saw this on OTPN:

"Since the Garden of Allah Villas area will soon become an attraction again, let's take a look around to see what's the current status of the structures"

What does that mean?

That the Garden of Allah is going to be a new attraction soon, and who ever wrote the post is basically doing a sight survey.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

That the Garden of Allah is going to be a new attraction soon, and who ever wrote the post is basically doing a sight survey.

I figured that much, but what attraction are they talking about?

 

[HenryMystic]

I figured that much, but what attraction are they talking about?

A walk-through. Could be tied to Halloween Horror Nights per @HTF

 

[71jason]

In other words, more "Lucy: A Tribute" than another ride. Not that there aren't plenty of rides coming elsewhere.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

A walk-through. Could be tied to Halloween Horror Nights per @HTF

In other words, more "Lucy: A Tribute" than another ride. Not that there aren't plenty of rides coming elsewhere.

Will they use the existing building or make something else?

Either way, good to hear the space may be used again. Too many empty buildings is a bad thing. Isn't it Disney?

 

[mahnamahna101]

So according to some trusted sources at Orlando United, KidZone might be seeing some movement as to what its rumored revamp/expansion is... and the time frame might be in phases going from late this year to summer 2016 (probably to concede with Kong). All I can say is that I'm glad the parks will finally be ultizling the backstage areas and expansion pads!

Any guesses as to what the exciting properties are?

http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php/6648-KidZone-s-Future/page94

pgs 94-96 feature this addition