The Universal Rumors thread

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djlaosc

Well-Known Member
mahnamahna101 said:
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
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The obvious answers would be...
  • SpongeBob (he already has a store)
  • DreamWorks Animation Franchises (Shrek, Madagascar, HTTYD, Kung Fu Panda - they already have a relationship)
  • Classic Toons (reuse the old Toon Lagoon cut-outs)

Ideally they would keep E.T. and Animal Actors on Location! (both could be considered as part of Hollywood if they were to give the KidZone replacement a single unifying theme)

As of 2010, Curious George was supposed to be an Illuminations reboot, so if that was anywhere near as successful as Despicable Me, it could stay/be updated.

Fievel and Barney could probably do with a retheme/replacement, as could Woody Woodpecker (is he still the mascot of Universal Studios parks?), but having a coaster like Woody's is useful in the same way as Barnstormer is.

Ideally they would get to use the land behind Curious George, but I'm sure I've read on here that it was not something they were looking at.
 
The Visionary Soul

The Visionary Soul

Well-Known Member
djlaosc said:
The obvious answers would be...
  • SpongeBob (he already has a store)
  • DreamWorks Animation Franchises (Shrek, Madagascar, HTTYD, Kung Fu Panda - they already have a relationship)
  • Classic Toons (reuse the old Toon Lagoon cut-outs)

Ideally they would keep E.T. and Animal Actors on Location! (both could be considered as part of Hollywood if they were to give the KidZone replacement a single unifying theme)

As of 2010, Curious George was supposed to be an Illuminations reboot, so if that was anywhere near as successful as Despicable Me, it could stay/be updated.

Fievel and Barney could probably do with a retheme/replacement, as could Woody Woodpecker (is he still the mascot of Universal Studios parks?), but having a coaster like Woody's is useful in the same way as Barnstormer is.

Ideally they would get to use the land behind Curious George, but I'm sure I've read on here that it was not something they were looking at.
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Yeah, none of that is happening that I know of. Universal isn't happy with its relationship with Dreamworks or Nick. And no one wants classic toons anymore unless they can be made new again. Think bigger for these plans.
 
Jrn14

Jrn14

Well-Known Member
would it still be geared towards Children. ..Doesn't get much bigger than Dreamworks for kids besides Disney & Pixar
 
Funmeister

Funmeister

Well-Known Member
TheVisionarySoul said:
Yeah, none of that is happening that I know of. Universal isn't happy with its relationship with Dreamworks or Nick. And no one wants classic toons anymore unless they can be made new again. Think bigger for these plans.
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Bugs and Co.? Would Warner Bros. license the characters since they really are not being utilized (Six Flags?) on a main stream scale?
 
cheezbat

cheezbat

Well-Known Member
Funmeister said:
Bugs and Co.? Would Warner Bros. license the characters since they really are not being utilized (Six Flags?) on a main stream scale?
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Since the nearest Six Flags is roughly 7-8 hours away and they don't really do much with the characters anyway, HECK YES! Lets get some Looney Tunes in the park as well as the DC Comics Superheroes! (I'd love to see just how much more Uni would do with both of those properties over what Six Flags has done.)
 
nutsaboutdisneybelfast

nutsaboutdisneybelfast

Active Member
disney fan 13 said:
Hey guys, I was just thinking we should have a dedicated thread to put all the rumors/news for UOR. To start us off...

Updated 11/3/13
Completed
*Springfield Expansion-Expansion of Springfield area to turn it into more of a subland with new restaurants (Moe's, Krusty Burger, Cletus Chicken Shack, Duff Gardens.) along with a new Spinner.(Currently:Completed)

*Transformers-clone of the simulator/dark ride from USH with enhancements in exterior.(Currently:Completed)

Universal Studios Store Expansion- (Completed) Store expanded to accommodate more merchandise.

Confirmed

*Harry Potter phase 2- A recreation of Diagon Alley to include a Gringotts bank indoor coaster/dark ride hybrid, new shop's and restaurants, and a train connecting the new expansion to the original land. (Currently: Under Construction, To be completed by June,2014)

*New value hotel-Cabana Bay (Currently:Under Construction, To be completed by 2014)

Very Possible/All but confirmed

*Transformers M&G- Same as USH with massive Autobots. (Currently:Now Open)

*Springfield Expansion-Expansion of Springfield area to turn it into more of a subland with new restaurants (Moe's, Krusty Burger, Kentucky Fried Panda, Duff Gardens.) along with a new flat ride.(Currently:Under construction, Opening June 20th, 2013)

*Expansion to JP-Currently planned is a "coaster", a refurbished River Adventure, Expanded Camp Jurassic, and more retail. (Currently:Work to start fall 2013:To be competed by Summer 2015.)

*In park Wifi (Currently: Under construction)

*KING KONG-http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-universal-rumors-thread.851716/page-37#post-5752207

*IOA Lagoon Show-Details unknown, To be completed by 2014

New Trains For Rip Ride Rockit- New trains to remove the large amount of roughness for riders and reduce cost of maintaining the vehicles: To be completed: Before October 2013


Citywalk Overhaul-New stores and dining added to freshen up offerings in Citywalk.
.
New Starbucks coming to IOA

Starbucks in Citywalk is moving downstairs

Major Announcement for Citywalk to close out 2013

Major Audio Upgrades coming to Transformers M&G
New Beetlejuice Show
4K Projector upgrade for the Simpsons Ride


Likely

*KZ retheme/expansion- Dreamworks/Nick retheme (Planned, Summer,2016 )

FJ Updates- To improve both video quality and effects. (Rumored)

Cat In The Hat updates- Improved lighting and general refurbishment of effects. (Rumored)

*FFL Replacement- New stage show, possibly Fast and Furious Stage show (Planned)

*T2 Updates- Video/sound and 3d updates (Planned)

*Shrek replaced/moved (Planned)

*SL expansion- A Lorax dark ride or Mt Crumpit coaster to be added.(Planned, most likely after JP expansion is completed.)

Toon Lagoon Replacement-New area to take over current TL (Planned, Most likely after JP expansion is completed.)

Farther down the road (5-10 years)
*Buyback of Lockheed land (Planned)
​
*Water Park-(Planned)

*Expansion into employee parking lot (Planned)

*Expansion of water ferry system (Planned)​

So if anyone has any corrections/comments/additions/updates please post and I will update the list.

And about 90% of the information on this list comes from OrlandoUnited.com so if you would like to hear this information when it breaks, join the site, its free.
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Any update on opening of harry potter expansion
 
The Visionary Soul

The Visionary Soul

Well-Known Member
Funmeister said:
Bugs and Co.? Would Warner Bros. license the characters since they really are not being utilized (Six Flags?) on a main stream scale?
Click to expand...
Umm, no. Totally not what I said. Bugs and Co's rights are tied up to Six Flags until 2075. (Not a random date mind you.)

I said Universal was looking at a bigger property for that location. Never said it was geared entirely to children.
 
DisneyConstruction23

DisneyConstruction23

Well-Known Member
IDK if this has been said or not but the next 5 years Universal will be building an elite ride (as they call it). 1 Ride to open each year...this may be old news but we are bidding on one of the jobs and learned of the upcoming bids for the next few years
 
novawildcat18

novawildcat18

Well-Known Member
DisneyConstruction23 said:
IDK if this has been said or not but the next 5 years Universal will be building an elite ride (as they call it). 1 Ride to open each year...this may be old news but we are bidding on one of the jobs and learned of the upcoming bids for the next few years
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We know of Diagon (obviously), Kong, and maybe a minor JP expansion. What else? I know there's possibility for KidZone replacement and/or Toon Lagoon.
 
DisneyConstruction23

DisneyConstruction23

Well-Known Member
Unfortunately we do not even really have details on the 5.....they are allowing us to bid with very minor detail such as if it will need acoustical ceilings, raised flooring etc. but until it gets closer and the bidding finishes we will not know the entire job.
 
DisneyConstruction23

DisneyConstruction23

Well-Known Member
O ok well like I said we just started bidding for it etc. and Universal as well as Disney try to hide the names of the projects from the public...Heck the new hotel we are working on for Universal was known as "Project X" when we bid because they did not want any news leaked until they were ready.
 
Funmeister

Funmeister

Well-Known Member
TheVisionarySoul said:
Umm, no. Totally not what I said. Bugs and Co's rights are tied up to Six Flags until 2075. (Not a random date mind you.)

I said Universal was looking at a bigger property for that location. Never said it was geared entirely to children.
Click to expand...

I did not mean to come across that I was implying you said that. I jut threw that out there.
 

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