Universal Orlando Getting Bigger, Better, Wetter, Wilder

[dhall]

Someone here (I forgot who) predicted this would happen about three years ago. At the time, as I recall, this person was collectively ridiculed and laughed at for having such an opinion. Then, again, this person also had some other strange opinions. Still, my point is, we should never pick on someone because their opinions differ from everyone else's. Always respect someone's opinion, regardless of how strange it may sound at the time!

Not collectively, just by loud pixie-dust snorters. I think it's almost inevitable, at this point.

 

[mahnamahna101]

So basically MSHI becomes Avengers (and Spider-Man) Island? And Universal has worked out a possible co-partnership for a MCU-based revamp?

If so, excuse me while I go over the moon

But what's the point in retheming Hulk to Iron Man? Both are Avengers. The green coaster track looming and roaring over the lagoon is one of IOA's lasting icons. Just bulldoze Doom/Carnage warehouse and put an Avengers E-ticket there. Doom pales in comparison to Hogsmeade, Diagon, Springfield, Kong, and other things Universal has up its coffers. It's a Six Flags-esque spaceshot with no real theming for the ride experience and the ride itself is disappointing. I'd rather see Uni top ToT in terms of thrill and immersion.

Storm Force should stay the same. If they do retheme it, I hope it gets spruced up. Enclose it and add some projections, fog, strobe lights, and a more cohesive plot. Make it the most immersive tea cups ride on Earth

Also, GotG ought to be included somehow. Groot and Rocket M&Gs must happen...

 

[doctornick]

Also, GotG ought to be included somehow. Groot and Rocket M&Gs must happen...

I think it's already been established that Marvel (Disney) retains the east coast theme park rights for GotG. The team didn't even exist when the deal with Uni was made. I don't think Uni can use them at all.

I also don't think Uni can use the MCU versions of characters. Not that there is necessarily a huge difference, but they couldn't (for example) hire RDJ to play Iron Man in the queue or on the ride.

 

[GLaDOS]

I also don't think Uni can use the MCU versions of characters. Not that there is necessarily a huge difference, but they couldn't (for example) hire RDJ to play Iron Man in the queue or on the ride.

There's nothing in the contract that prevents that from happening.

 

[Nubs70]

Having ridden Gringotts less than 24 hours ago I have to say that the screens on it are 100% needed. There are no elements on that ride where an aa could work and look natural. having said that... The biggest thing that seems to be overlooked is that Gringotts is located in easily the most amazingly themed area I've ever seen. Nothing aside from the collective entire park of dak comes close. Say what you will about new fantasy land but it's a bunch of nice areas grouped together and there is very little cohesion.

If Universal keeps doing what they're doing with the theming around attractions like they've done with springfield, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, they're going to earn more repeat visits from me. I'm not a water park person so that is a little disappointing to me but for those that do like them, I hope it's awesome.

Must agree 100% on Gringotts. The theme of the queue is fantastic, better than FLE. Gringotts was the only screen ride that did not make me want to puke.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Personally I love Disney and I love Uni to, I have had great times at both resorts. I also don't have a problem with people who like one over the other, but I think anyone who is a fan of themed entertainment and has never been to Uni at least once is doing themselves a dis-service. What really bothers me is people who try to discredit what Uni has achieved, people who try to mis-represent it as "just a thrill park", or "just like Six Flags", or pretend that it's no where near in the same league as Disney.

Make no mistake, Universal is largely a thrills park. I would not recommend paying for a child under the age of 6 to go to Universal. Even then, I'd recommend they get to the 48 inch height requirement level. Universal is far from flawless and I'm a little surprised that they're continuing to make screen based thrill rides instead of rounding out their family friendly offerings. The latter would really help expand the ages/demographics of people that visit those parks.

 

[RSoxNo1]

There was a bet on here a while back that a Uni park would pass a WDW park in attendance the first full year after the opening of Diagon Alley (based on the TEA number). I think this is very possible especially if they start major work on DHS this year or next which may hurt it's numbers.

The bet was with me and someone that has since been kicked off this forum (Jimmy Thicke). The bet was first full year after Diagon Alley that one Universal park would pass one Disney park in attendance.

 

[RSoxNo1]

How are E.T, Animal Actors, Despicable Me, Woody Woodpecker and Shrek not true family attractions?

I would argue that Woody Woodpecker is a kids attraction, not a family attraction. The issue is that the best attractions in the park all have height requirements. You can make the same argument about Hollywood Studios, but in general there are more quality attractions without height requirements at Disney. Now, the argument about whether or not those "family friendly" attractions are stale or night is a different discussion.

 

[RSoxNo1]

A year or two ago, the scuttlebutt was that Disney was holding off to use Marvel as a big part of a third gate in Anaheim and that was why they weren't putting it in the parks there. The new rumor is that the Hollywoodland area of DCA (where Monsters Inc is) is going to re-themed to Marvel instead of a previous plan to make that into Monstropolis.

The expectation is that a new Marvel themed area (meet and greets) and coaster will be announced at D23 for DCA.

 

[BrerJon]

If I had a dollar for every time someone has said something was going to be announced at D23 and then it wasn't, I could probably afford a one day ticket.

 

[Nmoody1]

If I had a dollar for every time someone has said something was going to be announced at D23 and then it wasn't, I could probably afford a one day ticket.

Is that with park hopping option?

 

[hokielutz]

So someone tell me again.... why is this thread, primarily about Universal Parks, still in the 'Walt Disney World > WDW Parks News, Rumors, and Current events' section of the forum??

Other than it gets great exposure.

 

[Mike S]

So someone tell me again.... why is this thread, primarily about Universal Parks, still in the 'Walt Disney World > WDW Parks News, Rumors, and Current events' section of the forum??

Other than it gets great exposure.

Read the article. It talks about WDW too.

 

[GhostHost1000]

If I had a dollar for every time someone has said something was going to be announced at D23 and then it wasn't, I could probably afford a one day ticket.

even at the new pricing? lol

 

[hokielutz]

Read the article. It talks about WDW too.

I did read the article... its primary subject was about Universal and its growth, then comparing it to Disney. Looking back at it again... the first five paragraphs are all about news related to Universal, as the article headlines. If that back section of the article is what qualifies it as WDW news, then fine. But its sitting in a grey area, IMHO.

 

[Mike S]

I did read the article... its primary subject was about Universal and its growth, then comparing it to Disney. Looking back at it again... the first five paragraphs are all about news related to Universal, as the article headlines. If that back section of the article is what qualifies it as WDW news, then fine. But its sitting in a grey area, IMHO.

It is a bit grey but if the mods haven't moved they most likely think it's fine.

 

[wdwmagic]

I think the article is relevant to WDW, so have left it here. If nobody is interested, it will drop off the first page by itself.

 

[Nubs70]

To relate this to WDW.

My visit to Universal and my experience with Forbidden Journey and Gringotts helped me to determine my position on queue design.

My position is:
A properly designed queue is visually/mentally interactive not physically/tactilely interactive.

Gringotts is visually amazing where as 7DMT is much less engaging. VotLM has an interesting queue but is small and confined in relation to Gringotts

 

[BrerJon]

My position is:
A properly designed queue is visually/mentally interactive not physically/tactilely interactive.

Gringotts is visually amazing where as 7DMT is much less engaging. VotLM has an interesting queue but is small and confined in relation to Gringotts

That's a brilliant point. Universal believes a queue should offer things to see, read and watch, whereas Disney thinks a queue should offer things to do, touch and interact with.

 

[Voice of Disney sanity]

I can get a day non-hopper ticket to DHS and experience all the parks attractions. If I get a non-hopper ticket to Universal, I miss out on the park's only true family attraction.

That's simply not true. The hogsmeade express is not part of the park. It's transportation between the parks and requires a different ticket level to ride. Keep repeating it over and over it still won't be true.