Universal to open "Fear Factor" theme park attractions

[ToTBellHop]

I'm guessing they will insist that all competitors are over 21 and obviously sign a waiver, and they will let guests under 21 play with the water or air and such--I think it sounds fun, personally. Fear Factor is rather popular. This is no more of a liability than Six Flags building Skycoasters and Slingshots in their parks, and I think this will do better in CA than FL, as the Hollywood park has a much more adult crowd. Anyone who knows what Fear Factor is will know what they are getting themselves into, so I don't think you would see any more people leaving w/ their kids than you do at It's Tough to Be a Bug. I just hope they don't go cheap on this--if they are going to simulate an extreme tv show, this needs to be extreme.

 

[DisneySaint]

I dunno how good of an idea this is going to be...

 

[Legacy]

I'm guessing they will insist that all competitors are over 21 and obviously sign a waiver, and they will let guests under 21 play with the water or air and such--I think it sounds fun, personally. Fear Factor is rather popular. This is no more of a liability than Six Flags building Skycoasters and Slingshots in their parks, and I think this will do better in CA than FL, as the Hollywood park has a much more adult crowd. Anyone who knows what Fear Factor is will know what they are getting themselves into, so I don't think you would see any more people leaving w/ their kids than you do at It's Tough to Be a Bug. I just hope they don't go cheap on this--if they are going to simulate an extreme tv show, this needs to be extreme.

That's the thing. The theater doesn't allow anything too extreme. It will be limited to 1 or 2 harness stunts and a gross-out. No big lakes. No exploding cars. No dangling from helicopters. They aren't even using live bugs. The more I think about this, the more it becomes Fear Factor: Lite.

 

[Michael72688]

I think this show has huge potential and I think it will do very well. I know I cant wait to see it!

 

[ToTBellHop]

That's the thing. The theater doesn't allow anything too extreme. It will be limited to 1 or 2 harness stunts and a gross-out. No big lakes. No exploding cars. No dangling from helicopters. They aren't even using live bugs. The more I think about this, the more it becomes Fear Factor: Lite.

You don't need all of that stuff to scare people...I'm sure it'll be fine.

 

[Legacy]

You don't need all of that stuff to scare people...I'm sure it'll be fine.

But you need it in order for the show to be Fear Factor.

They can get away with not using live bugs, but I know I wouldn't be too scared of dangling 60 feet in the air. I've done that before and it's not that high.

 

[AndyMagic]

If everyone took the time to actually read the press releases, they would know that there will be no bug eating in the live show and probably no testicle eating either. The major contestants will have to sign waivers which makes the show no more of a liability than the NBC show itself. You can sue all you want but if you signed that sheet of paper, you won't see any money. I can see this being a pretty decent show and pulling in some good numbers. People love the idea of actually being a part of a show they saw on TV. Who Wants to be a Millionaire at MGM is still a crowd pleaser even though most of the world no longer watches the syndicated version anymore. I have a feeling the stunts will be more along the lines of Nick's Double Dare than Fear Factor but that doesn't really matter because the real fun comes from seeing regular park guests doing dumb things for prizes! People have and always will enjoy watching people make fools of themselves.

 

[ToTBellHop]

standing 60 feet in the air isn't scary? I think it is. Especially if you are on a 5" wide beam and it is raining, both of which would be possible (and likely) for this show. There is a difference between dangling in the air and trying to perform a stunt while being drenched, 60 feet in the air. I would imagine roofing a 60 foot tall building during a heavy rainstorm might be a little scary. As Andy said, if people can get excited about answering trivia for prizes, I'm sure this will be fun for people. It may not be geared toward the 35+ crowd, but that has never really been Universal's target crowd anyway. Just because you don't eat live bugs doesn't mean you won't be eating dead bugs that they have cooked to make sure there is no bacteria--still pretty freakin nasty to me.

 

[matt88mph]

As do I.... :lol:

A Seinfeld dark ride could work well though. You start off in the comedy club and Jerry tells some jokes, then you vehicle turns around and you're in Jerry's apartment. Jerry and George AAs are in the kitchen and Elaine is sitting on the couch. A Kramer AA then bursts in, says some things, and then, well, we'll go on from there. :lol:

You just gave me an idea. It wouldn't be a Seinfeld ride, but rather, a new version of the old Murder, She Wrote/Hercules and Xena shows. I call it:

NBC Post Production Featuring Seinfeld

If Seinfeld gets old (and I doubt it will), they can change it to whatever show they please.

Anyway, it would be a lot like the MSW show, with videotaped introductions by Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, and Michael Richards, giving explanations of what goes on "when the cameras go off." The queue would be converted to a replica of an NBC soundstage, featuring props from Seinfeld, and signs showing highlights from each season.

I'll continue at a later time. As for my thoughts on Fear Factor: Live!, I say, "We gave up a decent wild west stunt show for this?"

 

[dxwwf3]

You just gave me an idea. It wouldn't be a Seinfeld ride, but rather, a new version of the old Murder, She Wrote/Hercules and Xena shows. I call it:

NBC Post Production Featuring Seinfeld

If Seinfeld gets old (and I doubt it will), they can change it to whatever show they please.

Anyway, it would be a lot like the MSW show, with videotaped introductions by Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, and Michael Richards, giving explanations of what goes on "when the cameras go off." The queue would be converted to a replica of an NBC soundstage, featuring props from Seinfeld, and signs showing highlights from each season.

That would be an awesome attraction. That building was never operational during my first trip to USF and it hasn't been open since.

 

[AndyP]

If fear factor is done right it will be awesome, and its good to see the stadium won't be empty anymore!

 

[NemoRocks78]

Fear Factor Live at Universal Studios Florida
Come test your courage and strength this spring in the new “Fear Factor Live” show opening at Universal Studios Florida.

Experience the thrill of the blockbuster series and compete in a progression of extreme stunts designed to test the physical and emotional limits of each contestant.

Members of the audience will play an interactive role by blasting contestants with water and air and controlling obstacles on stage. In addition, audience members can spin the “Wheel of Fear” and confront their own phobias.

----from the official Universal Orlando website.

 

[Jacks Sally]

I just think this sounds like a bad idea :veryconfu

 

[Brooke]

I think this could work. I was there the day they were shooting Fear Factor and there was a huge crowd watching the taping all around the lagoon.

It's a LOT better than an empty theater!

 

[Lynx04]

For the sake of the Universal and NBC relationship I hope this attraction is successful. It could make GE understand the value of the parks as another way to market their products.

The next lesson they need to learn is that spending on new attractions makes money at the gate, if done properly.

 

[Legacy]

For the sake of the Universal and NBC relationship I hope this attraction is successful. It could make GE understand the value of the parks as another way to market their products.

The next lesson they need to learn is that spending on new attractions makes money at the gate, if done properly.

I agree. And even though I sound against the attraction, I really do hope it succeeds. The future of the park depends on it.

 

[Lynx04]

I agree. And even though I sound against the attraction, I really do hope it succeeds. The future of the park depends on it.

I agree, I have absolutely have no interest in this attraction, having said that, I have a feeling that it will resonate with regular guests.

 

[Legacy]

I agree, I have absolutely have no interest in this attraction, having said that, I have a feeling that it will resonate with regular guests.

It will resonate with me. And I'm gonna pull every connection I can to participate in this show.

But I just have a sinking feeling it won't be good.

 

[Lynx04]

It will resonate with me. And I'm gonna pull every connection I can to participate in this show.

But I just have a sinking feeling it won't be good.

I think it will be like "WWTBAM" at MGM. It will be cool for a while but then lose it novality. If I am correct, I hope GE gets a taste and wants more before it starts to slump.

 

[Legacy]

I think it will be like "WWTBAM" at MGM. It will be cool for a while but then lose it novality. If I am correct, I hope GE gets a taste and wants more before it starts to slump.

I think that's the big thing. They will have to have a few different stunts to rotate in order to keep people coming back. If it's the same three stunts, nobody will bother seeing it more than thrice. Which would be VERY bad considering how much of a local audience Uni pulls in.