You've lost the context in which my reply was placed. I was refuting claims from some ardent Universal supporters (I dislike the term fanboy and I'd rather not condescend to someone in that manner) who implied that Disney was going to take a billion years to do the DHS expansion, and that even then, they wouldn't have a prayer of keeping up with the hyperbolic flood of world class e-tickets that was about spring forth from can't-do-no-wrong gods at Universal. Here's a newsflash: Neither Disney nor Universal are perfect. I know it's hard for you to hear that there are parts of Universal that suck skunk fur, and I know it's hard for you to hear that Universal might not
actually be building 6-8 e-tickets in the next 5-6 years (as
totally plausible as that sounds), but I felt it necessary to toss some water on the flames of all this good 'ol fashion, thinly-veiled Disney-bashing that's en vogue these days on what's ostensibly a WDW fan site. Forgive me, Disney haters, while I proceed with my opinions.
Okay. I do believe, actually, that if F&F were to be built at Orlando it wouldn't be an exact clone, but only because the Hollywood version is part of the tram tour, of which there isn't one in Orlando. So it would obviously have to be modified. I think it would be a tragic waste of attraction space that Universal doesn't have in high-supply (spend the money on plussing a Zelda e-ticket plz and thank you), but maybe watching Vin Diesel yell while driving really fast next to me (in 3D) would be more fun than it sounds.
And I still don't particular care, I guess. Doesn't mean it won't be a blast for those who like water parks. But I won't go. Just not my thing. Disney has two water parks already, never been to them, either.
I love Nintendo. I grew up on Nintendo. Owned every console up through the Wii. But I know Nintendo. They've allowed garbage licenses of their properties in the past (Super Mario Bros movie, Zelda Philips CD-I games ... I'm sure there are more), and I just don't know if I can count on Nintendo to demand anything from Universal, and I don't know that they're even in a position to do so. Forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical of Nintendo's judgement and direction these days. They've been spiraling downward since the Wii U was announced. And this is coming from someone who's always been a Nintendo fan. Not that Universal+Nintendo won't be great, but it could easily be a let down. I just can't get my hopes up for the Zelda-themed Forbidden Journey that I'd love to see.
What on earth led you to add "everything" to my comment? Yes, Universal has a couple of beautiful environs (you've posted pictures of pretty much both of them). But I
clearly stated in my post, which you obviously ignored, that areas like Jurassic Park and Wizarding World are quality, immersive areas.
What I was implying is that the rest of IOA is a mish-mash that ranges from acceptable to downright bland. Toon Lagoon is blah, Marvel Island screams Six Flags to me with Hulk's unsightly green metal wrapping its tentacles around cardboard cutouts of boring building facades. Dragon Challenge mars the skyline and background of Lost Continent, and even intrudes into parts of Wizarding World as people go screaming by on a standard, garish B&M coaster (a ride that's a lot of fun, but just doesn't fit in that kind of beautifully themed area). Seuss island is alright (has some whimsy), but it's lacking something. MK's fantasyland destroys it. Outside of Wizarding World and Jurassic park, nothing else at IOA moves me whatsoever. Nothing memorable. Nothing beautiful or emotionally compelling. I don't feel the desire to take a photo of any of it, nor sit on a bench and take it all in for a while. Disney has a couple areas that are failures like that as well, like the Chester and Hester area of Animal Kingdom. But those areas are few and far between at the four Disney parks, whereas it's the presiding feel and overall impression at Universal. I never claimed every inch of WDW beats every inch of Universal in those regards. It's about an overall collective experience, an overall beauty that WDW has in large quantity.
You can post stunning photos of the Potter lands, because they are stunning, but I've seen the sum total of both parks. Pretty much all of the Studios park is, as I said, "urban" feeling (outside of Diagon which I haven't seen in person yet, but it looks beautiful). The rest of the Studios, however? Most of the time I feel like I'm walking through a theme park that sprung up in a parking lot. Much of that was the intent of the park in the beginning because of the "film studio" aspect, but now there are attractions in the midst of the backlot "street sets" area that was by-design meant to feel urban. But nonetheless, that asphalt and concrete and boxy feel still looms very large for me. Even the queues of some attractions like Terminator or the Simpsons are straight up depressing. Outside of ET and Gringotts, the Studios has mostly forgettable queues and environments. Even the Simpsons land didn't quite do it for me, and I adore the Simpsons. It was very cute to see some of Springfield re-created, but in the same way that Toon Lagoon and Suess Island fail for me personally, so does the Simpsons area. It feels like plastic and fiberglass--and even though I know that's intentional, it's hard for me to connect with it.
I understand Universal is under new ownership. I understand that much of the newer stuff is better (the queue of Forbidden Journey and Gringotts, for example, are what's good about the direction at Universal, but Disney has been doing that on almost every major attraction since the 90s).
I don't enjoy listing the things I hate about Universal. I really don't. It's a shame, because I really like Uni, and I want to continue to like it and enjoy it. I like the rides, I like going there in general. But in the end,
for me, it doesn't hold a candle to what Disney does in terms of place-making. Aside from the two Wizarding World areas, Jurassic Park (which holds a special sentimental place in my heart), and little snippets of flora here and there, there's a bit too much plastic+metal+asphalt. For every photo you post of Hogsmeade or Diagon, Disney has 10 that show off that kind (like this one for example, of the beautiful England area:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/somuchhamilton/6914311494). Google search for things like "World Showcase at night", "Epcot landscaping" or "Magic Kingdom landscaping" to see the kind of greenery and grandeur that Universal
generally lacks. That's not even talking about Animal Kingdom or the better-themed areas of Hollywood Studios, which even in it's currently dismal state, has the haunting Tower of Terror area or Echo lake to somewhat redeem the otherwise studio blocky-ness of much of the park.
Disney World is lush in comparison to the majority of Universal, especially the Studios. You might not care. I do. That's why it's called an opinion. The environment, the place-making, the general
feel in a theme park is a terribly critical element to me, especially when I'm looking to get away from the real world and take a full-on vacation. And of the few areas in WDW parks that I'm not in love with, it's due to a lack of the kind of thing that's part and parcel of much of the two Universal parks (as they currently stand). Once again, it's not that Universal isn't capable. But they're fighting a battle against several mistakes made when the Studios were built, as well as several mistakes made when IOA was built (lack of shade, Marvel Island's cardboard feel, etc). They're making a good go of it with things like the two Wizarding Worlds, but they've got a loooooong way to go (again, just in my opinion) to repair that damage. As the two parks stand, they can't match the scope and scale of what Disney has been doing right for a long time.
I don't mind when people disagree with me. I don't mind when people love the heck out of Universal or prefer it to Disney. What bothers me is when there's all this hyperbole that goes unchecked, like "6-8 E-tickets for Universal in the next 6 years" or that Universal is cranking out E-tickets at some kind of absurd rate, or that Disney's approved $3 billion expansion of Hollywood Studios can't make up for a decade of "stagnation" when Universal was in the
same stagnation boat until they built the first Wizarding World. Universal found new ownership, spent some money, built some attractions, but they're not suddenly a can't-fail golden child of theme park stardom. Then, when Disney throws $3B in the ring, it's just an unfounded "rumor" and even if it's true it's "too little too late" because Disney doesn't know what they're doing. Okay. We'll see.
I'm honestly not pointing a finger at anyone in particular, but it seems like there's a few people here who don't really care for Disney in the least, which I guess I find odd, if not a bit suspicious, considering this is a site about WDW.
Donkey Kong isn't a rumor I've read though. Just Mario Kart and Zelda. IMO DK is likely.
Vision of Hogwarts by h tf, on Flickr
Welcome to Diagon Alley by h tf, on Flickr
Fury of the Gods by h tf, on Flickr
