Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[TheUniC6]

I think USF really could use a new family dark ride. It's the park that has all the Illumination and DreamWorks IP in it so I think the opportunity to use one of those film series for a dark ride is there. But it doesn't seem to be in the cards for either of those areas since it seems like the next to-do's over the next several years are replacing RRR, Springfield, and Supercharged. If Pokémon ends up going to USF though then I'm hoping that'll be the one to finally address this.

If Pokemon is a dark ride the most intriguing question now would be what type of ride system will be used here. Some have pitched brushing off the Pokemon Snap omnimover concept first pitched when they though Pokemon would take over KZ, but since the ride will presumably take over both the Simpsons Ride building and the sprung tent area, I would hope they will go for something bigger and more action orientated than what an omnimover could provide.

After seeing those impressive animatronics for Monsters Unchained, it would be neat if that tech trickled down into Pokemon somehow.

I think AA will go for a Shrek dark ride if it doesn't get absorbed into Pokemon. Though I am pretty sure they are in a holding pattern to see how well Shrek 5 does before pulling the trigger.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I'm going to guess we will eventually get some kind of dark ride in Dreamworks land.

 

[Sneakman]

In hindsight, the “overhaul” of USF is 100% already underway with minions land, ddreamworks, mega movie + cinesational, and the refurbs for mummy and ET. while not perfect, I think the park is going in the right direction, and will be better once all the stuff planned is said and done.

so the docket for the future is shaping up to be HRRR replacement, Simpsons Pokémon replacement (which is the worst kept secret for universal in a while), and hopefully Superchagred? good list imo.

With the rumor crackdown/slowdown as of late however, I would 100% not be surpised if there is a ride closure/replacement/new project at USF, (or any park in that matter) that is totally out of left field for us. Gut feeling, dunno why. Just something about this feels too predictable, yknow? (DISCLAIMER: I HAVE NO SOURCES OF ANY KIND, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THAT LAST STATEMENT AS ANY KIND OF HINT.)



Bright future ahead!

 

[belloq87]

In hindsight, the “overhaul” of USF is 100% already underway with minions land, ddreamworks

Speaking only for myself (caveat: I'm not a representative fan), these two projects actually made me question whether or not Universal thinks anything needs to be "overhauled" about the park in the first place. Both would have been prime opportunities to begin addressing what some see as a key weakness of the park, but VillainCon is just another screen-based attraction, and DreamWorks is a cosmetic overlay of (mostly) stuff that was already there; an improvement in theme, certainly, but basically a wash in terms of improving the park's attraction roster.*

As I always say, in X-FILES parlance, "I want to believe." But until we get start to get some screen rides out of the park in favor of non-screen-reliant rides (or pure additions along those lines), I'm going to remain somewhat skeptical that the park is moving in the direction I'd like to see it move (which is a more balanced variety of attraction types).

* Mandatory "Yes, Epic Universe has been the priority up to this point" disclaimer.

 

[Sneakman]

Speaking only for myself (caveat: I'm not a representative fan), these two projects actually made me question whether or not Universal thinks anything needs to be "overhauled" about the park in the first place. Both would have been prime opportunities to begin addressing what some see as a key weakness of the park, but VillainCon is just another screen-based attraction, and DreamWorks is a cosmetic overlay of (mostly) stuff that was already there; an improvement in theme, certainly, but basically a wash in terms of improving the park's attraction roster.*

As I always say, in X-FILES parlance, "I want to believe." But until we get start to get some screen rides out of the park in favor of non-screen-reliant rides (or pure additions along those lines), I'm going to remain somewhat skeptical that the park is moving in the direction I'd like to see it move (which is a more balanced variety of attraction types).

* Mandatory "Yes, Epic Universe has been the priority up to this point" disclaimer.

Well, I do get your point. USF has been kind of a mess as of late. I do think that the two afformentioned projects in my response above will at least be somehwat of an improvement. I do kinda get how the past two additions were kinda “improvement in theme only”, but it’s not like they were much better in theme before, so there’s at least that. Bourne was good though. That’s an improvement at least too. And Coaster + Pokémon should probably be good. So it’ll at least be better. There are things that still need to be eventually fixed (Fallon, fear factor) but i think those aren’t really big priorities.

One thing i worry about is supercharged. I can 100% see them being lazy and keeping the bus ride system. I hope they dont. I wonder what they’ll even use as the IP?

 

[Clive]

I think we're getting a little overconfident that Pokemon is coming to replace Simpsons in 3-5 years or so. A lot can change in that time. Nintendo was absolutely going into KidZone until it wasn't.

 

[Sneakman]

I think I am confident more so because that because of the contract, Simpsons is legally obligated to close in a few years. I don’t think they’d want to leave it rotting for long, because the Simpsons makes merchanding and food money, and I’m sure they don’t want too much of a drop off in that.

 

[Clive]

I think I am confident more so because that because of the contract, Simpsons is legally obligated to close in a few years. I don’t think they’d want to leave it rotting for long, because the Simpsons makes merchanding and food money, and I’m sure they don’t want too much of a drop off in that.

Like I said, while these are fair inferences and educated guesses based on limited information, I think we're getting a little overconfident.

 

[Sneakman]

Like I said, while these are fair inferences and educated guesses based on limited information, I think we're getting a little overconfident.

True, true. Things are always changing. Zelda was up next for sure until it wasnt.

 

[belloq87]

I think we're getting a little overconfident that Pokemon is coming to replace Simpsons in 3-5 years or so. A lot can change in that time. Nintendo was absolutely going into KidZone until it wasn't.

Whether it's Pokemon or not, something of that sort of scale needs to be happening within that time period.

 

[Sneakman]

Whether it's Pokemon or not, something of that sort of scale needs to be happening within that time period.

I agree. I really hope it does. Park needs it. I think an actually GOOD rollercoaster will help things regardless of these plans happening, but USF needs work. It feels somewhat directionless right now. I think years of “constantly swap things out for the hottest IP, and use screens as much as possible!” Have finally caught up with the park.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I think we're getting a little overconfident that Pokemon is coming to replace Simpsons in 3-5 years or so. A lot can change in that time. Nintendo was absolutely going into KidZone until it wasn't.

I feel crazy for saying it, but a very small part of the back of my mind wonders if they may strike another contract to keep Simpsons around for another 3 or 4 years after the current one expires.

 

[Rhian]

Toon Lagoon being replaced has been tossed up as an idea here and there. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Pokémon take that spot.

I feel crazy for saying it, but a very small part of the back of my mind wonders if they may strike another contract to keep Simpsons around for another 3 or 4 years after the current one expires.

They'd have to negotiate with Disney at this point though, right? Since Disney recently released a survey asking about how guests feel about the IP that ship may have already sailed and Disney's looking to build something with it as soon as they can. Unlike the Marvel contract this one has an expiration date, and I'm not sure if the amount of money they'd pay to extend it would be more than what they're currently making with it for just a few more years. It makes more sense to invest that money in its replacement.

 

[Sneakman]

Question for everyone: Should a classic property/properties get/deserve a new attraction at some place at USF/USO?

I know we all want it to happen, but looking at it realistically, does it make sense? What would it even look like?

I do kinda have the feeling (correct me if I’m wrong) that at least a couple people in UC kinda wanna do something with classic ip’s?I mean, they’ve had two tribute stores in the past 3 years, the fireworks show, the parade, the escape room with bttf, like, I dunno. Maybe the parade and show was a compromise? Am I reading into too much on this?

 

[MLevell]

Related to that, I'm curious what people here would actually prefer in the much theorized "Great Movie Ride-Esque Celebration Of Universal History" ride:

1. Only include actual Universal Studios made/owned properties like Jaws and Back to the Future
2. Focus on properties that used to be more heavily featured at Universal Studios Florida even if they are licensed like Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice

Basically would we want a ride celebrating the history of the movie studio or the theme park?

 

[Freak]

Related to that, I'm curious what people here would actually prefer in the much theorized "Great Movie Ride-Esque Celebration Of Universal History" ride:

1. Only include actual Universal Studios made/owned properties like Jaws and Back to the Future
2. Focus on properties that used to be more heavily featured at Universal Studios Florida even if they are licensed like Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice

Basically would we want a ride celebrating the history of the movie studio or the theme park?

You can experience it right now! You would have to book a plane ticket to LA to experience it. It’s called the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.

 

[Legacy]

Related to that, I'm curious what people here would actually prefer in the much theorized "Great Movie Ride-Esque Celebration Of Universal History" ride:

1. Only include actual Universal Studios made/owned properties like Jaws and Back to the Future
2. Focus on properties that used to be more heavily featured at Universal Studios Florida even if they are licensed like Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice

Basically would we want a ride celebrating the history of the movie studio or the theme park?

It should only focus on Universal-owned properties. The attraction should be a celebration of Universal Studios as a movie production company—not a theme park.

 

[belloq87]

Related to that, I'm curious what people here would actually prefer in the much theorized "Great Movie Ride-Esque Celebration Of Universal History" ride:

1. Only include actual Universal Studios made/owned properties like Jaws and Back to the Future
2. Focus on properties that used to be more heavily featured at Universal Studios Florida even if they are licensed like Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice

Basically would we want a ride celebrating the history of the movie studio or the theme park?

It should only focus on Universal-owned properties. The attraction should be a celebration of Universal Studios as a movie production company—not a theme park.

Philosophically, I agree with Legacy. However, I'm not sure there are enough BIG Universal properties (not already currently represented in the parks) to fill out an entire ride. Certainly...

- JAWS
- BACK TO THE FUTURE
- Hitchcock/PSYCHO (despite PSYCHO being a Paramount production, it was filmed on the Universal lot, Universal now owns the film, and the sequels are all Universal movies... so I consider it a fully-Universal picture).

... are the three biggest obvious inclusions. But beyond that, Universal's "not already in use" properties start to get a little thin. Maybe you could cluster together some scenes around genres: a horror section sans the Universal Monsters (John Carpenter's THE THING, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, HALLOWEEN II, etc.), a comedy section (ANIMAL HOUSE?), a drama section, and so on. But I do think you start "reaching" pretty quickly.

So my proposal would be an attraction that is heavily focused around Universal films, but perhaps has a couple of additional licensed properties to fill things out. And then name the attraction something that reflects that it isn't purely Universal titles.

 

[TheUniC6]

I think we're getting a little overconfident that Pokemon is coming to replace Simpsons in 3-5 years or so. A lot can change in that time. Nintendo was absolutely going into KidZone until it wasn't.

Tomfoolery said a while back Pokemon would be coming to USF. So I'm inclined to think it will come to UOR in some form whether it takes over Simpsons or not.

 

[Clive]

Tomfoolery said a while back Pokemon would be coming to USF. So I'm inclined to think it will come to UOR in some form whether it takes over Simpsons or not.

Did you read what I wrote?