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A Decade in Review: USH 2010-2019

Feb 17, 2014
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From 2000-2009, Universal Studios Hollywood suffered from a mish mash of strange and confusing additions to the park. Many attractions were forced into the parks with no real staying power and the people seemed to notice and stay away. I remember getting a free annual pass in the mail in the mid-2000's and so did many of my friends, how bad could it get for the park to give away free AP's? Anyways, by 2009 the park had suffered and it showed but by 2010 things began to turn around and began it's journey back to prominence.

2010:

King Kong 360

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The Studio Tour addition was one of the most highly anticipated additions in a while and lived up to the hype. It garnered rave reviews and brought the public back to the small studio park.

The Special Effects Stage relocated to the Castle Theater in preparation for the newly announced Transformers Ride.

2011

Another update to the Studio Tour came in the form of a new tram host, the newly appointed late night host Jimmy Fallon joined the tour.

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2012

Transformers The Ride-3D

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This ride was defintely a game changer for the park and has been a fan favorite since it's debut. Using the same technology as Spider-Man by integrating screens and physical sets, Transfomers was an overwhelming success.

The Lower Lot now had three thrill rides and nothing to do for small children so because if this Dino Play was added.

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2013

Universal Plaza

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This year saw the first time the park began to make aesthetic changes by adding Universal Plaza as part of the 5 year plan the to fix the park

2014

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem

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Super Silly Fun Land

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Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Fun Land brought more much needed family entertainment to the park.

2015

Springfield

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Springfield was another popular addition to the park, making the park as a whole a little more cohesive and complimenting The Simpsons ride as well.

Studio Tour 50th Anniversary

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The 50th anniversary brought the NightTime Studio Tour as well a new entrance, new trams, new queue elements and......

Supercharged

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Raptor Encounter

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Raptor encounter also debuted this year and has become one of the most popular character experiences at the park.

2016

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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This was the crown gem of Universal's Five Year Plan and really made its mark on the overall quality of USH, it is the most expensive addition to park in it's lifetime.

Universal Boulevard

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Universal Boulevard made for a more immersive entrance, bringing classic Hollywood to life and further adding to making the park a more beautiful place.

New Special Effects Stage Show

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The show got a great update with more action packed sequences and more intense special effects.

From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical Laika Experience



Although it only made a limited engagement twice, this small behind the scenes look at Laika's films was made with a lot of love.

2017

Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle



USH finally added some nighttime magic by using projection mapping and minimal fireworks and offered the first of many different iterations to come. One being shown that holiday season with a Christmas version as well as getting Hogwarts into the spirit for the first time.

Also, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is shown in 4K.


2018

Dreamworks Theater



A superb addition to Universal, done with quality and love, very high tech with amazing effects and aesthetically beautiful, a welcome addition to the growing beauty of the park.

Animation Studio Store



More quality driven architecture is built to further compliment Universal Boulevard.

Wizarding World Interactive Wands



A very fun addition that has taken interactivity in the park to a whole other level.

2019

Jurassic World The Ride



Jurassic Park gets an elaborate update making for an exciting adventure.

Jurassic World also brings a mini land with it including an updated Raptor Encounter, expanded Dino Play and theming.

Dark Arts Show



The third iteration of the Hogwarts Nighttime show debuts using drone technology, the likes of which many fans have never seen at a theme park.


In closing

USH has came a long way in the past decade, a feat that will hopefully continue throughout this new decade and surely Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! and Nintendo World will gets things started off with a bang.
 
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This could be one proper post as opposed to just posting beyond the normal amount.

That said, USH has had..a hell of a turnaround for this decade.

As @Uni-Fan posted prior, we got a lot.

  • 2010 - King Kong 360 3D, the Relocation of Special Effects Stage
  • 2012 - Transformers
  • 2013 - Universal Plaza, and the Approval of the NBCUniversal Evolution Plan
  • 2014 - Despicable Me and Super Silly Fun Land, the Demolition of Soundstage 28
  • 2015 - Springfield, Fast & Furious - Drupercharged, The implementation of the Nighttime Studio Tours
  • 2016 - Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Walking Dead Attraction, ET Parking Structure, and the beginnings of many big changes to Citywalk
  • 2017 - Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle
  • 2018 - DreamWorks Theater, the demolition of Soundstages 22-25, Phase One of the New Soundstages at Fall's Lake, The Demolition of Globe Theater, The Demoliton of Saddle Ranch
  • 2019 - Jurassic World
It's quite amazing to see Comcast not only investing heavily to USH, but making sure that it can have a legacy that's quite unique and special. Part of me hopes @Brian G. and the crew are writing memoir's on the decade's of both Hollywood and Orlando, especially because of just what has happened to the two Western properties of Universal Park's and Resorts.

One in a sense, is a complete expansion and explosion of new content, attractions, and experiences for so many. And the other, is overhauling the front half of it's own park, it's own entertainment offerings, and even the studio it resides with.

And especially as the new decade comes with some amazing things coming along the way; I can't wait to see where Universal goes next.

Does the Nighttime Studio Tour still occur?

If I'm not mistaken, they have the effects on at night now for when the tram passes through, but it isn't as extensive as it was during that period of time.
 
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If I'm not mistaken, they have the effects on at night now for when the tram passes through, but it isn't as extensive as it was during that period of time.

By what you’re saying, the digital effects (like the Dinos) are still there, but the scenes with actors (Bate’s Motel) are probably not. Does that seem close?
 
By what you’re saying, the digital effects (like the Dinos) are still there, but the scenes with actors (Bate’s Motel) are probably not. Does that seem close?

The Norman scene has always been there, way before the Nighttime Studio Tour.

It's scenes like Frankenstein in the Little Europe Sets or Marilyn Monroe in the Metro Sets that were exclusive to the Nighttime Studio Tour.
 
Well, no. By posting here, you agree to the guidelines of the forum.
Double posting usually refers to either replying to separate quotes in a row or posting unrelated things multiple times in a row. The OP posted something very interesting and cool and let's you visualize the changes. Best to see what the guidelines are seeking to enforce, not just jump on someone who worked hard to write something informative.
 
Double posting usually refers to either replying to separate quotes in a row or posting unrelated things multiple times in a row. The OP posted something very interesting and cool and let's you visualize the changes. Best to see what the guidelines are seeking to enforce, not just jump on someone who worked hard to write something informative.

Since we missed this originally...

The post could have been made under 1 post. Sometimes on very long posts, the forum reaches its max limit so it needs to split up into two - which we understand. Posting 7 times for 7 different years is a bit much.

Either way, post merged. Nice work, @Uni-Fan.
 
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