KidZone Replacement Rumors & Speculation (Pt 2)

[Magic-Man]

I want a Puss in Boots stunt show, is that too much to ask?!

 

[TheGentTrent]

I will say I think I'll kinda miss having Woody as a pseudo park mascot, but maybe that's just my nostalgia for the Gamecube Universal game talking!

Does anyone know how early they started phasing him out? Must've been Pre-Potter 2000s somewhere, he appeared in 90s promotional materials but it definitely feels like they moved away from that marketing angle pretty quickly.

Pretty much happened once the Minions became the new Universal mascots.

 

[ssirin88]

I want a Puss in Boots stunt show, is that too much to ask?!

Cats are a pain to train

 

[Brian G.]

Cats are a pain to train

Not Queso.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

ET's Dreamland

 

[MagdolHauntsMe]

I love how we adults are so concerned about what to call this place, will the flow be confusing to us, how much $ is Universal spending, will remaining attractions clash with new ones, etc. Kids just want a big place to run and bounce and climb and slide and get wet and ride a ride or two (as long as the lines aren't too long) and meet some beloved characters (as long as the lines aren't too long). The rest is meaningless to them.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'm interested in seeing what new dining concepts they might come up with for this area. Will it be the generic snack stands or something more unique? Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and Trolls can provide the opportunity for unique items.

I don't expect a quick service, mostly just a few well-themed snack stands (I hope).

 

[JoeCamel]

I love how we adults are so concerned about what to call this place, will the flow be confusing to us, how much $ is Universal spending, will remaining attractions clash with new ones, etc. Kids just want a big place to run and bounce and climb and slide and get wet and ride a ride or two (as long as the lines aren't too long) and meet some beloved characters (as long as the lines aren't too long). The rest is meaningless to them.

We as adults teach kids what to like and what to be happy with. For the most part it is all new to the kids so they have no frame of reference until they are told or shown they should have.
But baseline, themepark fans want to know and rate every single detail, just the nature of the species

 

[Nico]

I'm interested in seeing what new dining concepts they might come up with for this area. Will it be the generic snack stands or something more unique? Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and Trolls can provide the opportunity for unique items.

I don't expect a quick service, mostly just a few well-themed snack stands (I hope).

I wonder how long Kidzone Pizza lasts in its current form after the land reopens.

 

[belloq87]

I love how we adults are so concerned about what to call this place, will the flow be confusing to us, how much $ is Universal spending, will remaining attractions clash with new ones, etc. Kids just want a big place to run and bounce and climb and slide and get wet and ride a ride or two (as long as the lines aren't too long) and meet some beloved characters (as long as the lines aren't too long). The rest is meaningless to them.

Depending on what exact ages you're talking about, I think this is selling kids a little short (with respect!).

The idea that in order for a land to appeal to young kids it must have nothing that might also appeal to older kids and adults* has, I would argue, been disproved by numerous successful theme park lands over the decades that have skewed towards a younger target while delivering experiences everyone can have fun with.

(*Yes, I'm generalizing; I'm sure there will also be adults in the meet-and-greet lines.)

 

[OrlandoGuy]

I love how we adults are so concerned about what to call this place, will the flow be confusing to us, how much $ is Universal spending, will remaining attractions clash with new ones, etc. Kids just want a big place to run and bounce and climb and slide and get wet and ride a ride or two (as long as the lines aren't too long) and meet some beloved characters (as long as the lines aren't too long). The rest is meaningless to them.

From the Guardians thread:

But I do wonder how they spent that much on this attraction when most of the theming during the ride is screens and static props.

And no, "Fun" is not all that matters, "Fun" is superficial.

Also, Guardians cost way more than it should have, Tron is taking way longer than it should have, and both aren't really all that special.

If you had fun on it, fine, that doesn't mean you are correct in your thinking.


Joe Rhode had a great take on this.

When asked by CEO's "why can't it just be fun"...his response was always "well, I can have fun in my pool at home, why would I buy a very expensive theme park ticket for it?"

Theme Parks are supposed to be more than "fun", and no, Disney isn't the theme park empire it is today strictly because people only have "fun" there.

Theme Parks Should Be More Than Just Fun - Former Imagineer Joe Rohde Says “Fun is Cheap” - WDW News Today (wdwnt.com)

Built rides, run amusement parks.

I think it’s safe to call this a bad faith argument when it very selectively applies based on personal preferences. Goes against the spirit of healthy discussion.

 

[JoeCamel]

I wonder how long Kidzone Pizza lasts in its current form after the land reopens.

You mean closed? There is hope, look at Green Eggs

 

[UniversalRBLX]

You mean closed? There is hope, look at Green Eggs

Just waiting for the day that Pizza Fries become a year-round thing.

 

[MagdolHauntsMe]

I'm half joking in my earlier post, of course. Don't mean to offend anyone. I like thinking about these things too and was including myself in my observation.

There's a great scene in The Simpsons where Maggie gets a present for Christmas. She tears it open, takes one look at the toy inside, tosses it aside, and then excitedly starts to pop the bubble wrap included in the box. Sometimes we just don't know what kids will like or not like.

 

[belloq87]

Don't mean to offend anyone.

You did not offend! I think it's an interesting discussion.

 

[OrlandoGuy]

I'm half joking in my earlier post, of course. Don't mean to offend anyone. I like thinking about these things too and was including myself in my observation.

No offense taken, probably misread on my part Just frustrating to see certain users use the “who cares as long as people like it” argument to shut down praise AND criticism based on their own preferences to dictate a good conversation about the dorky nuances of theme park design.

To be honest you’re right, it is funny lol

 

[Alicia]

Anything themed to something more relevant than An American Tale: Fievel Goes West is an improvement. Honestly, the bar is really, really low here.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I'm interested in seeing what new dining concepts they might come up with for this area. Will it be the generic snack stands or something more unique? Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and Trolls can provide the opportunity for unique items.

I don't expect a quick service, mostly just a few well-themed snack stands (I hope).

They could make some really cool stuff for Trolls. I'm interested as well.

 

[belloq87]

Anything themed to something more relevant than An American Tale: Fievel Goes West is an improvement. Honestly, the bar is really, really low here.

I don't think anybody would dispute that. But it's a good-sized plot of land, and it was once the landing spot for a major land that would have brought several significant new rides to the park.

The park still needs what Nintendo was going to provide, so to not aim for something along those lines with this area is slightly frustrating for some of us (or, perhaps, just me!).

 

[Nico]

You mean closed? There is hope, look at Green Eggs

Hahaha I just mean, maybe a different aesthetic/food offering. It just screams 90s. And as you point out, it’s not getting used beyond HHN at this stage.