The Current State and Future of Universal Studios Florida

[shiekra38]

Genie is Disney's continued way of making the simple overly complex and frustrating. Express Pass is good old KISS.

It seems that people would be more willing to buy something easily understandable like Express than overly complex like Genie

Universal tends to be more transparent that skipping the lines is a perk and therefore an upcharge

Genie feels like when your cable company boasts a $60.00 a month fee for internet, but then charges you a "customer charge" of $5.99

 

[JoeCamel]

It seems that people would be more willing to buy something easily understandable like Express than overly complex like Genie

Universal tends to be more transparent that skipping the lines is a perk and therefore an upcharge

Genie feels like when your cable company boasts a $60.00 a month fee for internet, but then charges you a "customer charge" of $5.99

Have you seen the ESPN surcharge on my cable bill? Disney is getting my money every way I turn. Have to pay it if you want cable..... I don't watch ESPN or any sports networks

 

[Nick]

Have you seen the ESPN surcharge on my cable bill? Disney is getting my money every way I turn. Have to pay it if you want cable..... I don't watch ESPN or any sports networks

Part of the problem is that you don’t watch sports and still have cable. The only reason to have cable still is for live sports.

 

[JoeCamel]

Part of the problem is that you don’t watch sports and still have cable. The only reason to have cable still is for live sports.

PITA to stream what I want and I have 0 reception for local TV

 

[GA-MBIT]

It was kinda brought up in the Shrek Replacement thread, but how many attractions at Studios are still using the original ride systems? I count E.T., Simpsons, and Minions off the top of my head. How long do we expect these to last and when was the last time they got refurbed?

 

[Brian G.]

It was kinda brought up in the Shrek Replacement thread, but how many attractions at Studios are still using the original ride systems? I count E.T., Simpsons, and Minions off the top of my head. How long do we expect these to last and when was the last time they got refurbed?

That's pretty much it.

ET had a major refurb in 2017.

Simpsons... probably a while, but as others said, its time is up when the contract is done.

As far as Minions, I seem to remember it got an updated ride system when it opened.

 

[belloq87]

As far as Minions, I seem to remember it got an updated ride system when it opened.

I wonder what the extent of this update was, because other than some cosmetic changes, it certainly doesn't feel much different from the Hanna-Barbera/Jimmy Neutron eras.

 

[OLSinFLA]

It was kinda brought up in the Shrek Replacement thread, but how many attractions at Studios are still using the original ride systems? I count E.T., Simpsons, and Minions off the top of my head. How long do we expect these to last and when was the last time they got refurbed?

When I was rescued out to ET, I was surprised that the system running the ride is stilll the same OS as opening. All DOS. (And the fact that getting to the break room required passing under the maintenance
spur - something that would NEVER be allowed today)

 

[ultimateforce]

What OS should they be running?

 

[OLSinFLA]

What OS should they be running?

Probably something a little more updated than an OS from 1990

 

[OrlLover]

When I was rescued out to ET, I was surprised that the system running the ride is stilll the same OS as opening. All DOS. (And the fact that getting to the break room required passing under the maintenance
spur - something that would NEVER be allowed today)

I’m pretty sure they felt no need to replace the systems. At WDW it’s probably the same with even older attractions. Not I believe they shouldn’t update them but just my thoughts.

 

[OLSinFLA]

I’m pretty sure they felt no need to replace the systems. At WDW it’s probably the same with even older attractions. Not I believe they shouldn’t update them but just my thoughts.

Actually it does. There are a lot of things on the old system that cause a complete shutdown where a newer one would not. (Even Disaster! got an OS overhaul). I think it was the only opening day attraction that remained (and remains) on its opening day software,

 

[OrlLover]

Actually it does. There are a lot of things on the old system that cause a complete shutdown where a newer one would not. (Even Disaster! got an OS overhaul). I think it was the only opening day attraction that remained (and remains) on its opening day software,

I’m not disputing that a new system wouldn’t be the smart thing to invest in. These companies run on certain mindsets that’s if it’s not broke completely don’t fix it.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I’m not disputing that a new system wouldn’t be the smart thing to invest in. These companies run on certain mindsets that’s if it’s not broke completely don’t fix it.

Especially since most attractions are one-of-a-kind.

 

[OLSinFLA]

I’m not disputing that a new system wouldn’t be the smart thing to invest in. These companies run on certain mindsets that’s if it’s not broke completely don’t fix it.

But Kong, Disaster (and obviously Jaws) all got updated software over time. E.T. is the exception, not the rule, which is why it surprises people when they see it.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

Based off a podcast I watched that just made an episode ripping apart Twister...I feel like I'm the only one who liked it.

: (

 

[Mad Dog]

Based off a podcast I watched that just made an episode ripping apart Twister...I feel like I'm the only one who liked it.

: (

Twister was OK, though lot's of stuff didn't work the last few years. The main problem with the attraction was that it had little re-rideability. I never rode it more than once on a vacation, and some years I skipped it completely. As an attraction, it got old quick.

 

[belloq87]

I really enjoyed Twister a lot. Wind, fire, water, sparks... as a live special effects showcase, it delivered the goods for me.

 

[JoeCamel]

Twister was OK, though lot's of stuff didn't work the last few years. The main problem with the attraction was that it had little re-rideability. I never rode it more than once on a vacation, and some years I skipped it completely. As an attraction, it got old quick.

I was in the control room the last day, there was a maintenance tech stationed there full time for at least that day.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

I wouldn't have a problem at all with Jimmy if it were just a walkthrough museum (nor would most of those who dislike it).