The Current State and Future of Universal Studios Florida

[belloq87]

or will they wait until the replacement is ready to go and then announce like they did with the Jurassic World coaster and the Bourne stunt show?

I would think this.

 

[SeventyOne]

I agree with a lot of the video's points, including that Toon Lagoon is a treasure trove of Easter eggs, but it arguably reached its sell-by date even before it opened in 1999. I'm a 50 and most of the references are before my time. The comic strip as an art form died when I was in college (with either Calvin & Hobbes or Bloom County ending, take your pick). Just the whole conceit of the land is tired.I agree the Simpsons is nearing that point as well--I give it 5 years--but for the moment I think it's more culturally relevant.

But this is ultimately his thesis--UOR is willing to let the bad sit and rot as long as the good is bringing the crowds in. It reflects a pre-Potter corporate culture that valued keeping the lights on by whatever means necessary. Even Universal means to take advantage of Disney's stumbles in Orlando, they'll need to get past that mentality. EU being the best park in Orlando will go a long way, but the other two parks need to be close in quality.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

The year is 2035, Epic Universe’s phase 2 is opened, TL and LC are replaced, River Adventure updated, new land in Kidzone, and a MIB replacement.

If I recall, IOA didn’t really get major investments after its opening, so, shall we expect the same when Epic Universe opens? Ignore that for 5-6 years at least and update The other parks? If so update my timeline to 2030.

UOR is in such a fabulous position for growth creative must be so fun to work for.

 

[OrlLover]

Also I think we have to consider the ownership changes of the parks. I think Comcast is highly bullish on them and wants to actually truly invest in making sure they are in a favorable position. They saw how much money was made from Potter and saw the value in creating a truly immersive land with decent attractions.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

How long do you think it will be until they announce the replacement for Shrek?

When it becomes undeniable they're building and when what they're building becomes undeniable.

 

[Palutena]

I pretty much wholeheartedly agree with most of that video that was posted, even the more controversial opinion that I'm not all too in love with the Simpson's area of the park and if they don't renew the contract whenever it is over I won't really shed a tear. I also agree with him that for the most part the issue with some of the screens rides arent that they are screens based, even if I prefer practical effects, but that they are mostly badly paced, one note and hard to process what's even going on at times. I think what this video really highlighted for me is once again, while there are parts of IoA that needs some TLC, the disparity between USF and IoA if you think of them as separate parks is just very huge that it makes USF feel even worse than it actually is.

 

[Mad Dog]

Rides yes, IOA is way ahead. But don't underestimate the appeal of shows, street shows, parades, and the various Events (HHN/Holiday/MardiGras) that USF has in extreme abundance and IOA does not (except for Hogwart's shows/projections and Grinchmas). To the GP, those are important aspects of a park.

 

[ssirin88]

USF feels more like Epcot with better rides. The best parts of the park are the events and shows, which is honestly fine.

 

[GAcoaster]

But don't underestimate the appeal of shows, street shows, parades, and the various Events (HHN/Holiday/MardiGras) that USF has in extreme abundance

This exactly-- what USF lacks it makes up for in events and entertainment. It would be great to get a little more in the way of great attractions eventually, but for the moment the mix of EVERYTHING at USF does a great job.

To me the biggest opportunity missing at USF is the lack of a water ride. Now if they could build a water coaster with great theming they could kills two birds with one stone and help balance things out more.

 

[belloq87]

I come at it more from the perspective of events and entertainment being the icing on the cake; if the icing is the star, it's probably not a great cake.

Of course I'm glad that USF has signature components like HHN and holidays stuff. But I would like the foundational anchorpoints of the park -- its year-round attractions in daily operation -- to offer more than they currently do.

 

[HHN Maddux]

So correct me if I'm wrong, but:

• 2022 - Mummy getting a much-needed technical refurb, Shrek will be replaced with Villain-Con walkthrough.
• 2023 - VR broomstick attraction takes over Fear Factor.

Then the park will likely remain untouched until EU opens, and after that... Armageddon for the Studio side begins, and most of the current attractions aren't gonna survive.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Then the park will likely remain untouched until EU opens, and after that... Armageddon for the Studio side begins, and most of the current attractions aren't gonna survive.

Correct for 2022 and 2023/2024.

You're gonna have to specify your definition of "current attractions" though. The only sure thing I'd count on for Studios post-EU is a retheme of the Springfield area pending the end of that contract. Otherwise, it's just a swirl of rumors.

 

[GAcoaster]

I think we'll see another addition to USF for 2024/5 while EU is coming together.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Correct for 2022 and 2023/2024.

You're gonna have to specify your definition of "current attractions" though. The only sure thing I'd count on for Studios post-EU is a retheme of the Springfield area pending the end of that contract. Otherwise, it's just a swirl of rumors.

I actually think Kid Zone would go first before Simpsons. Let's assume EU is opening in 2025 as rumored, the contract for Simpsons is still good for another three years, giving them perfect timing to close Kid Zone and get to work on Pokeland. That opens in 2026/7, then ya close Simpsons in '28 (and probably turn it into an expansion of Pokemon... or maybe hopefully a return to BTTF?).

Then after that, I'd think probably MIB would be next. Why? Well with what GACoaster said, I think after VR opens, they'd probably head over to F&F and retheme it. But they still need an F&F ride, it's a popular IP and really can make for a great ride. Now, ya got this gigantic space over at MIB. It pains me to say this, but like a couple have suggested, I think they'd probably demolish it and put a new F&F launch coaster in its place.

Then after that... Uh, probably a Mummy retheme, a new track for Rip Ride, and maybe something with Fallon.

 

[Legacy]

I put money on Mummy being gone within 5 years of EU opening.

 

[ssirin88]

I put money on Mummy being gone within 5 years of EU opening.

Gone, gone? Or moved to EU for the "Monsters land"?

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

Gone, gone? Or moved to EU for the "Monsters land"?

If the Monsters ride is as great as hoped, well, ok (since they went to the trouble of making a whole themed land for it, I hope the ride tells an actual story and is more than just a clip show).

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I put money on Mummy being gone within 5 years of EU opening.

i'll cancel my ap

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I put money on Mummy being gone within 5 years of EU opening.

Define “gone” because they’re not putting money into this just to kill it several years later.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I mean Mummy could be gone by 2030, worth the while now to invest in one if your best and main attractions at the park. That doesn’t sound crazy to me, as crazy as it sounds to get rid of this ride ever.

I think we'll see another addition to USF for 2024/5 while EU is coming together.

What would it be though? Kidzone would need walls down in January to get a land there, but I don’t see a “land” coming to either park until after Epic Universe cause they want to show off their immersion skills there first and foremost, MIB maybe but I don’t see what replaces it. A Knight Bus re-do? Potter 2 years in a row with another new Potter ride at EU I think would be overkill. I just don’t see what they do.

2024 I think they could definitely get a big new parade that includes Nintendo to begin the hype for those characters, something USJ level.

I know there’s zero rumors about this but honestly I bet 2024 is Jurassic World River Adventure. I don’t see them not changing it eventually, nothing is currently slated for 2024 that we know of, not that it’s cheap but it’s a “easy” thing for them to do a year before opening the park. Gives IOA a slight bump after 3 years of nothing new. Not to derail the thread, but unless Epic opens in 2024 I don’t see Universal just having a new USF parade.