The Official "Use of Screenz" Thread

[Frogki]

I may have to come back and like almost every post on this page - there's an actual discussion here and I really like it!

Personally I definitely see the balance being very slanted at the Studios, but I also understand why and I think as things progress we'll see another good shift. I absolutely think Diagon Alley is representative of some of the best of the non-screen experiences, and I think I get where people are coming from. That being said at the end of the day, I personally enjoy pretty much every offering at Universal and I think the discussion gets overblown on other threads at times, which is why this one was created.

 

[belloq87]

I agree, I see some positive things coming. But the two non-E ticket rides coming in 2017 are more of the same. I wish their C/D Ticket rides would not be sitting in front of a screen for the majority of the ride. To me Gringotts was not a big deal having screens. I was OK with that because it needed screens and is not all screens. It was different. But they are replacing two rides that were different to put in rides similar to other rides.

I agree Nintendo could change all this, but it is many years away from opening and until then it will be a major hole for studios. Again, IOA is fine, other than I feel IOA needs more rides.

Wanted to add I was OK with Kong because it is in IOA which has very few 3D rides.

The thing that bugs me a bit about Fallon and F&F (I mean, aside from the fact that Fallon's not really my speed as a personality, and I'm not a fan of the F&F series) is that two "smaller" experiences of the sort we've been talking about got the axe to make room. I know plenty of people disliked Twister and Disaster, but I genuinely enjoyed them, and they helped to break up/mitigate any screen fatigue that might have threatened to kick in during a long day at the Studios. And you're right about Kong - IOA has a greater variety in terms of attractions than USF (as of this moment), so Kong is nothing less than a welcome expansion in that park.

With respect to the status of USF pre-Nintendo, I agree the balance is going to feel lopsided, which is unfortunate, but hopefully the wait will be worth it and Nintendo will arrive with at least a pair of really solid, mostly-physical ride experiences. Then, we just need Shrek to get his walking papers so a family-friendly dark ride can take up residence and I'll feel much better about the park as a whole!

As for Gringotts, I may find the ride somewhat overrated (it's fun, but it doesn't WOW me), but Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express more than pick up the slack and make that entire area, overall, rather extraordinary.

 

[Mad Dog]

A shame on Disaster/Eartquake. I liked it too and it occupied a lot of time, all of it entertaining. But, alas, the tram and effects were in such a bad state, Universal probably really had no choice but to replace it. Last time I rode it a huge percentage of the effects no longer worked properly and the tram doors had been automatically inoperative for a few years. It probably needed rebuilt which would have had a cost like a new attraction. If it was in good shape, I would hazard to guess that it would still be there.

 

[Red Carpet]

I think one of the reasons that there is so much hate on screens is because screens are part of our everyday life. We watch TV, go to movies, play video games, and are even looking at a screen right now reading this thread. But animatronics are not part of our everyday life and still have a novelty to them.

 

[IzzyB]

A shame on Disaster/Eartquake. I liked it too and it occupied a lot of time, all of it entertaining. But, alas, the tram and effects were in such a bad state, Universal probably really had no choice but to replace it. Last time I rode it a huge percentage of the effects no longer worked properly and the tram doors had been automatically inoperative for a few years. It probably needed rebuilt which would have had a cost like a new attraction. If it was in good shape, I would hazard to guess that it would still be there.

Agreed that Disaster had to go because the cost of fixing it was too high. For me with Beetlejuice being removed that is a lot of land to work with and I feel maybe a different IP that didn't need screens could have been added there. Or maybe two smaller rides that again didn't rely on screens. For me I just think it takes the balance of that park all out of wack with the 2017 additions.

As you stated it took two attractions that people sat in for long periods of time and replaced it with a screen based ride that won't hold people on it for nearly as long. So that also bothered me about the F&F thing.

 

[Jon84]

Agreed that Disaster had to go because the cost of fixing it was too high. For me with Beetlejuice being removed that is a lot of land to work with and I feel maybe a different IP that didn't need screens could have been added there. Or maybe two smaller rides that again didn't rely on screens. For me I just think it takes the balance of that park all out of wack with the 2017 additions.

As you stated it took two attractions that people sat in for long periods of time and replaced it with a screen based ride that won't hold people on it for nearly as long. So that also bothered me about the F&F thing.

It's like putting VR on coasters, using technology for the sake of it. At the moment, the technology is new, screen resolution is not great and the designers are not experienced in being creative with that technology yet and linking the visuals to the other senses the rider is feeling. Sometimes a good old fashioned ride with sets and AAs is much more exciting than technology, you can add as much 3d/4D/VR/larger screens.

There is a time and a place for Screens and that is not all the time, or, all over the place.

 

[JungleSkip]

The thing that bugs me a bit about Fallon and F&F (I mean, aside from the fact that Fallon's not really my speed as a personality, and I'm not a fan of the F&F series) is that two "smaller" experiences of the sort we've been talking about got the axe to make room. I know plenty of people disliked Twister and Disaster, but I genuinely enjoyed them.

I'd argue Twister -> Fallon is basically a wash when it comes to this. I'd still consider it a smaller experience, and will be meatier than just the ride, IMO.

With that being said, something to keep in mind with Twister and Disaster, both were basically on the verge irreparably breaking. Disaster's ride system was shot, and the funnel mechanism at Twister was limping to the finish line. I can't blame Uni for looking at both spots and saying "We have these two insanely popular and profitable franchises we haven't utilized in the parks. We can make these areas way more profitable and popular by adding these franchises in."

As for Gringotts, I may find the ride somewhat overrated (it's fun, but it doesn't WOW me), but Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express more than pick up the slack and make that entire area, overall, rather extraordinary.

I think Gringotts blows the doors off of everything at UOR save for Spider-Man.

 

[belloq87]

I think Gringotts blows the doors off of everything at UOR save for Spider-Man.

See, and it would probably just barely make my "Top 10 Favorite Universal Attractions" list. It might not even make that cut, as I'm thinking about it!

 

[misterID]

My only complaint about Gringotts is that I wish the coaster sections were longer. I'd love for there to be more AAs, but that's nitpicking. I think TOT is the best ride I've been on (haven't ridden Mystic Manor yet) and Gringotts is on that level, IMO.

 

[UAN17]

Agreed with those who say Gringotts is missing a coaster part. It's one thrill section at the end from being one of my favourites, but because it's lacking that, it just sort of ends on a wimper for me. It's still a phenomenal ride, and one that I thought got better after each ride.

As far screens in general, coming from the UK other than the age old 4d theater movies, they're something we don't experience over here very much if at all. They're truly a mind blowing experience when you first encounter them. I rode Spiderman as a 9 year old in 2001 just the once, and it blew my mind to the extent I've always spoke about that ride as 'the one' to my Florida virgin mates, who were as blown away as me when we went last summer.

For the record, I lost myself and got fully immersed in Spiderman, Transformers and Forbidden Journey...but then I also did on Pirates, Haunted Mansion and Jurrasic Park.

I'm the kind of person though who can love the thrills and effects of Spiderman as much as appreciate the detail and thought of a Splash Mountain, or the sheer steel machine thrills of say Kraken. Variety is what sets Orlando apart, and the reason I don't think I can go anywhere else on holiday at the moment.

 

[chocotaco]

As for Gringotts, I may find the ride somewhat overrated (it's fun, but it doesn't WOW me), but Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express more than pick up the slack and make that entire area, overall, rather extraordinary.

My only complaint about Gringotts is that I wish the coaster sections were longer. I'd love for there to be more AAs, but that's nitpicking. I think TOT is the best ride I've been on (haven't ridden Mystic Manor yet) and Gringotts is on that level, IMO.

Agreed. I like Gringotts but it's not a ride that makes me feel that I have to return to Uni, though the land itself does. The ride is good and I enjoy it, but I just feel that it could have been better. I know we were told beforehand to think of it as more of a darkride than a coaster but as belloq said, it just feels like it's missing something to really wow me. It has elements of a great attraction and a phenomenal queue, but the ride itself just doesn't quite hit that sweet spot for me.

I kind of have mixed feelings towards the whole screen thing. I think Uni implements them well and it gives them ability to do a lot of great things, but I can see the point of those that think it might get a little tiring having rides that constantly revolve around use of screens, but Uni hasn't hit that point for me yet. Now, if an insider stated 2 rides were coming, 1 of which is screen based, the other is all sets with use of AA, I admit I'd be more interested in the one that is using AA's. At the same time though, my top 2 attractions are Spiderman and FJ.

 

[deathcab4cutie]

so another ride that people say is great and has a heavy use of screens.SO another point that screen based rides only improve aas.

 

[Scott W.]

My thought on screens would be that poor CGI is a much bigger issue.

One of my big concerns with Kong is that it's going to look obviously fake and won't blend in with the set pieces. Spider-Man works well because it's kind of cartoony but so is everything physical around you, even transformers looks fairly realistic considering the content.

On the other hand, you have something like Soarin' which I think also works well because the Imax screen completely engulfs you but when you get the mismatch of fake looking CGI with realistic props, it completely takes you out of the experience.

 

[IzzyB]

Wow, that Pirates is really good. If this is any indication of the quality of rides in this park, it is going to be a success no matter how much of cost over runs they had. My guess is that the cuts going on because this park will not go on for years and years.

 

[misterID]

I'm still waiting for the roarin rapids vid.

 

[Quint]

I'm still waiting for the roarin rapids vid.

Agreed. This is the baddie I've been antsy to see:

 

[belloq87]

I haven't seen that art before, but wow... that thing looks incredible! The AA freak in me is getting really jealous.

 

[SandiestPirate]

Fast and the Furious: Superscreens

 

[UK-Trigg]

C

so another ride that people say is great and has a heavy use of screens.SO another point that screen based rides only improve aas.

cool video and a cool ride, but how much flash photography? if I was riding someone would have ended up in the drink. I really hate flash photography on rides, off with his head.

 

[Miketheboss]

So here we are again. While people have complemented the AA's within Kong, many have also said they are over the screenz. When will universal stop. With fast and furious in construction,same 360 screen concept and Fallon Screenz, it's time that people go out on the streets. Seriously though, if I see someone from creative at the parks I will tell them, "we the people are over it".