The Official "Use of Screenz" Thread

[AlexanderMBush]

I see it as this (and I'm sorry if I kick a hornets nest),

why do we have screens? Its because its necessary. And Why is it necessary? Its more due to the fact that heavily practical attractions are sometimes more complicated. Like it or not, attractions with heavy emphasis on Animatronic characters & Practical effects (fire, wind, moving objects, e.t.c.) requires a lot more repair than some people think. Coupled with the fact that its much more affordable to do Screen-based media (and to not detract it, with musion key to that); it depends on how it works.

If there's no substance to the environment where the screen takes hold, I get that. But considering that with Gringotts and with ROK; they are doing something that should be done, of mixing the sets with the screens in a quality that can be unmatched. To me, I place it as that Screens are improving in quality and its long-term impact; although it still requires some repairing, its much more efficient and affordable in pricing than repairing animatronics constantly.

Atleast, that is my opinion in a way.

 

[UNIrd]

In defense of Kong though, don't misplace your nostalgia. While I loved me some Kongfrontation, the ride was essentially New York setting scene, turn the corner and see Kong figure, turn the corner and see other Kong figure, and ride's over.

I haven't ridden it yet but I doubt we lost anything in this new incarnation. We even still have a new AA Kong to marvel at, just like the centerpiece of the original ride. Screens just let you do more, especially in limited settings.

 

[Miketheboss]

I think what we have now with Kong is fine but the fact that Fast and Furious is using the same 360 screen tech is overkill, unless the ride vehicle is something like test track but wireless.

And I disagree that screen usage is "necessary". Look at radiator springs racers, Hunted Mansion, Pirates (plus the one in Shangahi), Indiana Jones, Seven dwarfs, etc. For me, the perfect ratio would be 70% sets and AAs, 30% screens. I feel like you justifying their methods is sad. They are BANKING. It's like people justifying the Jungle book show with "they only had a month". If they were to build an E.T ride today, the flying over the city scene would've been screens. I understand they can't replicate a crazy ape throwing a truck off a cliff with AA's . I think universal is trying to get away with "how much screens can we give them before they stop coming".

 

[Teebin]

I think what we have now with Kong is fine but the fact that Fast and Furious is using the same 360 screen tech is overkill, unless the ride vehicle is something like test track but wireless.

I basically agree. Question is, what is the solution? What do you want to replace it?

 

[snayberry]

Too much screen based attractions is definitely over kill. If F&F is the same thing, that will be the nail in the coffin for me. Someone said, it's easier and cheaper for maintenance. So going the cheap route, is the way to go for attractions?

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Too much screen based attractions is definitely over kill. If F&F is the same thing, that will be the nail in the coffin for me. Someone said, it's easier and cheaper for maintenance. So going the cheap route, is the way to go for attractions?

I'd not say every attractions. I am in the camp that I think that they will make changes to F&F that will accommodate more practical effects, so its not as bad (Aka, get robotic cars into the 360 room). Musion, in my opinion; will be a major factor to Supercharged, and not Full-screens.

Especially looking at USH, the only two scenes that had a major screen prescence was the Musion room (which featured the rising semi truck) and the 360 room (with the curved screen). I would think that because of the delay, its to help allocate time to incorporate the use of new actors from Fast8, and to rework the entire 360 room to accommodate robotic effects (Helicopters, Cars). That way; the attraction doesn't have as much of a problem as some people fear.

 

[snayberry]

Uni has to make some more dark rides or attractions, ones with lots of physical sets over screens. Switch it up a bit, blows my mind they would do two or three attractions, back to back, using the same platform with screens.

 

[misterID]

I don't think they need to stop with the screens, but they need to even it out. The more screen-based attractions the more noticeable the problem is and that is a severe lack of variety. It's another reason I wish they would have made Gringotts more coaster centric. Another problem is that each screen based attraction follows the same formula where you're falling and saved at the last second. How many times can you keep going to the well?

The Asian parks at least throw in an in-door spinning coaster like Space Fantasy, or a little dark ride like the Sesame Street Spaghetti ride, and Madagascar. It's overkill at this point. Not only is F&F going to be a screen based attraction, it's basically, as pointed out, a copy of Kong. It was cool when you had the variety of MiB, Mummy and Spiderman, they just don't do that anymore. It's not rocket science. Disney is doing Pirates, Beauty and the Beast and TRON. I mean, mix it up. Make a ride that doesn't require warnings for motion sickness for starters.

 

[Miketheboss]

I basically agree. Question is, what is the solution? What do you want to replace it?

I think the fast and the furious can be a great ride. Imagine the old test track. The story can be that they need to test our driving skills because they need us to go on a mission. Then the end is the 360 part.

 

[Nick]

My bigger issue with F&F at this point than screens is that it's supposedly using the same RVs as Kong, which just seems dumb.

 

[Miketheboss]

They can get away with using a vehicle like dinosaur. Any bigger and it would look stupid.

 

[Mad Dog]

Bring on SLOP. Bring on SLOP. Bring on SLOP. :rant:

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Man you guys are going to "hate" Avatar and Star Wars...

 

[Nick]

Man you guys are going to "hate" Avatar and Star Wars...

You don't get it.

It's not about parks having/building screen-based attractions. It's about having a good mix of screen and practical attractions, which Uni doesn't have. The balance is completely off in Uni's lineup.

 

[twebber55]

You don't get it.

It's not about parks having/building screen-based attractions. It's about having a good mix of screen and practical attractions, which Uni doesn't have. The balance is completely off in Uni's lineup.

even my 13 yr old daughter (btw loved universal) said to me they have a lot of simulators here
me personally i think screens can be used well, gringotts i thought was incredible

 

[JungleSkip]

The Asian parks at least throw in an in-door spinning coaster like Space Fantasy, or a little dark ride like the Sesame Street Spaghetti ride, and Madagascar.

And USF has an indoor coaster like Mummy, a little dark ride like ET, and a set-laden interactive dark ride in MIB.

So what's your point?

The balance is completely off in Uni's lineup.

In your opinion. Personally I don't think Gringotts is anything like Transformers. F&F won't be the same as Kong. Fallon and Minions are the only ones I'd say have a chance at being far too similar.

"how much screens can we give them before they stop coming".

Yes, that's what they're doing. Actively trying to find a way to turn people away. Brilliant.

Fact of the matter is: People like these attractions. Universal wouldn't be adding more and more numbers to their attendance if they didn't. Don't like it? Sorry!

I'm all for great new rides. So far I haven't been disappointed. Next year's rides sound "meh" to me, but I'm getting a kickass water park so I really don't care. Plus, Nintendo is on the horizon. So yay.

 

[IzzyB]

Man you guys are going to "hate" Avatar and Star Wars...

Honestly I got screen fatigue at DHS. Rode Star Tours too many times. So my complaints are never Uni Specific. it is whether a park is balanced and within the rides it is balanced. When a park becomes 3D heavy it gets annoying and for me starts to give me a migraine.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Too much screen based attractions is definitely over kill. If F&F is the same thing, that will be the nail in the coffin for me. Someone said, it's easier and cheaper for maintenance. So going the cheap route, is the way to go for attractions?

I'd hardly call EFG, FJ or Kong cheap.

Here's my take on it,

A lot of hate is placed on the use of screens but it's not like walking past a TV set, the screens in most cases are built into the scene, just look at EFG as a prime example.

How else could you get up close with Harry on a quidditch pitch? The rides I find to be a good mix of set V screen and the use of 3D (more hate here) also helps bring it all to life, Spidey on the scoope for example. Screens lend themselves perfectly for these fast paced action rides, I'd rather the fast pace and excitement of Transformers than flying over a set like Peter Pan. If Uni were to build a slower paced dark ride then I am sure we will see an attraction that is screen free, I'm confident in saying SLOP will take this route should it come to Orlando

Bottom line for me is...............

Do Uni use a lot of screens? yes

Do Uni build world class attractions,? yes

Do I enjoy these attractions,? yes

 

[JungleSkip]

I'd hardly call EFG, FJ or Kong cheap.

Here's my take on it,

A lot of hate is placed on the use of screens but it's not like walking past a TV set, the screens in most cases are built into the scene, just look at EFG as a prime example.

How else could you get up close with Harry on a quidditch pitch? The rides I find to be a good mix of set V screen and the use of 3D (more hate here) also helps bring it all to life, Spidey on the scoope for example. Screens lend themselves perfectly for these fast paced action rides, I'd rather the fast pace and excitement of Transformers than flying over a set like Peter Pan. If Uni were to build a slower paced dark ride then I am sure we will see an attraction that is screen free, I'm confident in saying SLOP will take this route should it come to Orlando

Bottom line for me is...............

Do Uni use a lot of screens? yes

Do Uni build world class attractions,? yes

Do I enjoy these attractions,? yes

Agreed 100%. If the rides next year are mediocre, as they very well might be, it's because they sound like lesser creative endevors than what we've gotten the past 6 years. If that continues with Nintendo, or whatever is next, then I'll worry. Right now I'm not seeing the problem.

 

[IzzyB]

Agreed 100%. If the rides next year are mediocre, as they very well might be, it's because they sound like lesser creative endevors than what we've gotten the past 6 years. If that continues with Nintendo, or whatever is next, then I'll worry. Right now I'm not seeing the problem.

I think the rides as individual rides are good. I Love Gringotts, it is one of my favorite rides. Same with Transformers. But when you mix in Shrek, DM, and T2 in rides that you have to wear glasses on. Then next year you add Fallon and F&F, it is getting 3D heavy in one park. Maybe that is more my issue, it isn't screens it is how many times I have to put glasses on. As stated I had the same issue in DHS when I rode Star Tours too many times. I have heard others that I know complain about putting glasses on too many times too when going to studios. IOA is different and that is why I have zero issues with Kong. There is only Spiderman and now Kong that require 3D glasses. So to me that is fine. It is why I am glad FJ was never converted to 3D.