The Old KidZone Thread

[DufflesMcGee]

I really wish Universal was getting this! A friggin Warp Speed coaster??!! https://www.nerdist.com/2014/02/concept-art-for-the-star-trek-section-of-paramounts-new-theme-park/ And the more I think about it: DreamWorks Is definitely a huge option for the KidZone. I mean the opportunity of attractions/shows is endless with all the successful IP's it has. You got: HTTYD(sequels coming), Shrek(Already tons of sequels and rumored to be a 5th movie), The Croods(sequel coming), Kung Fu Panda(sequels), Madagascar(sequels), Rise of the Guardians(sequel on the way I believe). And some new fairly popular IP's in : Mr. Peabody & Sherman and The Penguins of Madagascar. I also didn't realize all the other different IP's connected to DreamWorks: Gladiator, Real Steel, War of the Worlds, and the upcoming Need for Speed.

But they already already said no dreamworks

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

But they already already said no dreamworks

Oh really??! Well that was a waste of typing =(

 

[DufflesMcGee]

Oh really??! Well that was a waste of typing =(

you know I can be wrong, but they implied it wasn't.

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

you know I can be wrong, but they implied it wasn't.

Hmm that's surprising, considering all the popular animated franchises it has. Also the amazing opportunities for merchandise sales and attraction ideas.

 

[GAcoaster]

I still think it's going to be Despicable Me themed as Super Silly Fun Land. The idea/property still is hot, they own it (so no licensing fees needed) and obviously it's HUGELY popular. For everyone who says why would they build it so far away from the DM attraction, I just point out that the attraction facade it Gru's house, Super Silly Funland is not next to it in the movie, there's no real reason it would have to be next to it in real life. A retheme of existing attractions in KZ would be economical and (more importantly) FAST as well, very much like what they did for the Simpsons area. Just a few months of work could revitalize it all and they could add a few more new attractions while they were at it.

 

[Felipe]

I still think it's going to be Despicable Me themed as Super Silly Fun Land. The idea/property still is hot, they own it (so no licensing fees needed) and obviously it's HUGELY popular. For everyone who says why would they build it so far away from the DM attraction, I just point out that the attraction facade it Gru's house, Super Silly Funland is not next to it in the movie, there's no real reason it would have to be next to it in real life. A retheme of existing attractions in KZ would be economical and (more importantly) FAST as well, very much like what they did for the Simpsons area. Just a few months of work could revitalize it all and they could add a few more new attractions while they were at it.

QFT! Completely agree!

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

I still think it's going to be Despicable Me themed as Super Silly Fun Land. The idea/property still is hot, they own it (so no licensing fees needed) and obviously it's HUGELY popular. For everyone who says why would they build it so far away from the DM attraction, I just point out that the attraction facade it Gru's house, Super Silly Funland is not next to it in the movie, there's no real reason it would have to be next to it in real life. A retheme of existing attractions in KZ would be economical and (more importantly) FAST as well, very much like what they did for the Simpsons area. Just a few months of work could revitalize it all and they could add a few more new attractions while they were at it.

Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. But personally I want to see something NEW. As far as IP's go.

 

[GAcoaster]

The problem with something "new" is you either have to have something really hot that is big NOW and capitalize on it or it needs to be an evergreen. Disney stuff is almost always evergreen, but Universal's stuff is not universally known and loved the same way, at least for kids stuff. There are very few newer cartoons/movies aimed at kids that are known around the world by all ages. Spongebob is actually something that has hung on for long enough that there are older and younger fans, but they would then end up paying more licensing fees to Viacom, which could happen. But, why would they when they can just keep the DM/Minion thing rolling? The fact that the sequel made more than the first, that they sell TONS of merchandise (at the park and in regular stores) and the fact that they are making more sequels and spinoffs makes a DM/Minion makeover a really safe bet.

People keep bringing up anime and video games but those things have a very narrow appeal, would require more licenses with more companies and have no track record of selling any merchandise outside of comic book stores.

 

[ReelJustice]

I still think it's going to be Despicable Me themed as Super Silly Fun Land. The idea/property still is hot, they own it (so no licensing fees needed) and obviously it's HUGELY popular. For everyone who says why would they build it so far away from the DM attraction, I just point out that the attraction facade it Gru's house, Super Silly Funland is not next to it in the movie, there's no real reason it would have to be next to it in real life. A retheme of existing attractions in KZ would be economical and (more importantly) FAST as well, very much like what they did for the Simpsons area. Just a few months of work could revitalize it all and they could add a few more new attractions while they were at it.

A simple re-theme? You should want and expect more.

 

[GAcoaster]

When I say simple retheme, I mean along the lines of the Simpsons area. Spending more and doing more for a kids area is not a particularly wise investment. Especially since the whims of the public change so quickly and then you've spent millions of dollars on something no one really knows anymore (An American Tale, Woody Woodpecker). While DM is hot now there is no telling if it will still be in 10 years. It makes more sense for time and money sake to take advantage of what's there already and rehteme and enhance.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

If Universal's relationship with DreamWorks is really that bad, they should just finally axe Shrek 4-D. I'm sorry, but the mere fact this attraction exists pisses me off. Nothing against the IP, but what a waste of time this is. Whats funny is unsuspecting tourists tend to think Shrek is actually a big attraction and are likely going to end up let down. Just today I was at the park and I was walking right past the front area of the park as I always do (DM wait too long, Shrek is plain garbage) and I hear a lady shout "Hey guys, the Shrek ride is only a 15 minute wait!" Makes me laugh every time.

Sorry to go off topic, but back on the KidZone thing...I was just thinking, who says it HAS to be a kid area? I mean they are probably aiming towards a family friendly area but that whole area of the park is dead to people who don't have toddlers, because who the hell wants to see Barney or Curious George if you don't have a 3 year old? I think the possibilities could be endless for KidZone, because if they close that area down you aren't losing anything most people enjoy (except maybe ET, which itself at least needs an upgrade if it isn't replaced). Other than Kong, this project has me the most excited because it is an area I almost never even look into when I go to Universal, they need to make better use of the land they do have.

 

[ReelJustice]

When I say simple retheme, I mean along the lines of the Simpsons area. Spending more and doing more for a kids area is not a particularly wise investment. Especially since the whims of the public change so quickly and then you've spent millions of dollars on something no one really knows anymore (An American Tale, Woody Woodpecker). While DM is hot now there is no telling if it will still be in 10 years. It makes more sense for time and money sake to take advantage of what's there already and rehteme and enhance.

Again, I'll reiterate that the property(s) they're looking at aren't squarely aimed at children.

 

[TylerDurden]

When I say simple retheme, I mean along the lines of the Simpsons area. Spending more and [/B]doing more for a kids area is not a particularly wise investment.[B\] Especially since the whims of the public change so quickly and then you've spent millions of dollars on something no one really knows anymore (An American Tale, Woody Woodpecker). While DM is hot now there is no telling if it will still be in 10 years. It makes more sense for time and money sake to take advantage of what's there already and rehteme and enhance.

I'm not convinced it'll be just a simple kids area. I think they've got to move away from strictly kids and go for something less discriminatory...something for families (I know, that word is abused so much in this thread). But instead of dinky little rides and playgrounds, Universal would be smart, IMO, to go with some full-scale attractions that have cross-generational appeal. Meaning a full overhaul would be less of a waste.

 

[Dodgernole05]

If Universal's relationship with DreamWorks is really that bad, they should just finally axe Shrek 4-D. I'm sorry, but the mere fact this attraction exists pisses me off. Nothing against the IP, but what a waste of time this is. Whats funny is unsuspecting tourists tend to think Shrek is actually a big attraction and are likely going to end up let down. Just today I was at the park and I was walking right past the front area of the park as I always do (DM wait too long, Shrek is plain garbage) and I hear a lady shout "Hey guys, the Shrek ride is only a 15 minute wait!" Makes me laugh every time.
.

Its awhole lot better than Disaster. Everytime I ride disaster i feel like i just wasted 30 mins of my time I could have been doing something else.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

I'm not convinced it'll be just a simple kids area. I think they've got to move away from strictly kids and go for something less discriminatory...something for families (I know, that word is abused so much in this thread). But instead of dinky little rides and playgrounds, Universal would be smart, IMO, to go with some full-scale attractions that have cross-generational appeal. Meaning a full overhaul would be less of a waste.

Bingo. People like to point out Universal's attractions that may scare off young children but they have an entire area that would practically keep anyone over the age of 5 away. Family is an overused word, but attractions that kids and adults can enjoy are better for the park than things aimed at toddlers like Barney and Curious George.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

Its awhole lot better than Disaster. Everytime I ride disaster i feel like i just wasted 30 mins of my time I could have been doing something else.

I'm not a Disaster fan, but it is at least a unique attraction. The idea of a 3-D theatre attraction with minor effects in a theme park is just so laughably outdated. You can go to practically any theatre in America and see a 3-D film and things like a small amount of water being spit at you and some air being blown are really not fun. You pretty much have a better version of Shrek literally right across the street from it as a 3-D theatre attraction with seats that actually simulate motion and way better pre-shows (I feel like giving myself a "flogging" enduring Shrek's pre-show). You also have new 3-D rides out like Transformers right next to Shrek that blows the experience out of the water. I just feel that as a whole Shrek 4-D offers nothing but disappointment as an experience. Universal is trying to make new out of the box attractions, but it sucks seeing an old fashioned 3-D theatre show right at the park's entrance. They could tear down that whole building and build a little Super Silly Funland play area like USH is getting and it would be a WAY better use of space than Shrek.

One thing I will agree with you on, Disaster is way too long and doesn't offer enough to me to take that much time out of my day. Those two along with Fear Factor and all of KidZone are just dying to be replaced.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Again, I'll reiterate that the property(s) they're looking at aren't squarely aimed at children.

.......Star Trek?

 

[natespf]

.......Star Trek?

It is established, brought back recently, and was once animated. Can I call a winner? :happy:

 

[mainejeff]

Star Trek would probably be #3 behind Star Wars and Potter for attracting people to a park. The franchise literally spans generations and they are still making new movies.

 

[JungleSkip]

I'm not convinced it'll be just a simple kids area. I think they've got to move away from strictly kids and go for something less discriminatory...something for families (I know, that word is abused so much in this thread). But instead of dinky little rides and playgrounds, Universal would be smart, IMO, to go with some full-scale attractions that have cross-generational appeal. Meaning a full overhaul would be less of a waste.

We usually don't see eye-to-eye. But this is the case and the plan IF they get this property.

- - - Updated - - -

It is established, brought back recently, and was once animated. Can I call a winner? :happy:

Sure. You can call whatever you want. Doesn't mean you're right.