The fact that the last movie made over 350 million in the U.S. alone, I'm gonna have to go with popular.
I think the only effect T4 will have on the ride is extra promo the year it opens.
Imagine the family who has always gone to Disney on vacation but finally said lets try Universal. We haven't been their in like 10 years. They arrive to obviously find the WWoHP and all the other new additions that are open as well as all of these fences, buildings, cranes, and so on. What are they thinking? For those that I have spoken with while in the parks there all very interested in whats coming. This is such an exciting time for Universal.
It seems as if you took my sacarastic jab at Bay's poor film making skills to heart. In no way I am suggesting that another TF movie will have a negative effect on the ride. In fact, I think it will have no effect whatsoever. There's no escaping the fact that Michael Bay is a poor film maker. Luckily, his style and the world the films have brought to life suit a theme park attraction perfectly. 3 was slightly better than 2, but many people have been disappointed since 1. Not that it even matters, because TFs are way bigger than those movies anyway.
Universal is building a full blown E Tickert in less time than Disney to build a bowling alley.