Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[Myah1220]

Villain Con, should’ve been a full dark ride shooter using the whole building. SLOP but interactive.

Couldn't agree more. Could the space have fit it is the only question?

Although....it also begs the additional question, does there need to be two Minion related rides in the same park?
SLOP should've really gone into that spot if space would've allowed especially since they're both Illumination properties and it would've made sense...either that or they should've just converted Shrek 4-D to a Sing 4-D show. That would've been the easiest and there would be no questions about space/size being an issue.

 

[Mad Dog]

Couldn't agree more. Could the space have fit it is the only question?

Although....it also begs the additional question, does there need to be two Minion related rides in the same park?
SLOP should've really gone into that spot if space would've allowed especially since they're both Illumination properties and it would've made sense...either that or they should've just converted Shrek 4-D to a Sing 4-D show. That would've been the easiest and there would be no questions about space/size being an issue.

Alene and I seem to be two of the few people who like the attraction. Our game playing two granddaughters didn't like it. There's rarely a line. Most often it's a pure walk on. Scoring and shooting is confusing like Mario Kart. It's got to be a major disappointment for Universal. Hard to believe why they expanded it international.

 

[Spike101]

When I went to USF last year I didnt even bother going on VCMB, I'd seen a couple of videos and thought, nope, that would bore me silly, so I agree that it was a wasted opportunity for something decent to replace Shrek.

I love me a dark ride, hey I love CITH so would have loved something like that.

 

[rabbitsmoon]

Although....it also begs the additional question, does there need to be two Minion related rides in the same park?

The answer is no. There needs to be 4 or 5.

I don't think Villain Con's a total waste. I like the Queue a lot, and there's funny stuff in the "ride" itself. It just seems like it fails at providing the type of repeatability that you want out of an interactive ride. I'm not a local, but it sure doesn't seem like APs are filling this thing up trying to beat their scores.

 

[Mad Dog]

The answer is no. There needs to be 4 or 5.

I don't think Villain Con's a total waste. I like the Queue a lot, and there's funny stuff in the "ride" itself. It just seems like it fails at providing the type of repeatability that you want out of an interactive ride. I'm not a local, but it sure doesn't seem like APs are filling this thing up trying to beat their scores.

Seems people have trouble figuring out the scoring, what to hit, etc......and yes, I doubt more than a few ever bother to do the score app thing. As I said, we enjoy it, but I rarely notice other guests caring after they're finished shooting. It seems to be very unpopular. Not only is it usually a walk on, but it's a very sparse walk on. Theres times we've been the only two people on the track.

 

[DOOMBOT]

Seems people have trouble figuring out the scoring, what to hit, etc......and yes, I doubt more than a few ever bother to do the score app thing. As I said, we enjoy it, but I rarely notice other guests caring after they're finished shooting. It seems to be very unpopular. Not only is it usually a walk on, but it's a very sparse walk on. Theres times we've been the only two people on the track.

I've only been able to successfully connect to the app a handful of times, and even when I can, the game is so confusing, cluttered, and laggy that I can barely tell what I'm even doing. Let alone try to aim to complete whatever achievements / objectives the app sets out for me.

I am what some may call a "Pro Gamer", so I can only imagine what the average grandma takes away from the experience.

The queue has some cute scenic elements, but despite being an incredibly consistent walk-on, even on busy days, it's a nearly 100% skip from me every visit to USF since 2024.

 

[Legacy]

I’ll be honest, after our visit last year (first time since 2011) and doing (almost) all the new things, the two attractions we’re most excited to do again are VelociCoaster and VillainCon.

 

[DOOMBOT]

I’ll be honest, after our visit last year (first time since 2011) and doing (almost) all the new things, the two attractions we’re most excited to do again are VelociCoaster and VillainCon.

You start the day with VillainCon to drag the expectations wayyy down, and then proceed to ride Velocicoaster to make it feel that much more outstanding!

Legitimately though, I'm genuinely glad someone gets some enjoyment out of this thing.

 

[Universal 4 Life]

My approach to VillianCon is to aim my laser at the ceiling, see the crosshairs clearly, then proceed to aim at the targets. Works for me and seems less hectic and random. Usually score as high or higher than my kids(teens/early twenties).

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I’ll be honest, after our visit last year (first time since 2011) and doing (almost) all the new things, the two attractions we’re most excited to do again are VelociCoaster and VillainCon.

I will not tolerate leaving out Bourne!

 

[sonoma15]

The answer is no. There needs to be 4 or 5.

I don't think Villain Con's a total waste. I like the Queue a lot, and there's funny stuff in the "ride" itself. It just seems like it fails at providing the type of repeatability that you want out of an interactive ride. I'm not a local, but it sure doesn't seem like APs are filling this thing up trying to beat their scores.

It literally has some of the best repeatability out of any interactive ride ever. Only one that I know of that has the ability to unlock upgrades to your gun (for free). Also the low wait times and high capacity make it very easy to reride over and over

 

[Brian G.]

And all of that's fine if your argument is "quality = bad" or "I don't like these IPs" or "We need fresh expansions over replacements" or "Universal needs to communicate ETAs better". I'd be more than happy to have those discussions. The issue is, none of those were the issue presented.

The specific argument brought up was "Universal isn't investing heavily into their existing properties and is cutting back at the worst possible time" which is completely unserious. I'm just so bored of the dramatics. It prevents real discussions from happening and frankly, it makes me wonder why I still log on just to read the same weird, joyless arguments ad nauseam.

There are plenty of good reasons to be frustrated, and I’m not claiming everything is perfect or that every decision is right.

But I do think we’ve gotten to a point where some discussions start with the conclusion that something is bad, then work backward to find the argument for why; and even with rumors, we sometimes seem to pick and choose what we believe depending on which version supports the argument we’re making.

You can keep adding qualifiers until eventually nothing counts and we’re just moving the goalposts.

There are absolutely worthwhile conversations to have about whether Universal is investing in the right things, whether replacements are enough, whether the quality is there, etc... but that’s a different conversation from saying they aren’t investing.

There’s plenty to criticize. Let’s at least criticize what’s actually happening.

 

[Legacy]

I will not tolerate leaving out Bourne!

We enjoyed it, but it didn’t have that “I super want to do it again” vibe.

Unfortunately, we sat front row which (I think) kills a lot of the immersion (and thus, the draw). I also think losing the fog wall finale from T2 (which could have been done with the flame jets) hurts the climax’s impact.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

We enjoyed it, but it didn’t have that “I’m super want to do it “again” vibe.

Unfortunately, we sat front row which (I think) kills a lot of the immersion (and thus, the draw). I also think losing the fog wall finale from T2 (which could have been done with the flame jets) hurts the climax’s impact.

Oh yes, front row definitely ruins the show a bit. No doubt there!

 

[JonsMovies]

USF really has the opportunity right now to lean into it's most proven IP's and transform the park in the process with 3 moves:
- Supercharged > Jaws
- MIB > Ghostbusters
- Springfield > Hill Valley
Remove Simpsons for a clock tower facade/queue and add the 88mph BttF coaster from the UK.
Finish the transformation with a new entrance that routes towards Hollywood like USH and maybe a small Universal museum where Wicked is. Boom, the park is basically refreshed.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

USF really has the opportunity right now to lean into it's most proven IP's and transform the park in the process with 3 moves:
- Supercharged > Jaws
- MIB > Ghostbusters
- Springfield > Hill Valley
Remove Simpsons for a clock tower facade/queue and add the 88mph BttF coaster from the UK.
Finish the transformation with a new entrance that routes towards Hollywood like USH and maybe a small Universal museum where Wicked is. Boom, the park is basically refreshed.

This and eventually expand Potter into FFL theatre and boom by 2035 it’s an entirely new park. Heck could even be a Ghostbusters show.

 

[MAC]

USF really has the opportunity right now to lean into it's most proven IP's and transform the park in the process with 3 moves:
- Supercharged > Jaws
- MIB > Ghostbusters
- Springfield > Hill Valley
Remove Simpsons for a clock tower facade/queue and add the 88mph BttF coaster from the UK.
Finish the transformation with a new entrance that routes towards Hollywood like USH and maybe a small Universal museum where Wicked is. Boom, the park is basically refreshed.

What did MIB do to you?!

 

[Columbo]

Men in Black is one of Universal's best rides not just in that park, but in general, and I do not understand the sentiment to change it

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Men in Black is one of Universal's best rides not just in that park, but in general, and I do not understand the sentiment to change it

Don't change it, just make sure ALL guns are working!!!

 

[Columbo]

Don't change it, just make sure ALL guns are working!!!

I didn't realize there were issues with the guns. Haven't ever encountered it before and always thought it was one of the best maintained "shooter dark rides" tbh