Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[TheCodeMan95]

Not to call you out but what is the obsession with people wanting to move things from one area of the parks to another ?

Especially something I don’t see no use for at a theme park.

I mean, quite honestly - if they make money, Universal will want to keep them.

At least they fit in the Simpsons area lol

 

[DodgsonHere]

I know the park fandom likes to call out SWGE as the biggest fumble in theme park IP usage... but the Minions easily top that.

It got two sub-par attractions that are unmemorable, plus a land (if you can call it that) that is essentially a cheap reuse of pre-existing facilities. When you compare the land with the other Universal parks' Minion Land... it's easy to see that Orlando decided to take the easy route. I hope I'm wrong, and Universal decides to revitalize the area with the upcoming Rockit demo. Adding Minion Mayhem as quickly as possible to the park in order to capitalize the film's success made sense, but I can't excuse the land's execution after a decade of proven success (specifically merchandise) for the franchise.

I'm not against Minion Land being one of the first lands guests see at USF... I'm against the quality of that land (and its attractions) being your first representation/experience at the park.

Minion Mayhem is still very popular with families is it not?

 

[Clive]

Guys, they just invested a bunch of money into Men in Black. It isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Brian G.]

I know the park fandom likes to call out SWGE as the biggest fumble in theme park IP usage... but the Minions easily top that.

The biggest flaw in this opinion is intention.

At the time, there is no way anyone could've foreseen that Minions would be one of the biggest brands in media today. I agree they should've waited, but as always, it's easier to play Monday Morning QB.

Star Wars already had years of being one of the top IPs and at the top of everyone's theme park wishlist.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Minion Mayhem is still very popular with families is it not?

It is — I think it’s a combo of Despicable Me being a powerful IP + most Universal parks lacking good family-focused attractions.

Minion Mayhem usually has some of the longest waits in Beijing, usually only behind Forbidden Journey and Hippogriff but easily besting JWA, Transformers, and the Kung Fu Panda attractions. The waits are high at USJ too, but what isn’t at USJ.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Not to call you out but what is the obsession with people wanting to move things from one area of the parks to another ?

Especially something I don’t see no use for at a theme park.

I'm no fan of carnival games, specifically parks like Disney/Universal, but Universal seems intent on keeping them somewhere at the park. They moved them from Amity to Springfield, and then added new ones to JP. If they do a Super Silly Fun Land themed area, it's an easy fit/move.

Minion Mayhem is still very popular with families is it not?

A lot of factors play into the popularity of the attraction - IP, one of few family-friendly experiences with low height requirements, awful hourly ride capacity, and prime location.

The biggest flaw in this opinion is intention.

At the time, there is no way anyone could've foreseen that Minions would be one of the biggest brands in media today. I agree they should've waited, but as always, it's easier to play Monday Morning QB.

Star Wars already had years of being one of the top IPs and at the top of everyone's theme park wishlist.

Like I mentioned in my post, I'm ok with Minion Mayhem, but by the time Universal decided to build a Minion Land at USF (nearly 14 years after Minion Mayhem debuted), the franchise had already proven its strength.

 

[Brian G.]

I'm no fan of carnival games, specifically parks like Disney/Universal, but Universal seems intent on keeping them somewhere at the park. They moved them from Amity to Springfield, and then added new ones to JP. If they do a Super Silly Fun Land themed area, it's an easy fit/move.


A lot of factors play into the popularity of the attraction - IP, one of few family-friendly experiences with low height requirements, awful hourly ride capacity, and prime location.


Like I mentioned in my post, I'm ok with Minion Mayhem, but by the time Universal decided to build a Minion Land at USF (nearly 14 years after Minion Mayhem debuted), the franchise had already proven its strength.

Yes I understand that, and again - if they had the gift of foresight, they would’ve waited. By the time they wanted to make a land, they were already backed into a corner unless it all underwent a massive major overhaul. (Which would be nice if it happens but not a pressing point of necessity.)

Star Wars had carte blanche.

 

[belloq87]

We can think the implementation of the timeline might be a botch (I think it certainly should not have been chained to the Sequel Trilogy era), but I'll always argue that the quality of what is in Galaxy's Edge -- on its own terms -- is very high.

Anyway, back to USF!

 

[Sneakman]

This is why I think they should make Ghostbusters a proper shooting dark ride, of MIB-caliber. That way, WHEN it’s time comes (Sadly I think it’s when it’s time comes), there will be proper successor to MIB in place so they can use that big space for whatever.

Yep. Agree with this completely. The only thing to wonder is, how soon is MIB’s time? We kidna have a picture of what is changing next at USF, with Simpsons, RRR, and probably supercharged, but how much longer does MIB have after them? As popular as the shooting ride is, it is attached to a dying IP, that idk how much merch it sells anymore, is next to a mostly empty theatre, and takes up a HUGE amount of land. I like the ride, but I do kinda get the feeling it is on borrowed time. Will it be sooner rather than later? And what even replaces it? A new ride? Or a whole new themed area?

 

[TheUniC6]

Yep. Agree with this completely. The only thing to wonder is, how soon is MIB’s time? We kidna have a picture of what is changing next at USF, with Simpsons, RRR, and probably supercharged, but how much longer does MIB have after them? As popular as the shooting ride is, it is attached to a dying IP, that idk how much merch it sells anymore, is next to a mostly empty theatre, and takes up a HUGE amount of land. I like the ride, but I do kinda get the feeling it is on borrowed time. Will it be sooner rather than later? And what even replaces it? A new ride? Or a whole new themed area?

A whole new land IMO. USF is short on expandable space and this would then be the next and only logical place post Pokemon to do so. FFL could be torn down for some sort of D ticket while the MIB plot would house the E ticket.

 

[belloq87]

There are many areas I think need to be addressed before MIB.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Especially after this refurb, I genuinely don't see MIB going anywhere for a LONG time.

So what if the IP is dead? Bourne hasn't had a movie in nearly 10 years and still got a big new show that's glowing in guest feedback, and of course the better example, every single Universal park (except ours (please fix that!)) still making the active decision to bring the most dead IP of all, Waterworld, to life, because the show is great and remains popular with great guest feedback.

 

[Sneakman]

Especially after this refurb, I genuinely don't see MIB going anywhere for a LONG time.

So what if the IP is dead? Bourne hasn't had a movie in nearly 10 years and still got a big new show that's glowing in guest feedback, and of course the better example, every single Universal park (except ours (please fix that!)) still making the active decision to bring the most dead IP of all, Waterworld, to life, because the show is great and remains popular with great guest feedback.

i do 100% think your points are valid. Guess maybe I have somehwhat of an “older” mindset for things for USF. It still works! They just need to get the theatre space eventually squared away, or maybe even spruced up to be better for a multipurpose use. I like that not everything at USF is doomed because “older movie bad, new movie good”. I’m of the mindset of “ip doesn’t really matter as long as it’s a good ride”. I would like to see MIB stick around, along with Mummy and ET, and hope it does for as long as it can.

Sidenote, considering what now “timeless” ip’s were at the American “studios” parks at one point, I find it funny that out of all of them, the main thing that sticks around on both coasts is Brendan fraisier mummy and waterworld. Just kinda funny to me. No disrespect to either film nor ride.
(Ok maybe a tiny amount of disrespect to Hollywood mummy)

 

[Freak]

Yep. Agree with this completely. The only thing to wonder is, how soon is MIB’s time? We kidna have a picture of what is changing next at USF, with Simpsons, RRR, and probably supercharged, but how much longer does MIB have after them? As popular as the shooting ride is, it is attached to a dying IP, that idk how much merch it sells anymore, is next to a mostly empty theatre, and takes up a HUGE amount of land. I like the ride, but I do kinda get the feeling it is on borrowed time. Will it be sooner rather than later? And what even replaces it? A new ride? Or a whole new themed area?

The thing is MIB, as just mentioned, isn’t going away anytime soon because of the refurb. But as the years go by, there’s going to be less room to work with, and that plot where MIB is will look very appealing for replacement. If you have a GB ride that does all the stuff it does but better (Also set in NY, dueling cars, just as good spinning, better FX, etc), you can make a version that takes up a fraction of the space in NY and people would be more okay with MIB leaving.

Don’t get me wrong, I want MIB to stay, but if they had to get rid of it, this would be the only way I’d be fine with them axing it. Even if MIB’s demise doesn’t happen for a long time, you’ll still have two shooting rides that people will like until MIB “can” go. It looks like we’re going to have two F&F rides for a while (Assuming that’s the coaster replacing HRRR), two indoor coasters, three basic motion simulators (Fallon, Simpsons, and Minions)…so what’s two shooting rides set in NY?

 

[Sneakman]

The thing is MIB, as just mentioned, isn’t going away anytime soon because of the refurb. But as the years go by, there’s going to be less room to work with, and that plot where MIB is will look very appealing for replacement. If you have a GB ride that does all the stuff it does but better (Also set in NY, dueling cars, just as good spinning, better FX, etc), you can make a version that takes up a fraction of the space in NY and people would be more okay with MIB leaving.

Don’t get me wrong, I want MIB to stay, but if they had to get rid of it, this would be the only way I’d be fine with them axing it. Even if MIB’s demise doesn’t happen for a long time, you’ll still have two shooting rides that people will like until MIB “can” go. It looks like we’re going to have two F&F rides for a while (Assuming that’s the coaster replacing HRRR), two indoor coasters, three basic motion simulators (Fallon, Simpsons, and Minions)…so what’s two shooting rides set in NY?

I am oh-so foolishly holding onto my ghostbusters copium. I’m sure it can fit somewhere.

And as for “Luigi’s mansion” or any other “double” complaint: space mountain has tron right next to it, and a more modern version of the concept At Epcot in cosmic rewind. Do people care?

 

[Freak]

I am oh-so foolishly holding onto my ghostbusters copium. I’m sure it can fit somewhere.

And as for “Luigi’s mansion” or any other “double” complaint: space mountain has tron right next to it, and a more modern version of the concept At Epcot in cosmic rewind. Do people care?

*Gets out my debit card chopping up all the powered cope on the table into likes*

*Takes a deep breath then snorts all of the cope in*

Nah, I don’t think people care. *COUGH* *SNIFF* I just want my Ghostbusters ride. *SNIFF* *Wipes nose* There can also be a Luigi’s Mansion ride with three theme parks.

 

[Sneakman]

*Gets out my debit card chopping up all the powered cope on the table into likes*

*Takes a deep breath then snorts all of the cope in*

Nah, I don’t think people care. *COUGH* *SNIFF* I just want my Ghostbusters ride. *SNIFF* *Wipes nose* There can also be a Luigi’s Mansion ride with three theme parks.

I’m gonna be completely honest: I just want a ride with at least one classic movie made. Just one and I’ll be happy. I don’t care if it’s a “great universal movie ride”, or a ride show, or some permanent, even a show themed to BTTF, Jaws, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, hell, even Kong again. Just anything.

Universal isn’t as obsessed with syngergy lately, and they have been dipping into older things with universal monsters. They also KNOW it would probably do pretty good, because they’ve been using the classic movies over and over in non ride stuff like food items, merchandise, escape rooms, fireworks shows, parades, HHN houses, tribute stores, etc, basically everything but something permanent. and at this point, I’m like “if you aren’t gonna do one ever that’s fine just commit to it and I’ll learn to accept it and move on, but if so universal, for the love of god stop the key jingling and bringing up false hope”. But if they are, for the love of god, pull the trigger already.
Sorry for the rant lol those are my feeling tho.

 

[Freak]

I’m gonna be completely honest: I just want a ride with at least one classic movie made. Just one and I’ll be happy. I don’t care if it’s a “great universal movie ride”, or a ride show, or some permanent, even a show themed to BTTF, Jaws, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, hell, even Kong again. Just anything.

Universal isn’t as obsessed with syngergy lately, and they have been dipping into older things with universal monsters. They also KNOW it would probably do pretty good, because they’ve been using the classic movies over and over in non ride stuff like food items, merchandise, escape rooms, fireworks shows, parades, HHN houses, tribute stores, etc, basically everything but something permanent. and at this point, I’m like “if you aren’t gonna do one ever that’s fine just commit to it and I’ll learn to accept it and move on, but if so universal, for the love of god stop the key jingling and bringing up false hope”. But if they are, for the love of god, pull the trigger already.
Sorry for the rant lol those are my feeling tho.

Fair enough. I agree completely

I still want a Ghostbusters ride.

 

[Sneakman]

Fair enough. I agree completely

I still want a Ghostbusters ride.

Me too. Ghostbusters ride would be cool. I’d go on that!

It’s not like I dont like what we have! It’s great and cool! But with HOW MUCH classic movie stuff we’ve gotten over the past few years at USO, it’s starting to feel like universal knows that it’s something that people want, but are afraid to commit to it and are constantly dancing around the concept. Starting to get frustrated ngl.

What would be the most logical classic IP to use? Gotta be honest, don’t think it’s bttf.

 

[Gartooth]

I think USF really could use a new family dark ride. It's the park that has all the Illumination and DreamWorks IP in it so I think the opportunity to use one of those film series for a dark ride is there. But it doesn't seem to be in the cards for either of those areas since it seems like the next to-do's over the next several years are replacing RRR, Springfield, and Supercharged. If Pokémon ends up going to USF though then I'm hoping that'll be the one to finally address this.