Universal Studios Park Entrance Reimagining

[Eckert]

Is it...not finished? Maybe we just need to see some better pictures.

 

[Nitro_230]

It also hasn't been said yet, but is important to note that this is not at the front of the park. It is in fact more in the center of the upper lot.

And it is more then just this building, there is also a park with a large water feature.

 

[Hockeyman55]

Im not so sure im sold on that Plaza Tower, the rest I like.

I really wish we got a Pink's also!

 

[Nitro_230]

I know there have been a lot of comparisons to the Carthey Circle Restaurant over at DCA. The only real similarities design wise is they are both towers.

Here is the Carthay Theater:

Here is the Carthay Circle Restaurant:

 

[Jon]

And a little too reminiscent of the also-new California-themed park entrance down the road in Anaheim...

It really isn't. That's a misleading comparison that's been passed around, and it's simply not true.

Is it...not finished? Maybe we just need to see some better pictures.

Nope! Still needs a few finishing touches. As for photos: http://insideuniversal.net/2013/08/...roduces-universal-plaza-dining-entertainment/

 

[JungleSkip]

I want something like that in the front of the park so bad. USF is going to be a GREAT park after next year, but entering the park is such a flat an uninspiring venture

 

[Miketheboss]

I know there have been a lot of comparisons to the Carthey Circle Restaurant over at DCA. The only real similarities design wise is they are both towers.




Here is the Carthay Theater:

Here is the Carthay Circle Restaurant:

Thats the one here at DHS.

This is the one at DCA.

 

[Nitro_230]

This is the one at DCA.

Good catch, I should probably pay a little more attention to the thumbnails.

 

[Teebin]

^ Thanks. Yeah, DCA's is Moroccan in style and Uni's is heavy Art Deco. That said, they are both stylized towers. Some of us will find this new Uni addition grand and wonderful, and some of us will find it not at all. I am in the later club.

 

[ChrisM]

Well, USH's new Universal Plaza was unveiled today. Hopefully something similar is in USF's future.

Inside Universal got pictures:

Judging by some of the other close up pics it looks like those panels above those roll up doors are temporary with something else behind them. Perhaps led screens?

 

[Nitro_230]

Looks like those panels above those roll up doors are temporary with something else behind them. Perhaps led screens?

Looks light there is lighting to shine up, so I would think window or design more then LED screen. But could be.

 

[natespf]

I know there have been a lot of comparisons to the Carthey Circle Restaurant over at DCA. The only real similarities design wise is they are both towers.

Agreed, both are built with a little force perspective (to appear taller than they are). But this is also true for just about about every building in all Dis and Uni parks.

What is funny is there are other examples of real buildings that inspired facades in both Uni and Dis parks, and these would admittedly be duplicates of the same building. This does not seem to be the case in these towers that have drastically different styles.

 

[TylerDurden]

It really isn't. That's a misleading comparison that's been passed around, and it's simply not true.

Heavy art-deco remodel of a major thoroughfare of a California-themed amusement park? With a large tower as the dominant element, and an accompanying water feature? Seems pretty similar to me...and if I want to make that comparison it isn't true or false...it's a subjective comparison.

 

[Nitro_230]

Heavy art-deco remodel of a major thoroughfare of a California-themed amusement park? With a large tower as the dominant element, and an accompanying water feature? Seems pretty similar to me...and if I want to make that comparison it isn't true or false...it's a subjective comparison.

Different styles, different designs, different kind of water feature (fountains for kids to play in, not a water fountain). As said the only real comparison is that there is a tower in both projects.

 

[TylerDurden]

Different styles, different designs, different kind of water feature (fountains for kids to play in, not a water fountain). As said the only real comparison is that there is a tower in both projects.

I can make a comparison to whatever I want...

I've seen Carthay in person, and now the new pictures of this. It's highly coincidental, to me, that they start this project around the same time Carthay premiers, and it's meant to serve as a refresh of the parks main plaza in the same vein as Buena Vista Street. Also, we can discuss the fundamentals of the project all day, but to me the style and approach seem very Carthay-esque.

 

[Clive]

I want something like that in the front of the park so bad. USF is going to be a GREAT park after next year, but entering the park is such a flat an uninspiring venture

Agreed. The Studios Gates and the globe are a spectacular first impression, but once you get past them to the turnstiles the whole thing fizzles... the garish Rockit structure certainly doesn't help. If we entered directly onto Hollywood Boulevard, with Production Central being a side street, that'd be perfect... it's a shame the original park designers didn't catch on to how bland/unexciting Production Central's visuals were for the "first" area guests encountered once inside.

 

[Nitro_230]

I've seen Carthay in person, and now the new pictures of this. It's highly coincidental, to me, that they start this project around the same time Carthay premiers, and it's meant to serve as a refresh of the parks main plaza in the same vein as Buena Vista Street. Also, we can discuss the fundamentals of the project all day, but to me the style and approach seem very Carthay-esque.

I've seen both in person. They really don't look that similar.

 

[JungleSkip]

I've seen both in person. They really don't look that similar.

Yea, the two are completely different styles of architecture.

 

[Nitro_230]

Also important to note that one is a full building while the other is a tower, two arches and a small retail space

 

[Jon]

Seems pretty similar to me...and if I want to make that comparison it isn't true or false...it's a subjective comparison.

I apologize if I didn't make this clear, but I was referring to the notion that Universal Plaza was inspired by Carthay.

It's highly coincidental, to me, that they start this project around the same time Carthay premiers, and it's meant to serve as a refresh of the parks main plaza in the same vein as Buena Vista Street. Also, we can discuss the fundamentals of the project all day, but to me the style and approach seem very Carthay-esque.

You haven't seen it in person. Photos and seeing something in person are both entirely different things. As for your first point, you're making the new area seem like an attempt to rip Disney off - which simply isn't true. I suggest you read this: http://insideuniversal.net/2013/02/inside-the-nbcuniversal-evolution-plan-january-7-2013-framework/

Plaza has nothing to do with Disney California Adventure. It's been planned for years. Look at "T-9" on this map from 2006: http://thestudiotour.com/ush/attractions/ucvision/big_sp.jpg