Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[belloq87]

As attention has seemingly shifted towards IOA and EU I do still believe this park will receive a DCA 2.0 overhaul. Now what that consists of I don’t have any ideas at the moment.

Maybe other posters can expound their vision.

Sometime maybe closer to the 2030s construction should be starting or already begun on this major project.

This is me just wish casting but I think if Uni was smart they would do something like this to rejuvenate the original park where it all began.

Would I like to see them put that level of concentrated work into the park? Absolutely. Do I plausibly see it happening any time in the near future? No. I think we would have started to hear something in the way of rumors if there was really work of that magnitude coming.

At this point, I'm pretty disheartened about USF. As we're about to watch Epic get (seemingly) a couple of significant expansions, and as IOA gets rolling on a new land redevelopment, the only thing on the horizon beyond the F&F coaster (almost certainly going to be an improvement on what was there for coaster fans, but still a like-for-like swap) is the Supercharged replacement... and I think most of us are probably putting our money on that being just an overlay instead of a completely new attraction concept.

I'd love to believe they're going to gear up to make USF's 40th something special, but I just don't see it.

 

[TheUniC6]

Would I like to see them put that level of concentrated work into the park? Absolutely. Do I plausibly see it happening any time in the near future? No. I think we would have started to hear something in the way of rumors if there was really work of that magnitude coming.

At this point, I'm pretty disheartened about USF. As we're about to watch Epic get (seemingly) a couple of significant expansions, and as IOA gets rolling on a new land redevelopment, the only thing on the horizon beyond the F&F coaster (almost certainly going to be an improvement on what was there for coaster fans, but still a like-for-like swap) is the Supercharged replacement... and I think most of us are probably putting our money on that being just an overlay instead of a completely new attraction concept.

I'd love to believe they're going to gear up to make USF's 40th something special, but I just don't see it.

For whatever reason they seem hellbent on letting the Simpsons contract lapse before they remove it. Hopefully once that happens, full steam ahead on the replacement. My guess id best case scenario is USF's 40th will be marked by a Simpsons replacement, perhaps Wicked.

 

[OrlLover]

Epic get (seemingly) a couple of significant expansions,

I think the executives want the park to be on better footing and with these expansions in the works it can truly stand on its own. Also it helps that the lands have open plots readily available for construction.

Simpsons replacement, perhaps Wicked.

I do believe they are working on getting more Wicked representation in the parks after the success of the movies and experience they have set up.

 

[Mad Dog]

Since when does Universal care much about anniversaries?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Since when does Universal care much about anniversaries?

Never, but I think they've realized the need to celebrate themselves recently somewhat.

 

[Jake S]

Since when does Universal care much about anniversaries?

Disney doesn’t even care about anniversaries like they used to. They’re happy to sell you the merch, but it’s not like they’re building new attractions to coincide with a round number.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Disney doesn’t even care about anniversaries like they used to. They’re happy to sell you the merch, but it’s not like they’re building new attractions to coincide with a round number.

Remember when they went all out for Disneyland's 50th & 60th? New nighttime shows, cleaning up the park, improving food, etc.

Remember when Magic Kingdom celebrated it's 50th by opening... Remy's Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot?


I don't think you have to build a new attraction, but some minor decor & shows are more than enough for me. Anniversaries have focused solely on merchandise as of late unfortunately.

 

[belloq87]

I was using the 40th to essentially say "I hope something big is happening in USF by 2030."

 

[TheUniC6]

I was using the 40th to essentially say "I hope something big is happening in USF by 2030."

I don't think the supercharged replacement will take that long if its merely an overlay, and once I guess the potter expansion wraps at EU in 2028, maybe they crew can move over and work on the Simpsons replacement for a 2030 debut.

 

[belloq87]

I don't think the supercharged replacement will take that long if its merely an overlay, and once I guess the potter expansion wraps at EU in 2028, maybe they crew can move over and work on the Simpsons replacement for a 2030 debut.

Any number of things are theoretically possible.

I'm just not that hopeful.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

USF is Epcot. It has a lot of areas that need work... but it's also the events park. And those events generate lots of money, enough to not worry about the park's non-event experience.

I'm not saying Universal will neglect USF, as F&F coaster shows, but unfortunately it's not a DCA 1.0 situation either.

 

[Skold]

USF is Epcot. It has a lot of areas that need work... but it's also the events park. And those events generate lots of money, enough to not worry about the park's non-event experience.

I'm not saying Universal will neglect USF, as F&F coaster shows, but unfortunately it's not a DCA 1.0 situation either.

Does that make Vin Diesel Dreamfinder?

 

[Mad Dog]

USF is Epcot. It has a lot of areas that need work... but it's also the events park. And those events generate lots of money, enough to not worry about the park's non-event experience.

I'm not saying Universal will neglect USF, as F&F coaster shows, but unfortunately it's not a DCA 1.0 situation either.

I've said it before. IOA, by far, has the better rides...BUT....we find ourselves spending double, or triple our time at USF compared to IOA. There's lots more to do at USF, primarily due to theater shows, street shows, street characters, parades, 'occasional' lagoon night show and Festivals.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I've said it before. IOA, by far, has the better rides...BUT....we find ourselves spending double, or triple our time at USF compared to IOA. There's lots more to do at USF, primarily due to theater shows, street shows, street characters, parades, 'occasional' lagoon night show and Festivals.

Right there with you! IOA is 100% better as far as theming and attractions, but we spend way more time at USF.

It helps that USF has all the streetmosphere, shows, parade, etc. (and better food)

 

[belloq87]

USF is Epcot. It has a lot of areas that need work... but it's also the events park. And those events generate lots of money, enough to not worry about the park's non-event experience.

I'm not saying Universal will neglect USF, as F&F coaster shows, but unfortunately it's not a DCA 1.0 situation either.

If that's how Universal internally views the park, that's an incredibly depressing prospect, and it consigns it to a future of the bare minimum (read: more screen-based junk, and things that don't require much thematic effort -- an unthemed thrill coaster here, a half-baked DreamWorks Land overlay there).

So, for year-round park guests who deserve top-notch experiences outside of HHN time, for my own sanity, and for the sanity of everyone here who I subject to my fixations on this matter... I hope you're incorrect!

 

[Brian G.]

If that's how Universal internally views the park, that's an incredibly depressing prospect, and it consigns it to a future of the bare minimum (read: more screen-based junk, and things that don't require much thematic effort -- an unthemed thrill coaster here, a half-baked DreamWorks Land overlay there).

So, for year-round park guests who deserve top-notch experiences outside of HHN time, for my own sanity, and for the sanity of everyone here who I subject to my fixations on this matter... I hope you're incorrect!

You’ve misread the tea leaves on his post. He’s saying because it has to consider the events, it can just go “all in” like most of you are clamoring for.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

If that's how Universal internally views the park, that's an incredibly depressing prospect, and it consigns it to a future of the bare minimum (read: more screen-based junk, and things that don't require much thematic effort -- an unthemed thrill coaster here, a half-baked DreamWorks Land overlay there).

I wouldn't say that Universal wants to do the bare minimum, you can't just (as much as I'd like for them) level the park entirely. Rockit replacement already has a toll on HHN operations... imagine tackling another few projects simultaneously.

Both the holiday and Mardi Gras parade are the main draws during the events... can't do anything major throughout the parade route that could prevent it from happening.

So, for year-round park guests who deserve top-notch experiences outside of HHN time, for my own sanity, and for the sanity of everyone here who I subject to my fixations on this matter... I hope you're incorrect!

While I hope I'm incorrect, USF does have the benefit of having top notch experiences to balance out the mediocre experiences along with all the street shows that make feel it more alive than some of the other parks. So while not everything is perfect, it has enough great things going for it.

 

[belloq87]

You’ve misread the tea leaves on his post. He’s saying because it has to consider the events, it can just go “all in” like most of you are clamoring for.

“Not worry about the park’s non-event experience” was the pretty blunt statement that I was reacting to, more than the DCA reference. I have not expected Universal to do something that drastic in one move (though I would like them to).

I understand that HHN makes the company a ton of money. I just don’t think decisions regarding the wider park (which also operates for the ten months HHN isn’t happening) should inherently be held hostage to HHN’s needs. We got VillainCon (allegedly) because HHN space was prioritized over doing something better for the day guest on that spot.

It can just get frustrating to constantly be told that we have to be patient for USF to meaningfully* improve while we watch resources get dedicated to major projects elsewhere (and while promising projects initially rumored for USF get moved elsewhere).

* Yes, the F&F coaster will be a significant improvement on HRRR (we assume). But it’s not the start of the roster rebalancing some of us are looking for.

I wouldn't say that Universal wants to do the bare minimum, you can't just (as much as I'd like for them) level the park entirely.

I'm not saying they should level the park entirely.

But let's level Springfield, let's get a dark ride going in DreamWorks, and let's get the Supercharged replacement in motion.

 

[Mad Dog]

The three Festivals comprise half of the year. I could see them adding a summer festival once the Epic newness wears off. I constantly park hop since the parks are essentially joined. So, I really look at USF & IOA & CityWalk as essentially one huge park. Universal said that 80% of park tickets are park hoppers. With the very excellent Hogwarts Express, or a really short walk, its quick and easy. Most of the table service dinners we eat are at CityWalk (better & less expensive restaurants), so we'll often walk out of the park, have a good restaurant meal, or drink at the Margaritaville plane, and then go back to the parks.

Of course, we would like a couple new E ticket attractions that aren't outdoor coasters. No doubting that. USF would have been a pretty outstanding park if not for the huge Supercharged miss and closing of the Fear Factor theater. But it's still decent, regardless, reinforced by the excellent rides at the adjoining IOA.

We just love the closeness of the parks, Citywalk, and the on site hotels. That's the strength of a Universal vacation....

 

[OrlLover]

I mean look IOA it has a giant dead area in LC so of course that would be Uni’s priority to get moving on that.

Versus The Simpsons area which is still making tons of money and functioning just fine. Same with Epic as it needs those capacity expansions sooner rather than later.

Despite its shortcomings USF can afford to be put on the back burner for now.