Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (USH)

[...]

I've heard they're doing staff training and simply are waiting for the certification from the state to open up for previews. SSFL looked mostly the same but there was not much to see other than an awning installed over the restaurant's entrance and the beginning phases of theming on the entrance arch. The gift shop looks just about done as well and is awaiting the merchandise. I'm predicting another wall shift by next week in preparation for previews the following week (March 12/13).

 

[Ryan]

Judging from the blueprints, if they get the restaurant done and ready, then all they have to do is wall off the main SSFL side during softs while they finish it up.

 

[Chris]

Judging from the blueprints, if they get the restaurant done and ready, then all they have to do is wall off the main SSFL side during softs while they finish it up.

This is what I expect.

 

[ItsAtrap]

I was at USH Saturday. Saw the cue first hand.

I'm not trying to change anyones mind, not trying to make anyone uncomfortable by expressing opinion, not exaggerating and I apologize up front for making some sick or irritated by reading the same argument. No need to agree, disagree or even agree to disagree. This is only my opinion:

I think the cue looks cheap. The facades are beautiful and what I could see of the interior it looks terrific. But Universal seems to have decided to save some money by not doing a total emersion into the world. And to me that screams cheap. I wish they would try a little harder.

 

[Tyler Crouch]

I just really don't believe that cheap is a fair thing to say. We have to remember where Universal has come from. Name me one ride in Hollywood that has complete Immersion within its queue. You can't do it, there is nothing like that at Universal. Every ride has an extended queue, every ride has switchbacks with monitors, every ride has a sound stage look to the exterior. With Despicable Me, you can see them starting to get away from that. They made an amazing facade, they gutted an entire building to fit in two simulators, they're building a themed eatery, themed play area, themed spinner, a themed shop.... This is not cheap, people. We are going to have the best version of this ride. I guarantee more money is being spent now than probably ever on this place. This is honestly some of the best theming Universal Hollywood has ever done. Anyone who can't see that is really ignoring what this park has offered over the years.

With all the good things coming, I just find it sad that you have to focus so much on an extended queue. Quite honestly, if the first word that comes to mind is cheap, you're not really taking in to account the scope of the whole project. This is really the first time they have ever done anything like this. Lets be happy they are moving in the right direction. Now that they have built Despicable Me like this, they really can't go back to their old ways of big grey buildings.

If you think the Hollywood version is bad, I'd hate to see your opinions on Florida's version. That's all I can say. 

 

[ItsAtrap]

"Cheap" may not be a fair word to you. But it is my opinion. The fact that USH is spending more money now than probably ever on this place makes the cue seem even more cheap to me.

If you think the Hollywood version is bad, I'd hate to see your opinions on Florida's version. That's all I can say. 

Then I will not offer my opinion on Florida's version.

 

[Tyler Crouch]

What are you comparing? If this is cheap, you must be comparing it to something that amazes you. What is it? Tell me what this should have been.

 

[Tyler Crouch]

As much as I agree with you that the debate is a bit of a silly one, He has a right to talk about his opinion. This is what a forum is all about. We can't get upset when people don't agree with us... Why is there even a forum if people can't disagree? If we all agreed to agree, a forum would be a pretty big waste of time.

That being said, I'm sorry it makes you angry. I can get worked up too, but at the end of the day, no one else's opinion REALLY matters in my life. Being happy is a choice that YOU get to make. =)

 

[Jon Fu]

Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but be prepared to defend your views if someone challenges you. That's what a discussion forum is all about.


I guess we'll see what it looks like after it opens.


(and Florida's queue is pretty bad and I'd like to hear ItsAtrap's opinion on it if he has one)

 

[Allen The Actor]

I was at USH Saturday. Saw the cue first hand.

I'm not trying to change anyones mind, not trying to make anyone uncomfortable by expressing opinion, not exaggerating and I apologize up front for making some sick or irritated by reading the same argument. No need to agree, disagree or even agree to disagree. This is only my opinion:

I think the cue looks cheap. The facades are beautiful and what I could see of the interior it looks terrific. But Universal seems to have decided to save some money by not doing a total emersion into the world. And to me that screams cheap. I wish they would try a little harder.

Cheap is definitely a valid description for the first part of the queue. We're not calling the ENTIRE Despicable Me experience that Universal has built as "cheap". Only the part of the queue they didn't theme. Also, Universal previously making unthemed queues is no reason they should continue making shortcomings. They are under new ownership that cares a lot about the theme parks in California and Florida. Universal IS capable of making a FULLY immersive environment when they want to or are forced to (Potter). Universal is currently in the best financial and creative situation they've ever been for the theme parks. They definitely could've finished the first part of the queue, especially with how the company is right now and how serious Comcast is about the theme parks.

Our complaining should be taken as more of a compliment. Because we KNOW Universal has the capabilities, funds, and creativity to go 100%. They're not Six Flags lol.

And again (broken record time) my issue with the first part of the queue is that it's BEHIND the amazing facade. If it was an extended queue that was off to the side of the building, I wouldn't care. But since the plain metal queue is the first thing you experience after entering the amazingly detailed facade, it makes no sense to me.

 

[Tyler Crouch]

I can totally see that, Allen. Don't get me wrong, it would be nice if the extended queue was more detailed.  My only problem is: I feel like this one negative is being discussed far more than the positives of the rest of the attraction/area. Could the extended queue be better? Yes. Does it deserve alllllllllllllllll this attention? Well... I just believe there are so many more positives than negatives right now. 

 

[Allen The Actor]

The thing is...I don't even think it qualifies as an EXTENDED queue.....an extended queue you can usually bypass in one way or another and is usually separate. With THIS queue, it's right behind the facade and you HAVE to pass through it. And that gap in themeing really takes you "out" of what the facade was trying to accomplish.

There's not much else to discuss at the moment! The only visually available things so far has been the facade, SSFL, bit of the queue, and the interior pics micechat released. I think everything else we've seen so far is fantastic. Walking up to the facade is pretty badass, it towers over you! Really fantastic.

The facade puts you immediately into the mindset of before the second film though. In the second film, Gru has green manicured grass like his neighbors, but for our facade, the grass at the bottom is still "dry".

 

[Milla4Prez66]

As a USF passholder, our queue for this ride is terrible until you get inside the building and even then it isn't going to be as good as what Hollywood will get. But the building the ride is in has been there since opening day and Universal is limited on the room there. I'm excited to see what they can do with this attraction with more room.

 

[Freak]

Could we expect to see soft openings sometime this week or next week? Anyone have any idea?

 

[ItsAtrap]

Quite a dilemma.

BlueJester would hate to hear my thoughts on the USF cue, Jon would like to hear my opinion. Miss Betty is sick of reading this discussion and there was a post (now gone) from someone who was angry that we are discussing this.

I think that in the interest of harmony I'll keep any further opinion to myself.

 

[Ryan]

Could we expect to see soft openings sometime this week or next week? Anyone have any idea?

I'm still hearing after employee previews late next week.

 

[Tyler Crouch]

I never meant that I would REALLY hate to hear your opinions, itsatrap. It's just a figure of speech. If you don't want to discuss this any longer that's fine. But please... it's a queue. It has nothing to do with playing pool.

 

[Jon Fu]

I'm still hearing after employee previews late next week.

I'm hearing that as well.

 

[Ryan]

Apparently if you have a fear of heights, the spinner may not be for you. It's right on the edge of the "roof" of Frankenstein Parking, and the views are going to be mighty spectacular.

 

[Armadillo4]

Now that it's March, I'm getting very excited for the upcoming opening for Minion Mayhem. I'm sure Inside Universal/these forums will keep us posted when the employee previews start. So, I'm really hoping for possible soft openings/technical rehearsals by the end of the month. I can't wait to become a Minion!