Nintendo Coming to Universal Parks

[AlexanderMBush]

Memorial Day Weekend 2020 is the actual goal. And they will start demo just after Labor Day Weekend this year. 2 3/4 year build timeline. But it will ramp up slowly until Jan. At that point they go all in.

So to get it right; once the first wave of attractions close, they will be torn down immediately? Or will those attractions stay up until the end of Horror Nghts, even if closed?

 

[Disneyhead]

So to get it right; once the first wave of attractions close, they will be torn down immediately? Or will those attractions stay up until the end of Horror Nghts, even if closed?

I believe that the ball pit area will start coming down in early September. Barney's theater will be with us through Christmas as a HHN queue.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I believe that the ball pit area will start coming down in early September. Barney's theater will be with us through Christmas as a HHN queue.

So after HHN, Barney will be dormant similar to what happened to Fast and Disaster?

And that the ball pit closing makes sense, but makes me wonder how they will re-route the maze leading to the parade building, as I believe it juts into the Curious George playarea.

 

[JungleSkip]

So, changing gears for a moment, as all we've got to do at this point is to wait for the construction to start...

There's a lot of talk about Nintendo expansion possibilities, especially in Florida considering Park 3 on the horizon. Most of that talk has focused on Zelda and Pokémon, for good reasons. But I think Splatoon is right behind them as a potential expansion, TBH. Splatoon 1 sold more than every Star Fox game, Metroid game, and every Kirby game save the first, and Splatoon 1 was on the freakin' Wii U.

Splatoon 2 is on the infinitely more desirable Switch, and by all accounts is off to a stronger start than the first. Not to mention you can see the direction you can take with Splatoon. Interactive, competitive shooter ride using projection mapping for the ink. It's got a great, unique look that will definitely grab people. Not to mention, Splatoon offers possibly the most merch opportunities for a Nintendo property, IMO.

I know this is also kind of getting into another thread topic, but if I was Uni/Nintendo (and I'm very clearly not), Splatoon would be at the top of my list for a potential MIB replacement.

 

[Magic-Man]

So, changing gears for a moment, as all we've got to do at this point is to wait for the construction to start...

There's a lot of talk about Nintendo expansion possibilities, especially in Florida considering Park 3 on the horizon. Most of that talk has focused on Zelda and Pokémon, for good reasons. But I think Splatoon is right behind them as a potential expansion, TBH. Splatoon 1 sold more than every Star Fox game, Metroid game, and every Kirby game save the first, and Splatoon 1 was on the freakin' Wii U.

Splatoon 2 is on the infinitely more desirable Switch, and by all accounts is off to a stronger start than the first. Not to mention you can see the direction you can take with Splatoon. Interactive, competitive shooter ride using projection mapping for the ink. It's got a great, unique look that will definitely grab people. Not to mention, Splatoon offers possibly the most merch opportunities for a Nintendo property, IMO.

I know this is also kind of getting into another thread topic, but if I was Uni/Nintendo (and I'm very clearly not), Splatoon would be at the top of my list for a potential MIB replacement.

You make a good point, but I doubt we'll be seeing MIB replaced by anything anytime soon. It might be in the fourth park though, or maybe in a citywalk type area as a themed Lazer-Tag arena

 

[JungleSkip]

I doubt we'll be seeing MIB replaced by anything anytime soon.

I think MIB will be gone sooner rather than later, personally

And I don't think Splatoon works as laser tag, as it's not about killing opponents, but covering the map in your color

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I think MIB will be gone sooner rather than later, personally

And I don't think Splatoon works as laser tag, as it's not about killing opponents, but covering the map in your color

I have to wonder when the MIB contract expires, personally.

 

[Alicia]

I have to wonder when the MIB contract expires, personally.

It's a Spielberg produced film, so... never?

 

[Mike S]

You make a good point, but I doubt we'll be seeing MIB replaced by anything anytime soon. It might be in the fourth park though, or maybe in a citywalk type area as a themed Lazer-Tag arena

Exactly what I was thinking.

I think MIB will be gone sooner rather than later, personally

And I don't think Splatoon works as laser tag, as it's not about killing opponents, but covering the map in your color

So make that the goal rather than just killing opponents. Imo it really wouldn't work as a ride. Next gen laser tag? Absolutely.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

It's a Spielberg produced film, so... never?

I would assume though it is liscenced because it isn't fully owned by Universal, regardless of Amblin being the production company involved with the original.

 

[JungleSkip]

So make that the goal rather than just killing opponents. Imo it really wouldn't work as a ride. Next gen laser tag? Absolutely.

Oh it can totally work as a ride. Trackless, projection mapping, interactive.

There's no way for laser tag to recreate the feel of Splatoon in the slightest.

 

[Yabbadabba Doh]

I would assume though it is liscenced because it isn't fully owned by Universal, regardless of Amblin being the production company involved with the original.

It was produced by Columbia Pictures (now Sony) so they would own the IP.

 

[JungleSkip]

It was produced by Columbia Pictures (now Sony) so they would own the IP.

Well, no. It was distributed by Columbia (Sony), but produced by Amblin. Still, Sony would more than likely have the rights.

 

[Bulldog45]

Really don't understand people wanting to get rid of MIB. I think it's a great interactive ride!! Definitely better than Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Mania.

 

[JungleSkip]

Really don't understand people wanting to get rid of MIB. I think it's a great interactive ride!! Definitely better than Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Mania.

MIB is a great ride. But so was Jaws. And Kongfrontation. And Earthquake.

I think it's clear that every ride has an expiration date, and if Uni can make more money with something else they aren't shy about closing rides.

 

[Mike S]

Oh it can totally work as a ride. Trackless, projection mapping, interactive.

There's no way for laser tag to recreate the feel of Splatoon in the slightest.

And why can't projection mapping be utilized in a next gen laser tag idea?

 

[JungleSkip]

And why can't projection mapping be utilized in a next gen laser tag idea?

Never said you couldn't. But laser tag takes away the possibility of slip/sliding movement of Splatoon, not to mention the effect of moving slower through your enemy's paint color. I'm not saying it's impossible to make a splatoon style laser tag. I'm saying it'd be a waste of the property and a bad adaptation of the game, especially considering the lengths they're going for Mario Kart and Donkey Kong Country

 

[Ashhanbre]

The only way it would work is if they could use real paint.

 

[Bulldog45]

MIB is a great ride. But so was Jaws. And Kongfrontation. And Earthquake.

I think it's clear that every ride has an expiration date, and if Uni can make more money with something else they aren't shy about closing rides.

They better do something with Fear Factor Live before they touch MIB!!

 

[belloq87]

If MIB goes away anytime soon, that might be a deal-breaker for me at USF for a while. A person can only take so many of his favorite rides being replaced!

They better do something with Fear Factor Live before they touch MIB!!

No kidding. I can think of quite a few other areas ripe for replacement/reimagining before MIB should even begin to enter a theoretical conversation.