Nintendo Coming to Universal Parks

[JungleSkip]

Has UO ever told TMs their area will close then back track?

I've never heard it, but it's not out of the question. I still don't think it's going to happen, but that's the least of Uni's concerns.

More pertinent is that a lot of work/prep has gone into the KidZone plan already

 

[UK-Trigg]

Really have no idea what could have caused this switch though?

Have we ever had the plot confirmed? or a timeframe for SNW?

KIdzone could still go bye bye and be for something completely different, as Alex alluded too.

 

[Imperius]

Have we ever had the plot confirmed? or a timeframe for SNW?

Not by USO but most people here said things.

 

[Alicia]

If the plans for KidZone change at all from what I've heard I would be seriously concerned, because the Mario Kart, and even moreso, Donkey Kong rides, look to be INCREDIBLE!

I'm more excited for SNW than I was for Diagon.

If the plans changed, I'd be worried they wouldn't be as good, because I don't think I've ever seen Universal cram so much fun into a land like this. This would be Disney level theming with Universal state-of-the-art attractions. There's to be Potter-like custom foods, character meet and greets built-in, and places for entertainment/street shows. It's the whole shebang.

 

[Teebin]

Have we ever had the plot confirmed? or a timeframe for SNW?.

Well, what is confirmed? That is where Mario and stuff was to go... absolutely. I heard this from more than one source from within UC.

 

[Imperius]

If the plans for KidZone change at all from what I've heard I would be seriously concerned, because the Mario Kart, and even moreso, Donkey Kong rides, look to be INCREDIBLE!

I'm more excited for SNW than I was for Diagon.

If the plans changed, I'd be worried they wouldn't be as good, because I don't think I've ever seen Universal cram so much fun into a land like this. This would be Disney level theming with Universal state-of-the-art attractions. There's to be Potter-like custom foods, character meet and greets built-in, and places for entertainment/street shows. It's the whole shebang.

This is how I feel. I love HP and was super excited for both lands, but these rides and lands sound so much better.

 

[epcyclopedia]

Goes back to the old adage that nothing is final until it opens.

 

[UK-Trigg]

If the plans for KidZone change at all from what I've heard I would be seriously concerned, because the Mario Kart, and even moreso, Donkey Kong rides, look to be INCREDIBLE!

I'm more excited for SNW than I was for Diagon.

If the plans changed, I'd be worried they wouldn't be as good, because I don't think I've ever seen Universal cram so much fun into a land like this. This would be Disney level theming with Universal state-of-the-art attractions. There's to be Potter-like custom foods, character meet and greets built-in, and places for entertainment/street shows. It's the whole shebang.

I agree, but I can also see the Kidzone plot as a potential bottleneck for such a large IP and subsequent land.

Im not saying anythings changed, not that we knew much anyways, but with the rumour mill churning again it sure adds to the discussion.

 

[JungleSkip]

If the plans for KidZone change at all from what I've heard I would be seriously concerned, because the Mario Kart, and even moreso, Donkey Kong rides, look to be INCREDIBLE!

I'm more excited for SNW than I was for Diagon.

If the plans changed, I'd be worried they wouldn't be as good, because I don't think I've ever seen Universal cram so much fun into a land like this. This would be Disney level theming with Universal state-of-the-art attractions. There's to be Potter-like custom foods, character meet and greets built-in, and places for entertainment/street shows. It's the whole shebang.

Eh, I'm not worried about it getting worse. Nintendo isn't going to let Uni slack with their stuff. It'd just be a bummer to have to wait 2-3 more years for Nintendo. It's (IMO) the best thing coming to Orlando out of all the recent announcements

Well, what is confirmed? That is where Mario and stuff was to go... absolutely. I heard this from more than one source from within UC.

Yea. If this changed, it's a substantial turn for the project

 

[Imperius]

The wait is the bad part if this is true. Waiting that much longer past Star Wars, Tron, Rat and so on will hurt in the mean time IMO.

 

[JungleSkip]

Legitimately the only way this would make sense, IMO, is if Uni is ready to break ground on starting work on the south property, and they'll have it up and running by 2021/2022. Otherwise it's kicking the Nintendo can pretty far down the road, allowing Star Wars to really sap the resort's momentum

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Legitimately the only way this would make sense, IMO, is if Uni is ready to break ground on starting work on the south property, and they'll have it up and running by 2021/2022. Otherwise it's kicking the Nintendo can pretty far down the road, allowing Star Wars to really sap the resort's momentum

To point out, Disneyland is already going to zap Universal Hollywood out, and that is going to take them possibly two years for Nintendo to even show up.

 

[Legacy]

Here's what we know though:

T2 is going down.
The Shrek closer sounds imminent.
I've been told Fear Factor isn't coming back after HHN and that it's just "quietly going away."
FFurious is still a 2019 opening.

IF KidZone goes down too, it would be a DHS-level decrease in available attractions for the Studios. More importantly, we would be looking at FOUR new construction projects (with Dragons' replacement) PLUS a new land in whatever replaces KidZone just in the parks. Looking at it that way (and adding the hotels), it's entirely possible Comcast or Universal drew a line on the budget for their existing parks. If that's the case, a Shrek, T2, FFurious and Potter add-ons may be "cheaper." Because they'd still be budgeting the 4th Gate.

If Park4 features Nintendo, Kung Fu Panda/Berk (Dreamworks), and the Monsters, they could have a smash hit.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Legitimately the only way this would make sense, IMO, is if Uni is ready to break ground on starting work on the south property, and they'll have it up and running by 2021/2022. Otherwise it's kicking the Nintendo can pretty far down the road, allowing Star Wars to really sap the resort's momentum

It does seem a long way out seeing as we got the SNW announcement months ago. Something big would have had to have happened to trigger a change in plans at this stage. Either they would want to go bigger, they have something else for KZ or new park not far off ground breaking as skip stated.

Either way are we expecting bulldozers to move in after HHN?

 

[Blue]

Nintendo will be a hit regardless of the year it opens. Putting Mushroom Kingdom into the fourth park has always been my preference honestly. I like the Illumination to KidZone idea better if only because it continues the studio/movie theme (yes it's not very strong anymore, but no point in weakening it further when you have viable IPs that do fit). I know some people consider the two parks one giant complex, but I think it's important to keep them distinct. Illumination has DM/Minions, SLOP, and Sing which may not be a huge draw but could be a decent line up of attractions.

...and should Nintendo go into the fourth park, they should seriously consider adding a hotel in the land a la Star Wars.

 

[JungleSkip]

Here's what we know though:

T2 is going down.
The Shrek closer sounds imminent.
I've been told Fear Factor isn't coming back after HHN and that it's just "quietly going away."
FFurious is still a 2019 opening.

IF KidZone goes down too, it would be a DHS-level decrease in available attractions for the Studios. More importantly, we would be looking at FOUR new construction projects (with Dragons' replacement) PLUS a new land in whatever replaces KidZone just in the parks. Looking at it that way (and adding the hotels), it's entirely possible Comcast or Universal drew a line on the budget for their existing parks. If that's the case, a Shrek, T2, FFurious and Potter add-ons may be "cheaper." Because they'd still be budgeting the 4th Gate.

If Park4 features Nintendo, Kung Fu Panda/Berk (Dreamworks), and the Monsters, they could have a smash hit.

As I understand it, the Shrek and T2 decisions were both reactions to D23's tidal wave, so I don't see how'd that affect Nintendo, but who knows.

 

[GAcoaster]

All I've heard is that Nintendo is still on for KZ with a closure of KZ later this year.

That being said, Universal has a long history of changing plans at the last minute, so anything is possible. Several times things have been in the works and TMs notified only to have a change of plans happen. I know they were supposed to pull the trigger on Twister several times (and then they finally did) and the same goes for Dragon Challenge. It may be they are pushing things back or changing plans again. It may be they have re-prioritized and they decided that Hollywood needs to get Nintendo sooner because of Star Wars and they don't have the resources to pull off building in three parks at once.

We'll know in a few weeks...

 

[Imperius]

Here's what we know though:

T2 is going down.
The Shrek closer sounds imminent.
I've been told Fear Factor isn't coming back after HHN and that it's just "quietly going away."
FFurious is still a 2019 opening.

IF KidZone goes down too, it would be a DHS-level decrease in available attractions for the Studios. More importantly, we would be looking at FOUR new construction projects (with Dragons' replacement) PLUS a new land in whatever replaces KidZone just in the parks. Looking at it that way (and adding the hotels), it's entirely possible Comcast or Universal drew a line on the budget for their existing parks. If that's the case, a Shrek, T2, FFurious and Potter add-ons may be "cheaper." Because they'd still be budgeting the 4th Gate.

If Park4 features Nintendo, Kung Fu Panda/Berk (Dreamworks), and the Monsters, they could have a smash hit.

Ehhhhh. US will be far different than DHS. It still has 7+ attractions open with all these supposed closures. The closures are also not popular and the loss of them isn't really going to be felt throughout the park.
Park 4 can still get a very popular(IMO far more than DK, Yoshi) in Pokémon and be a smash hit.

 

[quinnmac000]

One other thing that could have changed plans is if Universal may have acquired an entertainment company with popular IPs that hasn't been announced yet. I haven't seen any signs of that but with Time Warner, Fox, Netflix, picking up more content and distribution I wouldn't be surprised.

Marni mentioned of the other site he heard Nintendo Not coming to kidzone anymore and Kidzone still coming.

 

[UK-Trigg]

As I understand it, the Shrek and T2 decisions were both reactions to D23's tidal wave, so I don't see how'd that affect Nintendo, but who knows.

Could D23 have motivated them to do more with SNW? and sent them back to the drawing board? which inturn has got them to bring forward other plans :shrug: