State of USH - What's Next?

[Jake S]

I never mentioned anywhere that we should only use that metric to compare theme parks.

i don't think i suggested that's what you were saying (or at least, certainly didn't intend to). i'm saying i don't think it's a good or useful metric at all, not that it should be used in conjunction with other information.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Looks like minor USH F&B price increases:

Churros +$0.20
Popcorn +$0.30
Great Feast at 3 Broomsticks +$2.00

i don't think i suggested that's what you were saying (or at least, certainly didn't intend to). i'm saying i don't think it's a good or useful metric at all, not that it should be used in conjunction with other information.

I understand that there are other factors that come into play (like being a Potterhead willing to pay a premium for the IP), my intention on introducing the metric was that it surprised how much substantial the variance was between USH and DL's.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Funny enough I saw that the Fire Flower pretzel is now down 3 dollars

Which is a much more fair price

With how the Power Up cafe is doing....I wonder if the drinks will go down

I’m not all that inclined to give Universal the benefit of the doubt. If it’s truly a temporary closure because they are hurting so badly on staffing, fair enough!

I mean, I went both days last weekend and seemed like they had more then enough people. Not calling out the employyes because its slow and you do you but saw a few groups of TM's just talking in groups at different lands in the park. So if they are having trouble filling those rides maybe move staffing from other lands to this area

But also Minions/Silly Funland's ride all last year was closed for the first hour even on some weekends....so it feels like a money thing to save during the slow seasons.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Funny enough I saw that the Fire Flower pretzel is now down 3 dollars

Which is a much more fair price

With how the Power Up cafe is doing....I wonder if the drinks will go down

The Super Star popcorn bucket also dropped $10 from $39.99 to $29.99

Seems like a price correction

 

[Viator]

Universal Studios has updated their studio lot website completely--modernizing and redoing it altogether. In the process however--access to maps have now been extremely limited as a result, meaning we won't have that public ability to do so anymore (unless by instances such as this: )



H-Lot has now been officially morphed into park property, alongside SS15. Additionally, it seems they have scooped up a small portion of that of the hillside at Mummy (presumably for the Utility Events Space as part of the regrading/restrengthening project).

 

[Jerroddragon]

So I went by the park the last 3 days normally in the afternoon around the peak times.....the park is closest to empty it has been since SNW has opened

The factors leading to this are
1) its the off season (looks at Disneyland...except you...you are still getting people)
2) The fires (this is out of everyone's control and while it never once again seemed to affect Disneyland...this was closer to fires and seems to have affect the park)
3) No New attraction, show or real update to the park since SNW.
4) Lunar New Years is MIA, while DCA is seeing big crowds for having limited time food, characters and entertainment)

So yeah kinda two of these factors USH has to kinda live with but also Disney fights back, it had ONE week of off season and last weekend was normal again. Rides were filling up by 10 AM with lines at Disneyland and DCA gets PACKED in the afternoon, so there is evidence if done correctly a lunar New Years event right now with Meet and greets from Kung Fi Panda, some mini shows and limited time food would help draw people but if they do what they did last year where food just appears and the minions/hello kitty get costumes is just not enough. The Plaza is large enough to hold many food boths and host some shows starring Po and Tigress and Viper would be the perfect photo op this year (I doubt they would do a puppet but even just a plasic photo op would ne nice)


On to What I saw at the parks
The Character lines are shorter but many times can take longer to get on then many rides. So always funny to me when you can walk on SLOP or wait 10 mins for MK or meeting Scooby do.
The BTTF court house was be driven near again and work is still be done for most likely fan fest
I've also noticed some lines say they are longer then they are like SLOP which will say 30+ mins but is more like 15 or less.
The lockers that were under the Plaza were tempary and are no longer there since the ending Grinchmas
They did still have some SNW holida merch but many items are now gone/sold out.
If I did not mention before Gwen is back in the park and meeting some days in Pets Place
If you get Luke for a toru guide...and its the same one I got your in for a treat at least when I went most his jokes were aimmed at movie fans vs the generic stuff ont he script . Love Luke Thanks for going all out
The Street Sweeper show was going on this last week, along with the HP wand shop/Tri wizard show are the only live shows we have until next month

 

[Freak]

I really do wish they would bring back the Lunar New Year stuff at USH. I miss the food! Any reason why they got rid of it?

Remember they took Mandarin Megatron from us.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I really do wish they would bring back the Lunar New Year stuff at USH. I miss the food! Any reason why they got rid of it?

Remember they took Mandarin Megatron from us.

I'd assume first because of the Pandemic and the first year or two attendance being down but last year was a sold year for USH

This year could be because so much of the budget is going to Fan fest and the summer event...but what I think management always forgets is you something have to spend money to make money

They also need to announce it earlier to travel agents can push the event

 

[Jerroddragon]

Hilton Universal City expansion gets L.A. City Council approval
Plans call for a 15-story building with 395 guest rooms

Hilton Universal City expansion gets L.A. City Council approval

Closing in on eight years after starting the process, Sun Hill Properties has finally secured entitlements for a proposed expansion of the Hilton Universal City hotel.

la.urbanize.city

 

[Jake S]

I hope that includes some expansion to the food and beverage offerings (the article doesn't say). That center dining area/bar gets packed.

 

[saint.piss]

 

[Brian G.]

Universal Studios Hollywood offering First Responders with a Special First Responder Heroes Ticket

As a thank you to the first responders for their heroic efforts in tackling the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Universal Studios Hollywood is offering a new “First Responder Heroes Ticket.” All eligible active first responders can enjoy one complimentary 1-Day General Admission ticket and a 50%

www.insideuniversal.net

 

[Jerroddragon]

I saw that Dogman was dancing in a insatgram post from USH promoting the film...is the character coming to the parks this weekend?



Edit: per Reddit this was from a few weeks ago…so who knows if it means anything for the park

 

[Jerroddragon]

Went Last night/afternoon

Marilyn, Beetlejuice, the officer, F&F construction worker, Homer S, Gwen and Minion and Cab Driver Gabby were all out along with two New York street guys in the windows.
Went on HP ride, the lockers still suck. My bag isn't even 1/3 full and I have to take crap out to make it fit. Just hate these so much
Got the BTTF magnet, its so fire
Also Hello kitty was meeting in her store...but looks like the lunar new years costume is already gone Or maybe the rain means they cant use it
MK went down at 5ish PM...so was a walk on after it reopened and they let me ride it twice in a row without getting off
Went on Jurassic World at 5:59 and was the last person on it. The Water tanks at the start were all just water no Dinosaurs appear but water did shoot out at the boat
All rides seemed liked walk on which makes sense its raining, weekday and off season

 

[saint.piss]

This is interesting

Universal Studios Lot | Backlot

The new Universal Studios Lot website is a production tool for Features, Television, Commercials & More

www.universalstudioslot.com

 

[Viator]

This is interesting

Universal Studios Lot | Backlot

The new Universal Studios Lot website is a production tool for Features, Television, Commercials & More

www.universalstudioslot.com

Bringing this up as I had actually brought this up a few weeks back.

Universal Studios has updated their studio lot website completely--modernizing and redoing it altogether. In the process however--access to maps have now been extremely limited as a result, meaning we won't have that public ability to do so anymore (unless by instances such as this: )

View attachment 24533

H-Lot has now been officially morphed into park property, alongside SS15. Additionally, it seems they have scooped up a small portion of that of the hillside at Mummy (presumably for the Utility Events Space as part of the regrading/restrengthening project).

 

[Jerroddragon]

Was at USH yesterday morning

No lines for anything until noon after then the park wasn't busy but it was not dead
The Tram skipped 3 areas. New Year, Little Europe and colonial street because of filming, for sure the shortest tram ride ive had in a while
Mummy merch was out...but was told today the bag was sold out at the store near Transformers..so FYI
Hello Kitty was in her lunar New Years outfit...so i guess she does not wear that on rainy days
Plaza was open, a few tables there but like most off season nothing else going on

Extra note Scooby do still has a photo person with them many times I go, if you have the annual photo pass make sure to use your pass here to get a cool Scooby do outline around your photos

 

[Jerroddragon]

Went to the Park Yesterday around 2 PM. MK was a walk on like no wait at all
Tram had a small line because it seemed like not many trams were being sent out because its a slow day
Tram seems to be very short right now, filming on NY and little Europe plus at least yesterday they skipped the flash flood (it was not raining when I went on the ride) also the Desperate Housewives area's was filming Hacks, I believe. So short tram
Also Jaws has fire effects now been up like 2 weeks I think but making a note because they were off because of the dry fire season but after rain the fire effects are back on
Also the balloon at Jupiter claim is still missing
Bart was out at the simpsons area under shade at exit near the Kwiki mart
If you didn't hear WW is not reopening this Friday but the 21, a week from Friday
Work at the rumored security area/hotel is looking good most things have been cleared from the area and guys were working in the rain
Mummy bag/backpack is still sold out

 

[Ron101]

Park has been a ghost town lately, even during the holiday season it was slow. Can attribute it to people having less disposable income, but also there just isn't much to see and do and the park right now. Whenever I bring up to conversation of USH vs Disneyland to friends and family members, I almost always get the response that USH is boring and that they prefer going to Disneyland. Hence, why Disney can get away with charging so much for Annual Passes.

The new Fast and Furious coaster will band-aid the issue but USH's lineup/offerings is still pretty weak. Lots of the rides/attractions have POOR re-visit value. If were being honest with ourselves, SNW was a disappointment on all levels except adding another ride to the park, which I wouldn't even classify as an E-ticket ride. Unpopular opinion here I know, but the Studio Tour as is needs to go in favor of park expansion. No one is visiting the park anymore for the Tour alone, outdated and nothing special about it anymore.

When I'm at Disneyland I want to actually go on the rides whereas at USH I tend to avoid most of them lol.

 

[TheUniC6]

Park has been a ghost town lately, even during the holiday season it was slow. Can attribute it to people having less disposable income, but also there just isn't much to see and do and the park right now. Whenever I bring up to conversation of USH vs Disneyland to friends and family members, I almost always get the response that USH is boring and that they prefer going to Disneyland. Hence, why Disney can get away with charging so much for Annual Passes.

The new Fast and Furious coaster will band-aid the issue but USH's lineup/offerings is still pretty weak. Lots of the rides/attractions have POOR re-visit value. If were being honest with ourselves, SNW was a disappointment on all levels except adding another ride to the park, which I wouldn't even classify as an E-ticket ride. Unpopular opinion here I know, but the Studio Tour as is needs to go in favor of park expansion. No one is visiting the park anymore for the Tour alone, outdated and nothing special about it anymore.

When I'm at Disneyland I want to actually go on the rides whereas at USH I tend to avoid most of them lol.

The next project for USH post F&F for LA2028 will logically be a Simpsons replacement, which has the potential to be a high capacity dark ride, and SS 16-24 will go down the line for some sort of land, which will help alleviate lower lot congestion somewhat.

The Studio Tour as is more than likely isn't going anywhere as its a crucial part of USHs identity, but maybe Falls Lake could be used for some sort of park expansion if they were motivated to do so.