The Old KidZone Thread

[Felipe]

I couldn't care any less for the poor Woody Woodpecker kiddie coaster. At least Hippogriff has a nice view from up there. Without any special theming, I think it's a very short and blah ride. They've recently re-painted WWNC, so I don't think it's going anywhere for a while. But, if it were up to me, I wouldn't keep it in a New KidZone.

 

[AK-Jake]

Totally agreed. Technically, it was USF's first coaster...but still, it's a pretty uninspired, off-the-shelf Vekoma Roller Skater.

I too think its pointless to move it to IOA since its basically the same kind of ride experience as Flight of the Hippogriff. I say keep it where it is and retheme it if need be.

They can give Woody his own dark ride or something else suitable in Toon Lagoon instead of another coaster.

Agreed. I'd like to see Universal keep pushing the envelope on NEW, EXCITING, and INNOVATIVE ride systems, instead of just plopping in a bunch of 3D spectacles, dark rides and family coasters. An Oceaneering trackless dark ride would be cool...but there's also one being built 3 miles away at Seaworld. I'm sure Uni could build a super-unique and cool ride concept from it, but I'd like to see them take their own unique paths when it comes to building rides, rather than just doing "me too" attractions. It also looks like they may be on a family coaster craze right now: Gringotts (which is more of a dark ride/simulator than coaster, if rumors are to be believed), Amber Mine family coaster, Mt. Crumpit, etc. I'm a SUCKER for awesome coasters, and would LOVE to see Uni drop in a family coaster (Mt. Crumpit over Amber Mine personally) and another awesome B&M somewhere else in the parks...but more than anything, I'd love to see them keep pushing the envelope with a brand new ride system like they did with Forbidden Journey. How about that new "Pandora's Box" concept Vekoma was showing off at IAAPA a few years ago? If Uni built something like that, I think I'd damn near die. What a neat concept! http://www.vekoma.com/index.php/specialities-and-attractions/pandora-s-box

Diversity, Universal...that's all I ask. And keep up the good work!

 

[IzzyB]

Agreed. I'd like to see Universal keep pushing the envelope on NEW, EXCITING, and INNOVATIVE ride systems, instead of just plopping in a bunch of 3D spectacles, dark rides and family coasters. An Oceaneering trackless dark ride would be cool...but there's also one being built 3 miles away at Seaworld. I'm sure Uni could build a super-unique and cool ride concept from it, but I'd like to see them take their own unique paths when it comes to building rides, rather than just doing "me too" attractions. It also looks like they may be on a family coaster craze right now: Gringotts (which is more of a dark ride/simulator than coaster, if rumors are to be believed), Amber Mine family coaster, Mt. Crumpit, etc. I'm a SUCKER for awesome coasters, and would LOVE to see Uni drop in a family coaster (Mt. Crumpit over Amber Mine personally) and another awesome B&M somewhere else in the parks...but more than anything, I'd love to see them keep pushing the envelope with a brand new ride system like they did with Forbidden Journey. How about that new "Pandora's Box" concept Vekoma was showing off at IAAPA a few years ago? If Uni built something like that, I think I'd damn near die. What a neat concept! http://www.vekoma.com/index.php/specialities-and-attractions/pandora-s-box

Diversity, Universal...that's all I ask. And keep up the good work!

All of the stuff you talked about to add would all add a height restriction and would defeat the purpose of redoing the kid zone. The whole point is to replace the boring shows (that purple thingy) that only kids like and add something the entire family can ride. Things like FJ and Pandora's Box are all types of rides Universal already has. They need something different from what they have, which is why a trackless dark ride would be good for them. It doesn't have to be like Sea World's trackless dark ride. It can be way different in story and how it works and have innovative scenes and stories. But that style would fit what is needed in Kidzone.

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

I could see a trackless dark ride themed to maybe SpongeBob or Madagascar. Barney needs to go ASAP also.

 

[AK-Jake]

All of the stuff you talked about to add would all add a height restriction and would defeat the purpose of redoing the kid zone. The whole point is to replace the boring shows (that purple thingy) that only kids like and add something the entire family can ride. Things like FJ and Pandora's Box are all types of rides Universal already has. They need something different from what they have, which is why a trackless dark ride would be good for them. It doesn't have to be like Sea World's trackless dark ride. It can be way different in story and how it works and have innovative scenes and stories. But that style would fit what is needed in Kidzone.

I'm not talking about KidZone. I'm talking about the company and the parks in general. KidZone's redo will potentially be a bunch of low-thrill/super-chill all-ages rides (depending on what direction they take with that project and if it even happens). I'm fine with that. My point was that I'm hoping they keep pushing the envelope and keep creating new and unique ride experiences, whether for all-ages or for the more thrilling segment.

I'll say it again: Diversity, Universal...that's all I ask. And keep up the good work!

 

[canobie#1]

Something like the cars ride that just opened in disney land would be awesome for a mrs. puffs boating school in sponge bob.
http://spongebob.neoseeker.com/w/i/spongebob/d/d7/Mrs._Puff's_Boating_School.jpg

 

[IzzyB]

I'm not talking about KidZone. I'm talking about the company and the parks in general. KidZone's redo will potentially be a bunch of low-thrill/super-chill all-ages rides (depending on what direction they take with that project and if it even happens). I'm fine with that. My point was that I'm hoping they keep pushing the envelope and keep creating new and unique ride experiences, whether for all-ages or for the more thrilling segment.

I'll say it again: Diversity, Universal...that's all I ask. And keep up the good work!

Ummmm.... this thread is for kid zone redo. So we are all talking about rides that would be good for the kid zone redo. So that would be why when you talked about Pandora Box in this thread, I said it would not fit.

 

[AK-Jake]

Ummmm.... this thread is for kid zone redo. So we are all talking about rides that would be good for the kid zone redo. So that would be why when you talked about Pandora Box in this thread, I said it would not fit.

Not dissing on you, Izzy. No disrespect meant. I think we're on 2 different wavelengths here. :smiley:

The whole point I was trying to make is that whatever Universal continues building--KidZone or otherwise--I hope they continue to put in unique attractions, including new things that have never been done before...like Disney did with Soarin' and Tower of Terror (yes, I realize ToT wouldn't belong in KidZone). Soarin' and ToT were UNIQUE, never-before-seen, imaginative ride systems that had never been experienced before...and really won't be outside of Disney. The themes are unique, but the rides that power them are even more unique! Pandora's Box is a neat, never-done concept that can be anything from thrilling to crazy, but like you said, due to its restraints and potential thrill factor, it wouldn't be a good fit for KidZone. You're right! So I say please put it elsewhere in the park.

When it comes specifically to KidZone/its replacement, whatever they build, I just want to see them be unique, and "push-the-envelope" to create their own original new ride systems/concepts that all ages could enjoy (like Disney did with Soarin'). If they replaced KidZone with a new area that featured a bunch of Zamperla kiddie flat rides (themed to whatever) and a Disney-esque omnimover dark ride (themed to whatever), I personally would be disappointed at that cop-out. If they instead put out a kiddie flat ride or 2, and 1-2 mind-blowingly cool all-ages rides...that are unique or at least clever variations of existing ride systems (trackless included)...I'd be super-happy. Make sense?

I guess I could sum up by saying that I hope Uni doesn't jump on the "me too!' fad wagon and build rides today that 10 years from now you see in most major parks (S&S Towers, for example). Keep those thinkin' caps on and those imaginations a-firin' on all cylinders, Universal Creative! :thumbs:

 

[IzzyB]

I really don't think you have to worry about Uni building things that can be found anywhere. Even if their base system is something used elsewhere (trackless system) they will put a unique spin on it to make it their own. Uni is not really one to clone what other parks do or have systems that everyone uses later.

 

[Hatetofly]

I really don't think you have to worry about Uni building things that can be found anywhere. Even if their base system is something used elsewhere (trackless system) they will put a unique spin on it to make it their own. Uni is not really one to clone what other parks do or have systems that everyone uses later.

Universal's take on roller coasters alone is a testament to this statement :thumbs:

 

[AK-Jake]

I really don't think you have to worry about Uni building things that can be found anywhere. Uni is not really one to clone what other parks do or have systems that everyone uses later.

You're right...they only clone what their own parks have in the same resort: Spiderman/Transformers, 1F2FRFBF/Simpsons Spinner (rumored), Flight of the Hippogriff/Woody's Nuthouse Coaster, MiB/CitH, etc. Same ride systems, different themes. Oh, and then there's Dr. Doom...that ole' S&S Tower ride... :wave:

I'm being a smart-ass and harassing you, Izzy. Lol! I hope that's not a trend they continue though.

 

[IzzyB]

You're right...they only clone what their own parks have in the same resort: Spiderman/Transformers, 1F2FRFBF/Simpsons Spinner (rumored), Flight of the Hippogriff/Woody's Nuthouse Coaster, MiB/CitH, etc. Same ride systems, different themes. Oh, and then there's Dr. Doom...that ole' S&S Tower ride... :wave:

I'm being a smart-ass and harassing you, Izzy. Lol! I hope that's not a trend they continue though.

Well I did say clone outside stuff I thought Dr. Doom was different because of how you were brought to the top?

I did want to say, I don't believe Simpson's spinner is going to be ANYTHING like 1F2FBFRF. So I don't consider that a clone.

 

[AK-Jake]

Well I did say clone outside stuff I thought Dr. Doom was different because of how you were brought to the top?

I did want to say, I don't believe Simpson's spinner is going to be ANYTHING like 1F2FBFRF. So I don't consider that a clone.

Lol, fair enough! I haven't been on Dr. Doom in a few years...I remember it being a launched tower that shoots you up? S&S builds 3 different variants of their towers: Turbo Drop (pulled to the top and SHOT down), Space Shot (shot up from the bottom), and Combo Tower (shot up from the bottom, bounce a few times to a slow stop halfway up the tower, then pulled to the top and SHOT down before bouncing a few times and slowly lowering to the bottom), plus a newer "Double Shot" concept. Fun variations...but now built in over half of the major theme/amusement parks in the nation. Hell, Disney tore theirs down a few years ago (the Maliboomer at DCA).

I hope the new Simpsons spinner isn't a clone! Anyway, :focus: I guess!

 

[Felipe]

This is both encouraging and discouraging...

From Amusement Pics:

They're painting and fixing the Curious George play area, and it's great to see Uni making the resort look great... But, on the other hand, I just want this walled off but gone ASAP for a new Kidzone Universal has spoiled me and made me insatiable now

 

[Hatetofly]

You won't see this walled up for a change anytime soon. There just getting ready for the Summer crowds is all. :thumbs:

 

[IzzyB]

You won't see this walled up for a change anytime soon. There just getting ready for the Summer crowds is all. :thumbs:

That is what I was thinking. They wouldn't wall off something coming into their busy season, but they also don't want it looking like crap this entire summer season

 

[shiekra38]

That is what I was thinking. They wouldn't wall off something coming into their busy season, but they also don't want it looking like crap this entire summer season

Does this mean we are looking for Kidzone redux to happen next year???

 

[Hatetofly]

Does this mean we are looking for Kidzone redux to happen next year???

Not til the Summer and Holiday Potter crowds disperse in January 2015. That's a total guess btw.

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

I really don't have a problem with the Curious George area. And as much as I love Fievel goes west it's really outdated and needs to be replaced by something else and same goes for Barney. I think SpongeBob and Madagascar makes the most sense rite?

 

[mahnamahna]

I could see Universal doing it in phases like Disney did with the New Fantasyland

Phase 1 (Fall 2013-Spring 2014):
Animal Actors upgrade
Fievel demo/replacement
E.T. Entrance relocation
KidZone Pizza replacement

Phase 2 (Fall 2014-Spring 2015):
Addition of a few flat rides
Barney demo (Scooby dark ride in its place)

Phase 3 (Fall 2015-Summer 2016):
E-ticket SpongBob dark ride
Curious George relocation
Unknown kiddie IP attraction
Woody Nuthouse relocation and theming upgrade with extended track
Looney Tunes boat ride (either outdoor or indoor)

However, Comcast wouldn't do the grand opening until everything was open (to avoid "dwarfing" their big project lol)

It makes sense for a drastic renovation to only close a few things at a time to avoid bottle necking the one family area of the park