The Old KidZone Thread

[mahnamahna]

I'm not sure if this is true but somebody I know heard from somebody that worked at Universal that the Kid Zone will indeed be getting a Krusty Krab? I think it's a good chance of happening but he says the guy confirmed it? Any chance I could get any word on this HTF or Disneyhead?

If they were involved with security, hotel transportation to the parks, or Dippin' Dots, take their word as a grain of salt but seriously, the Krusty Krab pretty much owns that KidZone Pizza real estate. All Comcast has to do is greenlight it :smiley:

I think we'll start to find out about this and the JP expansion within the next few months though!

 

[martymcflyy85]

Still stand by my wanting ET gutted. Rode it this past week and it was Just horrible, beyond bad and dated and would be more valuable to the park to get rid of it and put something new there.

BLASPHEMY!


Moving on.....the problem with Spongebob, Dora, Peanuts, etc is that these properties have already been used by many local theme parks around the nation for years. So they are not unique enough. Parents have been able to take their kids to see these characters and ride their rides by driving like 20 miles down the road. So why would they drive to Orlando to see same thing?

 

[Cupcakes]

I can agree there to some extent. It does feel a little awkward having Nickelodeon at Universal when Nick now has their own Orlando headquarters set up at their suites resort just down the road. However, I'd like to see Nick stay for the time being regardless, as it has such a huge historic value to USF. I think in the long-term plan, Universal probably will phase Nickelodeon out of the parks entirely when the time comes. They've already phased out most of it, after all.

 

[jtsalien]

I can agree there to some extent. It does feel a little awkward having Nickelodeon at Universal when Nick now has their own Orlando headquarters set up at their suites resort just down the road. I think in the long-term plan, Universal probably will phase Nickelodeon out of the parks entirely when the time comes. They've already phased out most of it, after all.

Just because the Nick Studios left doesn't mean Nick is phased out. They made Spongebob and Dora big parts of the Superstar Parade. They just built StorePants and have Spongebob merchandise and billboards. There may be less variety, but they still have a good relationship.

 

[Cupcakes]

Well, what I mainly meant was that Universal dropped the theme park licensing for Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, Jimmy Neutron and the like. I think SpongeBob and Dora will definitely remain for the time being, but I can't see them being around in 2025. Universal will keep them around and milk whatever they can out of them, but once the popularity of those two shows end, I'm pretty sure that'll be the end of Nick and Universal's partnership, because I can't really see Universal licensing whatever ends up replacing SpongeBob and Dora on Nick. But I'll gladly eat my words if I have to.

 

[wizwit]

Has it been confirmed that the KidZone "redo" will definitely be another "KidZone"? I mean, what if it ws turned into a new land entirely (that included family, kiddie, and "adult" rides)?

Does it have to be a land devoted entirely to the kids?

 

[Shadow Carelli]

Has it been confirmed that the KidZone "redo" will definitely be another "KidZone"? I mean, what if it ws turned into a new land entirely (that included family, kiddie, and "adult" rides)?

Does it have to be a land devoted entirely to the kids?

I have a hard time seeing that Universal will build anything else that won't be for kids there. They're trying to broaden their demographics.

 

[Cupcakes]

I think they'll make the area more for "families". Or at least I hope they do.

 

[Jenstar]

Has it been confirmed that the KidZone "redo" will definitely be another "KidZone"? I mean, what if it ws turned into a new land entirely (that included family, kiddie, and "adult" rides)?

Does it have to be a land devoted entirely to the kids?

I don't think it should just be another "kidzone", it would be better if there was a mixture of rides especially family rides and I totally think a water ride of some sort should go there as that is what universal studios is lacking. The rest of the park flows and at the moment Kidzone is just a dead end part of the park. I really hope they make it somewhere more inviting for everyone.

 

[Hatetofly]

The little ones are getting stuff in the future, both here and elsewhere... :thumbs:

 

[martymcflyy85]

The little ones are getting stuff in the future, both here and elsewhere... :thumbs:

I saw the words "in the future" and my mind automatically went to wishing/hoping for another Back to the Future ride. ha ha ha

 

[wizwit]

The little ones are getting stuff in the future, both here and elsewhere... :thumbs:

And they should! But do the little ones really need an entire "zone" all for themselves?

I'd much rather see Uni keep adding things like "Twirl and Hurl" all around the park instead of devoting one section as a "kiddie land".

Know what I mean?

 

[mahnamahna]

And they should! But do the little ones really need an entire "zone" all for themselves?

I'd much rather see Uni keep adding things like "Twirl and Hurl" all around the park instead of devoting one section as a "kiddie land".

Know what I mean?

Very true but most major theme parks have a kiddie area

MK and DL: Fantasyland
DCA: a bug's land and arguably Cars Land
DHS: Pixar Place and Animation Courtyard
AK: DinoLand USA (not a good example lol)
IOA: Seuss Landing
USF: KidZone
Seaworld: Shamu's Happy Harbor
Busch Gardens: Sesame Street Safari of Fun
Legoland: the entire park

I understand the desire to spread the kiddie rides though - Super Silly Fun Land where Shrek is, along with a London Eye ferris wheel by Potter 2.0 entrance, and some kind of flat ride in whatever secret project is on the MIB/Springfield plot would definitely spread the little ones around as opposed to herding them into one little corner. ET getting its entrance relocated to where Gardens of Allah is would also help spread families around.

But Comcast sees $$$ when they can promise a whole land kiddies will love, and kiddie doesn't have to mean bad. Seuss Landing and Fantasyland are wonderful while Legoland is loads of fun. As long as it's well-themed as opposed to looking like a Six Flags-esque carnival I'll be okay with it.

A water ride, 2 dark rides, 3 flat rides, a family coaster, and some shows and play areas to balance it all out - not expecting all of that to show up though... but Universal has surprised me before!

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

A new Kids Zone with a couple kids rides and some updated shows would be more than enough for kids In Universal Studios.

 

[Cupcakes]

I'm fine with kids' areas as long as they're accessible to adults to a certain extent as well. Camp Jurassic and Seuss Landing are great examples of this.

Barney and Fievel are not.

 

[Mad Dog]

The Smurfs movie didn't do very well at the box office. I'd bet its dead on arrival for a Kid Zone expansion. Good riddance if it disappears as an expansion option.

 

[Cupcakes]

The Smurfs movie didn't do very well at the box office. I'd bet its dead on arrival for a Kid Zone expansion. Good riddance if it disappears as an expansion option.

What it mainly depends on are what the merchandise sales for it have been like. From what I've observed, Uni's current business model appears to be "if it's guaranteed to sell loads of merchandise, it gets an attraction", although Kong seems to be the exception from this rule.

 

[Hockeyman55]

The Smurfs movie didn't do very well at the box office. I'd bet its dead on arrival for a Kid Zone expansion. Good riddance if it disappears as an expansion option.

It must have done well enough for the studio to make a sequel though.

 

[Drew]

The Smurfs movie didn't do very well at the box office. I'd bet its dead on arrival for a Kid Zone expansion. Good riddance if it disappears as an expansion option.

I honestly don't think it was an option anyway. Just being kicked around.

If anything, more of a Curious George replacement than a E.T. replacement. Minor influence.

 

[Mad Dog]

It must have done well enough for the studio to make a sequel though.

I believe this was the sequel. It's been a while since I saw the USA box office numbers on the first one but I don't think they were very good either. It's probably more of a European box office draw. And I've really never seen much Smurf merchandise anywhere.