The Old KidZone Thread

[RonaldsModernLife]

Well, there's a Betty Boop store near Shrek, but at the same time I don't really see how you could make a ride out of that IP.

But Betty Boop is also a bigger part of IOA in Toon Lagoon. I'm not sure why she is in Universal Studios at all, but at least she's a part of the resort in general. The store is also very basic, you can put anything in that store with a minimal decor change. The SpongeBob store is massively detailed.

 

[TylerDurden]

Well, there's a Betty Boop store near Shrek, but at the same time I don't really see how you could make a ride out of that IP.

You could just ride Betty Boop, she's kind of a slut.

 

[graspthesun]

So, I've been on vacation this past week, but I wanted to get caught up and throw this out there...

There are concerns that whatever replaces the KidZone needs longevity, but does it really? Feivel is from the mid-80s, has a presence KidZone, and hasn't really translated too well to this generation. Barney & Friends ended production in 2009 and doesn't seem to be coming back anytime soon. Excuse me for being hokey, but kids, they grow up so fast and whatever replaces KidZone is realistically going to have a very short life. That means that by the time the concept, design and build are completed, that whatever is built will already be dated. SpongeBob has had a long life and would be safe investment. Adventure Time is insanely popular and realistically has some years left on it.

Also, how many TV IPs have lasted around the park in general? Simpsons have been around longer than I've been alive and are probably one of the only things poised to continue to have a long life ahead of them, but just about everything else is a movie. (I ignored Fear Factor on purpose.) Moviewise, Despicable Me is a good choice and Dreamworks would be a good investment as well. Sadly, it seems unlikely that that will pan out.

I know this is kind of rambling on, it's been a long day, but I think ultimately a movie related KidZone is a better investment for the park than a TV show, unless they are content on making small investments to rotate out attractions every few years.

 

[floridakid]

You could just ride Betty Boop, she's kind of a slut.

Lol

 

[LHZY]

You could just ride Betty Boop, she's kind of a slut.

 

[TomTheRiddle]

There isn't a magic IP today for kids because so many things quickly become irrelevant for kids. Even Spongebob is on his way out.

I'm skeptical that Universal would partner with CN and their Turner executives. They're not exactly known for it. Nickelodeon is a far safer bet especially with Nick having a big programming shake up because of their ratings. Most of their live action shows are dead, and all they really have left to offer is a declining spongebob, fairly odd parents, and avatar.

Most of us are aware that the Dreamworks ship has probably sailed, so that's doubtful. It'll be interesting to see the final results. If I was Comcast, I'd be really careful about franchises.

On the other hand, how much do kids really care? I wouldn't exactly say that Popeye, Jurassic Park, or even Kid Zone in its present resound with kids these days. And in reality, every day the kids are all over the play areas. It's something for them, they're pretty apathetic to the specific theme.

 

[Andy]

There isn't a magic IP today for kids because so many things quickly become irrelevant for kids. Even Spongebob is on his way out.

I'm skeptical that Universal would partner with CN and their Turner executives. They're not exactly known for it. Nickelodeon is a far safer bet especially with Nick having a big programming shake up because of their ratings. Most of their live action shows are dead, and all they really have left to offer is a declining spongebob, fairly odd parents, and avatar.

Most of us are aware that the Dreamworks ship has probably sailed, so that's doubtful. It'll be interesting to see the final results. If I was Comcast, I'd be really careful about franchises.

On the other hand, how much do kids really care? I wouldn't exactly say that Popeye, Jurassic Park, or even Kid Zone in its present resound with kids these days. And in reality, every day the kids are all over the play areas. It's something for them, they're pretty apathetic to the specific theme.

Yeah it's sad that Dreamworks got full of themselves and Universal is getting a little high on the horse to because I would of loved to of seen How to Train your Dragon flying attraction take over ET.... :look:

 

[Hockeyman55]

Yeah it's sad that Dreamworks got full of themselves and Universal is getting a little high on the horse to because I would of loved to of seen How to Train your Dragon flying attraction take over ET.... :look:

Man that would have been awesome!

 

[IzzyB]

I don't think there will be one IP, I think this area will have different IPs and they may not all be from the same company. You may see a Spongebob flat ride and place to eat, a MLP ride and M&G, how about Strawberry Shortcake? This is another Hasbro IP that has longevity. I had it as a kid and I see it is popular again (see a bunch of merchandise in toys r us) and it has great food options. Especially for those looking for healthier options. I do see at least one Hasbro property going in and most likely being the dark ride. I also see the play area being a Hasbro property too. Just so many possibilities when it comes to a play area and their IPs.

Loony toons in interesting. Because like other long running kid properties, it is has ups and downs. And I don't know, I think it might be down right now. I don't see much merchandise in the toy sections of stores or toys r us, I don't see people wearing the shirts as much, etc. So I think it will be an IP that has longevity that right now is in an "up" part of its life cycle.

I also have to think at least one movie will have something in here. Maybe something in the works and not yet out.

 

[mahnamahna]

I don't think there will be one IP, I think this area will have different IPs and they may not all be from the same company. You may see a Spongebob flat ride and place to eat, a MLP ride and M&G, how about Strawberry Shortcake? This is another Hasbro IP that has longevity. I had it as a kid and I see it is popular again (see a bunch of merchandise in toys r us) and it has great food options. Especially for those looking for healthier options. I do see at least one Hasbro property going in and most likely being the dark ride. I also see the play area being a Hasbro property too. Just so many possibilities when it comes to a play area and their IPs.

Loony toons in interesting. Because like other long running kid properties, it is has ups and downs. And I don't know, I think it might be down right now. I don't see much merchandise in the toy sections of stores or toys r us, I don't see people wearing the shirts as much, etc. So I think it will be an IP that has longevity that right now is in an "up" part of its life cycle.

I also have to think at least one movie will have something in here. Maybe something in the works and not yet out.

For girls: MLP, Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears maybe?
For boys: SpongeBob, TMNT, Scooby-Doo
For everyone: Unknown property that probably isn't out yet

 

[Cupcakes]

I'm still expecting Dora the Explorer to be in this too, at least based off of the fact that she has a whole parade float dedicated to her.

 

[IzzyB]

Scooby Doo I think belongs under the everyone, adults and kids of both gender like it. My friends daughter couldn't get enough scooby doo when she was growing up. My other friend has two girls and both of them loved it too.

Haven't heard much about care bears or seen a ton of merchandise. That might be one of those franchises in the down position right now. But I could be wrong on that one.

 

[UNIrd]

I always hoped we would have gotten something like the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster from Australia.

 

[Hockeyman55]

Im surprised nobody has brought up Alvin and the Chipmunks. They seem to have had a revival but after 3 movies I can see things might be headed back down the popularity ladder right now.

 

[Cupcakes]

Im surprised nobody has brought up Alvin and the Chipmunks. They seem to have had a revival but after 3 movies I can see things might be headed back down the popularity ladder right now.

It's been confirmed that there's going to be a fourth movie. :ack:

 

[RonaldsModernLife]

There isn't a magic IP today for kids because so many things quickly become irrelevant for kids. Even Spongebob is on his way out.

I'm skeptical that Universal would partner with CN and their Turner executives. They're not exactly known for it. Nickelodeon is a far safer bet especially with Nick having a big programming shake up because of their ratings. Most of their live action shows are dead, and all they really have left to offer is a declining spongebob, fairly odd parents, and avatar.

Most of us are aware that the Dreamworks ship has probably sailed, so that's doubtful. It'll be interesting to see the final results. If I was Comcast, I'd be really careful about franchises.

On the other hand, how much do kids really care? I wouldn't exactly say that Popeye, Jurassic Park, or even Kid Zone in its present resound with kids these days. And in reality, every day the kids are all over the play areas. It's something for them, they're pretty apathetic to the specific theme.

Referring to what I bolded, what are the chances that they would built something that's for kids, maybe with a junior coaster that kids and adults can enjoy, that isn't based on an IP. It's true that nothing they build based on an IP is going to have a strong connection to kids 5 or so years from now. I know it's not great for marketing, but could a...dare I say highly themed generic kid area work? Maybe even with a custom mascot that Universal creates exclusively?

 

[UNIrd]

Referring to what I bolded, what are the chances that they would built something that's for kids, maybe with a junior coaster that kids and adults can enjoy, that isn't based on an IP. It's true that nothing they build based on an IP is going to have a strong connection to kids 5 or so years from now. I know it's not great for marketing, but could a...dare I say highly themed generic kid area work? Maybe even with a custom mascot that Universal creates exclusively?

That's not really what Universal's about. Between all the characters and franchises out there in both TV and Film, I'm sure they can come up with something great.

 

[Cupcakes]

Although chances aren't looking too high, I hope they'll keep Woody Woodpecker's presence in this zone in some way or another.

I'd actually say the Nuthouse Coaster is one of the better parts of the area. Even though the coaster itself is off-the-shelf, there are a lot of nice interactive elements to the queue line.

That's not really what Universal's about. Between all the characters and franchises out there in both TV and Film, I'm sure they can come up with something great.

Agreed. There's a lot of wonderful properties out there that shouldn't be too hard for them to license for the Kidzone.

 

[mahnamahna]

Referring to what I bolded, what are the chances that they would built something that's for kids, maybe with a junior coaster that kids and adults can enjoy, that isn't based on an IP. It's true that nothing they build based on an IP is going to have a strong connection to kids 5 or so years from now. I know it's not great for marketing, but could a...dare I say highly themed generic kid area work? Maybe even with a custom mascot that Universal creates exclusively?

Well the park's themed to movies/TV... so why wouldn't there be an IP? :shrug:

I'd love to see a non-IP kids area in their eventual 3rd gate though:thumbs:

 

[RonaldsModernLife]

Well the park's themed to movies/TV... so why wouldn't there be an IP? :shrug:

Tell that to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit