The Soundstages: Stay or Go? | Inside Universal Forums
Inside Universal Forums
Inside Universal Forums
  • Home
  • Forums
    New posts Search forums Account Upgrades
  • News
    Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Orlando Universal Studios Japan Universal Studios Singapore Universal Studios Beijing
  • Merchandise
Log in Register
What's new Search

Search

By:
  • New posts
  • Search forums
  • Account Upgrades
Menu
Log in

Register

Install the app
  • Signing up for a Premium Membership is a donation to help Inside Universal maintain costs and offers an ad-free experience on the forum. Learn more about it here.
  • Forums
  • Universal Parks & Resorts
  • Universal Orlando Resort
  • Universal Studios Florida
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

The Soundstages: Stay or Go?

  • Thread starter Thread starter shiekra38
  • Start date Start date Feb 11, 2023

Should The Soundstages Stay or Go?

  • Keep Them

    Votes: 39 66.1%
  • Demo Them For Expansion

    Votes: 20 33.9%

  • Total voters
    59
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
Next
1 of 3

Go to page

Next Last
shiekra38

shiekra38

Superstar
BANNED
Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Messages
16,111
Location
Florida
  • Feb 11, 2023
  • #1
I've seen several people bring up the future of the Universal Studios Florida Soundstages the last couple of days

On one side you have folks that claim they should go, and on the other side some claim they should stay

It's no secret that USF's identity is changing, and of course I've made my thoughts on Production Central stages public

I got to thinking, what are the implications on both sides? Would it even be worth it to remove them? How would HHN suffer?

Do you think they should leave or stay, and what would be done with the space?

Do you agree with Jim? And will @Joe respond to this thread with more than a one word answer?

 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Nico and ReelJustice
Nick

Nick

Veteran Member
V.I.P. Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Messages
31,222
Location
Orlando
  • Feb 11, 2023
  • #2
USF has a lot of work to do before the Soundstages need to go still imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GA-MBIT, ThemeParks4Life, UniversalRBLX and 13 others
belloq87

belloq87

Time Traveler
Platinum Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
8,666
Location
Universal Exports
  • Feb 11, 2023
  • #3
I'm all for anything that allows USF to expand its attractions lineup instead of being forced almost exclusively into replacing.

Mind you, I also think plenty needs to be replaced, as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GA-MBIT and shiekra38
shiekra38

shiekra38

Superstar
BANNED
Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Messages
16,111
Location
Florida
  • Feb 11, 2023
  • #4
Nick said:
USF has a lot of work to do before the Soundstages need to go still imo.
Click to expand...
I agree with that...basically the whole back of the park lol
 
OrlLover

OrlLover

Jurassic Ranger
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
1,672
  • Feb 11, 2023
  • #5
I’m honestly torn at this point because regardless if they are being used or not I feel like a part of the parks identity would disappear if they decide to get rid of them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shiekra38
shiekra38

shiekra38

Superstar
BANNED
Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Messages
16,111
Location
Florida
  • Feb 11, 2023
  • #6
OrlLover said:
I’m honestly torn at this point because regardless if they are being used or not I feel like a part of the parks identity would disappear if they decide to get rid of them.
Click to expand...
It would be strange without them there for sure
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jdentel, Coolbfitz and OrlLover
belloq87

belloq87

Time Traveler
Platinum Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
8,666
Location
Universal Exports
  • Feb 11, 2023
  • #7
I would also be fine with keeping the soundstages, but building attractions inside them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheCodeMan95, DodgsonHere, UniversalRBLX and 2 others
OrlLover

OrlLover

Jurassic Ranger
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
1,672
  • Feb 11, 2023
  • #8
belloq87 said:
I would also be fine with keeping the soundstages, but building attractions inside them.
Click to expand...
That’s a great idea.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shiekra38
TheUniC6

TheUniC6

Jurassic Ranger
Joined
Oct 10, 2021
Messages
2,330
Location
RVA
  • Feb 11, 2023
  • #9
The soundstages to the left of PC can go for theme park expansions. If you do a cost analysis of having attractions there year round versus only opening it up for HHN, the benefits of the former outweigh the latter IMO. And if you are worried about losing HHN houses, they can also use that backstage area behind Simpsons and MIB. Problem solved.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shiekra38
Skold

Skold

Jurassic Ranger
Platinum Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
1,039
  • Feb 12, 2023
  • #10
farfanoogin em.

Hope for the soundstages is eternal, while the soundstages themselves are not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shiekra38
AmitySix

AmitySix

Newbie
Platinum Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2019
Messages
20
Age
29
  • Feb 12, 2023
  • #11
As an HHN fan, and hoping that they stay, I will do a proposition of math to support keeping them. Let’s do some math, shall we?

43 event nights (HHN 31)

Ticket prices ranging from $66-$105, average of $84.

Express prices ranging from $89.99-$209.99, average of $153.

Let’s just say the average crowd per night (likely underselling by a lot here, just to give a generous baseline) is 20,000 persons. Not to mention most nights feeling what seems to be almost at capacity.

20,000 x $84 = $1,680,000
$1,680,000 x 43 = $72,240,000

Let’s say 25% of the crowd each night purchases express passes (once again, probably a low number).

25% of 20,000 = 3,750
5,000 x $153 = $765,000
$765,000 x 43 = $32,895,000

We are already now at an estimated total of $105,135,000 all for a two-month seasonal event of extra admission in the evening time.

Not counting food & beverage sales, merch, RIP tours, Behind the Screams, hotel rooms, and people making trips to come to the parks during the day just for the event, Universal has a steady year-after-year source of revenue that they have arguably perfected a formula for. Other outliers include annual passes, resident rates, Rush of Fear, and Frequent Fear passes, more dates each year, discount express passes during the night, Hurricanes from planting corn, reductions of costs for employment hourly rates/salaries, building/construction expenses, and adversely the ever-increasing price of ticket sales. All of this for just a seasonal event in which the soundstages are vital. Sure you could build 5 more Sprung Tents to house the haunts, however, it would potentially lead to a queue/space nightmare wherever they choose to go. I am sure Universal is happy justifying the SS space/scale for the houses.

Looking ahead to after the opening of Epic Universe is when I am sure that USF would see some change, but I do not foresee the soundstages going anywhere before renovation/replacement of themed areas. Not that USF will be left in the dust, but I am sure their attention will be focused elsewhere for renovation.
 
Last edited: Feb 12, 2023
  • Like
Reactions: Jdentel, MI1287, shiekra38 and 2 others
TheUniC6

TheUniC6

Jurassic Ranger
Joined
Oct 10, 2021
Messages
2,330
Location
RVA
  • Feb 12, 2023
  • #12
AmitySix said:
As an HHN fan, and hoping that they stay, I will do a proposition of math to support keeping them. Let’s do some math, shall we?

43 event nights (HHN 31)

Ticket prices ranging from $66-$105, average of $84.

Express prices ranging from $89.99-$209.99, average of $153.

Let’s just say the average crowd per night (likely underselling by a lot here, just to give a generous baseline) is 20,000 persons. Not to mention most nights feeling what seems to be almost at capacity.

20,000 x $84 = $1,680,000
$1,680,000 x 43 = $72,240,000

Let’s say 25% of the crowd each night purchases express passes (once again, probably a low number).

25% of 20,000 = 3,750
5,000 x $153 = $765,000
$765,000 x 43 = $32,895,000

We are already now at an estimated total of $105,135,000 all for a two-month seasonal event of extra admission in the evening time.

Not counting food & beverage sales, merch, RIP tours, Behind the Screams, hotel rooms, and people making trips to come to the parks during the day just for the event, Universal has a steady year-after-year source of revenue that they have arguably perfected a formula for. Other outliers include annual passes, resident rates, Rush of Fear, and Frequent Fear passes, more dates each year, discount express passes during the night, Hurricanes from planting corn, reductions of costs for employment hourly rates/salaries, building/construction expenses, and adversely the ever-increasing price of ticket sales. All of this for just a seasonal event.

Looking ahead to after the opening of Epic Universe is when I am sure that USF would see some change, but I do not foresee the soundstages going anywhere before renovation/replacement of themed areas. Not that USF will be left in the dust, but I am sure their attention will be focused elsewhere for renovation.
Click to expand...
There is a backstage area/staging area behind Simpsons MIB. Maybe that could be used for expansion before the soundstages get torn down? But post EU the things I see changing in USF are the Simpsons departing and being replaced with either Dreamworks expanding into that portion or something new entirely. And the FFL stage getting torn down for a new potter experience.
 
Henny

Henny

Rookie
Joined
Oct 27, 2022
Messages
40
Location
♡
  • Feb 12, 2023
  • #13
Aside from being integral to the Studios DNA, I don't think they offer prime real estate at this point of time. There's plenty of attractions that are in desperate need to be replaced before they think of tackling the sound stages. And of course, HNN, which is quintessential Universal, would require a lot of reworking and probably be affected by their removal. I'm also just not of the mind that thinks Studios is straying away from it's roots. On the contrary, I think it successfully managed to keep it's identity intact even after all the changes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shiekra38, Coolbfitz and OrlLover
GAcoaster

GAcoaster

Dragon Trainer
Platinum Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2012
Messages
7,299
Location
Orlando
  • Feb 12, 2023
  • #14
The sound stages make money with productions utilizing them and serve HHN well. Until they redevelop things that need redeveloping in USF there's no real need to demolish. Plus, Universal Creative has already shown they can work around them quite effectively.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bort, GA-MBIT, Viator and 5 others
OrlandoGuy

OrlandoGuy

Jurassic Ranger
Joined
Sep 29, 2014
Messages
1,529
Location
Chicago
  • Feb 12, 2023
  • #15
AmitySix said:
As an HHN fan, and hoping that they stay, I will do a proposition of math to support keeping them. Let’s do some math, shall we?

43 event nights (HHN 31)

Ticket prices ranging from $66-$105, average of $84.

Express prices ranging from $89.99-$209.99, average of $153.

Let’s just say the average crowd per night (likely underselling by a lot here, just to give a generous baseline) is 20,000 persons. Not to mention most nights feeling what seems to be almost at capacity.

20,000 x $84 = $1,680,000
$1,680,000 x 43 = $72,240,000

Let’s say 25% of the crowd each night purchases express passes (once again, probably a low number).

25% of 20,000 = 3,750
5,000 x $153 = $765,000
$765,000 x 43 = $32,895,000

We are already now at an estimated total of $105,135,000 all for a two-month seasonal event of extra admission in the evening time.

Not counting food & beverage sales, merch, RIP tours, Behind the Screams, hotel rooms, and people making trips to come to the parks during the day just for the event, Universal has a steady year-after-year source of revenue that they have arguably perfected a formula for. Other outliers include annual passes, resident rates, Rush of Fear, and Frequent Fear passes, more dates each year, discount express passes during the night, Hurricanes from planting corn, reductions of costs for employment hourly rates/salaries, building/construction expenses, and adversely the ever-increasing price of ticket sales. All of this for just a seasonal event in which the soundstages are vital. Sure you could build 5 more Sprung Tents to house the haunts, however, it would potentially lead to a queue/space nightmare wherever they choose to go. I am sure Universal is happy justifying the SS space/scale for the houses.

Looking ahead to after the opening of Epic Universe is when I am sure that USF would see some change, but I do not foresee the soundstages going anywhere before renovation/replacement of themed areas. Not that USF will be left in the dust, but I am sure their attention will be focused elsewhere for renovation.
Click to expand...

Not to mention a lot of that money is incremental revenue for Uni, coming from guests that don’t enter the park during the rest of the year (and surely wouldn’t start just because of some extra daytime attractions where the soundstages are).
 
  • Like
Reactions: agentj, shiekra38, Coolbfitz and 1 other person
F

fryoj

Webslinger
V.I.P. Member
Joined
May 19, 2013
Messages
3,855
  • Feb 12, 2023
  • #16
They could build attractions that have flex space in them for HHN houses.

But I'm all for them expanding. They need added capacity now. Retheming existing rides and areas doesn't accomplish that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: belloq87 and OrlLover
UniversalRBLX

UniversalRBLX

Time Traveler
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
7,537
Location
Cabana Bae
  • Feb 13, 2023
  • #17
Before they even consider demoing one soundstage, the following needs to be refurbished/removed/replaced:
  1. MIB Refurb (or replacement)
  2. ET Refurb
  3. Fast & Furious
  4. Fear Factor Live
  5. Springfield/Animal Actors
  6. Kidzone
The entire area the soundstages occupy is large, so you don't necessarily need to remove all of them for one project.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GA-MBIT, TheCodeMan95, OrlLover and 2 others
Viator

Viator

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2013
Messages
23,307
Location
Seattle, WA!
  • Feb 13, 2023
  • #18
Yeah there feels to be more pressing matters at hand than the soundstages. Keep them, use them for productions and HHN.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GA-MBIT, OrlLover, HHN Maddux and 2 others
grlhowl

grlhowl

Shark Bait
Joined
Aug 1, 2021
Messages
220
Location
PA
  • Feb 13, 2023
  • #19
I feel like by the time the front of the park is due for expansion, many of the attractions there will need replaced too. HRRR will need to be replaced or get the Hulk treatment soon, Minion Mayhem has an aging ride system like Simpsons, Mummy will be old, and honestly I think there is a case that Fallon and Transformers will not be relevant by that time either. The soundstages seem far from the main priority, now or when the time comes to look at the front of the park
 
  • Like
Reactions: Coolbfitz
Parkscope Joe

Parkscope Joe

Superstar
Joined
Feb 15, 2012
Messages
18,108
Age
38
  • Feb 13, 2023
  • #20
They're still in use as soundstages and get used a ton. Hell, DISNEY uses them for filming in the Orlando area.

shiekra38 said:
Do you agree with Jim? And will @Joe respond to this thread with more than a one word answer?
Click to expand...


No.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: GA-MBIT, Tobias, salismetho and 6 others
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
Next
1 of 3

Go to page

Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.
Share:
Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link

Book with our Travel Partners

MEI Travel

Latest posts

  • Jake S
    Halloween Horror Nights 34 (UOR) - Speculation & Rumors
    • Latest: Jake S
    • 8 minutes ago
    Halloween Horror Nights 34
  • Wesker69
    Studio Tour
    • Latest: Wesker69
    • 30 minutes ago
    Upper Lot/Entertainment Center
  • Mad Dog
    Future of Toon Lagoon
    • Latest: Mad Dog
    • 47 minutes ago
    Islands of Adventure
  • Jake S
    SeaWorld San Diego
    • Latest: Jake S
    • Today at 3:06 PM
    Other California Parks
  • AvoidTIMtation
    Avengers: Infinity Defense (DCA)
    • Latest: AvoidTIMtation
    • Today at 3:00 PM
    Disneyland Resort

Share this page

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link
  • Forums
  • Universal Parks & Resorts
  • Universal Orlando Resort
  • Universal Studios Florida
  • Style variation
    System Light Dark
  • Contact us
  • Terms and rules
  • Privacy policy
  • Help
  • Home
  • RSS
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2025 XenForo Ltd.
  • This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn more…
Back
Top