Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[Nico]

I do wish the parks were open later. Theme parks at night are a totally different energy.

Hopefully we’ll see some shifts come Epic. I have to imagine running a 3 park resort is going to change some operations we’re used to now. I do hope they make choices that better represent where the company is today.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Oh for sure. Numbers help paint a picture but don't tell the whole story. The crux of the argument started with why was the park closing on a random Tuesday at the end of February - and based on data, several of our own eyes, ticket prices, etc... it was clear there wasn't much demand for the park to be open past 7p. Even by RBLX's own admission, USF has nothing really to do that would keep people past sundown - especially with no regular nighttime entertainment. The only argument is IOA needs to be open later for VelociCoaster and Hagrid's - but that ignores the rest of the park being dead, and being realistic - we can't expect IOA to remain open til 9 during the slow season for 2 rides.

That one random Tuesday was just an example (since it was the day I posted), of several (including Fridays & Saturdays) early closures.

IOA is fairly busy towards the end of the night. Not shoulder to shoulder crowds, but it's remarkable how busy it's become at night compared to the past. Never made the argument that IOA should stay late solely for VelociCoaster and Hagrid, was using those as a marker to show how in demand some of IOA's attractions are. Just like MK, there a few rides that have low ridership towards the end of the day, but the E-tickets (including FJ, Spidey, Hulk) are still busy to the end. Sure the older E-tickets are walk-ons, but they are still in-demand.

I agree that USF on its own struggles to convince people to stay late... but Mardi Gras has proven if you give them a reason, they'll stay. USF had a nighttime spectacular that could convince people to stay... but because of the inconsistency day to day on whether or not the show would run, people just didn't have the opportunity to plan their day around that.

But park hours consistency - that's a different argument - and agree that the consistency of park hours would be a great adjustment.

Hallelujah we agree on something

Hard to use that as any measuring stick outside of crowds growing because it doesn't show trends. Furthermore, big difference in capacity changes, things to do, etc. Mardi Gras wasn't even running every night back then, only on weekends.

If we want to get all analytical, capacity at USF hasn't really changed much. IOA gained 4 attractions, lost 2 theater shows since 2009 (Poseidon & Sinbad).

We can go back and forth all day, but I believe that Universal has the ability to run their parks daily to 8PM at a minimum.

 

[Brian G.]

That one random Tuesday was just an example (since it was the day I posted), of several (including Fridays & Saturdays) early closures.

From Feb 16-27, outside of the 23rd, both parks had closures of 8 pm or later...

If we want to get all analytical, capacity at USF hasn't really changed much. IOA gained 4 attractions, lost 2 theater shows since 2009 (Poseidon & Sinbad).

We can go back and forth all day, but I believe that Universal has the ability to run their parks daily to 8PM at a minimum.

It's either one or the other...

If we get analytical - the demand isn't there. If we talk about wants - then yea. I'd love the parks to be open, too but I'm not going to get on them for closing earlier during the slow periods of Jan-Feb.

 

[Rhian]

Oh for sure. Numbers help paint a picture but don't tell the whole story. The crux of the argument started with why was the park closing on a random Tuesday at the end of February - and based on data, several of our own eyes, ticket prices, etc... it was clear there wasn't much demand for the park to be open past 7p. Even by RBLX's own admission, USF has nothing really to do that would keep people past sundown - especially with no regular nighttime entertainment. The only argument is IOA needs to be open later for VelociCoaster and Hagrid's - but that ignores the rest of the park being dead, and being realistic - we can't expect IOA to remain open til 9 during the slow season for 2 rides.

But park hours consistency - that's a different argument - and agree that the consistency of park hours would be a great adjustment.

Thanks for recalling the exact discussion point. Being able to make similar arguments with dates in April still highlights a need to make the hours consistent, agreed. "If you build it they will come."—hope we do see late-night offerings post-Epic if not sooner.

Honestly it's a little ridiculous the parks can close anywhere from 6-10PM depending on the time of year (or week apparently), that's a wide range.

I think it's also time both parks always close at the same time too. On days they close with an hour difference the Hogwarts Express closes (or goes one way, I feel like they've done it both ways over the years). Yeah not the biggest issue here but still, especially since it's actually part of HP and not a generic tram ride. You're effectively closing an attraction for "no reason."

 

[Brian G.]

Thanks for recalling the exact discussion point. Being able to make similar arguments with dates in April still highlights a need to make the hours consistent, agreed. "If you build it they will come."—hope we do see late-night offerings post-Epic if not sooner.

Honestly it's a little ridiculous the parks can close anywhere from 6-10PM depending on the time of year (or week apparently), that's a wide range.

I think it's also time both parks always close at the same time too. On days they close with an hour difference the Hogwarts Express closes (or goes one way, I feel like they've done it both ways over the years). Yeah not the biggest issue here but still, especially since it's actually part of HP and not a generic tram ride. You're effectively closing an attraction for "no reason."

I do think - outside of special events - anything before 7 is too early of a closure, and should share the same time.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Shifting the discussion a bit..

It's been great to see them address and revamp quick service locations around the park, and I'm curious to see where we may see it happen again. I think the most obvious answer is Richter's - anyone think we could see this close for refurbishment soon?

 

[IzzyB]

I do think - outside of special events - anything before 7 is too early of a closure, and should share the same time.

Personally I think anything before 8pm is unacceptable for the level of park Universal is. In the month of March Studios actually closes before Sea World for the week of the 17th which is absolutely INSANE since most of Central Florida and probably a good portion of Florida is on Spring Break that week and the parks will be PACKED. Heck they close at the same time as Dollywood that week which most of the local districts in TN are NOT on spring break that week. We are going there for Spring Break which is how I know all that.

I agree with others that capacity has not gone up that much since potter was added, attendance has doubled, and park hours are about the same. One of the biggest complaints I hear about Universal is the lines which was not the case pre-potter days. I have heard many complaints about people only being able to ride X rides and the money they spent for those X rides. I get you don't need summer hours in off season, but honestly their summer hours also fall short to me. They need to add 1 to 2 hours to almost all days to meet attendance numbers with the capacity they have.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Shifting the discussion a bit..

It's been great to see them address and revamp quick service locations around the park, and I'm curious to see where we may see it happen again. I think the most obvious answer is Richter's - anyone think we could see this close for refurbishment soon?

There have been survey takers at Richter's often recently, so I'd imagine that's their next target. I think Louie's is far more in need of it as there is very little interior dining space that could be expanded if they got rid of the indoor queue/ordering areas.

Personally I think anything before 8pm is unacceptable for the level of park Universal is. In the month of March Studios actually closes before Sea World for the week of the 17th which is absolutely INSANE since most of Central Florida and probably a good portion of Florida is on Spring Break that week and the parks will be PACKED. Heck they close at the same time as Dollywood that week which most of the local districts in TN are NOT on spring break that week. We are going there for Spring Break which is how I know all that.

I agree with others that capacity has not gone up that much since potter was added, attendance has doubled, and park hours are about the same. One of the biggest complaints I hear about Universal is the lines which was not the case pre-potter days. I have heard many complaints about people only being able to ride X rides and the money they spent for those X rides. I get you don't need summer hours in off season, but honestly their summer hours also fall short to me. They need to add 1 to 2 hours to almost all days to meet attendance numbers with the capacity they have.

Crazy to think that Universal has closer operating hours to SeaWorld than WDW. I know it's one Saturday (but then again it happens time and time again)... but closing IOA at 6PM is crazy. (1 Day 1 Park ticket on Saturday is $164)

 

[kristenabelle]

I love USF/IOA at night, so I've timed my vacations to HHN & OI meetups when I know for sure the parks will be open later. I agree with comments about Epic Universe hopefully expanding park hours overall (especially if the demand is there/the math maths). That park is going to be stunning at night.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

There have been survey takers at Richter's often recently, so I'd imagine that's their next target. I think Louie's is far more in need of it as there is very little interior dining space that could be expanded if they got rid of the indoor queue/ordering areas.


Crazy to think that Universal has closer operating hours to SeaWorld than WDW. I know it's one Saturday (but then again it happens time and time again)... but closing IOA at 6PM is crazy. (1 Day 1 Park ticket on Saturday is $164)

View attachment 20830

It's interesting that you say that about Louie's - because that popped into my head, but I figured Louie's is pretty good how it is lol.

 

[IzzyB]

There have been survey takers at Richter's often recently, so I'd imagine that's their next target. I think Louie's is far more in need of it as there is very little interior dining space that could be expanded if they got rid of the indoor queue/ordering areas.


Crazy to think that Universal has closer operating hours to SeaWorld than WDW. I know it's one Saturday (but then again it happens time and time again)... but closing IOA at 6PM is crazy. (1 Day 1 Park ticket on Saturday is $164)

View attachment 20830

There is just no way that SW has higher attendance than either IOA or Studios. Also, I imagine with the shows, Sea World may have higher capacity. Those shows can pack a lot of people into them plus add in visiting the animals. Even during the busy Christmas season SW is an easier park to navigate than Universal. There is just no way Universal shouldn't at least equal SW operating hours.

 

[Brian G.]

I think it's time we just move on from the park hours argument, for the sake of not going in circles.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

There is just no way that SW has higher attendance than either IOA or Studios. Also, I imagine with the shows, Sea World may have higher capacity. Those shows can pack a lot of people into them plus add in visiting the animals. Even during the busy Christmas season SW is an easier park to navigate than Universal. There is just no way Universal shouldn't at least equal SW operating hours.

SeaWorld has about 1/3 the attendance of IOA, financial issues, and staffing issues... and yet somehow they can keep the park open to 10PM.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I think it's time we just move on from the park hours argument, for the sake of not going in circles.

I tried lol

 

[Brian G.]

I tried lol

You did.

Louie's just got an inside renovation, but not an overhaul. Richter's is supposedly on the docket.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

You did.

Louie's just got an inside renovation, but not an overhaul. Richter's is supposedly on the docket.

Let's all speculate on the new themed earthquake burgers!

 

[belloq87]

Bringing this discussion into this thread:

That side of the park is going to look like a bad managed mall.
Mummy, closed attraction, Potter, closed theater. I hope when Epic opens they are really going all out on this Studios park as it is in dire need.

Plus Springfield, plus HRRR, etc.

I still maintain it needs a California Adventure-style major investment that addresses multiple areas at once.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Bringing this discussion into this thread:

Plus Springfield, plus HRRR, etc.

I still maintain it needs a California Adventure-style major investment that addresses multiple areas at once.

Especially the park entrance. Hoping they could eventually find a reason to add shade/foliage to the Minion Area as that place is a microwave during the summer.

 

[Freak]

I’m half-joking, but since Skull Island is goin’ down the tubes…bring back Kongfrontation? I mean Supercharged is prime real estate for that.

 

[Brian G.]

Especially the park entrance. Hoping they could eventually find a reason to add shade/foliage to the Minion Area as that place is a microwave during the summer.

Probably won't be able to due to the parades.