Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[Jwhee]

I wish Universal could go beyond just replacements for attractions.

They can fill in the lagoon

 

[OrlLover]

They can fill in the lagoon

I know that’s a joke but Uni actually has a use for the Lagoon.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Attendance report finally came out for 2023... UOR down 9%, WDW up 4%


Epic will artificially improve USF/IOA's attendance for a year or two... but after that some serious investment will need to be made in the existing parks.

 

[MrBlonde]

Attendance report finally came out for 2023... UOR down 9%, WDW up 4%
View attachment 22991

Epic will artificially improve USF/IOA's attendance for a year or two... but after that some serious investment will need to be made in the existing parks.

Is it really an artificial boost to open up an entire new park? It gives them a whole new line to show new attendance.

I think most of this comes down to pricing and inflation. Comcast is still looking to invest in the parks so I'm not too concerned.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Is it really an artificial boost to open up an entire new park? It gives them a whole new line to show new attendance.

USF & IOA will benefit from Epic's opening with people buying multi-day tickets to include all parks while visiting Epic Universe as the main draw. UOR attendance will 100% increase next year... but for how many years? The newness will wear off after 2 years, but after that there will be serious investment required at USF.

I think most of this comes down to pricing and inflation. Comcast is still looking to invest in the parks so I'm not too concerned.

Pricing & Inflation are certainly impacting the parks (and 2024's attendance report will showcase that for both resorts) but WDW attendance did increase 4%, and they also had increased pricing. I'm not concerned about a lack of investment at the Universal parks, but I am worried that USF won't see the investment needed until as far back as 2029-30 (Pokemon) according to insiders, which leaves USF at a dire state for far too long.

Comcast has been brilliant with every move so far, so I'm hoping they continue to be aggressive.

Edit- Adding for Context: Newness of new experiences typically last 2 years. (yes, Epic is bigger, but starting in 2027 there will be serious competition)
IOA Attendance Increases Post-Hogsmeade:
2010: +29%
2011: +29%
2012: +4%
2013: +2%
2014: Flat

USF Attendance Increases Post-Diagon:
2014: +17%
2015: +16%
2016: +4%
2017: +2%

 

[belloq87]

USF & IOA will benefit from Epic's opening with people buying multi-day tickets to include all parks while visiting Epic Universe as the main draw.

Universal may well try to employ some tomfoolery in order to goose the appearance of attendance at the current resort.

But I would be very, very surprised if there are not fewer bodies physically walking around USF next year once Epic opens. And, frankly, I think that would be a good thing, to illustrate to Universal that the park needs continued attraction investment on a much larger scale than it's gotten in the last five years*.

*I'd really argue 10 years in terms of quality, but it can't be denied that they spent some money on Fallon and Supercharged. They didn't spend it wisely, but they spent it.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Universal may well try to employ some tomfoolery in order to goose the appearance of attendance at the current resort.

But I would be very, very surprised if there are not fewer bodies physically walking around USF next year once Epic opens. And, frankly, I think that would be a good thing, to illustrate to Universal that the park needs continued attraction investment on a much larger scale than it's gotten in the last five years*.

*I'd really argue 10 years in terms of quality, but it can't be denied that they spent some money on Fallon and Supercharged. They didn't spend it wisely, but they spent it.

Yeah, let me be clear, they have invested into USF over the past decade, but only Transformers/Diagon/Fast Food Boulevard made an actual impact. Universal obviously learned their lesson by giving UC more leverage over what gets built (not forcing synergy into the parks), but it's time to start fixing some mistakes.

In addition to fixing their mistakes, I think USF will benefit from getting an enhanced identity instead of a "whatever IP fits here" mix of attractions and mini-lands. Not saying you can't have IP in the parks, but their additions to have be taken seriously, not slap a logo on the building.

 

[belloq87]

It may not have made an impact, but I think The Bourne Stuntacular is the best attraction USF has opened since Revenge of the Mummy. I wouldn't have expected it to move the needle in a dramatic way, but I am a bit disappointed it's kind of gotten lost in the wash.

 

[Evan]

Attendance report finally came out for 2023... UOR down 9%, WDW up 4%
View attachment 22991

Epic will artificially improve USF/IOA's attendance for a year or two... but after that some serious investment will need to be made in the existing parks.

Well now that’s interesting. I think my theory that Epic may have the greatest impact / cannibalization on USF and DHS may not be that far off.

 

[OrlandoGuy]

Attendance report finally came out for 2023... UOR down 9%, WDW up 4%
View attachment 22991

Epic will artificially improve USF/IOA's attendance for a year or two... but after that some serious investment will need to be made in the existing parks.

This really surprises me because every time I’m at the parks they feel packed. I would’ve guessed flat YOY at the very least.

 

[Brian G.]

It may not have made an impact, but I think The Bourne Stuntacular is the best attraction USF has opened since Revenge of the Mummy. I wouldn't have expected it to move the needle in a dramatic way, but I am a bit disappointed it's kind of gotten lost in the wash.

It opened during COVID. We're 4 years removed from that at this point. I don't think it got lost as much as it's no longer "The new thing" anymore.

Well now that’s interesting. I think my theory that Epic may have the greatest impact / cannibalization on USF and DHS may not be that far off.

If you want the numbers to fit that narrative, sure!

 

[TheCodeMan95]

It may not have made an impact, but I think The Bourne Stuntacular is the best attraction USF has opened since Revenge of the Mummy. I wouldn't have expected it to move the needle in a dramatic way, but I am a bit disappointed it's kind of gotten lost in the wash.

It's always a shame to see it fly under the radar like it does. I'd personally say I think it's the most underrated attraction - not just at Universal - but in Orlando.

 

[belloq87]

It's always a shame to see it fly under the radar like it does. I'd personally say I think it's the most underrated attraction - not just at Universal - but in Orlando.

It forms a three-attraction span (from E.T. to Horror Makeup to Bourne) that is one of the most enjoyable in the park.

 

[DodgsonHere]

It forms a three-attraction span (from E.T. to Horror Makeup to Bourne) that is one of the most enjoyable in the park.

Considering E.T. is labeled as Hollywood right bow that might be the best land in the park just based off attractions now.

 

[saint.piss]

 

[IzzyB]

Yeah, let me be clear, they have invested into USF over the past decade, but only Transformers/Diagon/Fast Food Boulevard made an actual impact. Universal obviously learned their lesson by giving UC more leverage over what gets built (not forcing synergy into the parks), but it's time to start fixing some mistakes.

In addition to fixing their mistakes, I think USF will benefit from getting an enhanced identity instead of a "whatever IP fits here" mix of attractions and mini-lands. Not saying you can't have IP in the parks, but their additions to have be taken seriously, not slap a logo on the building.

And I would argue since Diagon the only decent investment was Bourne. That is a log of time to go by with attractions that just are not that great. Minions and F&F in my opinion are busts. Fallon was OK. And Bourne was great, however with Covid it got drowned out.

This really surprises me because every time I’m at the parks they feel packed. I would’ve guessed flat YOY at the very least.

I would say they feel packed because they drop operations a lot. When you spend longer eating and longer in line it feels packed when in reality they are running with less cooks, servers, and ride operators.

 

[belloq87]

And I would argue since Diagon the only decent investment was Bourne. That is a log of time to go by with attractions that just are not that great. Minions and F&F in my opinion are busts. Fallon was OK. And Bourne was great, however with Covid it got drowned out.

Especially in contrast with IOA, which added two homeruns back-to-back during that time (plus Skull Island earlier in that range, which I would have previously called a homerun, but I can't anymore in its current state).

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I would say they feel packed because they drop operations a lot. When you spend longer eating and longer in line it feels packed when in reality they are running with less cooks, servers, and ride operators.

BINGO

Universal hasn't adjusted well to the demand they receive nowadays. It's pretty evident when you see those long lines at security, with no-t so happy TMs (to not fault at their own, screaming at you because of how understaffed/painful the current screening process can be), and F&B is just not there park wide. Minion Cafe, Circus McGurkus, and the Potter QSRs are fantastic additions, but outside that your options are bleak.

I just want to be clear, I am very excited to see the future of UOR post-Epic and am looking forward to their USF/IOA plans.

 

[IzzyB]

BINGO

Universal hasn't adjusted well to the demand they receive nowadays. It's pretty evident when you see those long lines at security, with no-t so happy TMs (to not fault at their own, screaming at you because of how understaffed/painful the current screening process can be), and F&B is just not there park wide. Minion Cafe, Circus McGurkus, and the Potter QSRs are fantastic additions, but outside that your options are bleak.

I just want to be clear, I am very excited to see the future of UOR post-Epic and am looking forward to their USF/IOA plans.

Same, I am excited for the future at Universal. Heck I am excited for Orlando all together. But operations has been my most disappointing factor since returning to Universal after a break. I feel part of why theme parks are down is because of capacity issues. No one wants to go on vacation and spend the majority of their time in line. Universal to me is absolutely the worst when it comes to lines amongst the 3. And there just never is a break from these lines for certain rides. They also feel the worst when it comes to food operations, now their food is better than Sea World, but I absolutely could get faster food at Sea World even during peak Christmas time. It may not be the best, but at least I can eat and get back out to do fun stuff.

I do think that is why WDW was slightly up vs Universal being down. I know Dollywood is way down and they had the same operation issues. Reducing ride capacity when lower crowds and their food ops meant long lines. Being on FB groups people have been complaining since Covid about how bad the food lines are. And this year people seem to be speaking with their wallet as the crowds are way lower this year.

New attractions are great, new park is awesome, but if operations continue to make a vacation waiting in lines the honeymoon will be short lived for Epic. Especially with other options being cheaper like traveling overseas. So many people I know are going to Europe, it is the trendy place to go to.

Universal has really added very little capacity if any at Studios. They replaced a show and a ride for the bomb that is F&F, twister to fallon I would argue both are similar popularity now, Shrek with minions which looks to be a bust, Dreamworks is a re-skin. A nice one, but same capacity just a more dynamic interesting area. But honestly the few times we were there it was just as crowded as before. Bourne is probably the only one I can say is more popular now. So the reduced operations at beginning and end of day along with off season really hit harder post Diagon since their overall attendance has increased without much help with capacity.

 

[belloq87]

Bringing this discussion in here to avoid derailing the Springfield thread...

I think this park the most needs to invest in entertainment, as that is a way to keep the crowds. The parade looks okay, but I may not be a parade person. Cinesational looks amazing, that should stay all year long. Eventually incorporate holiday overlays.

Bourne is best addition since Diagon Alley for sure. A Ghostbusters show of same quality would be amazing for the NY area. Up the street atmosphere around the parks too like they were pre Covid.

Put something, anything, in FFL that is a decent show. There’s a million directions they can go. Those 3 shows being must do’s will keep guests in the park longer, and later with Cinesationsl.

New coaster being VC levels sounds great. I’d like a dark ride in Dreamworks as well.

Ultimately? It sounds like Pokémon may be fixing all the problems we see with the park. I’d be floored if there isn’t a dark ride, I’d be floored if there isn’t a highly themed more family friendly coaster, I’d be shocked if there isn’t flat rides, I’d be shocked if there isn’t AA’s everywhere like SNW, I bet they can do a Pokémon stadium show as well.

Just throwing ideas out there, but when you think of what Pokémon will be with what’s rumored, this single addition should help the park lineup immensely.

I agree with pretty much all of this, especially the idea of a Ghostbusters show in New York (or the general front of the park).

I would actually love another highly themed or immersive show experience in this park. I think if Rockit gets removed and the station moves like people have said, it opens up the old BMG theater to be roped into park boundaries. Ghostbusters would be my preferred choice but I also think that plus something smaller in FFL would be nice. Wishful thinking on my part probably.

Perhaps another Illumination IP or proper DM dark ride could happen if they were able to get the BMG theater park for USF park usage.

Tying a new show into the HRRR replacement project would be a nice extra addition while we wait for the larger Pokemon project to materialize.

Reclaiming the BMG theater for daily theme park use should definitely happen if it's logistically feasible.