Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[Mad Dog]

I think we spend more time in USF for a multitude of reasons outside of Diagon.

The food across the board is significantly better in USF imo, as well as entertainment in general. Between Bourne, Horror Makeup, the parade and all the street shows you can fill a lot of time. Add in ET, Mummy, MIB, Transformers and Fallon and you haven't even touched Diagon yet.

(Plus, we love just hanging out in Springfield)

I agree on all of those, and they , along with the excellent Diagon diversions, are reasons we spend so much time there....plus enjoying the streets of NYC, London, Hollywood, Springfield and sitting on a bench, or building stoop, and people watching.

 

[docholiday]

It seems like I go mostly to get steps in. Lol Love sitting down and watching lagoon with a coffee.

 

[saint.piss]

Just like others have said on here, I too go more to USF than IoA. Not because I prefer USF but they always have new seasonal offerings there. I'm not always able to go (at most I go maybe 1-2 every other month, during hhn season I go to USF 8-10 times usually) so whenever I'm able to go to Universal I want to enjoy what's new.

 

[docholiday]

Like is Eggers making Werwuf for Focus? If so maybe refresh the horror makeup lobby with some Nosferatu and Werwuf stuff.

 

[belloq87]

I am very consciously going to be spending less time at USF on my next trip. I know one person's (or group's) activity is not going to register in whatever guest analytics that Universal employs, but I feel I have to put my time and money where my mouth is and send whatever small message I can about my dissatisfaction with the park.

For me, it's hit Mummy, Florean Fortescue's, MIB, E.T., Horror Makeup, and Bourne in the absolute shortest amount of time possible, and then leave. Possibly a return in the evening to see CineSational (if it's even running when I'm there).

 

[HHN Maddux]

USF, while attractions-wise is objectively just not in the best spot right now, it's still just a very nice park to hang out, relax and enjoy the vibes. There have been countless times I've gone to the parks not to ride rides, but just walk around USF, grab a butterbeer and some food, and relax.

 

[docholiday]

USF, while attractions-wise is objectively just not in the best spot right now, it's still just a very nice park to hang out, relax and enjoy the vibes. There have been countless times I've gone to the parks not to ride rides, but just walk around USF, grab a butterbeer and some food, and relax.

Same. I’d like for it to get some of its 90’s luster back though.

 

[Mad Dog]

USF, while attractions-wise is objectively just not in the best spot right now, it's still just a very nice park to hang out, relax and enjoy the vibes. There have been countless times I've gone to the parks not to ride rides, but just walk around USF, grab a butterbeer and some food, and relax.

That be us. In fact, we're like that about the entire Universal close knit resort. Lot's of times we'll just hang out and enjoy the ambiance of the parks, the walking paths and CityWalk. One reason we spend so many long vacations at Universal. We have no need, or desire, to commando ride. We love the WDW parks, but they're missing that leisure and relaxation that we enjoy at the compact Universal resort. At Disney, we ride. At Universal, we vacation. .....................Epic may complicate matters. It'll probably be like the times we travel up the road for a long dayt rip to a Disney park, only a long day trip to Epic.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

For me, it's hit Mummy, Florean Fortescue's, MIB, E.T., Horror Makeup, and Bourne in the absolute shortest amount of time possible, and then leave. Possibly a return in the evening to see CineSational (if it's even running when I'm there).

Is CineSational not running right now? I thought it came back?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Is CineSational not running right now? I thought it came back?

Universal doesn't like to run nighttime shows during Mardi Gras.

I think the park is popular enough to run both, but they don't like to run the parks later than they need to.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Universal doesn't like to run nighttime shows during Mardi Gras.

I think the park is popular enough to run both, but they don't like to run the parks later than they need to.

Oh rip that means I probably won’t head to Florida this month after all

 

[biggerboat16]

Lots of people loved the ride, but by 2011 few were riding it daily. Walkon most of the time.

My personal theory is that if Jaws still existed it would be extremely popular today. Public focus has shifted back to those older properties and practical attractions, almost like the love we see ET getting. If only they just powered through the early-2010s when culture went through a ‘new and flashy’ phase…

I think Diagon is very at-home at USF, as the city feel fits well rather than the more medieval feel of Hogsmeade at IOA. Both Potter lands fit their parks well. If it were up to me, I would’ve replaced BTTF/Simpsons with Diagon. That whole area of the park feels very Six Flags to me and changing it to Diagon and London would’ve worked wonders. Plus we wouldn’t still have yet another outdated simulator.

Another attraction like Jaws is exactly what the park needs. Big, loud, practical-effects driven, and based on a classic, evergreen IP

 

[saint.piss]

My personal theory is that if Jaws still existed it would be extremely popular today. Public focus has shifted back to those older properties and practical attractions, almost like the love we see ET getting.

Yep. It definitely would still be popular. I've been to USJ 3 times within the last year and each time Jaws has been consistently busy. 45-60 waits usually on each of my three visits. When I was last there it was like 60-70 minutes. All of Amity was entirely packed too including the restaurant. I wish I could live in a Universe where they somehow kept Jaws while also having Diagon Alley.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

My personal theory is that if Jaws still existed it would be extremely popular today. Public focus has shifted back to those older properties and practical attractions, almost like the love we see ET getting. If only they just powered through the early-2010s when culture went through a ‘new and flashy’ phase…

I think Diagon is very at-home at USF, as the city feel fits well rather than the more medieval feel of Hogsmeade at IOA. Both Potter lands fit their parks well. If it were up to me, I would’ve replaced BTTF/Simpsons with Diagon. That whole area of the park feels very Six Flags to me and changing it to Diagon and London would’ve worked wonders. Plus we wouldn’t still have yet another outdated simulator.

Another attraction like Jaws is exactly what the park needs. Big, loud, practical-effects driven, and based on a classic, evergreen IP

The unfortunate thing is, with Jaws being a walk-on way back in 2011 - no one would have known that it would suddenly become very popular again over a decade later.

 

[Brian G.]

The unfortunate thing is, with Jaws being a walk-on way back in 2011 - no one would have known that it would suddenly become very popular again over a decade later.

And also a money drainer. I loved Jaws, but I don't think we get to the Universal of today without losing it for Diagon.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

And also a money drainer. I loved Jaws, but I don't think we get to the Universal of today without losing it for Diagon.

We'd better hold onto Rip Ride Rockit. It might get super popular again in 2037.

 

[Brian G.]

We'd better hold onto Rip Ride Rockit. It might get super popular again in 2037.

 

[Mad Dog]

What's popular in Japan, with long lines for nearly every attraction, might not be a long ride line attraction in Orlando today. Two different countries. Different cultures, Different like & dislikes. Japan 'loves' Hello Kitty. Orlando Universal "Hello Kitty" didn't have much of a buying audience. Jaws was nice for its time, but I think the Orlando tourists had already moved on. Plus, it occupied a ton of space in a park cramped for expansion space, and as Brian said, it was quite expensive to operate.

 

[belloq87]

Jaws was nice for its time, but I think the Orlando tourists had already moved on.

In a snapshot in time, maybe.

But with what else has gone into USF since Jaws' departure, I think most guests visiting today would welcome a large-scale, outdoor, entirely practical/physical ride experience in that park.

And JAWS, as a property, obviously still moves merch, because Universal offers quite a bit of it, and I'm sure they'd happily use that space for more Minions stuff, or whatever, if the JAWS items didn't move. So there is an appetite for it.

 

[TheUniC6]

In a snapshot in time, maybe.

But with what else has gone into USF since Jaws' departure, I think most guests visiting today would welcome a large-scale, outdoor, entirely practical/physical ride experience in that park.

And JAWS, as a property, obviously still moves merch, because Universal offers quite a bit of it, and I'm sure they'd happily use that space for more Minions stuff, or whatever, if the JAWS items didn't move. So there is an appetite for it.

And it's also the only major classic attraction still in place at USJ while other ones have bitten the dust.