[🌎 Universal GB] General Discussion

[Benzin]

They used to. Both American versions were replaced by Simpsons and Japan by Minions.

They were certainly rides of their time. But it's been 18 years since the American duo closed, only 9 in Japan.

The Tram Tour sets tend to have actors every so often. Not sure if that can be classed as it's own individual attraction mind.

 

[Maelstrom]

There are some rumours that they could be possible looking to replace Fast and Furious in Orlando with a Back to the Future dark ride. This is separate to the rip ride rocket replacement which while could be a version of fast and furious in Hollywood, the strongest rumours point to Ghost Busters. With the these retro properties featuring in the parade in Orlando, night time show and fan events and tribute stores there seems to be some appetite for these older IPs.

 

[Lewis232]

Back to the future musical is hugely popular in the West End, sold out every night.

 

[tech]

Looks like Universal have started recruiting for their first official job related to their UK project; note that the successful applicant will be based in Orlando for "several years" before moving to Bedford for the installation phase.

'Several' is an extremely vague word to use, but definitely shows what a long drawn-out process this is likely to be.

 

[xtpower]

I expect the first 1-2 years of construction will be the underlying infrastructure so there's no point to having the Creative Director over here during that process.

 

[Dave]

European construction takes longer than US as our building regulations are more stringent. It’s not so much the planning red tape, we just have to build to a higher quality.

 

[Jordan]

If the engagement on LinkedIn is anything to go by, productivity will be taking a dive at MMM this week as portfolios are dusted off…

 

[Quantum]

The real threat to Merlin isn't park attendance, it's poaching Thier staff. Ride engineers and creatives especially because I'd be willing to bet Universal will pay more and offer better prospects

 

[AltonLover123]

I cAnT waIt tIl uNiVerSal cOmeS to ShOw MerLin

 

[The Big Mack]

I cAnT waIt tIl uNiVerSal cOmeS to ShOw MerLin

To be fair, it's an entirely brand new theme park in technical previews.

 

[Bowser]

To be fair, it's an entirely brand new theme park in technical previews.

Universal have a long history of poor park/ride openings too, going back to the Jaws debacle in the 90s (the ride took 2 years to get going).

The optimism I believe stems from them otherwise operating high quality, innovative and well maintained attractions.

 

[Danny]

I cAnT waIt tIl uNiVerSal cOmeS to ShOw MerLin

That's to be expected from a ground up theme park still in testing phase. We have that sort of availability from Merlin parks (decades established) regularly.

At least with Universal there's other things to do such as enjoy the well fabricated theming, ambience, great range of food and drink, and crucially, entertainment. Not stare blankly at vandalised concrete queuelines, overgrown gardens or empty ride / entertainment plots.

 

[Maelstrom]

Universal had many issues with the original park and have had some issues in the past by opening new rides before they were ready- ie Hagrids and Gringots. However they have also opened many other rides without many issues. I don’t recall hearing of major problems at Beijing, and while IOA had some teething issues back in 1999 there was nothing to major like Jaws.

opening a full new park with lots of technically advanced attractions is going to cause some issues initially. Stardust racers is back open and wasn’t down for the long term. Hopefully they can get things more stable over the coming weeks/months. I am going in August but always knew that the park is likely to have some issues so going in with eyes fully open to that.

 

[AltonLover123]

That's to be expected from a ground up theme park still in testing phase. We have that sort of availability from Merlin parks (decades established) regularly.

At least with Universal there's other things to do such as enjoy the well fabricated theming, ambience, great range of food and drink, and crucially, entertainment. Not stare blankly at vandalised concrete queuelines, overgrown gardens or empty ride / entertainment plots.

Except if you read the reviews, the shows are being cancelled and since all the attractions and shows are not available, getting a space in one of the restaurants is nigh on impossible.

But yes, it’s to be expected, so why doesn’t a UK park get the same grace when opening a new attraction?

Let’s face it, every park has its issues wether it’s a Universal or Merlin.

 

[RicketyCricket]

I cAnT waIt tIl uNiVerSal cOmeS to ShOw MerLin

That was posted 6 days ago and it looks like it's been running flawlessly for the last 4 days.

Fake news.

 

[jon81uk]

Except if you read the reviews, the shows are being cancelled and since all the attractions and shows are not available, getting a space in one of the restaurants is nigh on impossible.

The park isn't open, it is in preview. I think the preview tickets are overpriced, but no one should be going to the park right now expecting everything to work. The issue is, I'm not sure its going to be ready for the actual opening date a week tomorrow either...

But on the park hours page for the previews it states "During this Preview period, we're putting the final touches in place and rehearsing so some attractions and experiences may not be available." https://www.universalorlando.com/we...it/hours-information/park-hours/epic-universe

But yes, it’s to be expected, so why doesn’t a UK park get the same grace when opening a new attraction?

We don't generally do previews, the ride is generally just opened.
If they put a sign at the entrance to the ride stating "technical preview, ride may close at any point" then expectations are set.

 

[Bowser]

If they put a sign at the entrance to the ride stating "technical preview, ride may close at any point" then expectations are set.

Should probably have that sign permanently at a lot of Merlin rides

 

[Danscott22]

I cAnT waIt tIl uNiVerSal cOmeS to ShOw MerLin

This didn't land the way you think it did. I can only echo others comments of it's a new ground up park and is to be expected. Someone else pointed out we get this daily at Towers which rides that aren't new and should be functioning properly. We're two months into the season here and still not had a day where every ride has operated at the same time. I think Universal deserves a little bit of grace here, when it's still not officially open.

 

[AltonLover123]

We're two months into the season here and still not had a day where every ride has operated at the same time.

You have to be joking right? I’ve checked random days and times and there has been loads of occasions where eveything has been open.

I know people love to pretend eveything is shocking 24/7 at towers but this is stretching far too much.

 

[AT86]

You have to be joking right? I’ve checked random days and times and there has been loads of occasions where eveything has been open.

I know people love to pretend eveything is shocking 24/7 at towers but this is stretching far too much.

The Skyride only reopened on 3rd May and Rita has been closed since 26th April.

It is factually true that there has not been one day this season where all attractions have been open at Alton Towers.