Universal Orlando (Studios/IOA/Epic Universe) : General Discussion

Well that's just retarded.

AirFAN said:

In regard to Hulk, I read that even after Disney acquired Marvel Unviersal were allowed to retain the rights to certain Marvel cartoon characters for theme park use as long as the rides were refreshed/updated. We've already seen Spider-Man improvements in 2013. So perhaps this isnt out of choice per se.

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Universal weren't "allowed" to retain the rights, they have the rights to theme parks rides in parks east of the Mississippi based on most (Avengers, X-Men, Spiderman, Fantastic 4) Marvel characters, in perpetuity. Universal will never give these up and as long as they maintain the rides, Marvel/Disney can't force them to give them up.

But Disney make money from every item of merchandise sold at Universal so its win/win for them, they get free advertising for their films, merchandising sales and universal are the ones spending the capex.

I can't say I ever found Hulk rough, it just had that old school B&M rumble/grind that the likes of Kumba and Khan also suffer with. It's not pleasant (IMO) so I'm happy to see this work taking place.

I can't fathom why so much track and even the trains are being scrapped when it's a B&M. They are supposed to be indestructible.

Lets just hope it reopens with new trains and track in exactly the same way as it was. I don't want them to completely balls this up by trying to make improvements to it.

Well the trains are being scrapped as they want completely new trains that are likely to feature new restraints (lap bars rumoured but I expect the new B&M vest restraints), on board auido and lighting. It is probably cheaper and easier to just get new trains than retrofit the new features onto the old trains.

Track replacements are fairly common as coasters get older, especially for coasters than run so frequently. Space Mountain at MK has had track replacements in the past. I believe the same can be said for Nemesis.

Space Mountain is understandable - ancient ride with crappy track design. Thought the whole point of B&M's boxed track was durability so track didn't need replacing and I thought the only reason Nemesis had track replaced was due to subsidence.

I'd love to see vest restraints on more coasters. Remember the first time I saw them on Air and thought they were the future of coaster restraints, but seems they only use them for Flyers and Wing coasters.

On rough coasters with awful OTSRs that try to ruin your ears I'd welcome good vest restraints, but I can't see why B&M have taken such a shine to them when they have probably the most comfortable OTSR design out there and even their older rides are generally acceptably smooth.

Cheese said:

On rough coasters with awful OTSRs that try to ruin your ears I'd welcome good vest restraints, but I can't see why B&M have taken such a shine to them when they have probably the most comfortable OTSR design out there and even their older rides are generally acceptably smooth.

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I thought that too Dave, until we went to Carowinds! Vortex, the 1992 stand-up, is the first B&M I've ever been on that's actively unpleasant. Not just boring or rattly, but painfully rough. A really unpleasant little coaster - felt like an ear-bashing Arrow or a Togo. I think it shows that B&Ms can really sour with age, and the Hulk felt like it was heading that way in August.

DiogoJ42 said:

retarded.

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Really?

Yes.

OK So let's get back on topic rather than petty personal war part 6349 please.

I always thought with the Hulk the second half of the ride was a case of 'let's just fit in the track into this bizarre space we have', there's no theatre to it. It would be nice if they could do an indoor element.

Universal (along with Disney) have increased their standard car parking charge for cars to $20. Wow!

Rob said:

Universal (along with Disney) have increased their standard car parking charge for cars to $20. Wow!

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So complaining about Alton Towers charging £6 is no longer allowed ;-)

We are British! Just because everyone else (even the amazing Europa Park) charge for parking doesn't, mean we should. It's not right!


In all seriousness I object to paying for parking because a theme park advertises itself as one price pays for all facilities. Adding parking onto it is just a sligh way to up the prices, unless you are one of the very few parks that can claim a notable number of guests don't arrive by car (no examples come to mind). It's especially bad for the likes of Disney World where most guests are paying to stay at a hotel, car rental and car parking because the site is so massive.
But as I noted above if even the likes of Europa have justified it the parking fee won't go away. I can accept it if the car park is immaculate and you can see where the money is going.

Europa-Park charge €6 (£4.20) for parking. One of the lower charges.

Efteling, Disneyland Paris and Parc Asterix are very expensive.

Europa-Park don't even offer free parking to annual pass holders, you have to purchase a separate parking annual pass. I do think this is poor!

Anyway, that is off-topic. This isn't, Screamscape have posted the following rumour about the Hulk re-furb:

Screamscape said:

Consider me more than a tiny big disturbed by this news, but a fairly solid Screamscape source has informed me tonight that the 2016 Incredible Hulk coaster may not actually be from B&M. They couldn't tell me who would be behind the rebuilt version, or even if it would still even resemble old Hulk layout or not anymore, but apparently something sinister is afoot. Stay tuned...

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Remember this is just a rumour and right now it is one that I struggle to take too seriously. I certainly hope that is not true as it would be a great pity to lose such an iconic B&M coaster. I credible poster over on Orlando United also finds this idea unlikely.

It could have legs though. There are rumours of Hulk getting lap bars and this isn't something I can see B&M providing. We also know that B&M can be rather stubborn at times (e.g. when Hulk was first built and they refused to have anything to do with the launch). Could it be that Universal went to B&M with proposed changes and B&M simply refused for whatever reason? Universal might have deemed the work essential so found another manufacturer willing to carry out the work. Premier maybe?

I still think B&M will be involved, unless of course all of the track is being taken down and replaced. This has been rumoured but was considered unlikely. If not all of the track is going then it would be strange and possibly problematic to have a coaster half built by B&M and half built by another manufacturer. It sounds like a disaster waiting to happen!

In terms of what is definitely happening, more track has now been removed including the whole of the second vertical loop in the layout:





Certainly going to be interesting to see how this unfolds. Please be doing the right thing Universal!

Just a thought, lap bars, new launch system... Maybe Universal saw Helix and decided it would make a better Hulk.

That's about the only version of this news that wouldn't leave me disappointed about not getting to ride the original.

It definitely B&M, confirmed by Robert Niles from themepark insider.

Tim said:

unless you are one of the very few parks that can claim a notable number of guests don't arrive by car (no examples come to mind)

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I know this is still Off-Topic but the only park I can think of where a good amount of guests not arriving by car would be Disneyland Paris as the train connections are very good including a direct Eurostar from London. I would still estimate a lot of people are driving, but at least the decent train service there helps.
Of course Walt Disney World also has free bus transfers from the Airport so many resort guests won't drive, but it may well be a small amount of overall guests.

There's so much going on at Universal that I may consider separate threads for some of the more major projects, especially when the likes of Nintendo Land get announced. Anyway for now, a bit of an update on Volcano Bay.

Here are some details from a survey that Universal sent out:

Universal Survey said:

This new water park will be a tropical island water theme park featuring three distinct villages and the iconic volcano that serves as the heart of the water park.

Thrill seekers will enjoy speed slides, drop slides, a wave pool with unpredictable waves crashing from almost all directions, and the heart-pumping exhilaration of a water coaster featuring the latest technology. Those seeking relaxation can drift through a waterfall, float in a grotto, explore a glowing cave with special water effects, or just soak in the lush scenery while coasting along the lazy river.

Volcano Bay will feature many unique offerings ..... and Virtual Queuing, which allows guests to reserve appointments for the rides and then simply relax, instead of spending time standing in line.

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I am really looking forward to seeing how it turns out, I have a feeling that it will wipe the floor with Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and Aquatica (and I say that having enjoyed all three of those last month)!