[🌎 Universal GB] General Discussion

[Quantum]

The concept art was likely designed in 2024, over a year before they've even broken ground. There's a very high chance alot of it is gonna change. After all everyone touts the Epic concept art as being close to the finished product but that dropped over a year into land grading - ours dropped a year before grading has even begun.

There's no way Universal had finalised the Park design that early into the process.

I can imagine an updated park rendering much further down the line. The current one has certain areas which screem placeholder ( see the top right of the park). There are even rumours the minions area may not be a carbon copy of other parks.

I also think Universal will want to keep some things under wraps to reveal nearer completion.

 

[xtpower]

I can imagine an updated park rendering much further down the line. The current one has certain areas which screen placeholder ( see the top right of the park). There are even rumours the minions area may not be a carbon copy of other parks.

I also think Universal will want to keep some things under wraps to reveal nearer completion.

The top right hand corner reeks of 'we don't want to reveal the IP so let's just put whatever'. Even the building that people pegged as Shrek has the same bit repeated along the facade, there is a 0% chance the final product will look anything like it.

 

[flyingguitar]

I have an just thought of an interesting way in which this may harm the UK park experience: Lockers

I have been to Universal Florida, and from what I recall you could get some free lockers, but they were tiny only able to hold handbags / wallets but for $X you could rent a larger locker.

I wonder if universal would do this in universal UK and what impact this would have on the UK market, would merlin follow ripping out the bag drops and replacing them with paid lockers, or would universal modify their method for the UK market

I don't think Disney paris can shin any light as Disney doesn't really have bag requirements as you can bring bags on virtually if not all their rides.

Lockers is a big thing in US parks, with most having requirements to pay to ride a certain or most rides (depending on the park)

 

[SeeSharpy]

I have an just thought of an interesting way in which this may harm the UK park experience: Lockers

I have been to Universal Florida, and from what I recall you could get some free lockers, but they were tiny only able to hold handbags / wallets but for $X you could rent a larger locker.

I wonder if universal would do this in universal UK and what impact this would have on the UK market, would merlin follow ripping out the bag drops and replacing them with paid lockers, or would universal modify their method for the UK market

I don't think Disney paris can shin any light as Disney doesn't really have bag requirements as you can bring bags on virtually if not all their rides.

Lockers is a big thing in US parks, with most having requirements to pay to ride a certain or most rides (depending on the park)

I wouldn't be comparing it to Universal Studios Florida, id be looking at how they operate at the smaller parks they have. It will entirely depend on the rides, and their operational requirements.

Most if not all their parks have ride lockers, so I cant imagine they would change their formula that much for the UK park.

 

[xtpower]

I wouldn't be comparing it to Universal Studios Florida, id be looking at how they operate at the smaller parks they have. It will entirely depend on the rides, and their operational requirements.

Most if not all their parks have ride lockers, so I cant imagine they would change their formula that much for the UK park.

Universal don't have 'smaller' parks (Texas isn't open yet), the smallest is Singapore and that's a licensing deal and as such Universal have no control on how it's operated. Beijing, Hollywood and Japan are all full-size parks, though Hollywood and Japan are space constrained they still pull 9million+ a year.

So I don't see why Universal wouldn't be operating the lockers like they do in Florida. They certainly won't be using drop boxes or buckets, that will slow operations considerably.

 

[BSwiss]

The thing that surprised me most about the concept art was the lack of indoor rides.

It does looks like most of the major attractions (other than the potential Jurassic World dark ride) are outdoors.

Was expecting at least one major indoor coaster.

Like a lot on this forum, I’m confident the park will skew towards indoor rides.

But, for the artist impressions to say ‘theme park’, it has to have ‘theme park’ identifiers - and nothing does that better than visible rollercoasters.

 

[Bowser]

I have an just thought of an interesting way in which this may harm the UK park experience: Lockers

I have been to Universal Florida, and from what I recall you could get some free lockers, but they were tiny only able to hold handbags / wallets but for $X you could rent a larger locker.

I wonder if universal would do this in universal UK and what impact this would have on the UK market, would merlin follow ripping out the bag drops and replacing them with paid lockers, or would universal modify their method for the UK market

I don't think Disney paris can shin any light as Disney doesn't really have bag requirements as you can bring bags on virtually if not all their rides.

Lockers is a big thing in US parks, with most having requirements to pay to ride a certain or most rides (depending on the park)

I think there will be various somewhat unprecedented aspects that will need to be accounted for in the UK market. Lockers is one, Ride Access (at this scale) is another, 365 ride availability and so on.

Agree with what others have said, theres no reason why they wont use the locker system here and they will need to if they want to maintain capacity. The only question is if they will be free, paid or a combination. My guess would be free for rides.

Merlin parks already offer large paid storage lockers. I’d be incredibly surprised if they ever introduced paid ride storage as it would be a logistical nightmare on most existing attractions.

 

[jon81uk]

I have an just thought of an interesting way in which this may harm the UK park experience: Lockers

I have been to Universal Florida, and from what I recall you could get some free lockers, but they were tiny only able to hold handbags / wallets but for $X you could rent a larger locker.

I wonder if universal would do this in universal UK and what impact this would have on the UK market, would merlin follow ripping out the bag drops and replacing them with paid lockers, or would universal modify their method for the UK market

I don't think Disney paris can shin any light as Disney doesn't really have bag requirements as you can bring bags on virtually if not all their rides.

Lockers is a big thing in US parks, with most having requirements to pay to ride a certain or most rides (depending on the park)

I disagree that the lockers harm the experience. At Epic Universe they improved it, before getting to the ride platform there is a secure location to store your belongings for free, no faffing about crossing the platform to put things on a shelf or similar.

 

[dave___]

I'd prefer lockers than what AT do with either a damp exposed wooden planter or a staff member in a hut getting angry and dishing out wristbands.

I'm not sure it's possible to make the Wicker Man bag drop any worse.

--

It will be interesting to see what they do in terms of accessibility. I hope they go down the Disney route and have fully accessible queues and then restricted access to any queue-jump schemes to stop abuse. With any luck they have the space to be able to do efficient queuing in their designs.

 

[flyingguitar]

I disagree that the lockers harm the experience. At Epic Universe they improved it, before getting to the ride platform there is a secure location to store your belongings for free, no faffing about crossing the platform to put things on a shelf or similar.

but (when operating) I would argue you get far better experience with bag drops merlin currently has whilst not impacting on capacity.

Some of universals locker rooms even on new rides are tiny, and very quickly be come very cramped (escape from Gringotts for instance has a terrible locker room).

The lockers are at the start of the ride for a lot of universals rides (including new ones such as Hagrid's) meaning if the queue is 1 hours, you have to spend 1+ hours without a phone, food, water, etc this makes it difficult to organise if your family wants to do 2 different ride (universals big rides have metal detectors) this can make it difficult (especially in Florida, where you need to hydrate often) especially for people who may need access to supplies regularly.

You need to carry round your park ticket (a bit of paper) and hope it can still be read by the machine to be used

in comparison (when open, which is usually for busy days at AT) you hand your bags, phones, etc over get a plastic band which won't fall out of your pocket it is usually at the end of the ride (a bit too far for rides like the smiler and saw) so you are usually away for a little longer than the time the ride takes

 

[Benzin]

It will be interesting to see what they do in terms of accessibility. I hope they go down the Disney route and have fully accessible queues and then restricted access to any queue-jump schemes to stop abuse. With any luck they have the space to be able to do efficient queuing in their designs.

I don't think that making the queues wheelchair accessible (which is what Disney have done) will help that much. Especially when I would wager the main reason that's been done at WDW is to combat the fleets of mobility scooters driven round the parks.

Universal have a "typical" timed return system at their two American locations so I'd imagine it'd be the same. Just with whatever UK based hoops they'll require for jumping through.

A lot of issues stem from places doing a terrible (or limited) job in retro-fitting suitable access.

 

[dave___]

On another topic it looks like site compound infrastructure all of a sudden starting to sprout up like mushrooms based on photos people have seeded all over Facebook and the like.

I know there's still objection periods etc but it's positive to see action happening.

 

[xtpower]

On another topic it looks like site compound infrastructure all of a sudden starting to sprout up like mushrooms based on photos people have seeded all over Facebook and the like.

I know there's still objection periods etc but it's positive to see action happening.

They've started work on one of the access points too. Thanks to @WanderingNortherner for these pictures.

From: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0bnUyxFGNUHvCQpMRtr1mFeVMmEW8D2VacxXiyA85BJdXvwaX6QiCwvX1JXzXZKCdl&id=61557578305782

 

[jon81uk]

but (when operating) I would argue you get far better experience with bag drops merlin currently has whilst not impacting on capacity.

Some of universals locker rooms even on new rides are tiny, and very quickly be come very cramped (escape from Gringotts for instance has a terrible locker room).

The lockers are at the start of the ride for a lot of universals rides (including new ones such as Hagrid's) meaning if the queue is 1 hours, you have to spend 1+ hours without a phone, food, water, etc this makes it difficult to organise if your family wants to do 2 different ride (universals big rides have metal detectors) this can make it difficult (especially in Florida, where you need to hydrate often) especially for people who may need access to supplies regularly.

You need to carry round your park ticket (a bit of paper) and hope it can still be read by the machine to be used

in comparison (when open, which is usually for busy days at AT) you hand your bags, phones, etc over get a plastic band which won't fall out of your pocket it is usually at the end of the ride (a bit too far for rides like the smiler and saw) so you are usually away for a little longer than the time the ride takes

Escape from Gringotts is not a new ride. Universal have learnt from this and for Velocicoaster and all rides at Epic Universe they have large double sided locker areas towards the end of the queue. Epic also uses face recognition so you don't need to use the barcode. Hagrid's although a new ride, re-used locker areas from Dragons Challenge.
All of your complaints Universal have solved with the newer locker systems at Epic Universe.
Also I've never had an issue with the locker ticket not being read by the machine.

Far better system having ten or more locker stations compared to one grumpy member of staff and a queue to drop off the bag.

 

[xtpower]

@WanderingNortherner has given us another update in regards to the access point.

From: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=122248066472252610&id=61557578305782

 

[flyingguitar]

Escape from Gringotts is not a new ride. Universal have learnt from this and for Velocicoaster and all rides at Epic Universe they have large double sided locker areas towards the end of the queue. Epic also uses face recognition so you don't need to use the barcode. Hagrid's although a new ride, re-used locker areas from Dragons Challenge.
All of your complaints Universal have solved with the newer locker systems at Epic Universe.
Also I've never had an issue with the locker ticket not being read by the machine.

Far better system having ten or more locker stations compared to one grumpy member of staff and a queue to drop off the bag.

Ok, but epic universes system is still not the best, it gets crowded quite quickly, the same with velocicoaster.

besides my main point was that they charge for the "large" (reasonable) size of lockers, you would essentially be limited to a bag with one, maybe 2 bottles of water, some lunch and perhaps a coat. the free lockers are tiny, only like 10 cm tall

 

[jon81uk]

Ok, but epic universes system is still not the best, it gets crowded quite quickly, the same with velocicoaster.

besides my main point was that they charge for the "large" (reasonable) size of lockers, you would essentially be limited to a bag with one, maybe 2 bottles of water, some lunch and perhaps a coat. the free lockers are tiny, only like 10 cm tall

Epic Universe has larger free lockers than the other parks, they are square rather than long, I got a standard rucksack in. The changable UK weather might be an issue as you need more layers, but I had a cold week in Orlando so was carrying a hoody and stuff around (hence the rucksack).

At Universal Epic Universe, standard-sized lockers (11.8 in x 11 in x 13 in) for small loose articles are free while you ride. There is no other option, unless you leave your bag near the park entrance.
For the other parks, they have shorter lockers for free or larger ones for additional fee. Standard-sized lockers (14 in x 5.5 in x 16.9 in): for small loose articles are free while you ride. Larger lockers (12 in x 13 in x 16.9 in) for oversized items can be rented for an additional fee.
https://www.universalorlando.com/we...ices?msockid=2c70b19f0dec69301c0fa77e0c79688b

The crowding has not been worse than the queue for bag drop at Alton Towers or the pushing through the coaster to drop it in a box. Also if it is crowded then pause for a moment, wait for the people in front to finish at the screen and then step forward.


Also you are assuming they will allow you to bring in lunch to the park, in Florida outside food and drink is not permitted except for medical purposes or baby food. Water is limited to two litres per guest as well. https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/gb/plan-your-visit/hours-information/policies-restrictions

 

[flyingguitar]

Also you are assuming they will allow you to bring in lunch to the park, in Florida outside food and drink is not permitted except for medical purposes or baby food. Water is limited to two litres per guest as well. https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/gb/plan-your-visit/hours-information/policies-restrictions

I forgot they did this (I go with someone who has specific dietary requirements, so we were allowed to bring food in) Is it just florida, or something they do at all their parks?

The crowding has not been worse than the queue for bag drop at Alton Towers or the pushing through the coaster to drop it in a box. Also if it is crowded then pause for a moment, wait for the people in front to finish at the screen and then step forward.

apart from sub terror, I havent really had any overcrowding concerns at AT bag drop (usually people just form a line to the bag drop.
however especially velocicoaster, people would stop and block a lot of the space meaning you had to push past a lot of people and it was quite cramped.

 

[Maelstrom]

Epic Universe has larger free lockers than the other parks, they are square rather than long, I got a standard rucksack in. The changable UK weather might be an issue as you need more layers, but I had a cold week in Orlando so was carrying a hoody and stuff around (hence the rucksack).

At Universal Epic Universe, standard-sized lockers (11.8 in x 11 in x 13 in) for small loose articles are free while you ride. There is no other option, unless you leave your bag near the park entrance.
For the other parks, they have shorter lockers for free or larger ones for additional fee. Standard-sized lockers (14 in x 5.5 in x 16.9 in): for small loose articles are free while you ride. Larger lockers (12 in x 13 in x 16.9 in) for oversized items can be rented for an additional fee.
https://www.universalorlando.com/we...ices?msockid=2c70b19f0dec69301c0fa77e0c79688b

The crowding has not been worse than the queue for bag drop at Alton Towers or the pushing through the coaster to drop it in a box. Also if it is crowded then pause for a moment, wait for the people in front to finish at the screen and then step forward.


Also you are assuming they will allow you to bring in lunch to the park, in Florida outside food and drink is not permitted except for medical purposes or baby food. Water is limited to two litres per guest as well. https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/gb/plan-your-visit/hours-information/policies-restrictions

Universal in Orlando in reality do not restrict you bringing in your own food or non alcoholic standard drinks (non glass or alcohol). There are restrictions during horror nights but not for regular park guests. While it is in their terms currently, it’s not something that they enforce.

Also I had no issues with lockers at Epic in the summer, worked great everytime I visited across all of the rides that used them.

In regards to smaller lockers at the other parks I could could fit my back pack in containing a metal 500ml refillable water bottle, a second 500ml plastic drink bottle, a poncho and mini umbrella. Much else you would struggle.

 

[Blackrock]

A notice has gone up saying the public footpath that crosses Universals land is going to be permanently closed off from the 28th January.


From: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1TkVhZ41RA/?mibextid=wwXIfr