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

[Alastair]

Advertised HP expansion will certainly attract a lot more business to the park, if that's even possible! I really love the idea of the working Hogwart's Express - even the fake facade one there currently attracts a large crowd just for people to have their pictures taken in front of it, let alone a working version

 

[Chaz]

Hollywood replacing Terminator2 3D with DM? What kind of madness is this?

I loved The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter at IoA, it truly is amazing. I was sad to see Jaws go and glad I got a few more rides before it went and I still think they shouldn't removed classic attractions for future investments. Terminator is a classic at UO, as was Jaws and ET. I hope they choose to keep them both for a bit longer.

I loved Back to the Future but wasn't so impressed with The Simpsons.

Losing Marvel Superhero Island would be devastating. I hope Disney see sense here.

 

[AstroDan]

Space Fantasy please!

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[Maelstrom]

While jaws etc are classic rides IMO they were out dated and needed/need replacing, while fun to ride they werent the best rides in the world. As for terminator I really enjoy it, would be a shame if it left but again it's become out dated now especially for universal core target market and had te shortest line on my visit last week.I bet this will go once HP and transformers opens so has a while left yet. the DM attraction was actually really good, I haven't seen the film and didn't have any expectations of the ride but on the whole attraction was very well done. It uses the new HD 3d like the updated Spider-Man and the animation looked stunning inc the per-show animation. It shows some of the older 3d/4d shows need updating.

Off to universal today to visit both parks to go on the key attractions. I best get rides in on terminator and ET as they might be gone next time I get out here!

 

[BigAl]

I knew I should have gone on Terminator! Damn! I hope it stays long enough for when we go back.

But 5 minute queues for the Mummy is just too tempting.

 

[Benzin]

Space Fantasy please!

As awesome as Space Fantasy looks, it's too Japanese for the Americans to get (which isn't hard to create something Americans struggle to understand)...


And there are people who haven't seen Despicable Me? Sad face...

 

[Sam]

Screamscape's image of the Transformers layout:

 

[Jordan]

Some interesting news about the Harry Potter expansion from news site Hypable:

The real Hogwarts Express, as we’ve reported on numerous occasions this year, will connect the existing Wizarding World land at Islands of Adventure with the new Diagon Alley/London area at Universal Studios. A reliable theme park insider named “WhyLightBulb” on Orlando United’s forum recently provided new details. “The train stations include highly detailed scenery and effects,” he/she writes. “The trains themselves will be very realistic including steam wafting from each car, scenic treatment and sounds. Each interior cabin includes period props and treatments.”

And despite this real train not taking you through the real Scottish Highlands, “The window in each cabin will utlize an advanced optics display making it appear as though you are looking outside a window. As the train travels to the station, riders will be treated to different storylines depending on which station they are going to. The cabins are also equipped with a full effects package including heat blast, leg ticklers, lighting etc. One storyline includes a Dementor’s attack where it will get dark, the air will go cold and lights will flicker among other things.”

As for the rumored Gringotts thrill ride which will be the center point of the new London/Diagon Alley land, “the queue includes a really cool elevator ride that will simulate moving vertically and horizontally. You’ll feel the air coming from the right side as you move to the right and you’ll feel the air from below as you travel down. Each of the two elevator simulators include a projection dome above to enhance the visuals.”

Source

 

[Alastair]

Some interesting news about the Harry Potter expansion from news site Hypable:

The real Hogwarts Express, as we’ve reported on numerous occasions this year, will connect the existing Wizarding World land at Islands of Adventure with the new Diagon Alley/London area at Universal Studios. A reliable theme park insider named “WhyLightBulb” on Orlando United’s forum recently provided new details. “The train stations include highly detailed scenery and effects,” he/she writes. “The trains themselves will be very realistic including steam wafting from each car, scenic treatment and sounds. Each interior cabin includes period props and treatments.”

And despite this real train not taking you through the real Scottish Highlands, “The window in each cabin will utlize an advanced optics display making it appear as though you are looking outside a window. As the train travels to the station, riders will be treated to different storylines depending on which station they are going to. The cabins are also equipped with a full effects package including heat blast, leg ticklers, lighting etc. One storyline includes a Dementor’s attack where it will get dark, the air will go cold and lights will flicker among other things.”

As for the rumored Gringotts thrill ride which will be the center point of the new London/Diagon Alley land, “the queue includes a really cool elevator ride that will simulate moving vertically and horizontally. You’ll feel the air coming from the right side as you move to the right and you’ll feel the air from below as you travel down. Each of the two elevator simulators include a projection dome above to enhance the visuals.”

Source

It's sometimes too much to take reading about theming like that when living in this country ???

 

[Danny]

Universal have finally revealed the ride on their Facebook page:

 

[Jem8472]

https://www.facebook.com/UniversalOrlan ... 7952573142

There is also this video on Facebook.

 

[cotda]

As much as I love universal, as an alternative to disney some of their (even recent) attention to detail with theming is, worse than that of even merlin. Queuing for Harry Potter &TFJ I could see, from a point in the main queue (not just the random line outside the entrance), I could see the soundstage behind the faćade. And that really ruined the magic for me a bit. Disney, even merlin (to an extent) would at least make it believable.

 

[Jem8472]

What?

How can you compare themeing like HP to anything Merlin have done??????????????

The castle alone would never be built in the UK. Everything in the HP area is amazingly detailed. All the buildings, the snow, everything. Theming in the UK is pretty useless.

The rest of the park is amazing. Its one of my favourite parks and there are bits that could be better but nothing is nearly as poor as you get over here.

 

[cotda]

IDK, Its probably just a matter of personal opinion, but at least even with 13, there are no whitespots. It is a old, worn down building throughout, not in the queue you can see the warehouse behind. That was one of a few theming elements that really let me down at US/IOA.

Im not saying the theming is better over here, by any means. Its just with HP, the white spots on the faćade were a bit, non thought out, and a bit incomplete.

 

[Jem8472]

Yes the puddle at the bottom of the air tunnel is great, or the cheap plastic vines on thirteen or the fact you can see behind the scene rubbish on RMT.

It may not be as good as disney but it is still a million miles in front of Merlin parks.

 

[Tim]

Likewise I get what you are saying cotda but if Universal Studios are guilty of occasionally leaving a tin shed on show then that's a minor sin compared to building parts of their rides out of Shipping Containers and claiming it to be part of the rides theme. I know it makes the experience feel less disjointed because they are openly admitting that the ride is inside a tin shed but I wouldn't say it's any more acceptable.

Plus in the case of Thirteen it runs alongside and over the warehouse it's built within, that's hardly what I'd call hidden from view.

 

[cotda]

Fair play, whatever I say I love universal!

 

[Sam]

General Park News - (11/9/12) Break out the Waffles! As promised, it looks like the Meet Donkey attraction is returning, this time it will be connected to the Shrek building somehow according to the latest permit uncovered by ParkScope.

Never heard of this one before. Apparently it's a Meet & Greet. Here's the ParkScope article if you're interested.

 

[Sam]

2014/2015 - PotterVerse: London / Project 722 - (11/14/12) ParkScope found another permit for the park this week, this time for Mosley, Inc to come on site and begin ‘Mechanical Equipment Installation”. Of course the Mosley in question is Mosley Erecting, known for their work putting up big roller coasters all over the South-Eastern United States. They’ve put up coasters at Carowinds, Kings Island, Dollywood, Hard Rock Park, Kings Dominion, several Six Flags parks… and were the ones brought in to put up the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit for Universal a few years ago. So it looks like we could see the Gringott’s Bank coaster pieces being put into place before you know it, which also means that they’ve got to be on site already somewhere in Orlando.

Wow! Had no idea we were this far down the road with this project.

 

[BigAl]

Simpsons expansion, anyone?

Screamscape:

Spring 2013 - Project 971 / Simpsons - (11/15/12) New rumors about the Simpsons themed land are now growing in size and scope. The latest word around the park is that not only will we see a new Krusty Burger and Moe’s Tavern, there may also be a Kentucky Fried Panda (Finger Ling-Ling Good!) and possibly even a mini Duff Brewery bar set up on the lagoon edge.
The Simpsons expansion wont be limited to new restaurants either, as I’m told that we may also see other classic icons and building facades put in for Lard Lad donuts, the Comic Book Guy’
s shop, and even some kind of new flat ride that may be themed to the aliens: Kang and Kodos placed near the bridge on the MIB side of the Simpsons ride building. I doubt Universal would install one of these, but a Gravitron could be perfectly themed to Kang & Kodos don’t you think?

Some images included in that update:

Love the idea of a Kang & Kodos Gravitron! I wonder what the flat will turn out to be?


Anyway, the Studios side of the resort is really pulling out all the stops to bring itself in-line with Islands of Adventure. They're building the new Harry Potter land, a Transformers ride and now making the Simpsons into a full area!

Amazing!