Universal Orlando (Studios/IOA) : General Discussion

[The_bup]

The amount of investment ComCast are churning out is mind blowing! Just Wow!

I really worry about the rate of investment so far.

I’m not saying there’s stupid people running the company, they don’t get there if they were, but the same could be said for Disney and look what happened to them in the 90s..

 

[Benjsh]

As of this morning Hagrids now accepts express pass. The app has been updated to reflect that it is now accepted.

Will be interesting to see how it changes the length of the normal line, which still hits 150-200 mins during the onsite hotel early entry period most days, 6 years after opening. Last August I did get on within 30 mins during early entry on two mornings (however when you factor in the time you have to get to the park and wait outside the gates you are really waiting a lot longer!).

I found late morning 11-12pm was a good time last August and often had dropped to between 55-70 mins at this point.

We will be doing Velocicoaster on early access (hopefully twice) and then go do Forbidden Journey once.

Not going to waste morning in queue for Hagrids. We will risk it and hope the queue drops as you said.

 

[Burbs]

In my experience of Universal, express pass is generally quite limited as well as being rather expensive for what you get. The issue I think will be that most annual passholders get 1x free express pass on every ride after 4pm, so I think we’re almost certainly going to see the queue times for Hagrid’s shoot up even higher than they currently are.

 

[Maelstrom]

looking at the queue data last weekend and first part of the week hagrids averaged around a 100.min queue across the day, mid week dropped to around 80 mins average.the two days so far with express the average is 140 mins fri and 150 mins sat. Peaking at around 190-210 mins thoughout the day,

cast members have told guests express is about 50% shorter wait, with some guests saying they where waiting about 90 mins in express on Friday.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

Another change at Universal Orlando, this time covering all four parks. As of yesterday (May 15th), all in-park smoking areas have been removed and guests must now leave the parks to smoke.


From: https://x.com/AshleyLCarter1/status/1922829727292596677


A very positive change indeed!

I think they brought it in as I not been to Disney since 2016 but it was brought in May 2019 after Cast members got angry guest reactions after they told them to move to the designated areas and Security had to be called to solve the issue. Thats the reason why it’s outside the park so it’s easily managed and if you’re stupid enough to do it in the park then you have your tickets cancelled and maybe even a ban.
I guess the same will apply at Universal parks.

 

[Maelstrom]

Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket closing date has been brought forward slightly and universal have announced it will be permanently closed on the 18th August. Previously they said it would close in a September,

 

[MattBTP]

Concept posted by Amusement Insider, apparently based on filed permits

 

[Bones]

Won't the station be in the new york part of the park? If so not sure how that would fit a F&F theme

 

[Funcone]

Am I right in thinking that Fast and Furious Super Charged is set in LA, but it's in the San Francisco area of the park? If they are building a Fast and Furious roller coaster in the New York area, I hope it is set in New York, though. Universal has done some incredibly immersive areas, so it always feels like a shame when they step away from that.

 

[Maelstrom]

They can easily theme fast and furious coaster in into a different city like New York. Should mean the end of the supercharged which although only opened in 2018 has the lowest guest satisfaction scores out of all of universals rides.

Reading the notes on the video I think it is just a concept based on the project area in permits (ie the permits show the land a new ride will take up) and not from any actual footer plans etc, which from what understand have not been submitted or available anywhere to the public at this point. so the actual ride could be very different, might not even be a drifting Intamin coaster.

 

[The_bup]

Concept posted by Amusement Insider, apparently based on filed permits.

Might actually serve as a good fourth reason to go to this park!

 

[Excalibur]

It looks fun! But it’s now Velocicoaster!

 

[Maelstrom]

some early construction walls have gone up in areas around Rip ride rocket- in areas that can start work that doesn’t effect the current ride operation. What is interesting there are some signs on the walls make reference to Ghost Busters.

While could just be because they are in the New York area near the building inspired by the firehouse from the film it could also be a hint to the theme of the new ride.

On another note the resort released a new trailer for the studios park this weekend. It features all of the parks rides inc older ones etc however as you would expect doesn’t feature Rip ride Rocket but also there is no mention or any footage whats so ever of the Simpsons, or the two Simpsons rides, fast and furious is also left out. All of which are rumoured to be on the chopping block soon for replacements. Might be unconnected but seems odd to not feature the Simpsons when they include everything else.