Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[Andysol]

Universal in Orlando will never be for:

1) babies and toddlers
2) very obese people
3) very tall people
4) amputees

It’ll never change. Talking about it is futile.

They’re fine ceding those groups to Disney. Though Disney’s new rides are becoming more restrictive as well; they just have a plethora of staples to fall back on.

 

[Jake S]

I think they’re talking about the ride vehicle not being compromising to most people who ride it.

Right, sorry if it wasn't clear in my earlier post but when I said:

"But I don't think it's a problem that some people want to see what Universal could do if they built more Secret Life of Pets and fewer screen-based, thrilling dark rides."

I was specifically referring to people who want to see Universal build more non-thrilling dark rides, not people who want to see more no-height requirement attractions at the resort. I also don't think there are very many people clamoring for the latter.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

To Jake's point, I think some of us are simply asking for Universal's take on Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion. An enjoyable scenic-based ride experience, not another enhanced motion vehicle on a track doing the same tricks over and over again.

 

[Alicia]

To Jake's point, I think some of us are simply asking for Universal's take on Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion. An enjoyable scenic-based ride experience, not another enhanced motion vehicle on a track doing the same tricks over and over again.

Universal sucks at those types of rides though.

Granted they were kids rides, but things like the Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar boat rides just aren’t very enjoyable.

Cat in the Hat is a great classic style Fantasyland like ride and yet Universal fans constantly complain about it “needing to be updated”.

I’d say maybe we leave those types of rides to Disney, but reality is, maybe we leave those types of rides to the 1960s, cause even Disney ain’t building them anymore.

Unfortunately.

 

[Clive]

Universal sucks at those types of rides though.

Granted they were kids rides, but things like the Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar boat rides just aren’t very enjoyable.

Cat in the Hat is a great classic style Fantasyland like ride and yet Universal fans constantly complain about it “needing to be updated”.

I’d say maybe we leave those types of rides to Disney, but reality is, maybe we leave those types of rides to the 1960s, cause even Disney ain’t building them anymore.

Unfortunately.

In fairness, I don't think Cat in the Hat needs updates, just sufficient maintenance. The design of that ride is still really strong, even if it's no longer optimal because the show conditions/intent leaned on the more intense spinning. The animatronic figures and other physical effects just don't seem to get the consistent attention they need to operate at their best, much like ET.

I think the real reason you don't see Universal (or Disney) develop these types of rides anymore is they don't want to commit to maintaining the number of animatronic figures they inevitably require. Even Shanghai's Pirates only has half a dozen real figures.

Kung Fu Panda almost felt like an attempted compromise by incorporating far more media than is typical for that type of ride, and the results were pretty underwhelming.

 

[Jake S]

I think the real reason you don't see Universal (or Disney) develop these types of rides anymore is they don't want to commit to maintaining the number of animatronic figures they inevitably require. Even Shanghai's Pirates only has half a dozen real figures.

Yeah, this is probably it. You've seen how they've handled the limited mobility figures at Nintendo World — I think that's pretty emblematic of this era.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Universal sucks at those types of rides though.

Granted they were kids rides, but things like the Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar boat rides just aren’t very enjoyable.

Cat in the Hat is a great classic style Fantasyland like ride and yet Universal fans constantly complain about it “needing to be updated”.

I’d say maybe we leave those types of rides to Disney, but reality is, maybe we leave those types of rides to the 1960s, cause even Disney ain’t building them anymore.

Unfortunately.

Monsters Unchained and Battle at the Ministry have some of the most impressive visual scenes in any dark ride with stellar animatronics and special effects, they can certainly do a full-scale physical dark ride that doesn't rely on a thrilling ride system or the same storyline.

Imagine a Shrek-based boat dark ride through the swamp with animatronic figures?
An omnimover dark ride through the world of Despicable Me with Minions all over the place?
A suspended hot air balloon tour of the world from Wicked?
A spooky dark ride through a haunted New York featuring Ghostbusters?

Why does every major Universal attraction have to keep the "we're falling to our deaths only to be saved by the (insert name) hero at the last minute" or shake you in front of a screen with mist effects?

And certainly Disney should go back to doing HM/POTCs style experiences.

I get that Universal is stricter with their safety envelope, that's understandable... but that doesn't dictate the ride experience solely.

Cat in the Hat is great... when it's in tip top shape. Same for E.T., MIB, etc.

 

[Jake S]

And certainly Disney should go back to doing HM/POTCs style experiences.

Listen man, I hear ya ... but that was 60 years ago. It's not coming back — that version of the company is long, long gone.