KidZone Replacement Rumors & Speculation (Pt 2)

[HHN Maddux]

It’ll be the same concept with new stuff. It’s more lateral then a step forward.

So, same play areas, but expanded with some extra features?

 

[Nick]

The KidZone stage (right outside the restrooms near ET and Spongebob store) will be a remnant while the rest is worked on so I could see them possibly doing a version of the DreamWorks Destination thing up there during this.

 

[ragerunner]

So did leadership give a last minutes green light for this? Since they just moved Donkey over there?

 

[Crypt Keeper]

 

[Magic-Man]

My pure speculation is a Kung Fu Panda land for 2024. A couple of flats, the boat ride from Beijing OR DreamWorks Theatre from Hollywood, and a retheme of Woody Woodpecker. Nothing super big or time consuming.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Some wording I noticed: 'KidZone Pizza Company'.

Makes me wonder if it's going from Woody Woodpecker's KidZone to just, KidZone.

 

[shiekra38]

Perfect spot for a family friendly Giga

 

[ragerunner]

My speculation is a Kung Fu Panda land for 2024. A couple of flats, the boat ride from Beijing OR DreamWorks Theatre from Hollywood, and a retheme of Woody Woodpecker. Nothing super big or time consuming.

I would be more than happy with this (with the boat ride). The park really needs a water based ride system.

 

[belloq87]

It’ll be the same concept with new stuff. It’s more lateral then a step forward.

So your theory is basically nothing completely new?

 

[DK745]

I feel like anything they do in that area will be an improvement over what is there now.

I wouldn't mind seeing more Shrek.

 

[shiekra38]

DreamWorks or Illumination?

You know, SLOP would make a fun play area now that you mention it

I did hear that the SLOP merch didn't hit in FL, but that was very offhanded

Otherwise Sing would be the only Illumination property I can think of

 

[Brian G.]

Bit of housekeeping but until they announce the official replacement, we'll keep the thread here.

 

[ragerunner]

I do hope they try and keep as many trees as possible. This is the best shaded area of the studios park.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

 

[Parkscope Joe]

So your theory is basically nothing completely new?

The whole area is old and needs modernization. I think they’ll be selective of what they keep and what to get rid of.

 

[belloq87]

The whole area is old and needs modernization. I think they’ll be selective of what they keep and what to get rid of.

I guess what I'm really driving at is that you would suggest we shouldn't expect any new rides (of any significance) to come from this?

 

[Nick]

I guess what I'm really driving at is that you would suggest we shouldn't expect any new rides (of any significance) to come from this?

I don't know that we'll see any knew buildings built out of this. I think this could be like the current Shrek -> VillianCon project where it's just updating a really old building that's been in the park since 1990. That's what i'm expecting out of this. A gutting of all existing structures and update to fit in new IP.

 

[Casper Gutman]

DreamWorks or Illumination?

Dreamworks makes the most sense, and KFP strikes me as the most appealing property. I think Shrek is out until they relaunch the property, which will happen before too long. As has been said, a water-based system seems like it would fill a big void. I still think its nuts that Minions doesn't have an AA-driven dark ride, but until they want to redesign all of Production Central, the screen-based Minion stuff will have to do. If I got to chose, I'd take a heavily-themed Spongebob flume, but for a variety of reasons its going to be a property Uni fully controls. Gotta strengthen that brand cohesion.

 

[Mad Dog]

What a U turn for Universal. Advance announcements. First Chucky, now KidZone. The world turns upside down. :rock:

 

[Casper Gutman]

What a U turn for Universal. Advance announcements. First Chucky, now KidZone. The world turns upside down. :rock:

Announcing the closure is an improvement - Uni generally needs to be more up front about what is going to be open on any given day. I'll be disappointed if they make any announcement about the content of the renovation until significant construction is underway - that's something they're better about then Disney.