State of USH - What's Next?

[Viator]

Me and @ethanuniversal talk about it somewhat with our colleagues and I think when you consider the scale and scope of what seems to be happening, a front gate hotel using space that would *never* be used for theme park expansion is infinitely more potent and important.

USH should be building itself up to be a "Resort" Destination, and in order to be that, they need to ensure they can have people lodge and be on their own property.
__
Speaking a bit of projects, @ethanuniversal can correct me but I believe we are looking at this as our "Road to LA2028", and that's excluding any theme park projects.

Theme Park/CW:

• The Construction of Westside Security Hub + P515 (which should begin after the Holidays for both [and they will be fine with a temp security solution for the time being])
• The Completion of Central and Eastside Security Hub, with reworking electrical around H-Lot (*Markers have been spotted near H-Lot during HHN*)
• The Construction and Completion of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift in the Spring period of 2026
• The Construction of the brand new USH Tech Services Complex (and the demolition of the pre-existing building next to H-Lot)
• The Completion of Raising Canes and Mr. BBQ (I suspect Insomnia Cookies is nearly there, but they're waiting on Holidays to open it, because it'd allow later hours)

Studio:

• The Demolition of The War of The Worlds Sets for relocated Studio facilities (Specifically stuff from Bud Westmore, Lighting/Grip and a few other things)
• The Construction and Completion of the Park Lake Soundstages (as they were visibly shown in the brand new Evolution Plan map leaked last month by @salismetho)
• The Construction and Completion of the new Studio Mill replacing the one above the SS15-SS24 cluster

There's likely more to come, especially once we finally get a whiff on what's next on the horizon (which I am honestly surprised hasn't happened yet. Kind of commendable honestly if you think about it, considering how USH has tried to be keeping things on as much of a tight leash as they can get with things).

I'd stand to think they'd have *something* prepped for LA2028, considering Universal will be used for the games proper. Could be good for a new project, be if it's a new film for DreamWorks Theater, a replacement for RoTM, or anything else that could be done in quick succession.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I've outlined this before, if I was in charge of USH. I would get the parking re zoned for theme park along with park of Citywalk. (The city is letting the rezone space ment for parking to something else, I do not think there would be much push back for a Disney forward level of investment into USH with adding millions of new jobs to build everything new and plus the added revnue it would make afterwards)

There is more then enough room there for an opening area (with the VIP dinning moved there), Two new lands and then you can also redo the Plaza to make it bigger to fit in more for Grinchmas (the area gets too full and people can't get in to see the show many nights), Fan Fest and HHN.

You can use the H Lot for a Hotel and leave some back stage areas in these new lands ready for Fan Fest or HHN houses.

The coaster adds at most an 2 hours on a busy day and a day like today when its off season maybe 30 mins because the park is dead before HHN.

The New Security hubs are not needed over new attractions, we have had zero issues with the parks in the 30+ years of letting people walk into City walk without the scanners.

USH has no projects right now going outside of the coaster that is going to add to Theme Park, if they are adding something little to the tram as rumors cool but its not going to bring in more guests.

Even if they start on something the day after the coaster opens it will not be opening in 2027 meaning we have another year where attendance might fall unless they are planning on updating Panda which could bring in people but thats more of a filler update and adding no new capacities to the park or extends the stay.

Most people here would agree DCA is not a full day park even if it had double the rides of USH, and Disney is going all in with Two Avengers rides, Coco and Avatar land which is going to greatly add value to that park. That is what USH needs along with a hotel

I know many are like USH will get its time but we don't know when the next Covid or recession is in 5, so I am all about getting as many attractions up front as we can because I've been here for 8 years and been hearing rumors about USH tearing studios down or falls lake and nothing they are rumors and the park is just put on the back end and now Epic has the issue of needing more attractions and UOR other parks by its numbers need some new attractions as well so its just a lot of money that will drain away from being able to throw resources at our park....again.

My thoughts go back to the core Issue that USH has which is it needs more to do and we seem 5+ years away from that like always

 

[highdefrex]

The New Security hubs are not needed over new attractions, we have had zero issues with the parks in the 30+ years of letting people walk into City walk without the scanners.

I don't know what magical world you lived in where there's been "zero issues" at CityWalk, but the entire reason the nightclub scene is gone there can pretty much be traced back to a deadly shooting that occurred in 2014. There's been plenty of issues, some very public, others not so much, but come on, acting like the existence of security hubs helping lock down the park/CityWalk ecosystem and make people feel just a little safer is also simultaneously somehow preventing the park from building a land or something is wild.

Clearly Universal has more information and reason to be building these hubs than you or I or anyone does, and if they feel that's the play, then maybe trust that they have a bigger picture in mind.

 

[Freak]

Me and @ethanuniversal talk about it somewhat with our colleagues and I think when you consider the scale and scope of what seems to be happening, a front gate hotel using space that would *never* be used for theme park expansion is infinitely more potent and important.

USH should be building itself up to be a "Resort" Destination, and in order to be that, they need to ensure they can have people lodge and be on their own property.
__
Speaking a bit of projects, @ethanuniversal can correct me but I believe we are looking at this as our "Road to LA2028", and that's excluding any theme park projects.

Theme Park/CW:

• The Construction of Westside Security Hub + P515 (which should begin after the Holidays for both [and they will be fine with a temp security solution for the time being])
• The Completion of Central and Eastside Security Hub, with reworking electrical around H-Lot (*Markers have been spotted near H-Lot during HHN*)
• The Construction and Completion of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift in the Spring period of 2026
• The Construction of the brand new USH Tech Services Complex (and the demolition of the pre-existing building next to H-Lot)
• The Completion of Raising Canes and Mr. BBQ (I suspect Insomnia Cookies is nearly there, but they're waiting on Holidays to open it, because it'd allow later hours)

Studio:

• The Demolition of The War of The Worlds Sets for relocated Studio facilities (Specifically stuff from Bud Westmore, Lighting/Grip and a few other things)
• The Construction and Completion of the Park Lake Soundstages (as they were visibly shown in the brand new Evolution Plan map leaked last month by @salismetho)
• The Construction and Completion of the new Studio Mill replacing the one above the SS15-SS24 cluster

There's likely more to come, especially once we finally get a whiff on what's next on the horizon (which I am honestly surprised hasn't happened yet. Kind of commendable honestly if you think about it, considering how USH has tried to be keeping things on as much of a tight leash as they can get with things).

I'd stand to think they'd have *something* prepped for LA2028, considering Universal will be used for the games proper. Could be good for a new project, be if it's a new film for DreamWorks Theater, a replacement for RoTM, or anything else that could be done in quick succession.

In terms of something major on the horizon, like Diagon Alley for Falls Lake for instance if that happens, I don’t see anything like that happening until 2030. We’re a couple of months out of 2026 so if they wanted to have that open in time for the Olympics, they would have to get started like, um now.

If I remember correctly, they started groundbreaking for Hogsmede in early Spring 2013 and got to softs early Feb 2016. That’s about a three-year timeframe. If we are getting something that major, I only foresee it going in Falls Lake.

At this rate, I think the Supercharged replacement would be our Olympics addition. I think it’s kinda late to get started on something SNW-level major open in time for the Olympics. Quite unfortunate considering that Disney will have a major E-ticket ready, if not two ready by then!

 

[Viator]

In terms of something major on the horizon, like Diagon Alley for Falls Lake for instance if that happens, I don’t see anything like that happening until 2030. We’re a couple of months out of 2026 so if they wanted to have that open in time for the Olympics, they would have to get started like, um now.

If I remember correctly, they started groundbreaking for Hogsmede in early Spring 2013 and got to softs early Feb 2016. That’s about a three-year timeframe. If we are getting something that major, I only foresee it going in Falls Lake.

At this rate, I think the Supercharged replacement would be our Olympics addition. I think it’s kinda late to get started on something SNW-level major open in time for the Olympics. Quite unfortunate considering that Disney will have a major E-ticket ready, if not two ready by then!

See this is why I wonder if people should be looking to DWT or RoTM, if only because I don’t think they might opt for a major project that’d require land clearing on a notable level.

Unless they’re given boat loads of money, a smaller project isn’t a bad idea. Doubly so now that thy have a premier rollercoaster that could take the heat for Mummy going for a new coaster.

The showbuilding of Mummy is considerably more than the likes of Uncharted at Port Aventura, and I wonder if a quick and easy win could be a new Jurassic or UM Indoor coaster. One with the controlled rotations of the Intamin MDC could make it a true “Darkcoaster” that could have more involved with it from scenic to even AAs. And I could see that easily be something that happens from Fall 2027 to Summer 2028 with little concern.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

The one thing I dislike when they go to cashless is that many places add a tip section for all stuff, even things like cashiers for merch and
quick service stations, that shouldn't receive tips because they don't receive a tip rated type pay. I'm a generous tipper, for real tip employees,
but tips for everyone kind of defeats the purpose.

As a generous tipper as well, I agree. It’s also not fair to the consumer to have to pay the employees of these corporations. It’s unnecessary pressure.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Still have about 2.5 years to start on something major for 2028, so there's still time to develop something.

 

[Freak]

Still have about 2.5 years to start on something major for 2028, so there's still time to develop something.

Maybe…if that start now.

 

[bdubsCEO]

What if I hire people to pull fire alarms throughout the park forcing evacuation, rent a cargo plane, drop bulldozers and wrecking equipment directly into Springfield and destroy as much of it as I can before they stop me… then they’d be FORCED to start their 2028 project

(for legal reasons this is a joke.)

 

[salismetho]

I think it’s safe to assume at this point that there is no major addition planned to coincide with the Olympics

 

[Jerroddragon]

I think it’s safe to assume at this point that there is no major addition planned to coincide with the Olympics

That......that would be insane

They are literally hosting part of the games

 

[Viator]

I think it’s safe to assume at this point that there is no major addition planned to coincide with the Olympics

I'd like to hope they can do something like replacing Mummy (Even if you simply replaced an indoor coaster, with an indoor coaster) or doing a new DreamWorks film, but I suspect the major thing for 2028 is quite simply just,

Hotel.

 

[chris.g]

I’m starting to think an Upcharged studio tour WILL be the Olympic attraction.

 

[Freak]

…I suspect the major thing for 2028 is quite simply just,

Hotel.

Everyone on this thread right now:

 

[Viator]

I’m starting to think an Upcharged studio tour WILL be the Olympic attraction.

I'm hopeful what was present on the Evolution Plan does not represent what their ultimate end-goal will be, and if I'm truthful and honest; this should be the thing that makes people more pissed.

But at that same time...a "Brand Revamp" in 2028, coinciding with the LA2028 Summer Olympics, allowing the park, a new "Premium" Experience, and the resort hotel; combined with the transformation and restoration of Citywalk's Nightclub scene, would genuinely make a lot of sense.

Also doesn't help that we will be losing one of the biggest sets with the WoTW sets shortly; reducing the value of the Studio Tour considerably now with Jurassic Park, the Picture Cars, and Supercharged all closed.

 

[salismetho]

I'm hopeful what was present on the Evolution Plan does not represent what their ultimate end-goal will be, and if I'm truthful and honest; this should be the thing that makes people more pissed.

I guess I’ll just note that I think that was a total misreading on my part of the Evolution Plan, unless this is something they’ve been weighing for over a decade. I really don’t think they can do this without major park additions

 

[SnideRemarksDept]

I don't think it's the worst thing in the world if there's no new attraction queued up for 2028. My guess is that they're probably banking on the Olympics themselves to be what drives a bump in park attendance, since it'll be bringing so many international tourists to the Los Angeles area in general. These are people who, in all likelihood, have probably never been to Universal and almost definitely not to USH, and new attractions are most effective at bringing in repeat visitors rather than first-timers.

Plus, as we've seen many times, the park has a pretty small footprint and the in-park capacity is relatively low. These are the summer Olympics, already one of the busiest times of the year for USH, so normal summer crowds + Olympics crowds might already be pushing the limit. Adding a big, new attraction to the equation might actually make the overall guest experience worse as the park gets overcrowded and wait times go sky high.

I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with the decision, but I think there's justification for not trying to push something out for 2028 and putting those resources elsewhere, like towards capital improvements (new Tech Services building, maybe a new tram garage) or even just increasing the budget of whatever comes after the Olympics.

 

[Viator]

I don't think it's the worst thing in the world if there's no new attraction queued up for 2028. My guess is that they're probably banking on the Olympics themselves to be what drives a bump in park attendance, since it'll be bringing so many international tourists to the Los Angeles area in general. These are people who, in all likelihood, have probably never been to Universal and almost definitely not to USH, and new attractions are most effective at bringing in repeat visitors rather than first-timers.

Plus, as we've seen many times, the park has a pretty small footprint and the in-park capacity is relatively low. These are the summer Olympics, already one of the busiest times of the year for USH, so normal summer crowds + Olympics crowds might already be pushing the limit. Adding a big, new attraction to the equation might actually make the overall guest experience worse as the park gets overcrowded and wait times go sky high.

I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with the decision, but I think there's justification for not trying to push something out for 2028 and putting those resources elsewhere, like towards capital improvements (new Tech Services building, maybe a new tram garage) or even just increasing the budget of whatever comes after the Olympics.

I do think the hotel being the big thing for LA2028 isn't inheritedly a bad idea either, as I imagine Tech Services will be ready by 2027 (or atleast sometime after that). Echoes a similar element you bring up, that they might be able to use the fact that the games are being done on the lot, as a "hook".

 

[Freak]

I have accepted at this point that if we are going to get anything SNW or Potter-level, it won't be until the end of this decade. That sounds about right when you realize 2030 is seven years apart from 2023 when SNW opened, and SNW opened seven years apart from Potter. So yeah, at this point, definitely no new *major* addition for the Olympics.

We have the Supercharged replacement to look forward to after F&F, so that's something!