Studio Tour

[Jon Fu]

We're getting reports today that King Kong 360 - 3D (confirmed) is currently closed due to a tram fire (unconfirmed).


More news as we get it.

 

[BruceTheShark]

That's pretty extreme. If it was a fire I hope anybody on the tram is alright. That would make one heck of a vacation story

 

[BernardMesa]

Oh wow. Universal sure is having lots of fires in the past few years.

 

[Allen The Actor]

So, was this the tram engine fire that you guys reported on Facebook or is this separate? Universal's fire insurance must be nuts lol i hope everyone/the ride is ok

 

[UniversalFan]

So, was this the tram engine fire that you guys reported on Facebook or is this separate? Universal's fire insurance must be nuts lol i hope everyone/the ride is ok

I don't think so. The engine didn't catch on fire, it was smoke coming out of the engine. Fortunately no one was hurt.

 

[Jon Fu]

Earthquake - The Big One will be closed for refurbishment from February 19 - March 16, 2013.

 

[Miss Betty Juice]

I don't think so. The engine didn't catch on fire, it was smoke coming out of the engine. Fortunately no one was hurt.

The smoke was a result of the engine block catching on fire. One kinda causes the other.

Earthquake - The Big One will be closed for refurbishment from February 19 - March 16, 2013.

Well damn. That's my favorite part of the tour now. =/ Then again, I haven't gone on the tour in months.

 

[Jon Fu]

Here, you can relive the experience over and over and over....

https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=UUE0uNMPt9qFSUDVdQxX0iRg

 

[Miss Betty Juice]

Thanks Jon.  <_<

Wondering if this is annual refurb or something else? I recall it being closed for about a month two years ago.

 

[Jon Fu]

Regardless, I have to give major props to the original attraction designers. From what I've experienced, Earthquake is incredibly reliable for what it is. Imagine large scale mechanical effects like that running 14+ hours a day, running non-stop for the better half of the entire year. Impressive.

I wonder how they do it.

 

[BernardMesa]

I think it would be awesome to have some kind of behind the scenes tour of the theme park aspects. I know they have had one for Revenge of the Mummy in the past.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Yeah,,they've had it for the mummy. I'd LOVE to go on a behind the scenes tour of all the rides, etc. This sounds crazy, but if there's a "safe" spot in earthquake, I'd love to stand and watch all the effects. It's my current favorite part of the tour, it really impresses me. I completely agree with what you said Jon. I love having practical effects in front of me. It's so much better than 360 3D

 

[BruceTheShark]

Regardless, I have to give major props to the original attraction designers. From what I've experienced, Earthquake is incredibly reliable for what it is. Imagine large scale mechanical effects like that running 14+ hours a day, running non-stop for the better half of the entire year. Impressive.

I wonder how they do it.

This is what I loved about the old "Cinemagic" videos. Getting to see all these classic practical FX attractions being built. The designers of these attractions were one of a kind. "I wonder how they do it" is why I love Universal so much. It gave me that sneak peak of how movies and effects were made in my early years of visiting the park.

 

[Jon Fu]

As it stands, the park is becoming dominated with CGI/motion simulators. Good fun and all, but enough is enough...

At a certain point, it just all becomes the same.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Exactly. Most people I know have that as the biggest negative against the park. You have Simpsons, Shrek, Transformers, Terminator/Despicable Me, and Kong. Overload of 3D/simulators.

 

[BruceTheShark]

I've always thought/joked that one day in the future we'll get an "ultimate" attraction. Meaning: One building where the theme can change with the push of a button and it acts as several different rides. For example at 2pm you can ride Transformers, come back at 3pm and experience Back to the Future.

 

[0000000000]

Earthquake - The Big One will be closed for refurbishment from February 19 - March 16, 2013.

I went on March 17 2013 and it was still closed =/

 

[Jon Fu]

Just managed to get a shot of these on the tour.


IMG_3674 by InsideUniversal.net, on Flickr


IMG_3680 by InsideUniversal.net, on Flickr

I still can't wrap my head how this makes sense. Two cars enter an outdoor garage and willingly face the helicopter that's been chasing them?

 

[Allen The Actor]

Makes just as much sense as having the cars dance to the lamest song ever...

 

[BehindTheTheme]

What do people think of adding an additional attraction to the end of the mummy tunnel? The mummy tunnel can be a portal to what the new attraction will be. I have no specific idea of a property but I think it could be possible. Their is lots of space that could be used there.