The Current State and Future of Universal Studios Florida

[shiekra38]

You never know, this tribute store might be a test to see just how popular these properties are. If it really over-performs, the chances of an epic movie ride are a whole lot higher than they would’ve been previously. Although we like to theorize about “bringing jaws back” or “bringing BTTF back” in the same sentence, these are major attractions. It would be like asking cedar point to build two major coasters back to back. A single attraction alone requires years of planning and pre-construction. With such a long list of things that we’re begging to be brought back, an entire park could be filled with these attractions. This would likely never happen, as it’s simply too far-fetched. You can’t simply “build it again.” Each attraction would need time and tireless hours of planning. It’s becoming more and more likely to me that universal is considering a single, large attraction that satisfies fans of all the legacy attractions. Everyone is pleased and all boxes are ticked, but universal only has to go through the strenuous planning and development process once. I see this as a kidzone replacement eventually. They can just slap up a wall between Simpsons and ET and get to work in a dead-end section without worrying about crowds or paths like they did with Velocicoaster. With how much effort was put into the legacy store, I firmly believe that it’s a test of some kind.

I would say they're "testing" the old properties at Universal in the same way they're "testing" old Epcot merch at Disney World

In other words, they help sell mugs and t-shirts, but that's about where their usefulness ends

 

[Rock'nRoller]

I would say they're "testing" the old properties at Universal in the same way they're "testing" old Epcot merch at Disney World

In other words, they help sell mugs and t-shirts, but that's about where their usefulness ends

I agree here.

While the relevance of the movies being feat. in the store are still fresh and popular, the likelyhood of them (besides ET) returning to USF are slim to none. Universal Orlando is focusing heavily on Epic Universe at this moment, so for something based on Jaws or BTTF to come out might not happen.

It's good to have hope tho. At the very least, I think a new BTTF ride has the highest chance of surfacing.

 

[OrlLover]

I like the idea of a “Great Movie Ride” paying homage to classic Uni franchises. However I’m just not sure how well it would come across to the GP.

It seems like the era of those type of attractions is over and might seem dated if constructed today.

 

[sonoma15]

I like the idea of a “Great Movie Ride” paying homage to classic Uni franchises. However I’m just not sure how well it would come across to the GP.

It seems like the era of those type of attractions is over and might seem dated if constructed today.

I guess the only way to find out is to build it... get on it Universal!

 

[Legacy]

I like the idea of a “Great Movie Ride” paying homage to classic Uni franchises. However I’m just not sure how well it would come across to the GP.

It seems like the era of those type of attractions is over and might seem dated if constructed today.

If it was more visceral than GMR was, it could work well. A lot of Universal’s best films are more action-oriented anyway. Throw the RV on a gimbal, to give it some shake, and it will be more attractive.

I don’t want it to be as “high thrill” as Spider-man or Transformers. But it needs some movement. The wax museum ride-through of GMR won’t cut it.

 

[belloq87]

My Blue Sky pitch for a Universal version of GMR would involve a ride vehicle (the DeLorean, ideally) that starts as a fairly traditional dark ride for a few scenes, becomes a boat ride (for a JAWS segment), transitions back to dry land for a few more scenes, and then culminates with a Test Track-esque launch to 88mph.

Of course, you'd probably need an unrealistically large plot of land for that.

 

[Nico]

I want the rumored Monsters Drive In Movie attraction but with old franchises instead. They can even keep the drive in motif with classic cars as the ride vehicle.

 

[JoeCamel]

My Blue Sky pitch for a Universal version of GMR would involve a ride vehicle (the DeLorean, ideally) that starts as a fairly traditional dark ride for a few scenes, becomes a boat ride (for a JAWS segment), transitions back to dry land for a few more scenes, and then culminates with a Test Track-esque launch to 88mph.

Of course, you'd probably need an unrealistically large plot of land for that.

VR? :wave:

 

[belloq87]

VR? :wave:

 

[shiekra38]

A Universal Legacy ride would be great, but I feel the only reason it wouldn't happen would be the space it would take up

....Some would say...MIB sized

I would also settle for a re-do of Rockit by Intamin like Kondaa that plays major movie soundtracks during the ride

Add in some old film props in the queue and you've thrown us a bone, Studios actually gets a good air time filled coaster, and you don't lose a ton of space

 

[biggerboat16]

A Universal Legacy ride would be great, but I feel the only reason it wouldn't happen would be the space it would take up

....Some would say...MIB sized

I would also settle for a re-do of Rockit by Intamin like Kondaa that plays major movie soundtracks during the ride

Add in some old film props in the queue and you've thrown us a bone, Studios actually gets a good air time filled coaster, and you don't lose a ton of space

If they bulldozed animal actors and Barney, they could fit a Mummy-sized building in Kidzone with some room even to spare. Just bulldoze and start fresh with a nice, big building. They likely could even do it without cutting into backstage areas, given that curious George and woody woodpecker are also removed. Just slap some Hollywood facades on it, rework the ET entrance, and call it good. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be a large undertaking, but there IS space for it. It’s even in a dead-end area that could be closed off for construction so they could work even when the park is open. Not saying it’s likely just yet, but it IS possible

 

[shiekra38]

It's funny that people say Universal doesn't car about nostalgia, and then you look at most of their new park is deeply rooted in nostalgic properties

The key is not the nostalgia...the key is the marketability and ability to move not just merch, but food and beverage as well

To get a pop-up shop and a few sections in some gift shops is one thing

To get an entire ride space...or gosh, a land...that's a whole other animal, specifically in a campus that's strapped for land

I could argue both ways honestly

But my main thought is that they have friggin Nintendo, Dreamworks, Illumination, and Harry Potter...like...why do they need Doc Brown and Jaws?

From a business perspective it makes a ton of sense to flesh out the bigger properties first

I think the future of the resort is highly themed lands tied to a marketable property(s)...I'm not sure where BTTF and Jaws fit into that

 

[DodgsonHere]

It's funny that people say Universal doesn't car about nostalgia, and then you look at most of their new park is deeply rooted in nostalgic properties

The key is not the nostalgia...the key is the marketability and ability to move not just merch, but food and beverage as well

To get a pop-up shop and a few sections in some gift shops is one thing

To get an entire ride space...or gosh, a land...that's a whole other animal, specifically in a campus that's strapped for land

I could argue both ways honestly

But my main thought is that they have friggin Nintendo, Dreamworks, Illumination, and Harry Potter...like...why do they need Doc Brown and Jaws?

From a business perspective it makes a ton of sense to flesh out the bigger properties first

I think the future of the resort is highly themed lands tied to a marketable property(s)...I'm not sure where BTTF and Jaws fit into that

I understand that viewpoint on Universal’s end completely, and to their credit a lot of the merch, especially Potter, is really great and actually adds to the area where it’s sold. But in the end, I’m not coming to buy merch, I’m here to experience great attractions. I’m sure Mummy doesn’t push a ton of merch relative to other properties, but it’s still one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back to the Studios. If you want people to keep coming back and spending their money on souvenirs, you’re going to need great attractions to keep them coming back and to avoid the parks feeling like shopping malls. BttF and Jaws can still be the basis for spectacular attractions. I would argue if the merch team puts the effort in they can easily outsell Mummy, F&F, MiB, and Transformers. As well as some of those franchises perform in the box office, do you see many people wearing merch for them in the park? I don’t, but I see Jaws and BttF consistently every time I visit.

 

[shiekra38]

I understand that viewpoint on Universal’s end completely, and to their credit a lot of the merch, especially Potter, is really great and actually adds to the area where it’s sold. But in the end, I’m not coming to buy merch, I’m here to experience great attractions. I’m sure Mummy doesn’t push a ton of merch relative to other properties, but it’s still one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back to the Studios. If you want people to keep coming back and spending their money on souvenirs, you’re going to need great attractions to keep them coming back and to avoid the parks feeling like shopping malls. BttF and Jaws can still be the basis for spectacular attractions. I would argue if the merch team puts the effort in they can easily outsell Mummy, F&F, MiB, and Transformers. As well as some of those franchises perform in the box office, do you see many people wearing merch for them in the park? I don’t, but I see Jaws and BttF consistently every time I visit.

I see a lot of people with AP lanyards wearing Jaws shirts

 

[biggerboat16]

I see a lot of people with AP lanyards wearing Jaws shirts

On my most recent visit I saw jaws and BTTF shirts as far as the eye could see, even with the GP. There was even a line for the Bruce photo-op.

 

[tielo]

I like the idea of a “Great Movie Ride” paying homage to classic Uni franchises. However I’m just not sure how well it would come across to the GP.

It seems like the era of those type of attractions is over and might seem dated if constructed today.

Everything old will be new at some point in time. If Universal calls the ride their Metaverse it's very now.

 

[JoeCamel]

Everything old will be new at some point in time. If Universal calls the ride their Metaverse it's very now.

If they do that Karen Irwin would quit

 

[shiekra38]

If they do that Karen Irwin would quit

Wasn't she a part of the opening team?

 

[JoeCamel]

Wasn't she a part of the opening team?

Well COO so sure

 

[DodgsonHere]

E.T. and Jaws being re-released in IMAX, hope they do very well so at least Jaws can gain some more presence in the park.