The Current State and Future of Universal Studios Florida

[Parkscope Joe]

Then the park will likely remain untouched until EU opens, and after that... Armageddon for the Studio side begins, and most of the current attractions aren't gonna survive.

Everyone was saying nothing would be added to either park before EU, now we're getting two new attractions in USF. I would not be surprised if USF gets something new as EU opens or immediately after and I don't expect some sort of mass purge.

 

[belloq87]

I'm not expecting a new dark ride (which is really all I want at this point) in USF before 2030. If they're not taking the opportunity to do it now, when there's apparently a real desire to put some things in USF in advance of Epic Universe and they just opened a great dark ride in Hollywood, it can't possibly be a priority in their view. I find that completely baffling and frustrating, given the current make-up of the park, but what do I know?

In any case, I think the following should be on the chopping block WAY before Revenge of the Mummy:

• KidZone (huge wasted space)
• The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (very old ride system, contract possibly up soon)
• Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (very old ride system)
• Fast & Furious: Supercharged (even people who worked on it think it's bad!)
• Race Through New York (Fallon won't be the host forever; it's another superfluous simulator)

 

[GAcoaster]

What would it be though? Kidzone would need walls down in January to get a land there, but I don’t see a “land” coming to either park until after Epic Universe cause they want to show off their immersion skills there first and foremost, MIB maybe but I don’t see what replaces it. A Knight Bus re-do? Potter 2 years in a row with another new Potter ride at EU I think would be overkill. I just don’t see what they do.

2024 I think they could definitely get a big new parade that includes Nintendo to begin the hype for those characters, something USJ level.

I know there’s zero rumors about this but honestly I bet 2024 is Jurassic World River Adventure. I don’t see them not changing it eventually, nothing is currently slated for 2024 that we know of, not that it’s cheap but it’s a “easy” thing for them to do a year before opening the park. Gives IOA a slight bump after 3 years of nothing new. Not to derail the thread, but unless Epic opens in 2024 I don’t see Universal just having a new USF parade.

I think a new parade is definitely in the cards. There are probably a dozen things possibly "on tap" that they could choose to do. Some things that come to mind:

• Rockit
• MiB
• Simpsons

All could be on the block for replacements, or updates along with Fallon and F&F.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I think a new parade is definitely in the cards. There are probably a dozen things possibly "on tap" that they could choose to do. Some things that come to mind:

• Rockit
• MiB
• Simpsons

All could be on the block for replacements, or updates along with Fallon and F&F.

I love where your head is at but I just feel like they’re gonna do other stuff, idk. 2024 will be super interesting especially since we don’t know anything just yet. I think they’d keep MIB open at least until EU so that side of the park can handle the Potter crowds coming with the new ride.

 

[belloq87]

By 2024, it will probably be IOA's "turn" again in Universal's eyes.

 

[HHN Maddux]

By 2024, it will probably be IOA's "turn" again in Universal's eyes.

Do you really think so? Besides TLC, I think Islands is in a pretty set state to remain relatively unchanged for a while.

 

[belloq87]

Do you really think so? Besides TLC, I think Islands is in a pretty set state to remain relatively unchanged for a while.

I mean, I think IOA's in a position of less "need" than USF, but I also have a hard time imagining IOA going another 5ish years without getting anything new of significance, especially if Universal still wants to hit their old goal of "something new every year between the two parks."

 

[HHN Maddux]

I mean, I think IOA's in a position of less "need" than USF, but I also have a hard time imagining IOA going another 5ish years without getting anything new of significance, especially if Universal still wants to hit their old goal of "something new every year between the two parks."

This is probably going to be very inaccurate, but this is what I think the plan is for the rest of the decade regarding rides:

• 2022 - Villain-Con & Mummy Refurb
• 2023 - Harry Potter VR
• 2024 - F&F re-theme
• 2025 - Epic Universe
• 2026 - Kid Zone closed, new addition to Seuss Landing to make up for it (Grinch coaster PLEASE)
• 2027 - Pokeland at Studio opens, TLC closes
• 2028 - Simpsons closes, Rip Ride gets new track
• 2029 - Zelda opens at TLC, MIB closes for new F&F coaster

 

[JawsVictim]

This is probably going to be very inaccurate, but this is what I think the plan is for the rest of the decade regarding rides:

• 2022 - Villain-Con & Mummy Refurb
• 2023 - Harry Potter VR
• 2024 - F&F re-theme
• 2025 - Epic Universe
• 2026 - Kid Zone closed, new addition to Seuss Landing to make up for it (Grinch coaster PLEASE)
• 2027 - Pokeland at Studio opens, TLC closes
• 2028 - Simpsons closes, Rip Ride gets new track
• 2029 - Zelda opens at TLC, MIB closes for new F&F coaster

Unless the F&F fix is switch it to HP, we’re not getting an updated Supercharged and then a new F&F attraction to replace MIB.

You also left off ET getting axed.

 

[belloq87]

You also left off ET getting axed.

Only the heartless are in favor of this!

 

[JawsVictim]

Only the heartless are in favor of this!

I am strongly opposed, but have grown pessimistic towards Comcast’s reign over these parks.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Unless the F&F fix is switch it to HP, we’re not getting an updated Supercharged and then a new F&F attraction to replace MIB.

You also left off ET getting axed.

Mmmmm, I'm sure Universal has been very eager to do it, but ya got Spielburg ready to pull the plug on Jurassic Park if they go through with it.

 

[JawsVictim]

Mmmmm, I'm sure Universal has been very eager to do it, but ya got Spielburg ready to pull the plug on Jurassic Park if they go through with it.

JP’s already on the chopping block with the new coaster themed to JW.

 

[Nick]

I'm not expecting a new dark ride (which is really all I want at this point) in USF before 2030. If they're not taking the opportunity to do it now, when there's apparently a real desire to put some things in USF in advance of Epic Universe and they just opened a great dark ride in Hollywood, it can't possibly be a priority in their view. I find that completely baffling and frustrating, given the current make-up of the park, but what do I know?

In any case, I think the following should be on the chopping block WAY before Revenge of the Mummy:

• KidZone (huge wasted space)
• The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (very old ride system, contract possibly up soon)
• Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (very old ride system)
• Fast & Furious: Supercharged (even people who worked on it think it's bad!)
• Race Through New York (Fallon won't be the host forever; it's another superfluous simulator)

Agree on all except RTNY.

Fallon won’t be the host forever, but when they change the hosting position, they can create a new ride film with a new host and just change out who the ride is starring.

 

[belloq87]

Fallon won’t be the host forever, but when they change the hosting position, they can create a new ride film with a new host and just change out who the ride is starring.

It's possible, but that's assuming the new host is theme park friendly. Fallon's goofball persona is pretty ideal for the setting in a way that not many late night hosts would be.

 

[Palutena]

I definitely won't be surprised if there is a new addition to IoA in 2024, under the assumption EU is 2025. otherwise it may go upwards of 5 years without an addition and that seems unlikely? and yea one of the things with USF to me is that there's a good few things likely ripe for Universal's attention all in need of action in the later part of the decade and they aren't gonna do everything at once.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

It's possible, but that's assuming the new host is theme park friendly. Fallon's goofball persona is pretty ideal for the setting in a way that not many late night hosts would be.

Grown up Jimmy Valmer on South Park Post Covid is a very accurate portrayal of Fallon IMO.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Agree on all except RTNY.

Fallon won’t be the host forever, but when they change the hosting position, they can create a new ride film with a new host and just change out who the ride is starring.

I really still think 2024 for SNL’s 50th is the chance to change it. Kenan does a lot of adds nationally for Universal now, can easily enter it around Kenan at SNL and whatnot.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

It's possible, but that's assuming the new host is theme park friendly. Fallon's goofball persona is pretty ideal for the setting in a way that not many late night hosts would be.

I think late night will continue to get sanitized, so I don't anticipate this being a problem.

They should tear down Rip-Ride Rockit (perhaps more backstage space can be annexed following Epic Universe). Seems like there's neither love nor hate for it, and it has a long history of technical problems.

 

[Viator]

I think we'll see another addition to USF for 2024/5 while EU is coming together.

Thinking the same. If anything, I think 2 additions wouldn't be far off, depending on Supercharged and as mentioned before, parade.

I think if anything, Rockit is going to be the immediate project post EU. I think IOA desperately needs a show, but Maurer's X-Coasters do not age well, and would be better equipped to easily go demolished.