The Official "Use of Screenz" Thread

[misterID]

I watched a POV YouTube video that was pretty high quality and I thought Kong looked pretty cool. Not anything groundbreaking or spectacular, but exactly what has been described since the start. Looks like a pretty fun ride, IMO.

I specifically typed out a very plausible version of the show that was a better mix of AAs and screens.

None of it was beyond our current tech or abilities.

Yeah, that was a cool idea. Had they used the spot for disaster they could have done a lot of ultra cool stuff. Or even a water based dark ride like this:


Amazon Drifter | CAVU Designwerks

 

[misterID]

It's just a boring fight between Kong and dinosaurs, it's not particularly staged / directed well - very basic stuff. Video games are very realistic these days if they want to be. The 3D screen portions of Kong don't look too far off from what VR gaming can offer these days.

The good news is, if enough people complain over the years / lose interest in this attraction they can remove the 3D screen scenes and replace them with what people want, which is real effects, sets and animatronics. I'm holding out an idiot's hope for that to happen one day.

I'm sure UNI knows very well the screen hate. But these attractions have been described from the start that they were going to be screen-based, so we can't act surprised or outraged these are screen based now. Hopefully they change, UNI understands they need variety, if they don't they will lose a good portion of visitors and families who are prone to motion sickness or just don't like screens, and who want variety. IMO, it's 3D overkill. Personally... It's getting harder and harder for me to get people to go to UNI because of the screens. I don't like forking out a lot of money while members of my family have to sit on the bench and skip a bunch of dark rides because they feel ill and don't trust 3D simulators. That sucks and its getting to a point that UNI has to change or lose out on my money and vacation time.

Having said that, the ride still looks cool and you don't want to make your argument look petty, jaded, childish and ridiculous by the way you go about voicing your argument or discussing your displeasure with it.

 

[OLSinFLA]

Watching a YouTube video of a ride and complaining its just like TV is like comparing an IMAX movie to watching it on your phone. There's also much more than the screen being in 3D. Projection at a faster film rate also give the illusion of being real (ShowScan was an example of this. "Soaring" goes at 48fps). The curvature of the screen also helps 'trick' the mind, like Cinerama did. And then there's the motion base. So basically you're combining 3D, HFR, Motion base and curved screen to produce the effect, none of which shows up on a YouTube video.

 

[epcyclopedia]

Yeah but the general plot and content do show up - which is what I'm not a fan of.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Universal's always been criticized harshly, either fairly or unfairly. I remember the narrative that the attractions were unreliable, they were too adult, there were "too many coaster", and now there's too many screens (and the newest variety of this, the variety isn't there). Lots of hindsight being 20/20 as those who look back now highly regard the attractions, and the same will happen with "Screens!"

Epcot has as many screens as USF, yet how many complaints are there? I think the bigger issue are the reuse of the same tropes in the screen rides (jump on the vehicle! simulated free-fall!) that cause these things to feel the same.

Anyway that's my bi-yearly thoughts.

 

[MillenniumDragons]

Universal's always been criticized harshly, either fairly or unfairly. I remember the narrative that the attractions were unreliable, they were too adult, there were "too many coaster", and now there's too many screens (and the newest variety of this, the variety isn't there). Lots of hindsight being 20/20 as those who look back now highly regard the attractions, and the same will happen with "Screens!"

Epcot has as many screens as USF, yet how many complaints are there? I think the bigger issue are the reuse of the same tropes in the screen rides (jump on the vehicle! simulated free-fall!) that cause these things to feel the same.

Anyway that's my bi-yearly thoughts.

Bi-yearly thoughts that I agree with. The simulated free-fall was great on Spiderman, but when you have the same finale for almost all your Screen rides, it becomes trite. With the Transformers finale I should start saying "Gee Bumblebee, Spiderman saved me just a short while ago. The same exact way."

 

[misterID]

Universal's always been criticized harshly, either fairly or unfairly. I remember the narrative that the attractions were unreliable, they were too adult, there were "too many coaster", and now there's too many screens (and the newest variety of this, the variety isn't there). Lots of hindsight being 20/20 as those who look back now highly regard the attractions, and the same will happen with "Screens!"

Epcot has as many screens as USF, yet how many complaints are there? I think the bigger issue are the reuse of the same tropes in the screen rides (jump on the vehicle! simulated free-fall!) that cause these things to feel the same.

Anyway that's my bi-yearly thoughts.

Since I'm complaining about Variety, I'll take this as aimed at me and a few others. I never compared them to Disney in my post, but EPCOT is woefully under developed, but I still enjoy the variety that is there (love SSE, TT, the countries), and I constantly criticized WDW for EPCOT, because it does have a lot of problems. I'm not comparing parks. I'm not sure they have have any 3D attractions anymore...

Personally, I don't like the idea of spending 500 bucks on tickets, plus parking and food for my party to have to sit out most attractions. I don't like all the 3D, not without more variety. I do have the right to voice my displeasure and I'm not doing it because I'm being unfair to UNI or showing Disney favoritism. I'm rooting for Uni. Wanting variety is not a bad thing or unfair. I don't want to just ride Small World or Roller Coasters, either.

If I can call out Disney I can certainly call out UNI.

 

[captainmoch]

Since I'm complaining about Variety, I'll take this as aimed at me and a few others. I never compared them to Disney in my post, but EPCOT is woefully under developed, but I still enjoy the variety that is there (love SSE, TT, the countries), and I constantly criticized WDW for EPCOT, because it does have a lot of problems. I'm not comparing parks. I'm not sure they have have any 3D attractions anymore...

Personally, I don't like the idea of spending 500 bucks on tickets, plus parking and food for my party to have to sit out most attractions. I don't like all the 3D, not without more variety. I do have the right to voice my displeasure and I'm not doing it because I'm being unfair to UNI or showing Disney favoritism. I'm rooting for Uni. Wanting variety is not a bad thing or unfair. I don't want to just ride Small World or Roller Coasters, either.

If I can call out Disney I can certainly call out UNI.

Well said.

I think this "Screenz" debate is gonna get much bigger next year with Fallon and F&F, for better or for worse. Personally, I think Fallon might be good for what it is, but I'm more hyped for Toy Story Land than I am F&F. There's absolutely nothing about that attraction interesting me in the slightest.

 

[Brian G.]

Fallon is probably going to get a pass. It's different enough and not a "blockbuster" like Kong, TF, Potter - but FF lends itself to more than just another version of Kong. Now if they wanna just use the 360 screen for the climax, then sure; but it has to really feel more than just a screen and not take up a majority of the ride.

I really think they should use the musion tech for the actors, with screens simulating some of the "speed" scenes.

 

[Mr. EPCOT]

Universal's always been criticized harshly, either fairly or unfairly. I remember the narrative that the attractions were unreliable, they were too adult, there were "too many coaster", and now there's too many screens (and the newest variety of this, the variety isn't there). Lots of hindsight being 20/20 as those who look back now highly regard the attractions, and the same will happen with "Screens!"

Epcot has as many screens as USF, yet how many complaints are there? I think the bigger issue are the reuse of the same tropes in the screen rides (jump on the vehicle! simulated free-fall!) that cause these things to feel the same.

Anyway that's my bi-yearly thoughts.

The "too many coasters" thing drives me up the wall. People seem to think that IoA has like a billion coasters or something.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

The "too many coasters" thing drives me up the wall. People seem to think that IoA has like a billion coasters or something.

That came when they opened up IOA then added Mummy and RRR, screens is a new complaint started around FJ and picked up steam when Transformers was added.

 

[belloq87]

A few points..

* If you are going to complain about the use of Screens in Kong, are you going to complain about how much they are going to use for Frozen, Avatar and SWL?
* The Kongfrontation AA's were NOT full body. They we're from the Waist up.

I'm sure the new Kong is impressive, but to be fair...

As for complaining about screens in Avatar and Star Wars Land, if the ride experiences are all primarily simulator-y, I certainly won't be thrilled about it.

And I know your response wasn't directed at me, but why is there always the assumption that those growing weary of screens have double standards? Some do, I'm sure, but to assume everyone does is kind of insulting.

Epcot has as many screens as USF, yet how many complaints are there? I think the bigger issue are the reuse of the same tropes in the screen rides (jump on the vehicle! simulated free-fall!) that cause these things to feel the same.

Those tropes you talk about are a key reason why I tend to feel so many of USF's screen-based rides feel very similar, regardless of ride system. Universal keeps going back to some of the same tricks they introduced on Spider-Man; they were incredible there, but they don't feel all that special or exciting in their fourth or fifth iterations.

If screens are here to stay for most major new attractions that will be built at each of the major Orlando resorts, I hope they start to be used in ways that augment, rather than dominate. I'd love to see screens implemented in a way where they provide backgrounds for physical elements that actually exist. Set extensions and things of that sort, rather than the primary mode of conveying the action of the ride.

 

[Mad Dog]

That came when they opened up IOA then added Mummy and RRR, screens is a new complaint started around FJ and picked up steam when Transformers was added.

Yeah, and there's too many water rides in IOA.....Just kidding since I love those three water rides (four if you count One Fish)............But, as I said before, I'd like them to fast track SLOP. I think that would quiet the criticism until the Nintendo stuff comes on board. If Nintendo was closer to the original 2018 rumors it wouldn't really matter, But with it pushed back to around 2020, or 2019 at the earliest, that will be a long gap until a different focused attraction gets developed. ....Myself, I'm just happy to get new attractions. But I can understand where the non screen faction is coming from.

 

[belloq87]

Yeah, and there's too many water rides in IOA.....Just kidding since I love those three water rides (four if you count One Fish)............But, as I said before, I'd like them to fast track SLOP. I think that would quiet the criticism until the Nintendo stuff comes on board. If Nintendo was closer to the original 2018 rumors it wouldn't really matter, But with it pushed back to around 2020, or 2019 at the earliest, that will be a long gap until a different focused attraction gets developed. ....Myself, I'm just happy to get new attractions. But I can understand where the non screen faction is coming from.

I have no interest in the SECRET LIFE OF PETS movie, but bring on the ride! Immediately, if not sooner. And preferably in the Shrek plot! It's time to evict the ogre.

 

[Mad Dog]

I have no interest in the SECRET LIFE OF PETS movie, but bring on the ride! Immediately, if not sooner. And preferably in the Shrek plot! It's time to evict the ogre.

Yeah, that would be a great spot for it. But, with the Dream Works acquisition, I would doubt Shrek is going anywhere. The SLOP design plans are for a two story building (ride on the second floor), so I would think there's a number of smaller areas they could squeeze it into at either park.

 

[misterID]

I would have liked that Lorax dark ride or Mt. Crumpet coaster...

What's going to be a backlash for F&F won't just be the screens, at least I don't think, but the similarities with Kong. I remember the Transformers arguments about it being too close to Spidey, which some UNI fans said hurt the originality of the latter. I didn't think that was fair, and I still think an Avengers ride would be cool in the vein of Spidey and TF, but UNI should stretch their creative wings again, make a practical effects dark ride and indoor coaster again... At this point we can pretty much guess what the next ride will be by what Hollywood puts on the next Tram tour.

I have faith in Nintendo.

 

[belloq87]

Yeah, that would be a great spot for it. But, with the Dream Works acquisition, I would doubt Shrek is going anywhere. The SLOP design plans are for a two story building (ride on the second floor), so I would think there's a number of smaller areas they could squeeze it into at either park.

If we end up with 10 more years of Shrek, and other attractions get the axe before it... I won't be pleased. To say the least.

I wonder if SLOP could have fit into the Twister/Fallon plot with some creative design work.

 

[epcyclopedia]

And to note - new Test Track is a screen-based ride and it's a vast upgrade compared to the old no-screens empty building with road construction themed debris.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

I think it's just too easy to lump all rides using 3-D as the same thing when that really isn't the case. How are we complaining about Kong being 3-D when it uses it in a unique way to the park and more importantly the resort? On top of that, it's only the 2nd ride in IOA to use 3-D. The park is a mostly outdoor park and the park has three water rides all in that same corner of the park, talk about too much of the same. That area of the park needed a indoor attraction and we got an exciting unique attraction with awesome 3-D AND animatronics.

I will admit that USF is becoming bad with the 3-D. Especially if F&F is going to be very similar to Kong like it sounds. That will give USF two lesser "clones" of the IOA 3-D rides. I agree that USF needs less 3-D, especially with outdated 3-D attractions like Shrek and T2. It thankfully does have attractions like Mummy, ET and MiB plus Gringotts uses 3-D in a unique fashion. I would like USF to change things up at the Studios but that park has always seen change and always will.

 

[UNIrd]

Yeah, if you haven't experienced IOA in inclement weather, it has about as many rides open as Hollywood Studios. Kong is a welcome addition in that respect as well.