Universal Studios Japan exceeded 9,000,000 first year visitors number on January 4. It is expected that the 11,000,000 guest comes by March 31.
Um, wow! I couldn't find a confirmation of this report anywhere on the web. If it's true, wouldn't that make USJ Universal's most popular park?
Granted, Japan has a history of supporting theme parks. After all, Tokyo Disneyland is the world's most attended theme park. But for a first year park, this would certainly be an impressive performance. Can anyone confirm? And if it is true, is this lighting a fire under anyone at Vivendi? -- Ed.
I heard that they pre-sold more than a million tickets before the park even opened. Experts predicted they would do far better than Universal's predictions of six million by year's end. Yeah, by about three million!
I can't see how this would affect the US parks. Like I said on another thread, maybe they will try out some new technological ride in Japan, since they know it will bring people in there. Then, if it is a hit, they can clone it, debug it and bring it to the US for less than the original.
Don't forget that it looks like Universal IS doing stuff this year. USF is supposedly turning Kong into a Scorpion King coaster. USH is turning the Wild West Stunt show into a Rush Hour Stunt Show and they are currently transforming Cinemagic into something different. (Unfortunately Men In Black is probably still at least a year in the future.) And IOA is still allegedly doing something big (Jurassic Park Jeep Safari?) this year. This may not be loads, but it beats the glacial pace over at Disney.
What is the Men in Black attraction you mention? surely that is already in place at USF, though admittedly it does appear only half finished....