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Avatar to replace Terminator at Universal?

Universal Orlando: An Avatar experience to replace T2: 3D?

From Colton McLaughlin
Posted February 23, 2011 at 5:53 PM
I have heard a few rumors about a possible Avatar ride experience replacing T2 at the Universal parks. I think this would be an awful idea. The main reason is Avatar was an awful movie. The CGI effects were good, and that's it. The acting and the plot line fell short of pretty much every other movie I saw in 2009. Another reason would be that the movie is getting old; It came out almost two years ago and it will take another two years to make the ride. Then again, Terminator is also getting old, but I would rather watch the Terminator movies than Avatar any day.

So, does anyone else think that Avatar replacing T2 would be a bad idea? Or a good idea?


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Hermione Potter
Posted February 23, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Well I think that anything would be better than T2 so...yes!

Seriously though, James Cameron is planning 2 more avatar films (the next of which is supposed to be underwater). I agree that the plot to Avatar is a cross between Fern Gully and Pocohontas but it did make a ton of money and sell millions of tickets worldwide so it seems like it's a good idea for a theme park attraction. I mean nobody can say the mummy or the simpsons movie were particularly thought provoking or had the greatest plotlines. They're also both old and the attractions are still popular. (Not sure why anyone likes that simulator, but I guess there are people who didn't hit the emergency stop button everytime they tried to ride it...)

From Colton McLaughlin
Posted February 23, 2011 at 8:32 PM
I'm sure if they were to do Avatar, it would probably be better than the movie; T2: 3D is better than the actual movie Terminator: Judgement Day. I guess Terminator has lived out its days in Universal; it was looking a little worse for wear the last time I was at Universal in October.

From Hermione Potter
Posted February 23, 2011 at 8:48 PM
See, I don't even think the show would be any better than the movie. I've just watched T2:3D so many times that anything else would be preferable to me. Despicable Me did well in theatres (I haven't seen it) and it's a Universal movie so maybe that could be another possibility?

It might not be replaced with anything though - it's only Hollywood that has said anything for sure about it going away. I'm enjoying the rumors for Orlando. I've heard some really good ones about a Despicable Me attraction and Fear Factor going away forever (yay! I hope this one is true).

From damond harris
Posted February 24, 2011 at 3:35 AM
^actually despicable me has the possibility of taking over Jimmy Neutron, which i think would be a great replacement. it would definetly add some flavor to uni that the dying nick shows cant anymore.

And about Avatar taking over T2:3D, there is a possibility they could. the movie made a lot of money, and many people are excited about the next 2 movies to come out, and terminator isnt going to make anymore money so it would be a good replacement.

but heres an idea i got from another theme park website, what if Avatar took over Jurassic park...0_o.

From Rob P
Posted February 24, 2011 at 6:08 AM
I'm not convinced that T2 should be replaced. When that opening theme by Brad Fiedel hammers out the boom boom boom boom-boom........I'm already hooked.
Yes Terminator is an older movie but it's an enduring one and far better than some of the suggested replacements. Also the pre-show is one of the best ( imho ).
Please don't risk replacing T2:3D or we may just get a visit from the future to put things right !

ps

Bring back BTTF too !

From Joshua Counsil
Posted February 24, 2011 at 8:44 AM
I mean nobody can say the mummy or the simpsons movie were particularly thought provoking or had the greatest plotlines.

The Simpsons Movie, no, but the television series was to the '90s what The Beatles were to the '60s.

In either case, a movie doesn't have to be intelligently written to make a theme park ride. Terminator 2 had some of the most heavy-handed dialogue I've ever heard, but it's still a wicked action movie and adapts well into an attraction. Avatar had even worse dialogue but would make an excellent attraction.

From Josh Morgra
Posted February 24, 2011 at 10:33 AM
I think they will put it USH before anything becuase they are not doing well attendance wise as I siad in my Disscusion. I have heard many rumors that they are considering it but nothing offacal.

They could do a lot and I personaly think this would be more Universal's style then Disney. Becuase Universal has more of an intense mind set while Disney try's to apply to all age levels.

From Colton McLaughlin
Posted February 24, 2011 at 4:19 PM
I think if anything should replace T2, it should be something from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. It is true that not many people went out to see it, but it received good reviews and has gathered a cult following. They could do the battle scene between the Katayanagi Twins and Sex Bob-bomb. It would be brilliant, especially for the T2 theater, if done correctly.

From damond harris
Posted February 24, 2011 at 4:39 PM
^while i agree scott pilgram was a pretty good movie (and pretty funny) it just doesnt scream theme park attraction like a lot of other things do (in this case Avatar). the action was kind of... i dont know how to describe it haha because its just so different.

From Bryan Fear
Posted March 1, 2011 at 2:47 PM
Like it or hate it, T2 will be hard to replace. It really broke some barriers that other 4D movies I've seen at other theme parks still can't touch. If anything deserves to unseat it, I'd vote Avatar. I've read the above and know there's some strong feelings pro and con, but as much as I'd like to see T2-3D stay, I know times change and attractions gets dated. If this one has to go, Avatar would do it justice.

I didn't think replacing the BTTF ride at USH would be a good idea, but then I went on the Simpsons and was suitably impressed at it's successor one-upping it.

From Eric Malone
Posted March 1, 2011 at 4:15 PM
As I'm sure has been pointed out already, T2-3D has started showing its age years ago. I mean, just have a watch of the pre-show movie. Not to mention, Terminator isn't as relevant as it used to be. Last I checked, Sarah Connor Chronicles bombed and the latest Terminator movie didn't do particularly spectacular.

So, the way I see it, it's about time to replace the attraction with something that, in the aforementioned two years, will become relevant again. Though, I'd think they'd wait to see how well the sequel does before they put all their chips down on something like that.

Then we have to consider contracts and such, too, as I'm sure there's something involved there.

From chris cona
Posted March 1, 2011 at 7:33 PM
that would be amazing to have an Avatar show. Great movie makes good theme park shows. (And by the way i've been to scared to go on that ride since i was 6

From Carlo Mangiafreno
Posted March 2, 2011 at 4:36 PM
if they were to change T2 to something else, im pretty sure they'd stay in the Universal family. Theirrs plenty they can use that Universal put out (hurt locker anyone? if uni put it out, i think they did correct me if im wrong). they should keep the theme of action adventure, or to oneup it, take out the show and MAKE IT A YEAR ROUND HAUNTED HOUSE!!!! i know a lot of people ask for it, so why not give to them?

oh, and for the obove mention of the possible JN switch for despicable me, i pray to god thats true. i never liked neutron and despicable me was more liked than neutron. truth is, theres not much space left for uni to build on so there gonna start redoing attractions, and the best choices are for uni to change neutron, T2, fear factor, and marvel island in 2018(when the contract ends, since disney bought it, they have to change or pay disney to keep there contract. it was originally going to be batman island before IOA opened :) ). sorry if i went off topic :P

From Colton McLaughlin
Posted March 2, 2011 at 6:59 PM
If the year round haunted house is anything like what is in Universal Hollywood, I don't think it would be much of a crowd pleaser. If it's something like what they have at Halloween Horror Nights, that would be great, but only if they update it frequently.

I think Shrek should be removed and the building should be expanded and improved so that a new and updated form of KongFrontation can take its place. The 360 at Hollywood got good reviews, but I don't think 3D can compare to actual riding through an area. This is why I like T2 so much because it isn't completely in 3D. Neutron needs to be updated, or completely replaced.

As for T2, I say let it be as it is for now. If anything should replace it, I hope that it isn't Avatar. Wicked comes out next year; maybe they'll do a stage show of that...

From Melissa Kosztowny
Posted March 3, 2011 at 11:45 AM
I would love a Avatar: TLA show to replace the ride, but i doubt that would ever happen... :(

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