USF announces

Universal Orlando: What do you think it replacing Jimmy?

Universal Orlando Resort's facebook just released a "status" update saying that it will be publishing the first of a series of hints to come about what will be replacing Jimmy Neutron. Pretty sure this board as already had the discussion of what will be replacing it so I say we use this topic to put our heads together and see if we're right.

Hopefully a indoor rollercoaster, a dark ride.

An indoor coaster in that building isn't possible. The Mummy building is 5x the size of Jimmy Neutron in footprint alone. Let alone height or underground considerations. The Jimmy Neutron building for all intensive purposes is a theater akin to Shrek, T2, and such. Not sure what kind of a ride can fit into that space. I think we'll get another 3D or 4D attraction. With the animation licenses available to them and the need to keep a child/family friendly attraction to help balance the thrills, I think Despicable Me or a similar brand makes sense as a newer and fresher take on a similar attraction.

I still think something themed off "How to Train your Dragon" would be simply awesome as a replacement.

They really need to do something with the old Nick Studios also.

I dont think its a coaster. As stated not really possible PLUS they just added RRR. They need another younger attraction. I would love to see a dark ride but Im not really sure thats possible either. Everyone's favorite idea seems to be Despicable Me. How to train your dragon would be cool!

Despicable Me is the odds-on favorite for this space, probably another 3-d movie...

I just hope that they don't do like they did with BTTF-->Simpsons. Its virtually the SAME ride. Sure the theming is great with simpsons (and of course I loved BTTF)... but if you're going to take something down and redo it.. actually you know, redo it.

I have a feeling thought that it is going to happen like that. With the limited closures and such they are announcing for Jimmy it seems as though there isn't going to be much time between it's closure and the new one's opening. There hasn't been an announced opening of course, but thats just my gut feeling.

How to Train Your Dragon would be a great brand for it. And with a flying dragon, you could theme the seats as dragons. But Despicable Me will work two with it's gadgetry.

I am thinking a tune-up, new theme, new movie effects, and the ride re-opens without significant change to functionality.

I have a source that has says he has 100% confirmed that the replacement will be Despicable Me.

The jury is still out whether they will just re-use the same ride system or finally upgrade to something new. One thing is for sure the current Neutron system was still film projection and that for sure will be changed to Digital to save money. If you aren't aware of how expensive it is to run film on an attraction consider this. Spiderman was as of last year still a majority film projection run ride and they have to replace the film every 2 weeks for each of the 30 second scenes.

First hint posted!

Photo

Caption posted on Facebook:
Here’s the first UORHint: We captured this photo of Thierry Coup, Senior Vice President of the Creative Studio, working in his office at Universal Creative. What do you think he is working on?

Rob- Feel free to shorten the link, I'm not sure how.

Hmmm... Tried enlargin the picture to see what it was on the paper, but still couldn't tell.

It appears to have the word "COAT" written in red sharpie there by his hand. The drawing next to is odd.

It was able to be enlarged very well on my boyfriends netbook. The drawing seemed to be just ride track maybe? Or a platform. However, right before posting this universal released another post saying to pay attention details and things are not as they seem.

Have also tried to enlargen.. can't see much.

Hey, maybe the banana means we are getting Kong back!

...if only haha!

A side note, I love it when theme parks cater toward their following! I know Busch Gardens do this with really awesome video releases, but it is great to see Universal doing this too!

^If only Kong would come back... :P

I think the banana on the desk means there will be a Despicable Me ride. How, you ask? The DVD of the movie has a short film with it called "Banana", in which a Minion has a banana, and everyone else goes crazy and chases after him for it.

What if it was an extended version of King Kong 3D.?

I think Jorge makes a great point. They'll probably elaborate on the animated short and make it some type of 3D ride where you are chasing after or are being chased.

Its probably gonna be Despicable Me. Avatar would make a good ride, but if anywhere it should replace the Termonator.

Next Hint:

"UORHint: The new attraction is being designed by the same team that has brought to life many of Universal Orlando’s great entertainment experiences -- but it is based on a concept that is entirely different from what is now in our theme parks"

Comment: I'm not sure how this is a "hint". more of a factoid to me

Unless it's ruling out Transformers or Kong

Could entirely different mean ride style as well? We've been thinking it's a retheme of the same old ride or a slightly upgraded version...what if it's despicable me in some form besides simulator?

I don't know what else could fit in that space, but is it bad that I'm really hoping for a meet the minions similar to turtle talk with crush?

Hermione- I was thinking the same thing. A dark ride would be great but I really don't know how they would have room. My most logical explanation was that they were going to gut the whole thing and start over with a more advanced simulator ride. That ride was so... dated in effects.

I'm thinking the new 3-D style of course, new ride cars, smoother effect, and more immersion.

I keep holding out hope for the King Kong ride I thought I was getting on 20 years ago based on a poster of the King Kong ride that I saw at USH.

I now understand that the technology of the day would have never been enough to make this work. But now I think it is possible.

The ride would be themed to a ski lift gondola with a seating capacity of about 8-12 per gondola car. The ride mechanisms would be like Forbidden Journey, but upside down so that the track is overhead. With a regular roof on the gondola, you would effectively be hiding the tracks.

The ride would then proceed as if it were a ski lift taking you up to a mountain chateau. Then, of course, something terribly wrong happens. The gondola jolts to a stop and swarms of dinos start attacking the cables and jumping to the gondola car, threatening to bring the whole thing crashing down. Then King Kong steps in, and while saving the people in the car, also bumps it unpleasantly from time to time, making it swing in the wind. Then after a battle the cable finally snaps, dropping the gondola down to the ground. At the last second, King Kong catches the gondola and sets it down in the chateau.

All of the effects could be done with an overhead “Scoop” system with a robotic arm.

Okay now they're just being riduculous-

*New "Hint"

"Universal Orlando Resort
The next UORHint is GOMNIC ONOS!"

Or, Coming soon. *shakes head* They're toying with us.

Update:

They posted another one saying "Did you really think we would do that to you?? For our next UORHint, we're talking colors. We know which of these is our favorite color, but which is yours? "

They posted ten pictures which I am working to upload now. Will post in a bit when they finish uploading.

Here's a link to the slide show.

Here's a link to the album. I will continue to post all pictures in the album for future reference.

^ At the end of the slide show there was blac fur like Kong.

Update
Inside the Magic posted an article saying that Universal will anounce its new attraction May 19th, a day befor Disney opens Star Wars.

It does show fur that looks like King Kong, but it also shows yellow (Despicable Me), and a sort of blue texture (Avatar?) They are basically still throwing us clues from all sorts of possabilities we have discussed.

Edit: Yeah I read that soomewhere else last night. Thought I posted it on here... Hmm.

Other ideas to consider:
Madagascar – They are attempting to open a Madagascar ride at Universal Studios Singapore. Would be easy enough to do…..

Ice Age – With a new movie on the way, this would be a good franchise to get cozy with.

James Bond – It is insane that no theme park has taken on this concept. I mean, how many movies do you have to make before someone themes a ride to you? 50?

Twilight – It might be a little late in the game for this one…

The Dark Tower – This is an interesting concept – Ron Howard (who Universal is cozy with), Stephen King, planning 3 movies, 2 seasons of a TV show…..now would be the time to get on this train….

How To Train Your Dragon – Universal is already in good with Dreamworks. There is a new Train Your Dragon movie due out in a couple of years.

Kung Fu Panda – There is no current talk of doing additional movies. But this seems like a solid franchise by Dreamworks.

The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings – This seems like a really good fit. Two Hobbit movies just started filming and due out in a couple of years, plus the backing of one of the highest earning trilogies of all time. Has some similarities to Harry Potter.

The Lorax – A Universal Film due out soon……probably a little late in the game for this…..except as an addition to Suessland.

Avatar – This is going to happen, it just a matter of when.

What any of those have to do with a banana is anybody's guess

...although Madagascar is set in tropical (banana producing) climates....

Jeff- Madagascar is tropical, yes.

Despicable Me had the mini movie about bananas

and any of the others,I agree they have nothing to do with bananas. But they did also post "things are not as they seem" but I think they are giving hits that could be multiple things each time to hype their news conference on the 19th.

It will be on May 19th at 10:30. I will post back if I figure out how to watch/get live updates.

I am getting the feeling that they are getting ready to announce more than one thing.

We need to keep in mind that Universal Studios has just had the greatest year in the history of their park. If they are ever going to be flush with cash and ready to move on multiple concepts, now would be the time.

If we look at the different color slides individually, instead of as a whole, we may be able to better piece this thing together. Keep in mind that there is nothing preventing them from making an announcement about HHN. Also, since the announcement is happening the day before one of Disney’s crowning achievements, this announcement is designed to take a great deal of thunder away from Disney’s opening….otherwise they would have scheduled the announcement differently…..no coincidences.

Contractually, Universal also has to make an addition (from the final films) to WWoHP, that could also be in this announcement.

Slide #1 (Solid Yellow) – To me this looks like Minion color from Despicable Me

Slide #2 (Yellow/Brown Curves) – Alex’s mane from Madagascar?

Slide #3 (red and black horizontal lines) – Not getting a good brain wave on this one – didn’t Gru stand in front of a background like this in Despicable Me as a shadow?

Slide #4 (black with white dots) – I thought Hermione was wearing something with this pattern in HP7Pt1 (keep in mind that the only truly identifiable item in the office picture is a binder that says HP)

Slide #5 (Pink threads at a diagonal) – This seems like a close up of the tree of souls from Avatar

Slide #6 (Pink Swirls) - Looks vaguely like the tree of souls from Avatar or some of the plants in that movie.

Slide #7 (Leaf) – This could be anything from Avatar, to Harry Potter (camping in the woods), to Madagascar, to Skull Island

Slide #8 (light blue solid) – Animated Sky?

Slide #9 (dark fur) – King Kong

Slide #10 (Dark blue, random pattern) – This almost looks like a graphic behind a title sequence....looks familiar....Army of Darkness? (there have been some rumors about that coming to HHN)

One word - "Dora"

You have quite an few ideas about this Jeff. I didn't even think about any of that!

Slide #2 was thinking the middle child's hair. I don't feel like Alex's maine is that light.

Slide #3 I keep thinking that this is back to despicable me. I m going to rewatch that movie this weekend.

Slide #6 I was thinking tutus from despicable me.

All the others I either agree or have no idea about... But as you can see I haven't been thinking out of the box much.

It could be something major, if Universal tore the Jimmy Neutron building down or extende it, it could be something huge.

Hmm I don't know about Madagascar. It seems as if they are having enough trouble with it over in Singapore. They don't know whether it will be successful or have even more problems once it is officially open.

But I am very excited now for May 19th! I would be very happy if Universal announced a whole array of attractions.

The problem with the Madagascar ride in Singapore is that it was originally designed as a two story ride, but there were problems with water on the second story to the point that they had to completely remove the ride system out of the second story and then completely redesign the first floor portion to tell the whole story instead of just half of it.

The problem was with bad design and bad engineering, not one with a bad license.

Another Update:

"Today’s UORHint is taking you back to grade school, it’s simple math, or is it?"

My best guess is CGI.

Reverse point of view?

Reverse CGI?
The "C" is backwards or reversed.
The hand is a "G" in American Sign Language in most (but not all) of the charts I found.
The eye is, well, an "I".
Is there such a thing as Reverse CGI or Backwards CGI?

If it is "CGI" that seems to me more like Avatar...

Isn't King Kong 360 in CGI?

Wait I just thought about something. It said it was coming to the most popular ride at the resort. Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster finally gets some much needed enhancement!

There are some rumors about Kong 360 getting an installation in Disaster!

I didn't think that Disaster was the most popular ride there....would have guessed Simpsons, Mummy or Men in Black...not that those need updates...

They just updated Disaster from Earthquake less than 5 years ago. Unless they're going to changed out the ride section, I don't see the opening bits changing much.

hopefully king kong

New hint, maybe They're really making me mad.

"One of these creatures could be a UORHint, or could it?"

It's another slideshow

And here's the album.

Everyone's saying bumble bee... but I don't know.

i think it could be a dreamworks kind of thing incorporating all of there characters similar to the old hanna barbera one from years back

I'd absolutely love for Universal to completely gut that attraction and not just "change the movie" as they did with the transition from Hanna-Barbara to Neutron or Earthquake to Diaster. Use some of the money you've made from Potterland and create an entirely new experience for Orlando!

Joshua, I have a feeling they are going to gut this one. The effects that make the car move and such are so outdated that they HAVE to be updated. They may reuse a few things but I dont think its going to be quite like BTTF--> Simpsons. I literally felt like I was in the same exact ride car with same motions. They just kinda built everything ontop of the old. I was waiting for some pain to come off the wall and see BTTF stuff.

I really do hope so. As I said, the smartest thing, from my POV anyway, is for universal to invest the money they've made from HP back into a re-creation of a space they are going to have. I think the best case scenario would be bringing King Kong 360 to Orlando. From what I've read, it's amazing. I'd love to see this or anything else besides another 3 or 4-D show (shrek and/or terminator is more than enough for me) or another motion simulator (simpsons is the only one I really count as this at both parks bc I don't classify HP or spidey as this). Something to bring the people in please!!!

Bee Movie, Shrek,Madagascarand Despicable Me all in one ride.Look at the slide show.

I don't think we are getting a compilation. Besides, Shrek 4D is just across the street!

Jimmy is a compilation of Nick characters and the ride before Jimmy was very similar! Apparently we are getting something completely different, I doubt its that.

My money is still on Despicable Me replacing Jimmy and an update to Spidey. Two updates, one in each park.

Slide Breakdown:

Slide #1 – Horse – The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings? OK, ok, ok….I understand it is reaching....although How to Train Your Dragon uses dragons like horses...

Slide #2 – Lion – Seems like a Madagascar…

Slide #3 – Bird – If you break this down a little and get a winged thing that flies…..You then have How To Train Your Dragon (which is currently making a Part 2), a 7th Book Harry Potter thing (maybe "Escape from Gringotts"?), or something from Avatar...

Slide #4 – Donkey – Shrek? Getting the alluded to upgrade? Digital Projection System?

Slide #5 – Bee – Universal Studios California is currently working on a Transformers ride, with the character of Bumblebee featured prominently. Could be the Orlando is getting a clone? Or that they are making the “official announcement” for California?

So to break this down, I can completely see that Universal Studios Florida is announcing more than just what is going on at their park. Announces the following:

- Madagascar at Universal Studios Singapore
- Transformers at Universal Studios Hollywood
- Shrek at Universal Studios Orlando – getting digital projection
- Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure – getting a contractually obligated expansion
....and then something to do with a horse....

Any better ideas?

Maybe Donkey is getting upgraded to a horse.

I hope it's an Antz ride. I think they really missed the boat not making a ride out of that one.

I think they are going to announce the Grand Opening of Universal Studios Florida.

Hey, that's what they did at Universal Studios Singapore...

I'm a bit behind but here is my attempt to catch up:

May 12:
"With only four UORHints left until the big announcement on May 19 we know you're antsy, but our UORHint is feeling artsy! Which one do you think is our favorite painting? "
Here's a link to the Slide Show.
And here's a link to the album.

Today:
"What time is it? UORHint time! Only two left after this, so get your thinking caps on! As you can imagine, creating a new attraction involves testing several elements. Our UORHint wants to know what in the world our Creative team is testing here?"

The first one I have no idea. Jeff usually has interesting takes on the slideshows ;)

As for the elephant this is a scene in despicable me movie when they're testing the shrink ray.

Let the countdown begin, in the slideshow it looks like its going to be kong with the 1930 setting.Tomorrow we will know.

The research has been done…..the brain has rendered a result….and we are no closer to where we want to be….

…but at least this brings forward and interesting place to continue speculation….

The four paintings:
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (1502-1519)
Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks (1942)
Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych (1962)
Edward Munch’s The Scream (1893)

These four paintings are probably the most parodied paintings ever made.

This immediately brings to mind Shrek and the Simpsons, but I can’t take this the next step…

I HAVE IT!!!

The attaction concept that they are going to tell us about tomorrow is a ride on the back of an elephant while you are attacked by animals, and they claim that there is a mystery in the random images that they flash at you. But the ride is only designed to have you get off the thing and say "What the h#ll was that all about?"

The frustration is setting in...

Either that or the "Movie Trailer Ride"

....I am starting to feel dirty and used....

Jeff can you sleep at night or do you just rock back and forth saying "They can't get me, its not real, they can't get me"

Only when I don't take my medication...

"Can't sleep clown will eat me"

OK.....maybe I have a more reasonable idea here.

Maybe this clue is taking about the location of the new attraction.

The 4 most parodied paintings. The two most parodying franchises at the park: Shrek & Simpsons.

In between them, not to mention a Marilyn Monroe exhibit, Terminator II, ET, Kiddyland, Makeup Horror Show, and Animal Actors….and I think there is an empty building where Hard Rock used to be nearby.

Of these, there have been rumors about filling the empty Hard Rock building & Replacing T2. While the makeup horror show and animal actors don’t get the love they used to and kiddieland could stand for a makeover particularly getting rid of Barney and Fievel (which no current kid has ever heard of).

What if they are redoing that whole section of the park?

Here's a new one

"It's… Almost… Time…. There's only one more UORHint after this one! So let’s change it up a bit…does this UORHint sound familiar to anyone?"

And heres the link to the video.

And surprise surprise surprise....

It's from Despicable Me without question.

Edit: Oh and Jeff- I believe these hints started out strictly has clues to what the Jimmy Neutron ride is going to be replaced by. I dont think they have anything to do with the other announcement whats so ever. I have no idea what those paintings have to do with the ride though.

Please don't let it be Despicable Me. In less than two hours we shall know.

i think it may be or a dreamworks ride the latest clue of the question mark with chimes. the chimes are at the very beggining of the despicable me song search it on you tube :(

^I see, what if they suprise us with TF, or Kong?

I wonder if the attraction is going to fit in more than one building,besides the neutron one.

Latest Hint:

"We’re rehearsing for something big. No, not big, huge. Yep, even the best have to practice. We can’t wait for you to see it in a few hours!"

I have a hard time believing that a replacement for Neutron is getting this much pubicity. And why do something so small the day before Star Tours II opens? If it is just a Neutron replacement, we will have forgotten about it after tomorrow...if we haven't forgotten about it by the end of the day today with all of the soft opening and cast preview news coming out of Disney...

This had better make a splash...

OK.....enough speculation.....let's get those bets on the table.....

I think:
- Madagascar at Universal Studios Singapore
- Transformers at Universal Studios Hollywood
- Spiderman at IOA – getting digital projection
- Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure – getting a contractually obligated expansion
- Neutron getting Despicable Me
- T2 getting Avatar
- Disaster getting King Kong
- Old Hard Rock building getting How To Train Your Dragon
- New kiddieland at USO themed to Madagascar
- Fear Factor coming down and will become a gateway to the new Hobbit/Lord of the Rings land

This would be a huge announcement....

The announcement is in.

Spiderman is getting digital projection and added detail in the movies.

Neutron is going to Despicible Me

Not what I would call "huge"....

Sometimes I hate being right...

Don't get me wrong I am excited for Despicable Me as I think the movie is hilarious but again its going to be just as outdated as Jimmy in several years. But I guess thats what kid's rides do?

Spider Man I'm very excited about. I cannot wait to see the crisp projections. Anyone think they will be able to update the CG though? I haven't read much just yet so I might find this out on my own later. I mean wouldn't they just have to update the textures and such?

Edit: Never-mind I found it. I'm extremely excited now! I am so glad they are updating not just the projectors but the animation!

Update:

This is supposed to be what the new spidey looks like.
*Spoilers to follow, kind of.
New HD Spider Man.

Likewise Terri. I was hoping Universal would completely shock me and announce something we weren't expecting - or at least maybe a few more attractions.

But that is just wishful thinking! Oh well, I hope they have something even better in the works for some time soon!

In the New Spider Man ride picture i never notice that in the back corner on the building it says "Stark Corporation". Did anyone else notice that??

It will take a while for Despicable Me to get otudated, as they mention a sequel coming in 2013.

I really hope they don't just upgrade Neutron's projector and change the ffects, but that they make an entirely new type of attraction.

Nick they said that in one of the hints..

"but it is based on a concept that is entirely different from what is now in our theme parks"

Who knows what that means.

AJ:

Does this help?

This is a Photo of before and after.

Edit: No not really I guess. The old one was so grainy I dont think it could be seen.

AJ:

It does say Stark Industries with Iron Man underneath. Love It!

Can't wait for Spidey, but hopefully Dispecable Me will be a TOTALLY different ride system than Jimmy Neutron.

Sorry it has taken me so long to admit how wrong I was...

...I just got done with the yawn...

Although you have to admit, USO gets some cookie points for flash mobbing themselves after the announcement.

It was pretty funny.. but they even announced that the night before pretty much. "We're preparing for something big can you guess" they had a picture of a lot of people dancing

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