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is universal doing to much?

Universal Orlando: Are they crossing the line with new attractions?

From Giovanny Cruz
Posted July 16, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Yesterday I got the news that universal is making harry potter 2 and transformers I'm really extited cause I live in orlando and I have the annual pass four IOA and USF so I will go when it opens but I think universal is making to much stuff at the same time so what do you think are universal making to much stuff?


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

From Mark Fairleigh
Posted July 17, 2012 at 6:00 AM
A few months back, I would have said "yes". I was so upset by the closing of Jaws. But now the emotions have settled and I'm loving the attention my favorite park is getting. Life is about the present and the present is constantly changing. Change is healthy, change is vital...so glad to see it.

Just don't touch E.T.!!! ;P

From Albino Pygmy
Posted July 17, 2012 at 7:05 AM
Speaking of ET, ET needs some love, a good refurb for the 30th would be nice. It's still a good ride, but just aint what she used to be. Besides, they still need to find a way to help ET at the end, poor dude gets so tongue tied and garbled you can't hear squat anyways. The other pet peeve of mine when they added the extra row of bikes, they had to expand the loading areas, and they stick out like a sore thumb. I doubt going back to the old 9 seaters would be a good idea, but there should be a way to at least theme the railings of the load area to the wooden fence posts.

From Dominick D
Posted July 17, 2012 at 7:29 AM
I would of said yes, but after rewatching HP7.2 again I'm thinking Universal can do something great. Transformers (or something else) will be better then an empty soundstage. As with the E.T. debate, I do think maybe a preshow update would be good around the time the movie is being released on Blu Ray. I really just hope Universal won't shut the ride down or they're gonna get a lot of hate.

From Sean Huckel
Posted July 17, 2012 at 7:32 AM
Dom, if they survived after closing Jaws and Kong, they survive after closing ET.

As for the topic...NO! Are you crazy!? Haha. There's no such thing as too much. The more rides the better!

From Dominick D
Posted July 17, 2012 at 7:51 AM
Jaws caused controversy with the closing. Type in Jaws on google. 2 of the top five searches are the ride. The closing is talked about a little less, but don't worry a bunch of people are still talking about it.

From James Trexen
Posted July 17, 2012 at 8:12 AM
Absolutely not! Having just got back from a Universal trip (report to follow soon), I have no reason to go back until something opens in the meantime. After all, the heart of theme park business is not to make you happy, it's to make you come back and take your money.

From Sean Huckel
Posted July 17, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Dom, no one will be talking about it once WWoHP 2.0 opens and people flock to it like the second coming.

From robert morris
Posted July 17, 2012 at 9:21 AM
Have to agree, Construction beats an empty soundstage

And Jaws while a good ride, took up too much room for its own good

Add that to the construction on the Promenade for CityWalk or Simpsons midway games incorporation.

But put on the Wish list for more projects:

Lorax and Grinch "dark rides" for Seuss Landing

Show or Ride to replace un-used amphitheater in Toon Lagoon

Triceratops Trail-revamp

Empty slot for a ride in Jurassic Park behind Thunder Falls

Dreamworks Land: Madgascar Crate, How to Train your Dragon

T2 conversion to Wicked Stage Show

From Brian Emery
Posted July 17, 2012 at 9:23 AM
Are they (Universal doing too much?) What kind statement is that…?

Sorry but I am not trying to mean, but seriously Too Much?

Too much of what, Too much excitement, too much for Disney to handle, too much because you do not want to see them make a profit, too much so too many folks will attend and you will have to stand in line…

No, not too much – I say it’s about time someone else competes with the Biggest and Best… Since the Harry Potter expansion was so successful, Universal see’s the long term effects of investing in their parks and is now doing things so damn right….

From Dominick D
Posted July 17, 2012 at 10:49 AM
We're like Disney Princesses; we want more. The more good attractions we get the better.

Sean, BTTFTR is still be talked about a little with petitions for it to come back or a new BTTF ride.

From Rob Pastor
Posted July 17, 2012 at 11:43 AM
I really enjoy the Simpsons, especially the pre show humor. But I still believe BTTF was the superior ride. I would have rated BTTF in my top three theme park rides when it was current. It was a rough ride, but that was part of the thrill.

From Zack McDonald
Posted July 17, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Well it will take two years to build Transformers so your looking at a 2014 opening and hopefully more Potter in 2015. They need more new attractions to keep guests coming back.

From Manny Barron
Posted July 17, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Yes! Back to the Future was an awesome ride. Bring it back!!!

From Sean Huckel
Posted July 17, 2012 at 1:48 PM
"Lorax and Grinch "dark rides" for Seuss Landing, Show or Ride to replace un-used amphitheater in Toon Lagoon, Triceratops Trail-revamp, Madgascar Crate"

All are being looked at in one way or another.

"Sean, BTTFTR is still be talked about a little with petitions for it to come back or a new BTTF ride."

Petitions? By who? I assume the same people still petitioning for Horizons and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride to come back.

These aren't people who are thinking clearly.

"But I still believe BTTF was the superior ride."

I personally really didn't like BTTF. If it wasn't for my love of the movies, I would have skipped it.

"Well it will take two years to build Transformers so your looking at a 2014 opening"

They're shooting for a Thanksgiving 2013 opening. And the way they're moving on the project...they'll probably make it.

From Bob Liebe
Posted July 17, 2012 at 2:45 PM
@Sean

"Lorax and Grinch "dark rides" for Seuss Landing, Show or Ride to replace un-used amphitheater in Toon Lagoon, Triceratops Trail-revamp, Madgascar Crate"
All are being looked at in one way or another."

What do you mean by that?

From chris cona
Posted July 17, 2012 at 3:18 PM
I like what they are doing because usf was never as good as ioa. By doing this this will let them at least compete with one another.

From Sean Huckel
Posted July 18, 2012 at 8:06 AM
@Bob

"What do you mean by that?"

I mean all of those projects are being looked at to go forward, or already moving forward.

Seuss Landing and Jurassic Park are both in line for expansions. The Toon Lagoon amphitheater is a prime location for either a new show or a knock down/replacement. The Trikes could possibly be the home for a new JP ride. And Madagascar is a possible addition coming to a redone KidZone in 2016-17

From Rob Pastor
Posted July 18, 2012 at 8:29 AM
Screamscape is reporting rumors of a Grinch Family Coaster in place of Posiedon's Fury for 2016.

From Sean Huckel
Posted July 18, 2012 at 8:32 AM
Screamscape is also very mistaken, IMO.

Plus the coaster freefall is being looked at for Potter. Not for Seuss.

From James Trexen
Posted July 18, 2012 at 8:37 AM
I would hope so Sean,

Grinch Family coaster=Six Flags attempt

and we all know how those turn out.

From Sean Huckel
Posted July 18, 2012 at 8:48 AM
I don't agree with that. The Grinch family coaster has been a plan since the origins of IoA as "Cartoon World". It's a good concept in the Matterhorn-type vein.

But it's not going to be retrofitted into PF if it ever happens. It'll be built on the Seuss expansion plot.

And if anything, as of now a family coaster is probable for JP more so than Seuss.

From Dominick D
Posted July 18, 2012 at 8:49 AM
I'd doubt a Grinch coaster would be coming.

From James Trexen
Posted July 18, 2012 at 9:05 AM
The only problem is, the Grinch coaster would really have to be toned down for all to enjoy so that Seuss Landing would still mainly be for kids. Perhaps a different ride system...

From Dominick D
Posted July 18, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Perhaps a spinning Mack coaster?

From Andrew Dougherty
Posted July 18, 2012 at 8:38 PM
Or how about a grinch/lorax show or a show that includes a bunch of different dr suess characters in 1 joint attraction?

From Dominick D
Posted July 18, 2012 at 9:49 PM
Suessical the Ride?

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