Rumor about E.T. and the Smurfs
Universal Orlando: Rumor is that E.T. could be replaced by the Smurfs
Rumor so far, but totally irked at the possibility of it. E.T. possibly being replaced by Smurfs?? Please, God, no. That would be a double punch to the gut.
I really really hope that whole thing about Spielberg protecting E.T. Adventure at USF is true.
No no no no no no no no!
As much as I love ET, if Smurfette is part of the ride, I can be very forgiving.
Ahhhhhh!!! Noooooo!!!! Replace it with Sesame Street! Universal Singapore just got a Sesame Street ride so why can't Orlando get a ride?
First off E.T. should not go anywhere. Second off, the worst option would be for the Smurfs to replace it.
Now would be the time for a Michael Scott no if it happens.
E.T needs to go, yes. i think parks need to keep with the times. sure it's a classic movie.. but it's barely up to date anymore
what i mean by that is, starwars aqa pirates, aqa transformers aqa what ever else... it's the current craze and people are all over it
you don't see people talking about E.T anymore... it's years old.
don't replace with the smurfs... they are just boring. but replace it
I disagree. E.T needs to stay. It is the only original ride left. Universal has some of the most cutting edge rides at any theme park. But having one original ride to show how far the industry has come and have a bit of nostalgia is a good thing. Yes it's an old ride and I love the new ones, but I still like riding on E.T reminding me of Universal when I was little.
From Tony Duda
Posted June 27, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Seaworld Parks/Busch Gardens owns the rights to Sesame Street in the USA, they even have a Sesame Street park in Pennsylvania.
Dang... Forgot about the whole rights thing...so I'm assuming Universal has rights to Sesame Street in Singapore. Well there has to be another family movie/show other than the Smurfs! It's so dated and the new movie just sucks! Not excited for the second!
Actually Emily, film buffs still talk about this movie.
I hope so E.T. Is long over due a replacement even if it is with the smurfs
E.T. isn't going anywhere. When they tore it down in USH, Spielberg was furious (after all, he DID co-create the park). Barney would be replaced before E.T.
I hear Barney WILL be replaced soon.
I keep hearing this about Spielberg and E.T. so I hope that's true. The franchise may not be "hot", but that doesn't take away the fact the ride is a wonderful experience for those of us who appreciate it's subtle magic. Heck, I'm not a huge fan of the movie, but I LOVE this ride.
I'm with Shannon and Mark on this one. The ride is a classic and should stay. It's not one of my favorite movies, either, but the ride is a very pleasant, family-friendly dark ride and I just love the tour of ET's home world. I'm all for a bit of refurbishing and updating, if necessary, but I hope it stays.
As for the Smurfs.....no.....just no....
That would be about as dumb as if the turned the lights on Space Mountain and had smurfs all around the coaster and painted the train blue. The smurf's would ruin that ride and besides the smurfs are more outdated than ET. ET is at least still loved by many and has a good theme. The smurfs are just blue elves. It would be very dumb if Universal does that.
ET needs to stay, it is the only ride left that the parents of today's kids really identify with. However it is sorely in need of a refurb.
The E.T. ride is a classic...kind of afraid to use that word around with Universal(Back to the Future, Jaws, Kongfrontation). Nevertheless it is based on a movie that is over thirty years old. That film though is one of the most commercially and critically successful films of all time. A ride based on the recent Smurfs movies???? That would be completely irrelevant by the time the ride would even get to open.
I really like the E.T. ride, especially the forest queue. It would be great to see it open for another twenty years, but with Universal's rep that's not likely. Universal has done a fine job of replacing its rides. If they were ever to replace E.T., the Smurfs is not the answer. How about How to Train your Dragon? Much more critically and commercially successful than the Smurfs and with future movies planned. It's also widely considered the best non-Pixar animated movie in recent memory.
I do not think they will get rid of it. They have had some trouble with closing down the "classics" in the past.
Orlando United has reported that ET will remain. It will undergo a refurbishment when the new Kid Zone area is done in a couple of years, according to the OU Insiders.
I saw that in the stash Rob. Great news, it needs a good refurbing.
Yes Dom, just love that ride, especially the scent of the Redwood queue. If they fix up the scene with the NASA guys the attraction would be just right. Like Splash Mountain, ET always puts a big smile on my face.
Definitely. Glad they're keeping E.T., and I'm also pretty excited about Kong returning
E.T. is the one of the best dark rides any theme park has to offer. It has a cohesive storyline and an unforgettable charm. Removing the ride would rip the heart and soul from Universal Studios.
Besides, the KidZone has plenty of attractions to close for future development, and Woody Woodpecker is getting an upcoming reboot from the studio that made "Despicable Me".
Yes, very excited about the return of Kong in 2015. Hope the OU info is right on.
Thanks, Rob! That's great news. Just in time for wifey and I's 20th Anniversary din-din tonight...can't wait to tell her that not only is ET safe, it's going to be refurbed...AND Kong is coming back in 2015! *crossing fingers OU is legit on that one* :D
I loved the movie, and I love the ride. Universal already got rid of another great ride (BttF) based on a movie that I also loved. I hope they keep it.
Congrats mark!!!
Also, Smurfs was terrible, I'd like to see kids zone be replaced with updated movie rides, like dumping ET for How To train Your Dragon
^NO
Thinking Smurfs for Shrek makes the most sense...
As Universal no longer has the domestic rights for Madagascar characters from DreamWorks.
On top of that the Shrek 3D Movie is actually more out of date/context than ET is. Considering its 3 sequels since have made the storyline awkward at best.
Thanks, Tyler! Given today's article now I'm a little less comfortable, but until rumor becomes reality...*sigh*
I'm confused by the use of the phrase "OU (Orlando United) Insiders."
On that site, Mr. Hate To Fly describes himself thusly: "I also want to point out that everything I say is speculation based on information from anonymous sources. Everything is strictly on a no-name basis and I have no inside knowledge and never have."
Barney needs to get replaced fast, because the show got canceled like 10 years ago.
A Dreamwokrs area would be neat, but a Nickoloden Playzone would be fun.
All in favor of USF canning Barney?
I!
Truth be told, I'd like to see ET turned into a SpongeBob dark ride. Just think about how neat Universal can work with an undersea theme. And when you think about it, the groundwork's all there. Merchandising is still popular, so the exit can be routed through to the existing store. Turn the Pizza Company into a Krusty Krab and you've got a great new Bikini Bottom area akin to Springfield.
James, if it had to happen at least your concept would make it easier to swallow than stupid Smurfs. Love Spongebob. They oughta do it in addition to E.T. though...maybe build it under E.T. ;P
Lora's and the Smurfs are just two unpopular movies, while Spngebob and How to train your Dragon and still on the shellf.
Counlt hurt to see Jimmy Netroun actually move to Kidzone with a few Kukla Arms and more current nick stuff,
i Though Disney is in talk with Sony!
I think that the Smurfs should just stay out of theme parks. However if they had to go to a theme park, I'd say Disney would better suit them. Maybe replace Pooh in Orlando and California with the smurfs?
Thanks Andrew.
or maybe put The Smurfs in Anaheim's Potential 3rd Park in an Area, similar to Seuss Landing?
or perhaps replace "a bug's land" with The Smurfs?
and how about a Live Show based on Smurfs Movie, similar to Madagascar Live: Operation Vacation located at Disney's Hollywood Studios, replace Beauty and the Beast and at Disneyland park, replace Captain EO?
What you think, Andrew?
I don't really like the idea of Smurfs taking up and entire land nor do I think it would really be that great of a 4-D film. But maybe a stage show could work but it would be a long shot and most likely really kid oriented.
Thank you, Andrew.
You will be my best friend.
Can I write about Disney vs. Universal for Smurfs, Andrew?
Why do universal feel they have to lose the older attractions, disney doesn't replace small world or pirates! ET is a classic film and a classic attraction so it will live on forever, however the surrounding area does need a major overhaul.
Go ahead.
I agree 100% with you! Please Lord, No! No Smurfs to replace E.T. To market their park to suit 4 year olds is stupid. The parents buy the tickets and also by the time children turn 6 years old they have already out grew the Smurfs!
Carl Tugwel I agree 100% with you also. Disney hasn't replaced It's A Small World, but in my opinion they should had replaced that never popular attraction and kept Snow White and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I don't understand why they got rid of some of their classics, especially Snow White, and still have It's A Small World, but maybe Disney is as politically correct as most anything else these days. Puke, I live in Florida and I never met a person yet who said It's A Small World is great attraction.
Small World is a classic, but annoying. Its a nice way to get out of the sun, but all of MK and DL'S attractions do this too. Well, almost all of them.
Why did Disney replace Mr. Toad???? I never got a chance to ride. And Snow White too.
I think the reason why Small World is still up and not Snow White and Mr. Toad is because it scared young children. And we all know Fantasyland was mostly geared to 3-6 year olds.
That will change when Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opens next year! :)
Thinking the results of Smurfs 2's box office should put any worries of this happening to rest.
While I find Barney grating at best...my 3 and 7 year old's love that attraction.
One thing not to be missed is Despicable Me and Kang and Kodos are targeted towards children.
And Transformers while a thrill ride is also family friendly with a 40 inch height requirement.
Universal is evolving and smartly with Duff Gardens serving signature Non-Alcohol and Duff beer products and the Fast Food Blvd.
I look forward to Kid Zone being revamped and wondering when/if/where Wicked might find itself at the parks in Orlando
Agree with you, Lisa! Please God. Please No Smurfs replacing E.T. at Universal Studios.
Please put The Smurfs to Disney Parks, replace Captain EO or Muppet-Vision 3D with it!!
From Rob P
Posted August 30, 2013 at 8:20 AM
Are the people who are demanding that ET be sent packing ,on the basis that it's an old movie, going to be setting their sights on other attractions without topical themes ?
If they are then the likes of Mickey and Donald had better watch out too. So should a host of characters from Snow White to Cinderella.They haven't had a movie in the theatres for a long time now. Better start preparing for retirement. Get rid of them and replace them with the new kids on the block ?
Seriously ? Not gonna happen is it ? Or is this just a Universal Studios thing ?
Besides ET isn't just a movie is it ?. It has a message that may just be more relevant today than it was even then. Leave it alone, go on the ride, and for 5 minutes feel good about things.
Smurfs 2 was a box office flop (thank God), there's no way a ride will happen
Now its just up to Sony pictures to see if the 3rd one will get released.
or it would be Better if Pixar Animation Studios can make a All-CGI Smurfs reboot, it could be better than Sony's Live-Action Smurfs movie.
Yeaaaaaaaaa, no.
(Chuckle)
How about we just kill the concept of modern Smurfs? It's a terrible idea.
Andy said: "How about we just kill the concept of modern Smurfs? It's a terrible idea."
This 56 (57 now) post-count thread begs to differ with you.
Is there such a thing as a decent alternative to Smurfs?
James said: "This 56 (57 now) post-count thread begs to differ with you."
And how many of them were in favor of scrapping E.T. for Smurfs?
The point is, if everyone was against the idea of the Smurfs, then they would let this thread die once venting their negative posts. This might be the 3rd time that this discussion has been resurrected. Clearly, we can't judge the merits of a franchise we still keep talking about.
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