Universal Orlando Resort (USF, IOA, Epic) Discussion Thread

^What exactly is the green orb? Is it still a projection or what?

With three different types of B&Ms running backwards seating for the upcoming season and with one of those coasters at Universal (Japan), do you think we'll possibly see Universal Orlando run coaster trains in reverse in the future?

I think Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge might be a good candidate for backwards trains on one of the tracks depending on how reverse-Batman at SFGAm goes. The Dragons don't duel anymore as it is so why not try reversing one of the sides for something different?

^What exactly is the green orb? Is it still a projection or what?

Yes. It's a projection of a glowing orb that follows the rider. I guess to symbolize that you're traveling by magic? I like it much, much better than what was there before.

http://www.wesh.com/themeparks/other/Universal-to-host-Days-of-Our-Lives-fan-fest/-/14183038/18281934/-/5iu800/-/index.html?absolute=true&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=wesh

Stars of NBC's "Days of Our Lives" are heading to Orlando in February.

 

Universal Orlando will host a fan event on Feb. 23 for the daytime drama.

 

Fans of the series will have the chance to meet many of their favorite stars of the show during autograph signings and a question-and-answer session.

 

Stars expected to be in attendance are: James Scott (E.J. DiMera), John Aniston (Victor Kiriakis), Arianne Zucker (Nicole Walker), Shawn Christian (Dr. Daniel Jonas), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Peggy McCay (Caroline Brady), Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux), Camila Banus (Gabi Hernandez), Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez) and Casey Deidrick (Chad DeMera).

 

Events will take place throughout the Universal Orlando Resort, including CityWalk and Universal Studios.

 

Autograph signings will take place at CityWalk from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. A question-and-answer session will be held in the Animal Actors Theater inside Universal Studios at 3:45 p.m.

 

After the day's events, the stars will toss beads from floats during the Mardi Gras parade at Universal Studios beginning at 7:45 p.m.

 

Theme park admission is required for the events inside the park.

 

"Days of Our Lives" can be seen every weekday at 1 p.m. on WESH 2.

Universal Orlando will always have a place in my heart, no matter what changes they make.

^^It will be interesting to see how this works for Universal. Disney got rid of there Soap Opera weekend a couple of years ago, so it will be interesting to see how this smaller event with only one soap opera works out.

^I think the big problem with the "classic" soap opera as we know it is that the form became too successful. So many TV series use "story arcs" now that they've all become much like soap operas.

^^CItywalk and USH have hosted this event in the past and it was always insanely popular.

Screamscape posted this today.

General Resort News - (2/4/13) Universal Orlando will lose another interesting attraction soon… one that a good number of people might never knew existed. Since 2004 TNA Wrestling has been shooting TNA Impact, aired on Spike TV, from one of Universal Orlando’s soundstages. I believe their typically would tape a pair of episodes one evening about every two weeks or so, and guests at Universal Orlando were allowed in for free to serve as the live studio audience.

TNA will tape their last regular show at the Impact Zone in Orlando on March 7th before taking TNA Impact on the road for all future shows, touring around the nation much like WWE does with their show schedule. From time to time TNA may return to the Impact Zone for the occasional show, but for now wrestling fans in Orlando will have to get their last regular fix on March 7th before bidding TNA “Bon Voyage!”

They still shoot things at Universal Orlando!?!?

They still shoot things at Universal Orlando!?!?

I've actually been there on nights they were taping these shows and needless to say the people waiting to get into the tapings were quite "interesting".

I'm sure the ratio of mullets to non-mullets in the park increases sharply on those night.

They still shoot things at Universal Orlando!?!?

I've actually been there on nights they were taping these shows and needless to say the people waiting to get into the tapings were quite "interesting".

Discussing organic quinoa recipes and the latest Maureen Dowd column, no doubt.

Screamscape posted this today.

General Resort News - (2/4/13) Universal Orlando will lose another interesting attraction soon… one that a good number of people might never knew existed. Since 2004 TNA Wrestling has been shooting TNA Impact, aired on Spike TV, from one of Universal Orlando’s soundstages. I believe their typically would tape a pair of episodes one evening about every two weeks or so, and guests at Universal Orlando were allowed in for free to serve as the live studio audience.

TNA will tape their last regular show at the Impact Zone in Orlando on March 7th before taking TNA Impact on the road for all future shows, touring around the nation much like WWE does with their show schedule. From time to time TNA may return to the Impact Zone for the occasional show, but for now wrestling fans in Orlando will have to get their last regular fix on March 7th before bidding TNA “Bon Voyage!”

Pro 'rasslin hasn't been the same since Tor Johnson died.

Yesterday Theme Park Review had the opportunity to get an in-depth look at this year's Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida. The event sports new parade floats, a new lineup of performers for the famous concert series and plenty of great food and atmosphere to support the themed festivities!

We were given the unique chance to go behind the scenes to see the Mardi Gras parade floats during the daytime including the three newest floats (plus one that underwent a partial upgrade).

The Dia de los Muertos float is a new addition to the parade and it looks amazing (both during the day and at night)!

And it wouldn't be a Mardi Gras parade without stilt walkers.

The New Orleans Bourbon Street float was also new and possibly the most elaborate. The float features real fire, changing lights in the Jazz Club and stylized architecture inspired by the real Bourbon Street.

On our way to the next stop, we couldn't help but notice the nearly complete building facade for Transformers: The Ride.

The talented live band setup is now located next to the French Quarter Courtyard near Revenge of the Mummy.

Upstairs at Lombard's, Corporate Executive Chef Steven Jayson (the man responsible for Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice) introduced our night's food selections.

There was an authentic crawfish boil (spicy but amazing) as well as a thick gumbo (equally spicy but delicious)!

The jambalaya was great!

Lombard's offers a great view of the Universal Cinematic Spectacular!

So much great food!

There was King Cake, praline cheesecake and bread pudding.

I was floating on cloud nine with that praline cheesecake.

Next we were escorted to an elevated media box for a unique view of the first Mardi Gras parade of the season.

You wouldn't believe how big some of the floats are!

Another of the new floats for the year was the Year of the Dragon float, featuring bright lights and neat fog effects.

And here's the awesome new Dia de los Muertos float we saw backstage.

So much confetti!

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this parade!

The evening wrapped with a performance by Lifehouse on the Universal Music Plaza Stage.

And they were surprisingly very entertaining!

Thanks again to Universal Orlando for hosting us for the first night of Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida!

I love how the update was essentially this: "Here's a picture of Transformers. Okay, we're done. FOOD! FOOD! FOOD!"

That food looked awesome! If there was a special price for the event I would have to pay to have that food, I'd be so down!

***Wasn't complaining at all earlier. I just found that humorous.

Very impressive production value for Universal. Love that Universal seems to be trying to go the extra mile with everything they're doing lately.

Comcast seems to be good for Universal. Let me say that again to let the gravity of the statement sink in. Comcast... seems to be... good for something. Outstanding.

Comcast seems to be good for Universal. Let me say that again to let the gravity of the statement sink in. Comcast... seems to be... good for something. Outstanding.

Haha I'm shocked! I never thought that "Comcast" and "good" would be used in the same sentence! But it's nice to see, and hopefully it continues!

It seems like they've really stepped up with the bands/musicians as well. It's a really decent lineup they've got for Mardi Gras in Orlando!

BTW, I was kind of laughing about Adam eating King Cake...just imagining you biting into Baby Jesus!!!

 

BTW, I was kind of laughing about Adam eating King Cake...just imagining you biting into Baby Jesus!!!

Would this be equivalent to taking Communion?

Very Impressive looking floats indeed. Just saw the ORIGINAL Baccha-Gator float last night(the big alligator float) that appears in the Bacchus parade here in New Orleans. Universal did an excellent job of recreating it, as well as the other floats look great too. They really capture the grandiose of a Mardi Gras parade!

I was there Saturday night as well and I have to say I was very, very impressed.

Hey does anyone know about how crowded IOA is going to be this weekend? Feb. 15-18

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-universal-theme-park-earnings-20130213,0,6920238.story

Attendance and visitor spending continued to climb at Universal Orlando and other NBCUniversal theme parks in 2012, parent company Comcast Corp. said Wednesday.

 

The Philadelphia-based cable company said operating cash flow at its theme parks – a measure of financial strength – surged 9.9 percent in 2012, from $867 million to $953 million.

 

That included a 9.7 percent increase in the fourth quarter, which covered the busy Christmas travel period, when cash flow jumped from $223 million to $245 million.

 

Total revenue rose 4.5 percent for the quarter to $498 million, and 4.8 percent for year to nearly $2.1 billion.

 

Comcast once again attributed much of the growth to Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where a fan frenzy that began nearly three years ago shows no signs of ebbing. The company also said a new Transformers-themed ride at Universal Studios Hollywood drove gains at its West Coast park.

 

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Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts praised the parks' "outstanding results" on a conference call with analysts to discuss the company's fourth-quarter earnings.

 

"The Universal theme parks have been a real standout, and we see great potential in the years ahead," Roberts said.

 

Comcast announced Tuesday that it will pay $16.7 billion to buy General Electric Co.'s remaining stake in NBCUniversal. Comcast acquired a majority stake in the media conglomerate in early 2011 and had always said it would buy GE out eventually, though it is doing so much sooner than expected.

 

Comcast said it will continue to ramp up construction of new attractions at its theme parks.

 

Total capital spending at NBCUniversal ballooned 80 percent in 2012 to $763 million, in part because of spending on attractions such as the Transformers ride in California and Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem in Orlando.

 

And Comcast said NBCUniversal's capital spending will rise another 25 percent in 2013, almost solely because of parks spending. The company will open a copy of the Transformers ride in Orlando this summer and is working on a second Harry Potter land. It is also building copies of Wizarding World and Despicable Me in California.

 

"Investments in our theme parks over the last few years have actually reset the level of their performance," Comcast Chief Financial Officer Mike Angelakis said on the call. The new attractions, he added, are "dramatically expanding the potential of our theme-park business."