Gnome

Id disagree with you. Especially because the generalize buzz for windseekers is that its just alright. Not bad but not amazing either. And as rcfreak said, there's gonna be other rides in socal that are just gonna be batshit crazy like transformers, carsland, and possibly manta filling in as batrayshit crazy. Then there's sfmm who already has a more impressive coaster line up then knotts, coupled with last years additions coupled with yet another addition. "The worlds tallest drop ride." What's more impressive? I tall spinning thing or the tallest drop in the world?

nothing new will be arriving for the summer season anyways, so what does it matter if they announce it now? We still won't have it for awhile.

Twilight has a smaller demographic. For example, I dont see to many men reading the twilight series. Harry Potter, on the other hand, is more "Universal" (see what I did there?) and is more appealing to children and adults and not just teens and soccer moms. And of course readers of the HP series are going to move on. The last book came out how long ago? Do you expect them to keep buying the same book?

that layout would also allow minimal disturbance of the rest of attractions within USH. I'm sure Waterworld will still be slated for demo at a later date. Everything looks like its all falling occording to the original Vision Plan outlined.

they could rip out Xcelerator and I wouldn't cry. Its cool, but it takes up an awful lot of space for such a short ride. I'd still take the Soap Box Derby over it any day.

I think this largely sums up a lot of my thoughts about IOA. I don't think Potter is totally to blame for the lackluster nature of IOA today, I think it more has to do with a decade of indifferent management and virtually zero investment. At least with Potter someone cares about the park again, and we can at least *hope* to see exciting things in the future. Also, how many different conglomerates have owned Universal during IOA's life span? It started with Seagram's, then it went to GE, who I'm sure had little interests in the parks, followed by Comcast who now only cares because they see how well the market is responding to Harry Potter. If you are looking for something new outside of harry potter in the coming years, I'll suggest to look else where as its only going to get worse before it gets better. IMO, HP is one trick pony Universal. But once everyone has come and seen the place, then what? It's possible Universal sees the current huge demand HP is recieving right now as short term so they're trying to capatalize on it now while they still can before the park attendence starts trickling back down to its previous numbers.

^^ Disney is both a locals as well as a destination park. Also consider that not all the AP's strictly reside in the OC/LA area. Many people come from the Bay Area, LV, as well as AZ. They come frequently enough where having an AP makes sense for them. I think Robb is right in saying that Universal is competing against themselves and their own expectations. If anything, their biggest competitors are the other studio tours. Many people go to USH specifically for the movie studio experience, and its the additional attractions that win them over into attending the park.

^^ If we go based off of a quote from Screamscape, the executives in charge could probably care less whether or not they just refurbished the tram station if it gets in the way of USH's potterland. At this point, it could really go anywhere.

That's the thing though...a line doesn't automatically signify it is popular. People can wait an hour and then still give it low scores on the surveys. I'm totally with you though...I probably won't get excited for this expansion unless it is a kick A$$ credit, as I enjoyed Jaws with a good skipper. I would always ride it w/ express passes or a short wait. Your comparison to Jungle Cruise/Pirates is spot on. By taking out Jaws, the studios park loses a big part of its original identity. this is, in my mind, what really separates Universal from Disney. Disney has created rides that have become "untouchable" and sacred, where as US, i feel that nothing is sacred. Its only a matter of time till its popularity dies off and its replaced with something newer. But I credit this to Disney actually caring and making an attempt to grow their brand. Not to mention, they've always been the sole owners of their products, and are not just a smaller part of a larger conglomerate like Universal is.

Escape from Pompii looks more epic then normal. Best ride everrrr!

so far, it looks like a really big B&M. How many pictures of the drop can we take? lol

are there any reviews that describe the experience without giving away any of the ride details?

What do you mean "partnered"? I highly doubt Rocky Mountain Coasters has signed any sort of exclusivity deal with Six Flags. Cedar Fair could just as easily utilize them to re-profile their own rides. It makes sense that Six Flags would continue to utilize them to update other wooden coasters with the success of Texas Giant, but that no way implies exclusivity. Also, I'd like to note that park upgrades and continued maintenance as well as beautification are good for continued long term success. A park is not all about the rides. If a park looks run down, people will remember that and that perception will remain in their heads, although it is nice to get something fresh. Im sure WoF will get something nice eventually.

I don't think it will lose business. The only thing knott's has to do is make sure that people feel like the experience at knotts worth the price of admission, and like there is no other place better to go to than Knott's halloween haunt.. And number 2,if they don't dress it up for halloween, they won't have to shut it down for normal operating hours which would please the non-haunt going crowd. Lets face it, Knott's needs all the family attraction it has operating as often as possible.

went to DCA and took some friends with me who never saw world of color. They wanted to go about halfway through so we ended up leaving. I really think they need to go in and chop it down more. IMO, the movie moments where they just play clips from the films need to go. It destroys the pacing, its uninteresting, and i've already seen and own it on dvd. I've also noticed that they now have a free standing area in the back along the mermaid que that doesn't require a fast pass, and I would actually say it has a better view of the show. It just seems the closer you are to the water, the less interesting it is because you just can not get the full picture.

pop music is bumped around the whole park. Sound track is not as bad as SFSL (think disney channel pop cover songs). It sounded to me like top 40's which i find lame in general, so after awhile i ended up just tuning it out.

^ that's probably accurate. likely a toy exclusive to Universal parks. I see no reason to have the toy out until the ride is open at least. but that's all speculation on my part.

the sad thing is if they had removed Deja Vu pre-2009, they could have made Salvation longer. Oh well. It's still a good ride, albeit short.

i think every night sold out. I'm sure future events, they will try and push merchandise sales. There were some pretty good deals on hhn swag on halloween night. Guess they had quite the surplus including buy 1 get 1 free souvenir mugs, and 40% off other merch.

I haven't noticed it. But if you care to point out anything specific, I would be interested.

lol, while it would be nice for the SD park to get a similar project (and who knows, maybe it will?) Let's let the dust settle on the current project before we get our panties in a bunch. But from the sounds of things, Orlando will be getting much love for the next decade all cuz of little Harry and the guys at Universal.

[citation needed] Even Al Lutz (who is by no means a reliable source, but who loves to find any excuse to slam Disney for being cheap) never claimed that. And Jim Disney, who usually doesn't make wild claims, said they were in the plan from the beginning. Idk... Al Lutz has always been on the mark when it comes to park projects. The thing he is known to do is exaggerate circumstances and make things sound worse or more hectic then what is likely the reality of the situation. I also don't doubt that it was planned to be a flat wall from the beginning, but I'm sure a lot of heavy negative external speculation (as well as internal comments) to the likes of "oh.. I really hope they don't just leave it like that" probably forced some executive some where to reassess the plans to make sure they do it right. Thank god, too.

It'll be an interesting project for sure. This will be state of the art, while BBW was from a different era. But none of the attractions at BGE disappointed.

^ only knott's has your answer. Maybe they'll have something better to announce or discuss?

skyrush will hands down be the best ride of 2012. There's no comparison, so don't even try to compare. It will blow your mind, your head, and your brain.