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Universal Studios Hollywood (USH) Discussion Thread


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Every since the movie came out, I always wonder when they would make some ride based on the franchise and now to hear that they are and that it is from Universal, I couldn't be happier.

 

If this thing turns out to be anything like Spider-Man at IOA or some type of completely new state-of-the-art attraction, this will be one ride not to miss. Knowing it is from Universal makes me feel confident no matter what, it should be a great ride. At least I sure hope so...

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It sounds very interesting, but Hollywood will probably end up with the scaled back version of this ride. Just as we did with Mummy.

It's the same ride as going into Singapore - nothing scaled back about it.

 

I wouldn't be so sure, USH obviously has space constrictions that the spanking brand new park doesn't. When they announced ROTM, Universal never publicly stated one would be a scaled down lower budget version. It was only by us coaster geeks comparing the show buildings and insiders spilling the beans that it became obvious the FL version would be much more elaborate.

 

Regardless, considering this will be USH's attempt to steal some thunder from DCA's new E-tickets opening around the same time, should be pretty spectacular. And it's about f'ing time Universal gave USH a big budget dark ride like this!

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I wouldn't be so sure, USH obviously has space constrictions that the spanking brand new park doesn't. When they announced ROTM, Universal never publicly stated one would be a scaled down lower budget version. It was only by us coaster geeks comparing the show buildings and insiders spilling the beans that it became obvious the FL version would be much more elaborate.

Actually, when the ride was announced, they did in fact announce that the two Mummy rides had little to do with each other, other than name.

 

But, I don't know anything about Universal Studios Hollywood.

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^^^So you've seen the show building for this ride in Singapore and can be 100% sure that it won't fit inside USH? That's quite the assumption to make considering that they are still doing ground work for the park...

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I wouldn't be so sure, USH obviously has space constrictions that the spanking brand new park doesn't. When they announced ROTM, Universal never publicly stated one would be a scaled down lower budget version. It was only by us coaster geeks comparing the show buildings and insiders spilling the beans that it became obvious the FL version would be much more elaborate.

Actually, when the ride was announced, they did in fact announce that the two Mummy rides had little to do with each other, other than name.

 

But, I don't know anything about Universal Studios Hollywood.

 

Can't find the actual announcement from 2003, but just remember it being a pretty general announcement of the 2 rides such as this, with no reference at all to the two having "little to do with each other other than name":

 

Vivendi says it’s getting ready to fire its next volley with Revenge of the Mummy, an $80-million ride scheduled to open at its Universal Studios Florida in Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood in spring 2004.

 

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/may/17/business/fi-universal17

 

And from archived Screamscape which also didn't appear to get the official memo about the 2 having little to do with each other, and had to wait for a physical confirmation that they absolutely would be different:

 

(5/19/03) “3000 Years In The Making”... The Mummy will return in 2004. Universal has described the new ride as a fusion of “Roller Coaster Technology, Space Age Robotics and “Live” Pyrotechnic Special Effects”. While the Hollywood ride will be similar to the Florida ride opening in 2004 as well, it is clear that the space available in Florida will allow for a much bigger ride than in Hollywood. The ride itself will feature LIMs to propel the car from scene to scene, both forward and backwards. All the while you will be haunted by ‘the most advanced animatronics ever engineered”. They are keeping the ride’s story under wraps for now as well as a few surprises they want to keep close to the vest until it opens. “Unsuspecting guests will be swept into a terrifying underworld of ancient Egypt awash in deadly curses, powerful forces of nature and vengeful creatures intent on wreaking havoc. Adding to the terror will be the mystery of two of the ride’s scenes, which will not be made public until the attraction debuts.” One scene they are very proud of however is a room that will have a “ceiling of flame” only inches above you burning at up to 2000 degrees. They also mention that you may not experience the exact same scenic elements each time you ride. One effect that you wont miss however is a large robotic skeleton warrior who will leap onto your vehicle itself. If it is half as good as it sounds, this ride could change the way we look at coasters and dark rides.

 

(4/23/04) We’ve finally uncovered the first photos I’ve seen showing off the inside of the Hollywood version of the Mummy and it looks like there will be some significant changes in this version. Click through the many photos showing off the outside of the ride, the loading station and figures early on in the ride. So far so good... but things start to get odd with this photo that talks about arms coming from the ceiling. Then we get to the photo of the launch track... which surprisingly is flat instead of the launch hill used in Florida. Yes... it looks like Hollywood with have to settle with a flat launch with a little bump at the end before entering the first big banked turn in the coaster section. Things take a turn for the weird once again in this photo, showing off the switch track for the backwards drop which seems to have been places in the middle of the coaster portion of the ride instead of in the dark ride section like Florida’s. Speaking of the dark ride section... we’ve been told that it looks like the Hollywood version seems to only have one very long room for the dark ride section before kicking off the coaster ride, where Florida seems to have several distinct rooms before the coaster. More as we find out.

 

http://web.archive.org/web/20040611173126/www.screamscape.com/html/universal_hollywood.html

 

I'd like to agree with you that Transformers:TR will definitely be identical, but as you can see, based only on a general announcement, there's just as much chance it won't. Either way, no big as long as they bring on the giant animatronics and LOTS of fire!

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To counter your Mummy example, the previous two "general announcements" were for Shrek and T2, which aside from different theater sizes, turned out to be exactly the same shows.

 

To make your assumption based simply on one rides press release is silly. Unless of course you have seen the rides blueprints and can confirm for all of us that Singapore is getting the better version of the ride.

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I'm really, really excited that Universal is finally making another Spiderman-esque ride.

 

Hopefully they'll use 3D as a tool instead of a basis for every effect and bit of ride design, cause there's just no comparison to real wisecracking robots regardless of how big the resolution is.

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USH obviously has space constrictions that the spanking brand new park doesn't.

I'd definitley say that the Singaporean park will have space issues, it is part of a larger development, and will have stuff built around it, and it is in it for the long term, so it would pay for them not to waste space they don't need to.

 

The most logical way to do things would be to design a ride capable of fitting into USH, and then just port the ride straight across to USS.

A good comparison would be with Jurassic Park. the original at USH was clearly designed with a layout that would fit in with the hillside site it is built on. But subsequent clones have just been the same layout, even though the are just on flat sites without the same limitations.

 

It sounds very interesting, but Hollywood will probably end up with the scaled back version of this ride. Just as we did with Mummy.

I don't think there is a reason to be too cynical about this one, mainly because there are major differences between a themed coaster, and a highly story driven Spiderman type ride.

With the two ROTM coasters it is mainly styrofoam theming, a large section in a big black room, and a handful of other nifty effects. It probably wouldn't be too difficult to make changes between the two rides as the theming is a bit 'mish mash'.

 

On the other hand Spiderman has a clear plot, so if you go cutting scenes and scaling it back the attraction the ride wouldn't make sense. More to the point, the 3D screens are a major aspect, and I'm sure most of you are aware of the way each scene is animated acording the the path the vehicles follow and the focal point of the viewers. If you go changing the layout then you would end up having to re animate everything...costs go up, and you negate any benefits of building a clone in the first place.

 

I thought so at first, but they aren't wearing 3-D glasses in the art. The article DOES mention high def 3-D. Maybe an artist oversight?

Yeah, its just some art to show the idea of the ride. The vehicles don't have the side walls that make you look forwards either.

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I'll miss the special effect stages. Glad I had a chance to perform every volunteer role they had sans the voice over role in stage 3.

 

My too. Over the years in the World of Cinemagic (and the later Special Effects Stage) I had the chance to drive a DeLorean as Marty McFly, get electrocuted building a pyramid, to hang off the Statue of Liberty as Fry, to dub the sounds of a burger trying to rob Harry and the Hendersons, and to try to dub over Sherman Klump, only go get eaten alive by Fluffy the Rogue Animatronic.

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This is great news. 2011 is going to be an epic year for the theme park scene in so cal.

 

USH has needed a major attraction like this for an extremely long time. Maybe the third movie will be released that same summer?

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This is definitely great news as I was just in awe when watching the film and am such transformers fan. In opinion it looks like this could definitely end up being the new technology as outline http://www.vekoma.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=30. At least I am hoping because I think that this concept has plenty of potential as it creates more depth for a variety of experiences especially if immersed in a 3D environment.

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So I guess this attraction will have the "cool fire" effect that the Mummy has because of fire code?

 

Obviously as Backdraft proves, you can in fact have fire as part of an indoor attraction. ROTM could not have fire due to the space required to meet whatever code there is.

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Glad to hear USH might finally be getting a decent ride. Last good ride we got was JP. Mummy doesn't count, cause Florida's craps all over ours.

 

All I have to say is that there better be some Megan Fox somewhere on that ride otherwise....No Megan Fox = FAIL

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