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

[Double0Kevin]

^^ Wasn't it Despicable Me?

 

I think he meant Battlestar at Universal Singapore... or maybe Transformers at Universal Singapore... Come to think of it, Universal seems to do this a lot.

[Chroniq]

^^ Wasn't it Despicable Me?

 

I think he meant Battlestar at Universal Singapore... or maybe Transformers at Universal Singapore... Come to think of it, Universal seems to do this a lot.

 

 

This seems to have become common practice for Universal.. Tranformers & the Sesame Street ride at Singapore both opened their gift shops before the ride opened.

 

That being said, lots of cool merchandise here (and I'm not usually one to buy theme park clothes) and strong theming.. I'm really impressed with what Universal is doing.... Thanks for the pics!

 

-chris "Disney should really start looking over their shoulder" con

[clippers6]

I'm tempted to buy that Autobot mustache shirt every time I'm at USH, but I don't like the light blue.

[Erik Johnson]

I seem to remember that the Quick-E-Mart opened a month or two before the Simpson's Ride did.

[Double0Kevin]

^ True, and now that I really think about it, I'm pretty sure that Mummy and Transformers shops at USH opened ahead of their rides as well. I guess it really is their thing to do.

[Mr. Starr]

I'd say Universal just wanted to bank on all the merch and opened the store as fast as possible.

 

Also I love the lil sweaters the employees wear!

[robbalvey]

I guess if you figure that they have a completed location, have the merchandise in stock, why not open it, right? I mean, people love Transformers stuff anyway, regardless if the ride is open.

[Jew]

I have yet to take a picture with one at USH because the lines are also so insanely long, even on super slow days.

 

They are definitely popular, but the lines are never "insanely long" at USH.

 

That being said, lots of cool merchandise here (and I'm not usually one to buy theme park clothes) and strong theming.. I'm really impressed with what Universal is doing.... Thanks for the pics!

 

Disney's merchandise is still 1000x better for one key reason IMO: most of it is park specific. The majority of the merchandise at Universal is generic to both parks, though there are some cool items for the properties they license. That even appears to be the case in Florida, with most of the stuff just saying "Universal Studios."

 

I also dig the uniforms of the employees.

Edited March 5, 2013 by Jew

[Double0Kevin]

I have yet to take a picture with one at USH because the lines are also so insanely long, even on super slow days.

 

They are definitely popular, but the lines are never "insanely long" at USH.

 

Well, true. I guess I just consider anything than 5 minutes to meet a person in a costume insane.

[Wes]

I have yet to take a picture with one at USH because the lines are also so insanely long, even on super slow days.

 

They are definitely popular, but the lines are never "insanely long" at USH.

 

Well, true. I guess I just consider anything than 5 minutes to meet a person in a costume insane.

 

THEY ARE REAL ROBOTS HOW DARE U

[cfc]

Don't mess with robots!

 

[Chroniq]

Here are some new aerial photos showing the construction going on at Universal..

 

Of note- Gringots Coaster is 20 percent bigger than the Mummy building and Approximately 30 percent bigger than the original potter ride.

Harry Potter Land 2.0

Harry Potter Train Station and Path.

Close up of the beams for the train.

Cabana Bay Construction

Tansformers

[Mrlittle]

^cool photos. I always like aerial shots so you can see how grand scale the projects are.

[Hugecoltsfan]

Any ideas of what crowds will be like April 4th - 6th. I'm doing both parks and just wanted to know what to expect. I have been here before but it was august when I've gone.

[SharkTums]

^Similar crowds to early August as you're still in prime Spring Break time. Weather should at least be slightly better though!

[Jew]

Of note- Gringots Coaster is 20 percent bigger than the Mummy building

 

That would place the building size at 140k-150k square feet. That's a big show building!

[COASTER FREAK 11]

^That sounds massive, though I have no real clue how big that is. Anything that big on the west coast? (Ride or department store? LOL)

[RCFreak]

^An Average SuperTarget is 174K square feet if you've ever been in one.

[ucfjav930]

Any one know the time frame of when this might be opened? Or soft-opening? I saw somewhere that it said Summer but it looks to me like it may be sooner than that.

[DougMJr]

Quick question. I am going to IOA the 27th and plan on bringing my DSLR in a small draw string backpack. IIRC Hulk, Dragon Challenge, and MIB have free lockers for the duration of the queue correct? And Dr. Doom's freefall has bins?

[Jew]

^That sounds massive, though I have no real clue how big that is. Anything that big on the west coast? (Ride or department store? LOL)

 

Transformers is 60,000sqft.

[CoasterFEV]

 

Transformers is 60,000sqft.

 

 

Nerd!

[COASTER FREAK 11]

^That sounds massive, though I have no real clue how big that is. Anything that big on the west coast? (Ride or department store? LOL)

 

Transformers is 60,000sqft.

 

Thanks Joey!

[HTF]

Just an FYI,

 

Land surveys started today in Jurassic Park for future additions

[Totopez]

According to an Orlando theme park site, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit now offers Express pass access.

That means Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey now is the only major ride without express pass, if I'm not mistaking.

 

Great for me staying onsite in June, less good for those waiting in line...