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

[King_K.]

Can anybody post a picture of exactly what building is being discussed here?

 

This building right here.

 

[Wes]

This will be the third Harry Potter expansion: Dobby 4D.

[ernierocker]

Rumor is that they were building the house inside for Halloween Horror Nights and were told to stop. Then, the building was filed for a demolition permit. I remember hearing that the building wasn't in good shape, so maybe something happened during construction? Either that, or the higher ups suddenly decided they wanted an attraction to go there immediately.

[Wes]

^ Maybe if they can demolish it quick, they can try to put a maze in the space by October?

[King_K.]

Rumor is that they were building the house inside for Halloween Horror Nights and were told to stop. Then, the building was filed for a demolition permit. I remember hearing that the building wasn't in good shape, so maybe something happened during construction? Either that, or the higher ups suddenly decided they wanted an attraction to go there immediately.

 

That's basically the gist of it. I'm hearing that they might have a partial teardown of the building done by tomorrow, but take that with a huge grain of salt.

[ernierocker]

^ Maybe if they can demolish it quick, they can try to put a maze in the space by October?

 

That is possible as well. I would think for that to happen, we will know for sure within the next couple of weeks. They will need to finish construction by Late August in order to get it pass permits and for rehearsals to start, so they would have to start construction as soon as possible.

Edited June 18, 2012 by ernierocker

[Wes]

^ With how fast they leveled Amity, I'm sure they could get it done.

[Hilltopper39]

That section of the park always felt very dead to me. The two streets on either side of that building were almost always empty (except for the Shrek meet n greet) so an attraction in that area would be a welcome addition. Who knows what they have planned, but I'm sure it should be good.

[coasterfreak101]

Screamscape (grain of salt, I know) reported that there was allegedly a balloon test done on the area, something like 50-75 feet. I'd be interested to see if they've decided to finally greenlight Transformers for Orlando after the success they've seen in the other two parks with it, and have decided to rush it for next year as an intermediate attraction to keep up interest until the next Potter phase comes in 2015/2016.

[Wes]

It just seems like adding Transformers is super redundant. The story beats of Spiderman are pretty close to Transformers. It's not just a matter of having the same ride system, it's a matter of the scenes in the ride being very close.

[coasterfreak101]

I mean, I can see that. But if it's been met with success elsewhere, and they think they can pull it off (against what they originally thought), then maybe they're springing for it. Is it similar enough to the point that a general parkgoer will recognize it as a rebranded version of the ride at the park next door?

[Wes]

It's similar enough where I think even average guests would notice. Buuuut I mean,people are lining up hours to buy a fake wand, so maybe Universal thinks they can get away with it.

It would make sense IF Universal was preparing to lose their Marvel license to Disney. But it seems like they also wouldn't have spent money on an upgraded Spiderman if that was the case. I dunno.

[coasterfreak101]

Yeah, I did assume that Transformers might replace Spiderman once they do lose the Marvel license sometime in the future (assuming that Transformers is relevant at that time). But who knows.

 

I do think that people go to Magic Kingdom without complaining that there are three of the same exact ride (Astro Orbiter, Magic Carpets, Dumbo), and they go to the Studios without realizing that Simpson's is just a rethemed Back to the Future, ride system and all. They might be able to get away with it. At the worst, people realize after they ride that it's similar, but they still came through the gate - and who knows, maybe plenty of people will like Transformers better and it'll survive just fine next door to its counterpart. Time will tell, if it happens!

[Skycoastin Steve]

Buuuut I mean,people are lining up hours to buy a fake wand, so maybe Universal thinks they can get away with it.

 

Baffles the mind every time when I see that line. I just want to go down the line and smack every single one of them silly and scream at them for buying an overpriced stick that does absolutely nothing (and one that their child will probably break before the vacation is over).

[Meteornotes]

^BUT IT'S POTTER!!! POTTER, THE BESTEST THING EVER!!!!

 

Yeah, I don't get it either. But hey, the idea is to make money, and they certainly seem to have this figured out, given the popularity of the land and merchandise. I'd obviously prefer Game Of Thrones Land (who wouldn't want to see a kid get tossed off a tower every hour?), but I totally give Universal credit for tapping into something that resonates with a lot of people.

 

As far as Transformers goes, I can see it going in there, though it does seem like from reports (I haven't been on it) that it's a littel TOO close to Spiderman. It would make sense to add something while they're waiting for Pottertown 2: More Wands Boogaloo to get built.

 

dt

[Erik Johnson]

Transformers and Spiderman are almost identical. It really would be baffling if they decided to do an East Coast version. I too would vote for a Game of Thrones land, that would be awesome.

[Tegolin]

I found this sign in IOA yesterday. I'm positive that it wasn't there last Friday.

The signs led to a room next to the wheelchair/stroller rental. I think the staff directed anyone that went inside to a Express pass booth.

Q-bots

Closer up

[TXman308]

So is the old Universal express pass completley gone, or are they still testing the Q-bot system?

[King_K.]

Both are options now. Think of the Q-Bot as a more premium alternative. It's also been live for about two weeks now, finished testing a while ago.

[jedimaster1227]

^^The Universal Ride Reservation System (or U-Bots) is currently being offered quietly while running concurrently with the standard Universal Express system. As a guest you can choose to utilize one or the other.

[donkeyman18]

I really disliked the old system whenever it would get wet it was falling apart they wouldn't replace it, it was a pain!

[TXman308]

^^But if you were to stay at a Universal Resort, would you still get the unlimited "old" express pass?

[FeelTheFORCE]

^^But if you were to stay at a Universal Resort, would you still get the unlimited "old" express pass?

 

I am wondering this also.

[King_K.]

^^But if you were to stay at a Universal Resort, would you still get the unlimited "old" express pass?

 

Yessir. It's still an on-site hotel perk.

[Justice]

Yeah, I did assume that Transformers might replace Spiderman once they do lose the Marvel license sometime in the future (assuming that Transformers is relevant at that time). But who knows.

Just an FYI, from what I've read in the contract, there is no expiration date. As long as Universal pays the fee (which only increases with inflation) they will forever have the exclusive rights to the characters they currently boast in the parks.