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

[Blue Steel]

I'm not fond of the name one bit.

 

A little too cheesy perhaps?

IMO it's rather annoying when a park tries to market to a certain demographic (i.e. "youtube generation"). It just ends up being a little too over-the-top, and it takes off from the entire theme of the park.

[CCJared]

I think it looks like a nice ride, maybe not what we expected, but i am sure it will be great. To me it looks like a Maverick type ride by Intamin, but looking at the trains, it seems to look like an X-Car. So maybe its just a Zierre as they have track and trains that combine the two companies together.

[BeemerBoy]

Central Florida = Orlando Metropolitan Area

Dude, I lived in Florida for 28 years, so I'm pretty familiar with the correct zonings, etc. However, since it was a joke to begin with, I'll stick with what I still consider to be "Central Florida."

 

Anyway, back to the ride.

 

Also, I certainly hope they don't forget a certain Herbie Hancock tune when they decide on the sound system's playlist.

That was my first odd thought too.

"My" Central Florida.

[-LILDAREDEVIL5-]

I like the idea of being able to pick your own soundtrack for the ride.I think it will change the experience for me.I was just disappointed it might not be a B&M Mega like the Hollywood Dream coaster in Japan.

Has anyone ever ridden a Mauer-Shone? Do they make smooth rides? Is that car comfortable?

[ahecht]

Is Tampa no longer considered "Central Florida?"

Isn't Tampa where the University of South Florida is?

 

and somehow I think HHN will be fine, it makes an awful lot of money for the park...

 

Just like the Midwest is in the east half of the United States, or Northern California includes cities like Monteray (in the southern half of the state) and San Francisco (which is in the middle)

 

[almightyfire]

it is about time that these types of parks started getting major thrill rides. now i will consider going to florida. i have never had the desire to go to florida because they didnt have enough coasters for me. I did however want to go because I do love themeing. With this coaster I might go in the fall of 2009.

[cfc]

^^"Southern California" begins at Santa Barbara--at least that's how we used to look at it when I was growing up in Central California--while the area between "northern" and "southern" California was called "the Central Coast" (that is, San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara). But it's all pretty subjective.

[ginzo]

it is about time that these types of parks started getting major thrill rides. now i will consider going to florida. i have never had the desire to go to florida because they didnt have enough coasters for me. I did however want to go because I do love themeing. With this coaster I might go in the fall of 2009.

 

Dueling Dragons, Mummy, Hulk, Spiderman, Ripsaw Falls, and Men in Black aren't major thrill rides?

 

You're right in that the Florida parks don't cram 13 undermaintained coasters into an ugly slab of concrete. But most parks only have a handful of good coasters anyway. The rest is usually filler. So think of the Florida parks as getting rid of the fluff.

[cfc]

^And let's not forget Everest, Tower of Terror, and Rock'n'Roller Coaster at Disney.

[ginzo]

^Or the Carousel of Progress

[Ccron10]

I kinda think that the coaster industry is starting to go into a new phase with on-board sound systems and letting guests choose their own music. Wouldn't suprise me if a lot more coasters in the future use this more often.

 

This could make WDW renovate Space Mountain into Rockin' Space Mountain. I really hope.

[figment1986]

Central Florida does include Tampa Bay Metro... to a point...

 

We are south central if you want to get technical

 

Also, Universal did confirm The manufacturer is Maurer Söhne and more information will be released soon regarding everything else on the attraction... when, i dont know.

 

Also i found this MONTHS ago but kept it to myself...

http://www.maurer-soehne.com/files/amusement/pdf/Multimedia_X-Seat_en.pdf

 

thats all the details on the seat that would fit the attraction...

[Swimace]

^Yeah they've had a lot of stuff up promoting their X-Cars for a while now.

 

I just don't think this whole multi-media gimmick is really that great. Plenty of rides have on-board music systems, and I can't imagine that allowing the guest to choose their song is really that much of a technological advancement.

 

I guess it's a good marketing strategy though, the GP will probably think it's the coolest thing ever. I wonder if Disney will retaliate with a similar feature on Space Mountain 2 or perhaps modifying RRC to choose different mixes.

[pianojohn]

Rising Star opens at Universal Orlando's City Walk

 

I am officially a rock star! Well, not really, but I sure feel like one!

 

After a month of rehearsal, the new venue Rising Star officially opened at City Walk in the old City Jazz location. The club decor is a swanky Vegas style lounge with lots of dark purple curtains, new carpeting, and some high tech enhancements.

 

I will be playing at the club as a sub musician, so if you get the chance to come out on March 29th, April 4, 5, 11, and May 3rd, you can see me tickling the ivories!

 

The concept is basically a karaoke bar with a twist: instead of singing to pre-recorded tracks, you sing to a live band with two female back up singers and a male MC. It's a total blast!

 

The local FOX affiliate did a story about the club. Here is the link:

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/myfox/pages ... 1.1&sflg=1

 

Anyway, onto the pics!

One more shot!

Taken from backstage

Out front of the club

Your view from the stage (actually the balcony!)

Name that tune!

One of my bosses Richie took the stage last night.

Sang "Livin' On a Prayer."

On our preview night, Joey Fatone from NSYNC took the stage!

And with some of the band

Backstage with my friend Lindsey, one of the backup singers.

The logo at night

There are three plasmas above the stage that show the words as well as live HD video of your performance!

My office

The new decor

OK, maybe one!

Please, no autographs!

The new signage out front of the club.

The new logo on the wall of logos on the walkway to CityWalk.

One of our daytime rehearsals as the club is being remodeled.

Edited August 17, 2011 by Moose

[Vffreak07]

Congrats dude! That looks wicked fun!

[Erik Johnson]

Hey that is quite neat. Enjoy the new gig!

[SharkTums]

Joey Fatone

 

OMG, I am so jealous!!! I pretty much love him and want to well...yeah...

 

Seems like a really cool concept! I can't sing worth a crap so I'm not into the Karaoke thing, but for people who are this is such a great idea!

 

I hope the gig lasts you a while!

[DenDen]

VERY COOL, the concept, and you're new job! Wish we had something like that down here.

 

Oh wait, we do, drag bars.

[Jhcbiinoc]

I think this will be the first "X-Car" coaster at a major American theme park, and it looks to be the largest coaster of this type they have done, so this should be really interesting.

 

I was reading about this coaster on ScreamScape, and one of the things they said was that the park originally went to B&M for something like the coaster they had built for Universal Studios Japan but that B&M could not fit it into their schedule for a 2009 opening.....which makes me wonder, just what all is B&M doing this year?

[iZak]

Nice rig there! Care to take some of us musicians on a tour?

[BarryH]

I hope you know "Endless Love."

[spaceace12]

 

So easy, Trace Adkins, Honk Tonk badonkadonk.

[coolhandluke]

^Large-scale hypers for all the rest of the ex-Paramount parks and a biggie at each BG...I hope...I wish...

[Justin]

I believe this has the potential to become a great addition to the already less trendy Universal Orlando. I don't really think they are reinventing the wheel here, but who said they were? If done right, it could serve as a substantial crowd puller.

[BeemerBoy]

I was reading about this coaster on ScreamScape, and one of the things they said was that the park originally went to B&M for something like the coaster they had built for Universal Studios Japan but that B&M could not fit it into their schedule for a 2009 opening.....which makes me wonder, just what all is B&M doing this year?

Maybe they're preoccupied with the planning stages for a crapload of coasters in Dubai that may, or may not ever see the light of day? Just a random thought, really. I have no clue.