Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[ILoveRides]

Great report Adam! It was interesting to see the similarities and differences between the media days for the Hollywood and Florida Transformers openings. That Nest bag is really cool!

[JimmyBo]

Awesome stuff Adam! I can't wait to get back to Universal Orlando. So much has change since I last visited pre-Potterland at IOA. Universal is really uping the anti on attractions and fighting with Disney on hotels on property to keep people there. Pretty amazing.

 

Jimmy "I want a pink doughnut" Bo

[PKI Jizzman]

Really swanky event. Glen Morshower? Awesome! Transformers won a bunch of Academy Awards, right?

 

Springfield looks really nice as well.

[alpengeist04]

Transformers won a bunch of Academy Awards, right?

 

^No, but the trilogy made a crap load of $$$$money$$$$.

 

 

 

Great job, Adam. Thanks for covering the opening today and the pics last night .

[Musketeer]

Everything looks fantastic! Can't wait for the rest of Springfield to open.

[dandaman]

"Your jacket is now dry!"

 

Well, that's certainly something I never expected to see on a construction wall! Nice catch, and great report.

[rtpb]

The whole place looks amazing - the down side with living in New Zealand is far too long between visits - but with the next one planned for Feb 2015 I am on countdown mode already!!!

[Randomman295]

Looks great. I'm going this weekend, is anybody else?

[rosscoe]

Great report Adam, those backpacks are cray

[lake]

Is there anyone that has ridden both rides? I'd like to know how they compare to each other since I know USO had much more freedom in the building of the ride (space limitations, new building, etc.)

[Jew]

Is there anyone that has ridden both rides? I'd like to know how they compare to each other since I know USO had much more freedom in the building of the ride (space limitations, new building, etc.)

 

The ride is exactly the same. Only a slightly different queue layout.

[alpengeist04]

^^Yea, I've been on both and didn't notice any differences with the ride itself. Also, while the queues aren't exactly the same, there's really not enough to say one is better than the other. ...Though I do give the edge to Orlando's version on outside theming.

[GO MUFC!!!]

Yay! Transformers has a single rider line.

[jedimaster1227]

I've gone ahead and added my video from the Grand Opening of Transformers: The Ride - 3D, including Mark Woodbury (President of Universal Creative), Peter Cullen (Voice of Optimus Prime), Frank Welker (Voice of Megatron), Tom Williams (Chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts) and Bill Davis (President and CEO of Universal Orlando Resort). This video also includes appearances by Steven Spielberg, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee.

 

[Erik Johnson]

I am glad to see Frank Welker involved with the ride. I am still not sure why they did not use him for the movies. It is quite amazing how many voices he has done over the years.

[jordanTNE]

i was there the past weekend and i got a cool over the wall pic of the London waterfront contruction. cant see much but there hasnt been any updates in a while

[jordanTNE]

If you look close, you can begin to see the shops taking place down what i believe is diagon alley

[ernierocker]

^Thanks for posting the photos. In the future, you can just upload both photos into one post instead of making two separate posts.

 

Thanks!

[Woodie Warrior]

Once Springfield is completely done we should start seeing the London facades being worked on very quickly.

[vekoma_fan]

Not sure if this has already been answered, but.. do Transformers have express pass? I saw a pic once from the ride entrance, and saw signs for both single rider and express pass.. ( and the normal que) But is the express pass avaliable for the ride at the moment or just in the future?

[jedimaster1227]

^The ride has been built with a Universal Express Pass queue and originally had an Express Pass sign up, but the sign has since been covered over. It is expected that the ride will be featured on the Universal Express Pass system, but as of right now it does not appear to be included yet.

[Woodie Warrior]

I thought I read on the Orlando United forums that the express line was added the second day of operation.

[jedimaster1227]

^I was there on opening day and haven't been back since, so that is entirely possible.

[jray21]

Great report Adam! That food spread looked amazing! How were the chicken and waffles? Did they taste like Ego's with chicken chicken strips, or like real chicken and waffles? Either way, the whole simpson's area looks awesome. Can't wait to visit!

[gisco]

Once Springfield is completely done we should start seeing the London facades being worked on very quickly.

 

I doubt that one has anything to do with the other.