Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[Brian G.]

Heck, USH which is far more studio-based than USF, redid it's entrance a few years ago to provide a cleaner and aesthetically pleasing introduction to the park. That's all I'm asking for lol

Therein lies the difference in opinion. You're asking for something specific, but that's not what most people are asking for. I'm not claiming that Minion Land represents the pinnacle of entrance design, but that concern isn't at the forefront of the general public’s mind. When Universal Studios Florida was being built, the allure of Hollywood and movie making was very different from what it is today, where it's practically nonexistent now. The focal point wasn't just what was inside the park; it was the iconic archway that provided a view of a "working studio." The drastic shift the industry has undergone is something that many people would never have anticipated, especially when designing USF.

 

[Amity6]

Perhaps they should take the "Hollywood that never was" approach to some areas.

Everything comes back full circle

 

[Brian G.]

Everything comes back full circle

It's only fair! haha

 

[Wesker69]

Now that Brian said it, "Minion Studios" should've definitely been the name instead of "Land" for the area.

 

[belloq87]

I believe that will be enough, and that USF doesn't need a DCA-esque redo.

I do think USF does need something on a comparable scale of the DCA redo... but in terms of investment into attractions much more than the thematic/atmosphere/land improvements that were so necessary to make DCA more respectable.

 

[HHN Maddux]

I do think USF does need something on a comparable scale of the DCA redo... but in terms of investment into attractions much more than the thematic/atmosphere/land improvements that were so necessary to make DCA more respectable.

This. As I've expressed before, I think the aesthetic and atmosphere of Studio is actually quite nice, and I've spent quite a few park days just walking around, not doing any rides.

Attractions is where USF really needs help, not the look IMO (although I do agree that they really need to get a grip on what the front of the park should be).

 

[Wesker69]

I like the original concept of "soundstage backlot" known as "Production Central" once you entered. Then just past that, you entered the "Hollywood or NY" backlot set depending on your chosen path. Beyond those areas you had "San Francisco/Amity" backlot set or "Central Park".

Unfortunately once past both of those areas, you fell into the awkward section of Kidzone/World Expo, which didn't exactly match the vibe. Although I loved that the Psycho IV house loomed over Kidzone until the "Man in the yellow hat" bought the land so his Curious monkey could go to town.

It was great that each ride/attraction made sense within it's designated area of the "backlot". I'd argue the first downward spiral of no cohesion started when Twister (RIP) replaced Ghostbusters (despite still fitting the production/soundstage vibe).

 

[amar831]

I don’t know, I kind of see USF as like a quirky aunt. She’s never perfectly put together, but she’s fun and has a lot of things to love about her. For years IOA was the perfect counterpoint to it with immersive lands and areas dedicated to and built around IPs or unique, singular ideas. And in a few months they’re about to open the grand fromage that is EU. I think each park serves it’s purpose at the resort and I think its kind of necessary. 3 Epic style parks would be fantastic, but I think variety is important too.

 

[Mad Dog]

This. As I've expressed before, I think the aesthetic and atmosphere of Studio is actually quite nice, and I've spent quite a few park days just walking around, not doing any rides.

Attractions is where USF really needs help, not the look IMO (although I do agree that they really need to get a grip on what the front of the park should be).

My view also. We spend lots of time in the Studios, way more than the much more beautiful IOA that has better attractions. We enjoy the ambiance, street entertainment and city vibes. But the attraction line up is where the park is weak. Help is needed there, especially a F&F replacement soon. And, I always thought Hollywood would be a better entrance, but unfortunately most of the main attractions are on the other side of the park, so that's where the crowd flows.

 

[belloq87]

I don’t know, I kind of see USF as like a quirky aunt. She’s never perfectly put together, but she’s fun and has a lot of things to love about her. For years IOA was the perfect counterpoint to it with immersive lands and areas dedicated to and built around IPs or unique, singular ideas. And in a few months they’re about to open the grand fromage that is EU. I think each park serves it’s purpose at the resort and I think its kind of necessary. 3 Epic style parks would be fantastic, but I think variety is important too.

Yeah, in an ideal world, I'd prefer that USF be a park mostly of standalone attractions in larger areas collecting various IP, with only a couple of "anchor" single-IP, immersive lands (like Diagon).

 

[saint.piss]

All I want is a great replacement for Supercharged and that Pokémon land. That's it lol. As it is this park is great except the attraction quality isn't consistent. Stuff like Fallon, Simpsons, Supercharged really lessened the overall quality of this park. Regardless this is one of the parks that I visit the most so I do really love it still. One of my favorite parks to just chill in and do casual visits.

 

[biggerboat16]

All I want is a great replacement for Supercharged and that Pokémon land. That's it lol. As it is this park is great except the attraction quality isn't consistent. Stuff like Fallon, Simpsons, Supercharged really lessened the overall quality of this park. Regardless this is one of the parks that I visit the most so I do really love it still. One of my favorite parks to just chill in and do casual visits.

I agree about the park itself. I actually prefer the vibe to many different parks. The whole park just feels like it’s leading up to something that never really comes because it’s missing that one big e-ticket to tie it all together.

Too many filler attractions and low quality rides bog it down but the lands and areas themselves I quite enjoy. I truly believe that if they just gutted a few showbuildings and replaced what was inside without altering the lands too much it would make a world of difference.

USF should really be the crown jewel of Uni’s theme park lineup, but as others have said it went through a rapid-fire rebranding phase to whatever was hip at the time and now we have a Frankenstein of a park that is too far removed from its original goal but not removed enough to have a new goal.

What we have now is the studio equivalent of Epcot. A severely underutilized park with an array of attractions arguably inferior to what they replaced and an army of fans lamenting about how much better the park used to be which now relies on festivals to compensate for a mediocre lineup.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Yeah, in an ideal world, I'd prefer that USF be a park mostly of standalone attractions in larger areas collecting various IP, with only a couple of "anchor" single-IP, immersive lands (like Diagon).

I mean, USF will be exactly this once Pokemon is there, right?

I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring here a bit. Minion Studios absolutely would have been a better name. If Minion Land had been a much more immersive and better-themed land, would the general public have enjoyed it more? Most likely. Would it have resulted in more merch/snack sales? No lol.

What I would have liked to have seen is for them to actually embrace the "Illumination Avenue" concept. More presence of other Illumination properties, and maybe even having a fully "Illumination" store.

 

[Wesker69]

Even the DreamWorks area isn't as fully embraced as it could/should be.. upgrade? Yes. Fully brought to life? No. Still needs a dark/flat ride? Definitely.

Rockit's replacement is going to really be awkward if it is a completely different theme unrelated to DM. Especially since Minion's Cafe sits beyond Plaza of the (Illumination) Stars across from the Hollywood Bowl/Rockit stage.

*insert required loss of JAWS comment here*

 

[UniversalRBLX]

A DCA-style overhaul of the park entrance is all I'm asking for, along with cleaning up some stains in the parks' attraction roster and making Minion Land "fit better" into its existing location. How Singapore has a better Minion Land than Orlando is beyond me lol

 

[Wesker69]

How Singapore has a better Minion Land than Singapore is beyond me lol

Did you mean Japan? Beijing? Hollywood?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Did you mean Japan? Beijing? Hollywood?

Meant Orlando, ty

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Even the DreamWorks area isn't as fully embraced as it could/should be.. upgrade? Yes. Fully brought to life? No. Still needs a dark/flat ride? Definitely.

With a dark ride, they may have space for an expansive all-inclusive Dreamworks store as well. I can't imagine they're satisfied with a small kiosk being the extent of the merch in Dreamworks Land.

 

[saint.piss]

Hot take but I really enjoyed Orlando's Minion Land. It's not the greatest land ever (Japan and Beijings versions are way better) but it's still really cute. I also love Minion Cafe. Going there when it's open during HHN is nice

 

[Brian G.]

A DCA-style overhaul of the park entrance is all I'm asking for, along with cleaning up some stains in the parks' attraction roster and making Minion Land "fit better" into its existing location. How Singapore has a better Minion Land than Orlando is beyond me lol

Again, no one is saying that's a bad idea. It's just not something Universal views as a park issue, and judging by the work they've done on the entrance area so far, it's not something they have planned any time soon.

We've discussed the Minion Lands before. USF jumped to replace Neutron with their latest hit, not realizing how lucrative it would end up being, so the other lands are much more fleshed out.