Nintendo Coming to Universal Parks

[WAJAS]

I'm pretty sure this area will be heavily focused on kids. It is replacing the KidZone area anyways. They can't just get rid of that and not have a replacement that doesn't, at least in part, appeal to a similar demographic.

That isn't to say it can't also appeal to adults. It will just lean more towards kids.

 

[martymcflyy85]

Kids will know Zelda.

 

[Teebin]

I'm pretty sure this area will be heavily focused on kids. It is replacing the KidZone area anyways. They can't just get rid of that and not have a replacement that doesn't, at least in part, appeal to a similar demographic.

That isn't to say it can't also appeal to adults. It will just lean more towards kids.

I hope the new area doesn't lean towards kids under 8 any longer. I would rather they massage in such rides around the park much like the Simpsons spinner. Universal should never attempt to compete with Fantasyland.

 

[korytowski8]

Is there any chance of seeing Nintendo in ioa at some point? If they don't use Zelda in the first area could we see it take over the lost continent or toon lagoon at some point? I feel if they did something with Zelda it would be better having its own themed area it wouldn't fit in with dk, Mario and friends.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Is there any chance of seeing Nintendo in ioa at some point? If they don't use Zelda in the first area could we see it take over the lost continent or toon lagoon at some point? I feel if they did something with Zelda it would be better having its own themed area it wouldn't fit in with dk, Mario and friends.

Lets take it one step at a time here. As they can do it over at IOA or at the Simpsons plot..if the first phase is a success. The first phase will decide what happens next with Nintendo and that's why they'd probably be doing this in the form of Diagon alley, blocking the real world and making you feel like you stepped into the universe they want to show.

 

[captainmoch]

I hope the new area doesn't lean towards kids under 8 any longer. I would rather they massage in such rides around the park much like the Simpsons spinner. Universal should never attempt to compete with Fantasyland.

I agree. I've always found the whole idea of KidZone very weak and generic. I'd rather have a similar area that tries to be a whole family area rather then a bottom of the barrel "you have to be younger then 8 to enjoy this"-type thing.

 

[tielo]

I agree. I've always found the whole idea of KidZone very weak and generic. I'd rather have a similar area that tries to be a whole family area rather then a bottom of the barrel "you have to be younger then 8 to enjoy this"-type thing.

I think it's a given that the aesthetics will be perceived as kiddy like. But just like Hello Kitty the target group is much broader than the art seems to portray. Nintendo gaming is, most of the time challenging and rather old school compared to the much easier western games.
From the announcement I get that Universal has the intention to build the rides as games, or at least have a gaming element in them. Be prepared to step into a very colorful but be challenged by the gaming aspect of the rides.

 

[NJBrandon]

I agree. I've always found the whole idea of KidZone very weak and generic. I'd rather have a similar area that tries to be a whole family area rather then a bottom of the barrel "you have to be younger then 8 to enjoy this"-type thing.

From what I understand, it definitely won't be a "kids area."

 

[quinnmac000]

Just because you don't know of or like something doesn't mean there isn't a wide appeal for it which many theme park fans seemingly tend to forget.

When it comes down to this area, the focus won't be just kids because if it was just for kids we would see Mario and Animal Crossing characters (the sims game made by Nintendo which they use cute animals instead of people). They wont stick with just Mario because when the agreement came about the goal was to market new Nintendo games and to promote their brands so no it will not be just mario because Nintendo isn't just Mario. Ride wise yes they may focus more so one certain IPs but I'm pretty sure there will be elements of all their personally own IPs including Pokemon which is a a shared property as they own half the rights will be present.

 

[Jade Light]

Guys just thought of something last night for an ET refurbishment

1. Use the same ride system
2. Use the same bike vehicles
3. The new ride will now ride through massive projected screens now the instead of the dark just like Harry Potter.
The ride film could take place in day light, next as you fly to the green planet it will take place in the sunset.
4. Update the bontacius animatronic into an interactive film
5. The green planet sequence will now have a giant projected screen.
6. The queue would not be so dark but the updated version will take place in the day light in a green background.

What do you all think about my idea I want to hear from all of you out there

 

[Jade Light]

Just want to let you know that universal is waiting for the ET contract with Spielberg to expire 2015/2016. I found that out on Orlandoparksnews

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Just want to let you know that universal is waiting for the ET contract with Spielberg to expire 2015/2016. I found that out on Orlandoparksnews

OrlandoParkNews isn't always right. The contract has probably been renewed by now and once again, Steven will not let ET go from Universal Orlando. Theres no chance in hell this will happen until he dies.

 

[anihilnation]

If memory serves me right Jungle Skip has said that Nintendoland will not be a kid's zone type of thing but will be more family oriented. Furthermore he said the land will be dense, so I am thinking 3-5 attraction, probably we will have one or two mild thrills as well as a few slower things. I also asked Jungle Skip once (somewhere in this threat) if it will be phases and he said it will be a one shot deal.

 

[captainmoch]

I'm guessing 2 mild thrills (think Test Track-level), 1 dark ride, and 2 flat rides. That's guessing though. My hopes would be a Splash Mountain-esque log flume based off Super Mario Bros with several AAs and environments from Mario games, a Test Track-esque Mario Kart ride, a Luigi's Mansion dark ride, a Yoshi flat ride, and a DK mine train family coaster. Also, near the DK family coaster and Yoshi flat rides could be some small kiddie play areas, themed to Donkey Kong Country and Yoshi's Island respectively.

This would then take up most of the plot, so if they would want to have Phase 2 with Hyrule or Pokemon Land, that would have to go in IoA, replacing either TL or LC.

 

[anihilnation]

I think a Donkey Kong Flume ride would be cool. Zelda for a dark ride, Captain Toad for an indoor mine coaster and Mario Kart as a spinning family coaster type ride.
I would also love for Universal to do something with Oceaneering's trackless system, see what they can do it. I have wandered if it would be possible to use the trackless system for a Mario Kart ride, every RV could be individually themed to a character, use large screens/immersive tunnel experience and have it where the ride system really gives you the feeling of being in a race.

 

[quinnmac000]

I think a Donkey Kong Flume ride would be cool. Zelda for a dark ride, Captain Toad for an indoor mine coaster and Mario Kart as a spinning family coaster type ride.
I would also love for Universal to do something with Oceaneering's trackless system, see what they can do it. I have wandered if it would be possible to use the trackless system for a Mario Kart ride, every RV could be individually themed to a character, use large screens/immersive tunnel experience and have it where the ride system really gives you the feeling of being in a race.

Doing the same thing as F&F for mario kart would be reductive

 

[anihilnation]

Doing the same thing as F&F for mario kart would be reductive

Mechanism would be completely different, F&F will most likely be long tram type vehicle, probably same as Kong and from what I understand of F&F in Hollywood you are an observer rather than a participant. The trackless Mario Kart I'd like to see would be direct participation, , so the screens would mainly be to simulate the environment. The "tunnel" would have to be curved and wide enough where two RV's could pass by one another. Note, I am not expecting this though, since it probably would take up too much space.

 

[Blue]

I'm guessing 2 mild thrills (think Test Track-level), 1 dark ride, and 2 flat rides. That's guessing though. My hopes would be a Splash Mountain-esque log flume based off Super Mario Bros with several AAs and environments from Mario games, a Test Track-esque Mario Kart ride, a Luigi's Mansion dark ride, a Yoshi flat ride, and a DK mine train family coaster. Also, near the DK family coaster and Yoshi flat rides could be some small kiddie play areas, themed to Donkey Kong Country and Yoshi's Island respectively.

This would then take up most of the plot, so if they would want to have Phase 2 with Hyrule or Pokemon Land, that would have to go in IoA, replacing either TL or LC.

I would love this. Sounds like it would take up more space than what KidZone has though.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I just have some expectations, simple mind you.

3 attractions at minimum, DK; Mario Kart; and Yoshis Wooly World
a immersive themed environment much like Diagon Alley where your immersed into this world
Nighttime lighting in the area

 

[WAJAS]

I'm expecting a new float to be added to the parade along with this. It would make a lot of sense.

Also, Universal could do a really cool interactive meet and greet with some of the bigger characters.