Nintendo Coming to Universal Parks

[Brian G.]

Oh I agree that HS sucks. Capacity, offerings, etc. But I will also say that attendance is down in that park. But I don't see US attendance dropping any time soon, only rising. Which is why I think closing so many things at US will harm it. Lines will be longer and this could cause a guest satisfaction issue. This will be the lowest amount of rides/shows Studios has had since before Comcast bought them and before Phase 1. However, the attendance numbers are MUCH higher since Comcast bought them and Phase 1 was completed. So you can't deny there will be an issue and honestly may not be the smartest move Uni has made post-phase 1.

Lines will definitely get longer, since they're losing 2 high-capacity attractions, but really is no other choice to wait. I think they planned as best as they can by offering Hulk and Kong in 2016 to take some pressure off of USF.

 

[IzzyB]

It'll be an issue for a year, though I don't think it will be anywhere near as bad as some do here. Comcast is looking at the long game. If you have the opportunity to open Kong, Hulk, Volcano Bay, Fallon, F&F, and Nintendo in back-to-back-to-back years, you take it. You have Star Wars to deal with in the immediate future, and you want all hands on deck for that, not to mention additions to IoA will help take the pressure off USF next year.

I get why they are doing it, just like I get why DHS is shutting down so much so fast because they also want to get stuff opened to the public faster. Just saying, that you and others on here are blowing it off like it is no big deal, when in reality it will hurt capacity a ton. When Phase one opened up they had the following things:

Rockit
Jimmy Neutron
Shrek
Twister
Mummy
Disaster
Beetlejuice
Jaws
Fear Factor (during heavy time periods)
MIB
Simpsons
Animal Show
Barnie
Woody Wood Pecker Coaster
Playland
ET
T2
Make-up Horror show

That is 10 rides, 7 shows, and 1 playland

After they shut kidzone down we will have the following things

Rockit
Minions
Shrek
Mummy
Transformers
Gringotts
HE
Fear Factor (during heavy time periods)
MIB
Simpsons
Simpson Spinner
ET
T2
Make-up Horror show

That is 10 rides and 4 shows. If ET has to be down at some point (which I imagine to re-route it, it would need to be) it will be 9 rides.

So based on this you can see they are losing a good bit from pre-phase 1 when attendance was WAY down. Now with attendance up, that could be an issue. Now IOA will have more capacity (2 extra rides), but people still go to both parks especially since more people are vacationing and staying multiple days there. So that would be like saying well MK will have more capacity so it shouldn't matter if DHS doesn't. It does matter, because like Universal you have people who vacation multiple days and go to all the parks.

 

[IzzyB]

Lines will definitely get longer, since they're losing 2 high-capacity attractions, but really is no other choice to wait. I think they planned as best as they can by offering Hulk and Kong in 2016 to take some pressure off of USF.

Spring break is going to be really rough since neither of those attractions will be running. So things will be closed at US and IOA will have no more number of rides than they did pre-phase 1. Because Hulk will be down, but they have FJ. I would think the best planning would be to wait to close Kidzone down until at least after Spring Break.

 

[Brian G.]

Spring break is going to be really rough since neither of those attractions will be running. So things will be closed at US and IOA will have no more number of rides than they did pre-phase 1. Because Hulk will be down, but they have FJ. I would think the best planning would be to wait to close Kidzone down until at least after Spring Break.

But no one is arguing capacity and line issues......?

 

[JungleSkip]

Animal Actors is closing.

Things you're missing:
-Diagon Alley is an attraction to itself to people, and adds capacity.
-Gringotts' capacity is way bigger than Jaws'
-Transformers has huge capacity
-Minions draws INFINITELY more people to it than JN does.

EDIT: Also, you left out Twirl'N'Hurl

Yea, lines will be longer for a year. one year. Worth it.

I would think the best planning would be to wait to close Kidzone down until at least after Spring Break.

And then you open Nintendoland 3-4 months late. One crowded spring break is worth it opening sooner.

 

[Mad Dog]

You can't just factor rides into capacity. Diagon Alley/London, not counting Gringotts & HE, has increased capacity quite a lot on it's own. And to a lesser extent, Springfield redo has increased capacity, not counting the rides. And, both Gringotts & HE are "huge" capacity attractions that"people actually go on". Not many people ever lined up for Twister, and Kidzone is kind of dead except during holidays and summer. And, let's get back to the 75% of people park hop reality. So these closings, while cutting capacity somewhat, shouldn't really make that much of a difference. None of the closed/closing areas attracted huge crowds anyway....Edit: JS just posted many of these same thoughts as I was typing this.

 

[IzzyB]

But no one is arguing capacity and line issues......?

Really? About 3 people said it would be no big deal that those things are closing. It was just strange for me because I have been slowly going back and reading things and to me it seems like people downplay Unis issues, because they do have issues. Uni is not perfect. They need more family stuff, they have very unbalanced parks (one has too many 3D the other has too many water rides) causing people to skip a lot of things. Then that puts more pressure on rides that everyone can enjoy. Lines are fairly long if you don't do express and you don't get to do a ton. Sure they have more "rides" but when I went I was able to ride 5 things and 4 and 5 were HE so I could see both ways. The lines were so long for so many things that we couldn't do much even though we were there 8 hours. We had time for one more ride, but my sister was tired of waiting in long lines so we left. My sister and BIL felt like it would have been a huge waste of money if they hadn't added the 2nd day since 1 day park hopper is $147. Could you imagine paying $147 for 5 rides? Luckily the second day they went was a little less crowded so for their $200 they were able to ride a couple more things. But this was not summer or spring break, it was the day after a minor holiday most people don't get off (Columbus Day).

You can't just factor rides into capacity. Diagon Alley/London, not counting Gringotts & HE, has increased capacity quite a lot on it's own. And to a lesser extent, Springfield redo has increased capacity, not counting the rides. And, both Gringotts & HE are "huge" capacity attractions that"people actually go on". Not many people ever lined up for Twister, and Kidzone is kind of dead except during holidays and summer. And, let's get back to the 75% of people park hop reality. So these closings, while cutting capacity somewhat, shouldn't really make that much of a difference. None of the closed/closing areas attracted huge crowds anyway....Edit: JS just posted many of these same thoughts as I was typing this.

I get that the areas themselves add some capacity. But do you think it adds enough to make up for all the shows and rides that will be closed. Park Hopper won't come into play for Spring Break since Hulk and Kong will still be closed. Again, I get it, but I just think we are downplaying a real issue. If Disney was doing this same thing (oh wait they are) we would be all over them.

 

[JungleSkip]

They need more family stuff.

Well we're currently talking about a land that will be all family stuff. So....

 

[Brian G.]

If Disney was doing this same thing (oh wait they are) we would be all over them.

Here's a list of all Universal will offering as of now:

1. Minion Mayhem
2. Rockit
3. Shrek 4D
4. Transformers
5. Blues Bros
6. Mummy
7. Gringotts
8. Hogwarts Express
9. Ollivanders
10. MiB
11. Fear Factor
12. Kang and Kodos
13. ET
14. T2
15. Horror Make Up
16. Curious George
17. Nuthouse Coaster
18. Barney

Now here's a list of all that DHS is offering right now:

1. Great Movie Ride
2. Indy Stunt
3. Star Tours
4. Honey I Shrunk The Kids
5. LMA
6. Muppet Vision
7. TSMM
8. Disney Jr
9. Voyage of the Little Mermaid
10. One Man's Dream
11. Beauty and the Beast
12. RnRC
13. Tower of Terrror

Those in italics are on the chopping block.

So yes, while both have the same goals of re-designing and overhauling their theme park - DHS is in much dire situation. Many of the things they closed have been closed for quite sometime without any movement. Disaster and Twister have just been closed and movement has already started. By the time Star Wars and Toy Story really get into gear with construction, they'll have 6 less offerings, narrowing it down to 7 total. Until TSMM opens up the 3rd track, it's a capacity nightmare and RnRC isn't great with capacity either.

That's the point at least I'm trying to make. Universal is better equipped to be down 2 attractions (and eventually KidZone) than DHS is.

 

[IzzyB]

Here's a list of all Universal will offering as of now:

1. Minion Mayhem
2. Rockit
3. Shrek 4D
4. Transformers
5. Blues Bros
6. Mummy
7. Gringotts
8. Hogwarts Express
9. Ollivanders
10. MiB
11. Fear Factor
12. Kang and Kodos
13. ET
14. T2
15. Horror Make Up
16. Curious George
17. Nuthouse Coaster
18. Barney

Now here's a list of all that DHS is offering right now:

1. Great Movie Ride
2. Indy Stunt
3. Star Tours
4. Honey I Shrunk The Kids
5. LMA
6. Muppet Vision
7. TSMM
8. Disney Jr
9. Voyage of the Little Mermaid
10. One Man's Dream
11. Beauty and the Beast
12. RnRC
13. Tower of Terrror

Those in italics are on the chopping block.

So yes, while both have the same goals of re-designing and overhauling their theme park - DHS is in much dire situation. Many of the things they closed have been closed for quite sometime without any movement. Disaster and Twister have just been closed and movement has already started. By the time Star Wars and Toy Story really get into gear with construction, they'll have 6 less offerings, narrowing it down to 7 total. Until TSMM opens up the 3rd track, it's a capacity nightmare and RnRC isn't great with capacity either.

That's the point at least I'm trying to make. Universal is better equipped to be down 2 attractions (and eventually KidZone) than DHS is.

I never denied that DHS is not hurting and is a shell of itself. I also think it is the park that needs the most help in all of Orlando. I think it is awful they have let it go this long without doing SOMETHING. It is really bad there and attendance shows it. Based on the rumors out there I believe Muppet & Disney Jr are not on the chopping block. I also though LMA would be open for awhile longer since they don't need that land until Phase 3. But we will see. Either way with or without those things it is awful.

What I am saying is Uni will have capacity and long lines especially during the upcoming Spring Break. It is a real issue and I don't think you can ignore it. I personally would want to be nowhere near Uni over Spring Break, nor would I want to be working at guest services. Because those lines are going to be long and people are not going to get to do as much as they would like to do. And with ticket prices being high for park hopper options, I think it is going to frustrate guests. It could put a bad taste in some guests mouth.

DHS has put a bad taste in people's mouths for years now, nothing is going to change there. If you liked the park before, they are not getting rid of things you probably rode so you will still go for a half day. If you didn't like the park before because it had nothing to offer, you still won't go. The park has been sad for years. Once Star wars opens people will come back, but until then it will be parents who have to see the "Frozen" sing along or people who like some of the rides and go for a half day (this is the crowd I fall into, my daughter could care less about Frozen). On the flip side, Uni has done some great things and have grown in popularity, do they really want to hurt themselves like this just so they can get an area open a little faster?

On a side note, I don't think Blues brothers count and Disney has that new theater opening up. Disney does street shows too. But again, not comparing the two. We already know DHS lacks a lot.

 

[JungleSkip]

On the flip side, Uni has done some great things and have grown in popularity, do they really want to hurt themselves like this just so they can get an area open a little faster?

I think you're seriously overestimating how much one spring break will hurt. Everyone will forget about it when Universal says, "Come see all this cool new stuff!"

 

[Brian G.]

I never denied that DHS is not hurting and is a shell of itself. I also think it is the park that needs the most help in all of Orlando. I think it is awful they have let it go this long without doing SOMETHING. It is really bad there and attendance shows it. Based on the rumors out there I believe Muppet & Disney Jr are not on the chopping block. I also though LMA would be open for awhile longer since they don't need that land until Phase 3. But we will see. Either way with or without those things it is awful.

But you keep mentioning things like "If Disney was doing this same thing (oh wait they are) we would be all over them." I merely pointed out why some of us had made the comments we've made. In addition, many of the comments were made before anything was announced. The concern has been a bit tempered now since we know what's coming, but not much because movement hasn't started yet and no official timeline has been given.

What I am saying is Uni will have capacity and long lines especially during the upcoming Spring Break. It is a real issue and I don't think you can ignore it. I personally would want to be nowhere near Uni over Spring Break, nor would I want to be working at guest services. Because those lines are going to be long and people are not going to get to do as much as they would like to do. And with ticket prices being high for park hopper options, I think it is going to frustrate guests. It could put a bad taste in some guests mouth.

Again, I know that it will impact crowds because 2 of the attractions were high-capacity and crowd eaters. It's fine to think it may be a problem, I just think they're better equipped to deal with a lot of it. Not saying it won't be a noticeable increase, but not an increase where it will be a general problem. The saving grace is that 75% of day guests have a ticket option to go over to IOA. So yes, while Spring Break may be crazy without Kong and Hulk, the Summer months and Holiday season will be ready for it.

2-3 weeks < 3.5 months

DHS has put a bad taste in people's mouths for years now, nothing is going to change there. If you liked the park before, they are not getting rid of things you probably rode so you will still go for a half day. If you didn't like the park before because it had nothing to offer, you still won't go. The park has been sad for years. Once Star wars opens people will come back, but until then it will be parents who have to see the "Frozen" sing along or people who like some of the rides and go for a half day (this is the crowd I fall into, my daughter could care less about Frozen). On the flip side, Uni has done some great things and have grown in popularity, do they really want to hurt themselves like this just so they can get an area open a little faster?

Personally, I think they hurt themselves if they don't pull the trigger now. Star Wars opening is going to negate anything Universal does, period. In addition, they do have to compete with the opening of Avatar (let's leave how much of an attention-grabber it'll be for another discussion ) So in 2017, Disney brings out Avatar (and maybe Toy Story) while Universal brings out Volcano Bay, Fallon, and Fast & Furious. By 2018, DHS will definitely open Toy Story Land and Universal will open Nintendoland. The next 4-5 is their time in the spot light essentially - until Star Wars Land opens - so they're going to milk it every which way they can.

 

[JungleSkip]

The next 4-5 is their time in the spot light essentially - until Star Wars Land opens - so they're going to milk it every which way they can.

This all the way. It's the reason they're looking at more Potter to open around Star Wars too. They're not going to willingly sit around and take their time while Star Wars gets ready.

 

[sjago13]

I never denied that DHS is not hurting and is a shell of itself. I also think it is the park that needs the most help in all of Orlando. I think it is awful they have let it go this long without doing SOMETHING. It is really bad there and attendance shows it. Based on the rumors out there I believe Muppet & Disney Jr are not on the chopping block. I also though LMA would be open for awhile longer since they don't need that land until Phase 3. But we will see. Either way with or without those things it is awful.

What I am saying is Uni will have capacity and long lines especially during the upcoming Spring Break. It is a real issue and I don't think you can ignore it. I personally would want to be nowhere near Uni over Spring Break, nor would I want to be working at guest services. Because those lines are going to be long and people are not going to get to do as much as they would like to do. And with ticket prices being high for park hopper options, I think it is going to frustrate guests. It could put a bad taste in some guests mouth.

DHS has put a bad taste in people's mouths for years now, nothing is going to change there. If you liked the park before, they are not getting rid of things you probably rode so you will still go for a half day. If you didn't like the park before because it had nothing to offer, you still won't go. The park has been sad for years. Once Star wars opens people will come back, but until then it will be parents who have to see the "Frozen" sing along or people who like some of the rides and go for a half day (this is the crowd I fall into, my daughter could care less about Frozen). On the flip side, Uni has done some great things and have grown in popularity, do they really want to hurt themselves like this just so they can get an area open a little faster?

On a side note, I don't think Blues brothers count and Disney has that new theater opening up. Disney does street shows too. But again, not comparing the two. We already know DHS lacks a lot.

So are you saying that Universal should not have closed this stuff and waited? If so then til when? If they just keep putting it off for the sake of saving one season of long lines they eventually you will have a DHS situation. At least Universal will have long lines as a product of huge crowds and not because half the park is closed. Universal has to pick their poison and they chose to close stuff that while high capacity, was very rarely used to its capacity, (and from the control booth tour they even said they don't run twister at its full capacity anymore, one show every 6 mins, because they didn't want to break it) and will be replaced by stuff that people will most likely ride.

 

[Mad Dog]

Izzy; I was at both WDW & Universal during those two weeks. Crowd levels were actually summer crowd deep at both resorts according to TP. They're redoing their crowd predictions & software since they were so far off. And yes, it seemed very crowded to me also. But we still got in lots of rides at Universal on Columbus Day. The lines were longer than past years at this time but they weren't Disney level long. Seems the early Fall break at many school systems are increasing crowds during that two week period plus some other issues. At least Universal is making efforts by adding live entertainment, plus the Universal Studio's has a lot of wide street areas so it doesn't get crammed by people & strollers like DHS. Disney has been cutting entertainment at all of their parks. And it's very noticeable at DHS. One of our favorites at DHS has always been the Citizens of Hollywood, especially their great humorous routines. But they were nearly invisible the two Sundays we were there. They must have cut them drastically. And no Mulch Sweat & Sheers anymore either. The entire DHS crowd is now jammed into the few narrow streets in the front of the park. The SOA, Muppets area, area in front of LMA, and the entire walkway past Toy Story were nearly completely empty. But the ride lines were level 9's. The effect of closings on Universal will be minimal but DHS is a mess.That's why I have to agree with what BriMan said in his above post.

 

[anihilnation]

Don't think kidzone closing should cause that much trouble that it would inflate wait times of other rides.

 

[IzzyB]

Personally, I think they hurt themselves if they don't pull the trigger now. Star Wars opening is going to negate anything Universal does, period. In addition, they do have to compete with the opening of Avatar (let's leave how much of an attention-grabber it'll be for another discussion ) So in 2017, Disney brings out Avatar (and maybe Toy Story) while Universal brings out Volcano Bay, Fallon, and Fast & Furious. By 2018, DHS will definitely open Toy Story Land and Universal will open Nintendoland. The next 4-5 is their time in the spot light essentially - until Star Wars Land opens - so they're going to milk it every which way they can.

But if they open Nintendo at the same time as Star Wars do they lose a little? I mean I think Star Wars beats Nintendo land any day. So is it smart to get out shined for such a big opening? Maybe it would have more of a punch if it opened 6 or 8 months later after Star Wars. It is all guessing game anyways. Who knows when any of this will actually open, how close it will be, and how it hurts each other or helps each other. If Nintendo opens in May and Star Wars in Sept I see it as a win for Uni because they get good summer crowds. But if they both open around the same time, it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

And Hulk and Kong will help a little, but I think Studios still has an issue until 2017 which is a summer, Christmas, and another Spring Break. But I also understand they can't wait too long.

So are you saying that Universal should not have closed this stuff and waited? If so then til when? If they just keep putting it off for the sake of saving one season of long lines they eventually you will have a DHS situation. At least Universal will have long lines as a product of huge crowds and not because half the park is closed. Universal has to pick their poison and they chose to close stuff that while high capacity, was very rarely used to its capacity, (and from the control booth tour they even said they don't run twister at its full capacity anymore, one show every 6 mins, because they didn't want to break it) and will be replaced by stuff that people will most likely ride.

I think it would be smarter to go back and forth between the two parks. So personally I would have rather them start something in IOA for 2018 opening and then come back to Uni and do Nintendo in 2019. But that is just me. I feel IOA needs more rides. HP was the first addition it ever got and since then we are getting Kong. Where Uni had Rockit, DM, Transformers, and HP since construction started on Phase 1. Keep in mind The Animal show and Barney get people off the streets for a long period of time. Which is good when it comes to capacity issues.

I think I am done with this topic. I don't think my point was made very well. I just wanted to point out they will have a capacity issue that everyone seems to just gloss over.

 

[JungleSkip]

But if they open Nintendo at the same time as Star Wars do they lose a little? I mean I think Star Wars beats Nintendo land any day. So is it smart to get out shined for such a big opening?

Personally? No. Yes, Star Wars will be the "winner", but there are big crossover audiences there. DHS will have a huge increase, but Nintendo will draw and probably hurt parks like DAK and EPCOT.

 

[deathcab4cutie]

To be fair, it is "Jersey Week", so it is going to be more crowded this week either way



Uhhh wha? 2017 is Fallon and F&F. And what we're talking about will be 2018

2016 new hulk skull island 2017 fallon fast and furious and valcano bay

 

[IzzyB]

Personally? No. Yes, Star Wars will be the "winner", but there are big crossover audiences there. DHS will have a huge increase, but Nintendo will draw and probably hurt parks like DAK and EPCOT.

I do prefer Nintendo, but then again I will be shot here when I say I have never seen the Star Wars movies. I worked at a video game store in High School, so obviously you can see my preference. Now the rest of my family and friends, Star Wars wins

I am just stubborn. I want to watch the movies from 1 to 6 instead of the order they were released and my husband won't let me