The Future of The Simpsons Ride/Springfield (Orlando)

[pumpkinbot343]

Some of the arguments both for and against Wicked being part of USF is that it’s a “studio park” and Emerald City would either fit perfectly or contrast the theme of a “studio park”. I dunno, but I have the argument that USF should cast aside the studio theme for several reasons, one of them being outside of a small number of attractions like Mummy (which rumors say was originally going to be a haunted museum), USF is totally not really like “studio” anymore. Plus Diagon Alley makes the rest of USF lands embarrassing in comparison.

Like USF could evolve into a different theme entirely, like maybe do something like Halloween Horror Nights did in 2009 where the facade of the front gate is a movie theater, and the story for the whole park is that all the attractions and streets are basically movies inside the theater. That could live up to the “Ride the Movies” tagline and could make Wicked make sense being in USF.

 

[belloq87]

To me, a "studio" theme should mean less that the park is themed as an actual "studio," but that it is showing off the properties of the parent studio*. That's why I think basically anything could be made to fit in USF (or Hollywood Studios, for that matter, setting aside space/layout limitations).

That doesn't mean some IPs couldn't be more suitable for someplace else, of course.

* And properties licensed from other studios, naturally.

 

[ChrisFL]

I think it's been several years since the original concept of the "Studio" park has remained, whether it's Universal or MGM/Hollywood studios, meaning the concept of how movies are made and learning that in various ways.

Barely anything in any studio park has that idea anymore, because there's so many other ways people can learn about behind the scenes filming.

 

[RFRees]

I'm not holding onto the "Studio" aspect. I acknowledge that's pretty much dead.

But trying to explain why F&F feels right at home at USF but doesn't feel right at IOA, there's something real there. I'll disagree with anyone who wants to put BTTF or F&F or Ghostbusters at IOA, and all the same, LOTR or Wicked or Zelda (as full immersive worlds) at USF.

And I'd also disagree with comparing USF to any other Universal Studios (Hollywood, Japan, Beijing, Singapore, and soon UK). The major difference between our Studios in Orlando and all the others, is that they are 'single child' parks and we have two sisters (IOA and Epic). That means we (well, UOR leadership) get to choose where to place an IP, and base that decision on more than just "who needs a new ride." We get to choose where it makes the most thematic sense.

 

[pumpkinbot343]

I'm not holding onto the "Studio" aspect. I acknowledge that's pretty much dead.

But trying to explain why F&F feels right at home at USF but doesn't feel right at IOA, there's something real there. I'll disagree with anyone who wants to put BTTF or F&F or Ghostbusters at IOA, and all the same, LOTR or Wicked or Zelda (as full immersive worlds) at USF.

And I'd also disagree with comparing USF to any other Universal Studios (Hollywood, Japan, Beijing, Singapore, and soon UK). The major difference between our Studios in Orlando and all the others, is that they are 'single child' parks and we have two sisters (IOA and Epic). That means we (well, UOR leadership) get to choose where to place an IP, and base that decision on more than just "who needs a new ride." We get to choose where it makes the most thematic sense.

Well you see, in my opinion the problem with the USF park in that the areas aren’t really that interesting. Production Central-now Minions, NY, San Francisco, Hollywood, even the old Amity area, Dreamworks. None of them are really interesting streets to walk around in, and I think part of it is that all of them except for New York are not big enough to really have much detail. And as I said before, having Diagon Alley in that park makes it so much worse, because you have this rich incredibly detailed immersive area on one hand and on the other hand you have all these other “so-so” sections that don’t compare at all. Compare that to IOA where all the other lands (even Seuss) has their own flair and design quirks that can match up to Potter.

I have my own reason why Wicked should be an Epic addition, but having it in USF could really take the park to another level, and I’ve already suggested USF could evolve to something else (basically not a “studio park” anymore) where something like Wicked and LOTR can feel right at home.