Universal's Epic Universe Wish List & Speculation

[Universal 4 Life]

So looking forward to this new park. Impatience is not a strong enough word to describe my feeling right now. I know 2025 isn't that far off, but....

 

[HHN Maddux]

Something to spark up some discussion: The rumored Creature ride, I know the speculation is that this would be a spiritual successor to Jaws, but what do we mean by that? As in, literally a modern-day version of the Jaws ride featuring the Creature (which would be a HUGE yes from me), or something different, like how Reign of Kong is a spiritual successor to Kongfrontation (albeit a rather disappointing one IMO).

 

[belloq87]

Something to spark up some discussion: The rumored Creature ride, I know the speculation is that this would be a spiritual successor to Jaws, but what do we mean by that? As in, literally a modern-day version of the Jaws ride featuring the Creature (which would be a HUGE yes from me), or something different, like how Reign of Kong is a spiritual successor to Kongfrontation (albeit a rather disappointing one IMO).

I think, in general, what people mean when they use the phrase "spiritual successor" is that it would be a tense boat ride featuring menacing encounters with a monster. Beyond that, I'm not sure that anybody would necessarily be expecting skippers, which is the one touch that really would tie the attraction back to Jaws (and Jungle Cruise, going even further back).

I'd like to see a mostly-indoor boat ride down a jungle river at nighttime (sort of a toned-down, real-world, darker version of Na'vi River Journey in terms of the environmental aesthetics, but on a larger scale), with creepy scenes akin to the tone of the boathouse from the Jaws ride.

 

[HHN Maddux]

I think, in general, what people mean when they use the phrase "spiritual successor" is that it would be a tense boat ride featuring menacing encounters with a monster. Beyond that, I'm not sure that anybody would necessarily be expecting skippers, which is the one touch that really would tie the attraction back to Jaws (and Jungle Cruise, going even further back).

I'd like to see a mostly-indoor boat ride down a jungle river at nighttime (sort of a toned-down, real-world, darker version of Na'vi River Journey in terms of the environmental aesthetics, but on a larger scale), with creepy scenes akin to the tone of the boathouse from the Jaws ride.

Thing is though, not only would it be better to have the skippers back, but I think it would actually fit perfectly too if the rumored story of this land is correct. The village has become a tourist attraction, they open up a skipper boat tour to show you around the Black Lagoon, and of course the actual Creature returns and attacks.

 

[belloq87]

Thing is though, not only would it be better to have the skippers back, but I think it would actually fit perfectly too if the rumored story of this land is correct. The village has become a tourist attraction, they open up a skipper boat tour to show you around the Black Lagoon, and of course the actual Creature returns and attacks.

I certainly wouldn't be opposed to skippers, I just don't know that skippers would be in the cards.

It would be fun if they did a riff on The Great Movie Ride: have our skipper disappear early in the ride, and then re-appear for the climax.

 

[rageofthegods]

I just want a Creature AA.

 

[shiekra38]

I just want a Creature AA.

My favorite Monster, imagine a Jungle Cruise or Jaws mix style ride

 

[Rwberger]

I think the use of human skippers on the creature boat ride is extremely unlikely. That would significantly increase both the cost and risk of operating the attraction. Labor costs are rising with the increase in pay to team members and attraction operators aren’t directly generating revenue as people in shops and restaurants do. Special training would be required for operators and skippers would likely need to be screened against alcohol consumption while on duty to minimize risk. Humans can get distracted and may forget their lines, interrupting the planned narrative. Universal has already demonstrated a safer and more cost effective path on the Kong attraction: animatronic drivers with various personalities for rerideability and a pre-recorded narrative emanating from speakers so it is always correct and synced with the ride path. If there are boat skippers at all, my guess is that this is the implementation we will experience.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Special training would be required for operators and skippers would likely need to be screened against alcohol consumption while on duty to minimize risk.

Dude, what are you talking about?

 

[Loki]

I highly doubt we will ever see human "skippers" ala Jungle Cruise ever again. In this day an age of cost cutting it's just not feasible to hire that many people for one ride. At most we will get a Jurassic Park treatment (maybe using radio transmissions instead of video screens)

 

[Nico]

I think the use of human skippers on the creature boat ride is extremely unlikely. That would significantly increase both the cost and risk of operating the attraction. Labor costs are rising with the increase in pay to team members and attraction operators aren’t directly generating revenue as people in shops and restaurants do. Special training would be required for operators and skippers would likely need to be screened against alcohol consumption while on duty to minimize risk. Humans can get distracted and may forget their lines, interrupting the planned narrative. Universal has already demonstrated a safer and more cost effective path on the Kong attraction: animatronic drivers with various personalities for rerideability and a pre-recorded narrative emanating from speakers so it is always correct and synced with the ride path. If there are boat skippers at all, my guess is that this is the implementation we will experience.

The ride is on a set path. They aren’t operating a forklift.

 

[jarmor]

Jurassic park the ride does well without a skipper and it has a fleshed out story. I think this could do the same.

 

[belloq87]

Skippers would be a nice plus, but are not required for the ride to be really good.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Something to spark up some discussion: The rumored Creature ride, I know the speculation is that this would be a spiritual successor to Jaws, but what do we mean by that? As in, literally a modern-day version of the Jaws ride featuring the Creature (which would be a HUGE yes from me), or something different, like how Reign of Kong is a spiritual successor to Kongfrontation (albeit a rather disappointing one IMO).

Probably the later. Once the park opens I imagine reviewers will bemoan the lack of a water ride for teens and adults. As such I think their first addition after EU will be that water ride, either in Monsters or another new land.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Probably the later. Once the park opens I imagine reviewers will bemoan the lack of a water ride for teens and adults. As such I think their first addition after EU will be that water ride, either in Monsters or another new land.

Dang. Well, here's to hoping it's good!

Although, I think LotR will definitely provide a good water ride that's more thrilling.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Dang. Well, here's to hoping it's good!

Although, I think LotR will definitely provide a good water ride that's more thrilling.

I mean, it's a guess. Who knows. It could be Living with the Creature From the Black Lagoon with a spieler and everything.

 

[mainejeff]

I want a Creature boat ride ala Pirates Shanghai....I think an underwater scene with the Creature would be so cool.

 

[Rwberger]

Here is some information about the Jaws ride and the responsibilities of the skippers that you may not know. In the original 1990 version of the ride, while there was a ride track, the skippers were in full control of the throttle of the boat. This resulted in variability from ride to ride and significant technical difficulties in the scene where the mechanical shark appeared to chomp and drag the boat, as it was up to the skipper to synchronize the speed. In addition, the explosions were on timers, so the skippers needed to have the boat in the right place at the right time. This was also true of the timing of the shots from the skipper’s prop gun. Please refer to this article: Tales From The Jaws Ride with Author Dustin McNeill - Coaster101

The 1993 rebuild of the ride fully automated the boat throttle. Also, the explosions were changed from simple timers to proximity sensors To ensure they synced with the position. Still, the skippers needed to match their shots to the timing of the explosions. This YouTube video called “How it works: JAWS the Ride“ talks about the design and mechanics of both versions of the ride:

Assuming that the new creature ride is a boat ride, it would of course employ 21st century automation and would likely be more reliable than either version of the original Jaws ride. But you still aren’t likely to see the return of human skippers.

 

[Legacy]

Breaking: The Creature ride concept has been changed to a Power Wave launched tidal wave coaster, due to complaints on the internet about the rumored werewolf coaster.

 

[belloq87]

Breaking: The Creature ride concept has been changed to a Power Wave launched tidal wave coaster, due to complaints on the internet about the rumored werewolf coaster.