State of USH - What's Next?

[Jerroddragon]

This but a smaller version on the French street would be so much fun

I know it wont happen because of the VIP dinning but something like this where the Wicked characters had a permanent place to meet people, we could get the Wizard meet and greets and during the busy seasons they have the Oz citizens out more

 

[Jerroddragon]

So I double checked and the park hours are less this Grinchmas then last year

Last year we had more closing at 10 PM days and only a handful are happening this year

I hope to go you guys are right about the coaster bringing people in because the biggest frustration with being an AP holder is the park closes most days at 6 PM.....even with Grinchmas goes (which they had days like this as well) they close at 6 PM

People gave Disneyland crap for closing at 11 PM last month but....no one who goes to USH is tired of the park closing before most people have even gotten home from work?

I just....hope the coaster gets more people in so we can at least get some more 7 PM nights on average

Also please find a way for the Wicked characters to meet somewhere for the rain....I went yesterday and nothing and more rain this week and weekend. This is limited time and other characters had spots, so please make something work because people come here to meet the characters and please find somewhere to let them meet and get photos like Gabby, Hello Kitty...etc

 

[Viator]

From what it seems: we finally broke records today with crowd levels seemingly returning to Potter 2016 Winter levels. In the morning, 10 of the park's attractions all hovered above 70 minutes in total for wait, with waits later on escalating.

 

[Freak]

From what it seems: we finally broke records today with crowd levels seemingly returning to Potter 2016 Winter levels. In the morning, 10 of the park's attractions all hovered above 70 minutes in total for wait, with waits later on escalating.

This is why I stay away from the parks for the next week or two. I’m good. Why wait that long for rides I can hop on in 10 minutes any other week?

 

[Jonathan]

From what it seems: we finally broke records today with crowd levels seemingly returning to Potter 2016 Winter levels. In the morning, 10 of the park's attractions all hovered above 70 minutes in total for wait, with waits later on escalating.

It was very crowded, but no records were broken. Attendance has been strong during the Christmas season, but no broken records. Park cap back in 2016 was over 40K. Now it’s in the mid 30s.

 

[Jerroddragon]

It was very crowded, but no records were broken. Attendance has been strong during the Christmas season, but no broken records. Park cap back in 2016 was over 40K. Now it’s in the mid 30s.

Is this a staffing thing, we got SNW since then so.....in theory the park can hold more people now then then right?


I know Disneyland right now is also not going for breaking records and its mostly staffing, so wanted to ask if USH is doing the same


Also fun fact, I went on Chritmas eve day and one of the Managers was talking to a family and said they were expecting 30-35 thousand people but with the rain, it was cut down to 5 thousand people....just insane it can drop that much and the next day shoot up 30 thousand more people

 

[Jonathan]

Is this a staffing thing, we got SNW since then so.....in theory the park can hold more people now then then right?


I know Disneyland right now is also not going for breaking records and its mostly staffing, so wanted to ask if USH is doing the same


Also fun fact, I went on Chritmas eve day and one of the Managers was talking to a family and said they were expecting 30-35 thousand people but with the rain, it was cut down to 5 thousand people....just insane it can drop that much and the next day shoot up 30 thousand more people

Two things contributed to Universal Studios Hollywood lowering the capacity. One, they lost two large capacity shows in Animal Actors and SES. The other, when the park had about 40K the park was so overpacked it affected ops and “hurt” guest experience. Since the park reopened post covid the park cap has slowly been raised. It went from mid 20s to now mid 30s.

I’m curious if they raise it again once F&F HD opens.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Two things contributed to Universal Studios Hollywood lowering the capacity. One, they lost two large capacity shows in Animal Actors and SES. The other, when the park had about 40K the park was so overpacked it affected ops and “hurt” guest experience. Since the park reopened post covid the park cap has slowly been raised. It went from mid 20s to now mid 30s.

I’m curious if they raise it again once F&F HD opens.

Thank you, good to hear USH does want the guests to be happy....wonder why HHN is the exception. They seem to care about people enjoying the normal park and Fan Fest but....with HHN they are like very ok with over selling express passes

The shows leaving also make senses and very much wondering how the coaster will affect the park when it opens

 

[BillM]

Thank you, good to hear USH does want the guests to be happy....wonder why HHN is the exception. They seem to care about people enjoying the normal park and Fan Fest but....with HHN they are like very ok with over selling express passes

The shows leaving also make senses and very much wondering how the coaster will affect the park when it opens

HHN seems to sell out every year so it doesn't matter the experience, people are going to pay for it.

 

[Pacific]

Okay so like, it’s only a matter of time Comcast and Universal make some kind of deal to bring them to the parks, LOL.

Like, unless they can’t figure something out, this isn’t an if. Its a when.

 

[Freak]

Okay so like, it’s only a matter of time Comcast and Universal make some kind of deal to bring them to the parks, LOL.

Like, unless they can’t figure something out, this isn’t an if. Its a when.
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If it happens, Fan Fest Nights.

This is assuming Netflix will play ball. We’ll see! I hope so! Just don’t see it being any further than FFN.

 

[bdubsCEO]

If they do get KPDH, it will probably be like FNAF where it’s initially just for an event but the food and merchandise are so popular that they end up keeping them year round.

I don’t see them building an attraction or anything, but I feel like if they get it food + merch and possibly keeping the characters around is a guarantee. If I was Universal, I’d be willing to pay absurd amounts of money for the license.

The sooner they get in on this the better- the original film is still doing extraordinarily well, but I’m sure it’ll lose momentum eventually. The sequels, tv series etc are practically guaranteed to do well.

 

[Pacific]

If they do get KPDH, it will probably be like FNAF where it’s initially just for an event but the food and merchandise are so popular that they end up keeping them year round.

I don’t see them building an attraction or anything, but I feel like if they get it food + merch and possibly keeping the characters around is a guarantee. If I was Universal, I’d be willing to pay absurd amounts of money for the license.

The sooner they get in on this the better- the original film is still doing extraordinarily well, but I’m sure it’ll lose momentum eventually. The sequels, tv series etc are practically guaranteed to do well.

With the streaming numbers of both the music and the movie, and how much its already become a household name…I really do think Sony Pictures Animation beat Disney at their own game. I’ve never seen an IP like this touch so many different demographics. This makes Frozenmania back in 2014 look like a joke. If this keeps this kind of momentum steadily, we’re looking at the next multi generational mega IP. There are very, very, very few IPs out there that can pull off the kind of grip Kpop Demon Hunters currently has. Like, Ive never seen this before. If you have equal grasp of kids, parents, casual bystanders, and hardcore geeks alike, you’ve basically won the IP lottery. Its behaving like Mario (another very rare multigenerational IP).

 

[Clive]

Okay, let's walk this back just a little. I'm not sure there's real evidence that KPop is eclipsing Frozenmania. Frozen was ubiquitous then just in the same way KPop is now. In fact, there's a big parallel there: Both distributors were caught extremely off guard with the film's success, meaning a sequel (and various tie-ins/merch opportunities/etc) are now quite a ways away.

No way to say this is on the level of Mario or another evergreen IP yet. It hasn't proven its longevity. If the second film, coming out several years from now, is bigger than the first? Then we can start to have that conversation.

As far as USH goes... it's not a Universal IP. If Netflix wants to license it, I'm sure Universal would take a crack at it. But that's a massive if, especially with Netflix readily expanding its location-based entertainment ambitions.

 

[Jake S]

Okay, let's walk this back just a little. I'm not sure there's real evidence that KPop is eclipsing Frozenmania.

Especially because it’s been more than a decade and it’s clear it’s not “mania.” Frozen is extremely popular among young kids. It’s a new evergreen IP — or, as evergreen as anything is these days I suppose.

 

[Viator]

As we inch closer and closer to the start time for the construction of the hotel, since May; USH has opted to not maintain and restore the iconic fountain neon sign. For the sake of comparisons, here’s May to last night:

May 2025:


January 2026:

 

[Freak]

As we inch closer and closer to the start time for the construction of the hotel, since May; USH has opted to not maintain and restore the iconic fountain neon sign. For the sake of comparisons, here’s May to last night:

May 2025:


January 2026:

I’m so happy they kept it and are now maintaining it.

 

[Viator]

I’m so happy they kept it and are now maintaining it.

Oh no—they’re doing the opposite. Unless something allows it to survive and be next to Westside Security; the signs gonna be demolished.