The Bourne Stuntacular - General Discussion

[TheCodeMan95]

Looking at a map is actually much faster than trying to navigate the very overcrowded and complicated app. Also, why doesn't the app have a leaderboard of wait times like they have in the park instead of having to look for each individual attraction on the app?

If you sort the attractions by list, it shows you all of them without having to click on each one

 

[jseal777]

I agree the app needs some work. It is frustrating to navigate sometimes. As for the show, I think this is one of the best theme park shows I have been to. The only reason I don't go see it every time I visit is because my wife does not like the loud bangs (gunshots). I consider this attraction to be a marvel though, and I really don't care for the boring Bourne movie series.

 

[Evan]

After I came across that video of the guy who has been going to USF for a couple years now and never knew Diagon was back there until he randomly followed someone in...

It tracks that people are missing the Stuntacular.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

The old maps didn't have wait times in them.

Would have really been great for you if you were right about this because then our opinions would have been invalid.

I think people (and certainly the people who were behind the push to eliminate physical maps) underrate the ease of pulling out the map and seeing the entire park layout and offerings at a scale that can be read, as opposed to the app's map interface (which can't display all the attractions in the whole park in a single "view" in a size that anybody could decipher).

I'm hopeful that in the next few years we move towards a word that is increasingly less mobile-centric.

 

[Mad Dog]

Would have really been great for you if you were right about this because then our opinions would have been invalid.

I'm hopeful that in the next few years we move towards a word that is increasingly less mobile-centric.

The negatives of too much mobile use are finally hitting the light of day. I think a time will come in the future where many will regret they spent so much time of their life staring at a smartphone instead of actually experiencing/enjoying the world around them.

Mobile has some good, but it too often complicates tasks that are actually simpler without a confusing long winded app. It should be more of an 'alternative' add on than the prime way to access entertainment/food/tickets/services etc.

And, as learning goes, it often creates lazy very short term learning, a real negative.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

On a separate note, Bourne is never really highlighted in any marketing reels. It's always Hagrid, Velocicoaster, Diagon, etc., rare to see a glimpse of Bourne (or a stunt show).

A great way to increase visitation would be having those wait-time board show a quick highlight reel that there's a stage show with a/c and stunts.

 

[Disneyhead]

I think the Bourne IP just doesn't really resonate with the GP. If it was exactly the same with James Bond, I think it would see a lot more intrest.

Even if they just changed the name to something stupid like "Universal Studios Spy Movie Stuntacular starring Jason Bourne", I think it would do better.

 

[Brian G.]

I’m sure paper maps play some role, but I think the bigger issue is the lack of overall coverage combined with a fading IP.

The lack of a proper opening didn’t help either. Obviously not on Universal given COVID, but when you factor in the strict photo/video rules during the age of social media, there just isn’t much out there showing people what the show actually is.

I think a few targeted tweaks would go a long way. Updating the presentation and giving it a new name would be a strong start.

 

[Mad Dog]

On a separate note, Bourne is never really highlighted in any marketing reels. It's always Hagrid, Velocicoaster, Diagon, etc., rare to see a glimpse of Bourne (or a stunt show).

A great way to increase visitation would be having those wait-time board show a quick highlight reel that there's a stage show with a/c and stunts.

Yes. Bourne is a very unique show and fine entertainment. Sad it kind of gets lost in the way the park is run. This shouldn't be hard for the executives to figure out. It's actually quite obvious. If you have a good product, it's not the fault of the show, it's on the decision makers.

Lots of good ideas in the above posts.

 

[Clive]

I’m sure paper maps play some role, but I think the bigger issue is the lack of overall coverage combined with a fading IP.

The lack of a proper opening didn’t help either. Obviously not on Universal given COVID, but when you factor in the strict photo/video rules during the age of social media, there just isn’t much out there showing people what the show actually is.

I think a few targeted tweaks would go a long way. Updating the presentation and giving it a new name would be a strong start.

I really think this is a "two things can be true" scenario. All of what you're saying is right - it isn't a hot/super relevant IP, it never got a media-heavy grand opening, and there's not a lot of media out there covering it in detail, period.

I also think there is something to the discoverability issue. You only really see Bourne if you're approaching it from the Mel's Plaza. You don't have a weenie on the right side of the park drawing guests in that direction - most folks head straight ahead through Minion Land to Mummy and/or Diagon Alley. On top of that, the only way to see show times (beyond observing the attraction's signage) is to download an app and know how to navigate to the right section. It's not intuitive! Hell, at Epic, servers at The Atlantic were taking in upon themselves to ask diners if they were aware of the shows and, if not, showing them how to find them. That kind of process, along with these experiments on Hollywood Blvd, tell me know they know it's an issue.

 

[Disneyhead]

I really think this is a "two things can be true" scenario. All of what you're saying is right - it isn't a hot/super relevant IP, it never got a media-heavy grand opening, and there's not a lot of media out there covering it in detail, period.

I also think there is something to the discoverability issue. You only really see Bourne if you're approaching it from the Mel's Plaza. You don't have a weenie on the right side of the park drawing guests in that direction - most folks head straight ahead through Minion Land to Mummy and/or Diagon Alley. On top of that, the only way to see show times (beyond observing the attraction's signage) is to download an app and know how to navigate to the right section. It's not intuitive! Hell, at Epic, servers at The Atlantic were taking in upon themselves to ask diners if they were aware of the shows and, if not, showing them how to find them. That kind of process, along with these experiments on Hollywood Blvd, tell me know they know it's an issue.

Terminator was in the same place and had high numbers.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

The positive part of having showtimes in the app is that they can be update daily or throughout the day if need be - whereas with a map.. they're just there. There's no way to know if a show has changed for the day, canceled, etc.

I do think it would help to have maybe a large sign in the Hollywood area advertising it, listing showtimes, highlight reel, etc.

 

[Jwhee]

Terminator was in the same place and had high numbers.

My guesses:
- had a larger sign along the road
- much much stronger IP
- back in the day was marketed as a headliner so that energy could’ve carried it through the years

Lastly- the quality of attraction. Yes, Bourne has more impressive video screens and stunts, but the writing is weak and the pre-show is so awful that it deters repeat viewing. Bourne isn’t even in the same tax bracket as T2 when it comes to the overall experience

 

[Clive]

Terminator was in the same place and had high numbers.

Right, so it begs the question -- what's different?

1) More immediately recognizable and/or appealing IP - I'd wager more people know what Terminator is versus Bourne, in part because it has several iconic images between the "Terminator skeleton," the T-1000, and Arnold; Bourne does not have an iconic image that immediately grabs the average guest or connects them to the IP, in part because they can't use Matt Damon's likeness
2) Prominence in resort marketing - Terminator frequently made flashy appearances in Universal print and filmed media (again, with iconic images; Bourne lacks these); this was in part because it was a headlining addition in the mid 1990s
3) Easier for guests to plan/find showtimes - As I recall, Terminator more or less ran continuously for, say, the first decade of its run? As popularity waned, they pivoted to frequent showtimes, which were handily featured on park maps (as we've just seen)
4) Different park flow/attraction mix - Pre-Diagon, guests moved throughout the park differently. Back to the Future used to be a weenie, and for a time, Men in Black was the biggest/newest ride. All of these factors pulled guests to the right, where they were more likely to encounter the (IMO) more prominent and eyecatching attraction signage. There was also a greater emphasis on shows over rides during Terminator 2's peak years.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I remember on my first visit in 2016 - I bought a shirt that covered a bunch of the different IPs featured at the resort.

It had: Potter, JP, Simpsons, Marvel, and Terminator.

I don't think I've seen a single reference to Bourne outside of the small section of Five and Dime dedicated to Bourne merch lol

 

[Brian G.]

I don't think I've seen a single reference to Bourne outside of the small section of Five and Dime dedicated to Bourne merch lol

It's gotten smaller since. Haha

 

[TheCodeMan95]

It's gotten smaller since. Haha

Yeah when we were there in December I think it was maybe 1 or 2 clothing racks? lol

 

[ZachPL]

Borne is awesome, really all they need to do like others have said is a short reel where people can actually see whats happening in the show and fix the app.

IP might not be the greatest, but I don't really think that matters when borne is probably the second best universal show behind waterworld.

EDIT: I could do without the preshow