Universal Studios Florida: What Do We Think About It?

[MrRoamer]

I guess if you're a local, with the plethora of seasonal stuff in USF, I could see deciding to just drop by the park and spend time without really caring about the attractions slate.

But I think once-a-year (or less) vacationers deserve a much, much stronger lineup of attractions.

Totally get it! I questioned myself when I wrote it. I think it all depends on the family and everything too. If I'm doing a park I will almost always default to Epcot or USF.

For me, as a family it hits a lot of different spots, but I think the biggest thing is being able to do stuff together. My son isn't ready for any of the big boy coasters although Hagrid is currently his favorite ride. I enjoy coasters but am not really feeling the everything has to be bigger and faster and XTREME!!!!!

He loves ET and likes Fallon (I know I know), we love MiB and Mummy. The shows are generally entertaining but aren't overly theatrical, and we all enjoy the shows, parades, and concerts.

There is a lot that needs to be fixed that I think most on here agree Rock It, Minions, Simpsons, F&F and then Gringotts could have been better. At IoA for us as a family there is Hagrids, possibly Spiderman, Cat and Trolly (but none of us really enjoy these much anymore), and maybe the water rides if weather is ok.

 

[OrlLover]

The fact the majority of the rides are indoors at USF this time of year is a huge plus in my opinion.

 

[Mad Dog]

The fact the majority of the rides are indoors at USF this time of year is a huge plus in my opinion.

Big time. 80% of all tickets sold are park hoppers. So when it rains, if in IOA, many run to USF. Plus the AC.

 

[belloq87]

The fact the majority of the rides are indoors at USF this time of year is a huge plus in my opinion.

It's a helpful thing in the heat, for sure.

If only more of those rides were actually good!

 

[saint.piss]

USF still has a great attraction lineup. E.T, MiB, Mummy, Gringotts (not my favorite ride ever but it's good!), HRRR (I like this ride sue me!) horror makeup, etc. It's not the strongest park but let's not act like it's awful. The overall lineup could use improvement but hey they'll get there. They just need to hone in on the classic IPs

 

[belloq87]

USF has some great attractions. The entire park is certainly not awful.

But... the totality of my enjoyment of what's there today is a fraction of what it was even just 13/14 years ago before Jaws was removed. Since then, outside of Bourne (and the environment of Diagon Alley), it has been a systematic series of choices that -- for my personal money -- have made the park a lot less enjoyable.

 

[MrRoamer]

Anecdotally some of my family is in town, they did/are doing some of the Disney Parks, Epic on Tuesday, and USF/IoA.

The overall consensus was that they do not like Epic. There wasn't enough to do and everything was too kiddy except for Starlight. They happily do Velocicoaster a bazllion times in a day. The most important thing to them are coasters but they must be big boy coasters.

Without being there yet, I would say that Epic has a fairly well-rounded selection of ride profiles, but coasters make up the majority of those profiles. It's all about you and your family/friends' perspective on what makes a park worth it.

 

[Mad Dog]

Anecdotally some of my family is in town, they did/are doing some of the Disney Parks, Epic on Tuesday, and USF/IoA.

The overall consensus was that they do not like Epic. There wasn't enough to do and everything was too kiddy except for Starlight. They happily do Velocicoaster a bazllion times in a day. The most important thing to them are coasters but they must be big boy coasters.

Without being there yet, I would say that Epic has a fairly well-rounded selection of ride profiles, but coasters make up the majority of those profiles. It's all about you and your family/friends' perspective on what makes a park worth it.

They must hate Disney since Disney is really lacking on big boy coasters . Seriously though, they probably love Disney....... Sounds like that segment of your family are more oriented to the regional coaster parks that are basically coasters, coasters, coasters and very little else. ....They do have a point though that Epic is a bit short on stuff to do, but that's basically a trait of new parks, that need to prove themselves before expansions add to the attraction line up. ....You are absolutely correct. The person(s) perspective is probably the most essential element in whether they like a park, or not......Myself, I haven't been to Epic either, but I think Universal went with too many 'outdoor' coasters for a park with Florida's weather. Probably should have a coaster, or two, less and either 'enclosed themed' coasters, or a couple of more indoor hybrid or dark attractions. I'm sure I'll spend less time at Epic than IOA and USF, but part of that is its off main campus location, besides it's shortage of attractions at this point in time.

 

[belloq87]

If I end up wanting to spend more time at (current) USF than at Epic*, that would be a gigantic bummer to me.

* After initial visits.

Anecdotally some of my family is in town, they did/are doing some of the Disney Parks, Epic on Tuesday, and USF/IoA.

The overall consensus was that they do not like Epic. There wasn't enough to do and everything was too kiddy except for Starlight. They happily do Velocicoaster a bazllion times in a day. The most important thing to them are coasters but they must be big boy coasters.

Without being there yet, I would say that Epic has a fairly well-rounded selection of ride profiles, but coasters make up the majority of those profiles. It's all about you and your family/friends' perspective on what makes a park worth it.

Interesting that even Epic, a coaster-heavy park, didn't hit the mark for your family. I think Universal has been trying very hard (potentially too hard, I'd argue*) to cater directly to guests like them over the last decade.

* All they've done (and are doing) at the original two parks since Diagon opened are either high-thrill outdoor coasters or low-ambition screen junk (Bourne excluded).

 

[Mad Dog]

Universal

If I end up wanting to spend more time at (current) USF than at Epic*, that would be a gigantic bummer to me.

* After initial visits.


Interesting that even Epic, a coaster-heavy park, didn't hit the mark for your family. I think Universal has been trying very hard (potentially too hard, I'd argue*) to cater directly to guests like them over the last decade.

* All they've done (and are doing) at the original two parks since Diagon opened are either high-thrill outdoor coasters or low-ambition screen junk (Bourne excluded).

Universal gets on a trend, and doesn't deviate from it, it seems. Perhaps they need to mix it up a bit.....Myself, I'd even rather have screens than outdoor coasters, except for Hagrids. I really don't ride the outdoor coasters very often. Maybe once each per vacation. Whereas as we ride the indoor attractions many times each.....Not all guests will ride the high thrill coasters, so they limit their demographic ridership when they build them.

 

[OrlLover]

I think Universal is still trying to find a way to cater to all groups.

Their latest endeavors show that but at the same time they don’t want to alienate a core demographic which is thrill seekers.

 

[Jake S]

as long as they’re offering counter programming to disney, so “thrill coasters” make sense as part of the overall park makeup. i think they’ve done a good job distributing them, too, with only IOA having two big thrill coasters.

 

[Wesker69]

The problem Universal has is the outside Universal IP acquiring. It's kinda funny how Universal Studios is mostly made up of WB IPs (or at least was more so with Twister & Beetlejuice). WB (Potter), Paramount, Fox (Simpsons), Nintendo... minimal Universal owned.

Universal needs to embrace its own film/tv vault instead of relying on others. If they can make Waterworld into a long-lasting show still added to new parks 20 years later, they can certainly do better with other content they own. (Thankfully they're finally fixing their Fast/Furious mistake in Hollywood)

 

[Clive]

The problem Universal has is the outside Universal IP acquiring. It's kinda funny how Universal Studios is mostly made up of WB IPs (or at least was more so with Twister & Beetlejuice). WB (Potter), Paramount, Fox (Simpsons), Nintendo... minimal Universal owned.

Universal needs to embrace its own film/tv vault instead of relying on others. If they can make Waterworld into a long-lasting show still added to new parks 20 years later, they can certainly do better with other content they own. (Thankfully they're finally fixing their Fast/Furious mistake in Hollywood)

I agree with you, but there's considerable evidence that Universal is making their own IP a priority. Epic is made up of three IPs they own or have a considerable stake in (as Universal Pictures releases the Mario feature films), and many more recent additions are built on Universal IP (Fallon, Fast & Furious, Bourne, Villain Con/Minions Land, Velocicoaster, Dreamworks Land).

They still understandably lean on Potter and use outside IPs for special events like Horror Nights and Fan Fest (though both also prominently feature Universal IP), but it does feel like they've turned a corner.

 

[Wesker69]

Oh most definitely. Dark Universe for the monsters was long overdue. And I hope Universal takes note of how much people love Monsters Unchained (maybe Curse of the Werewolf too... I guess lol)

 

[UniversalRBLX]

The problem Universal has is the outside Universal IP acquiring. It's kinda funny how Universal Studios is mostly made up of WB IPs (or at least was more so with Twister & Beetlejuice). WB (Potter), Paramount, Fox (Simpsons), Nintendo... minimal Universal owned.

Universal needs to embrace its own film/tv vault instead of relying on others. If they can make Waterworld into a long-lasting show still added to new parks 20 years later, they can certainly do better with other content they own. (Thankfully they're finally fixing their Fast/Furious mistake in Hollywood)

Unlike Disney, Universal doesn't' have the strongest IP lineup that lends itself well to theme park experiences. What other IPs can realistically be chosen for a park experience that will be received well?

Only ones I can think of are Wicked, Mamma Mia, and Sing. They're not making attractions or lands off of Fifty Shades, Ted or Pitch Perfect.

They have a lot of great films (and NBC shows) in their library... but I'm sure they internally determine that there are still a few 3rd party IPs out there that are far more lucrative than an in-house IP.

Don't get me wrong, I want them to embrace (and they have) more Back to the Future, Jaws, etc., but outside that they have very limited options.


I don't think Universal should be just limited to their IPs. Outside bringing back Jaws & BTTF, there are far more 3rd party IPs that will make more interesting experiences.

 

[Wesker69]

I think thats pretty short sighted to say Universal doesn't have strong IPs. Again, if they can turn a boring mega flop like Waterworld into a popular blockbuster stunt show, they can be creative enough to embrace other IPs in their vault

Dark Universe took a hundred year old legacy & made it into a hit that deserves an expansion.

Rides/attractions (or shows) shouldn't rely on what is "hot, new, currently popular, etc"... at least not without proper execution. Thats how you end up with Supercharged

 

[Clive]

Unlike Disney, Universal doesn't' have the strongest IP lineup that lends itself well to theme park experiences. What other IPs can realistically be chosen for a park experience that will be received well?

Only ones I can think of are Wicked, Mamma Mia, and Sing. They're not making attractions or lands off of Fifty Shades, Ted or Pitch Perfect.

They have a lot of great films (and NBC shows) in their library... but I'm sure they internally determine that there are still a few 3rd party IPs out there that are far more lucrative than an in-house IP.

Don't get me wrong, I want them to embrace (and they have) more Back to the Future, Jaws, etc., but outside that they have very limited options.


I don't think Universal should be just limited to their IPs. Outside bringing back Jaws & BTTF, there are far more 3rd party IPs that will make more interesting experiences.

This is a big contributing factor to why they have invested so heavily in Illumination and acquired Dreamworks Animation. Animated IP is substantially easier (and cheaper) to adapt into theme park experiences. Part of the reason why Disney has such an advantage in this arena is their massive, evergreen animation library, which Universal Pictures is working to emulate (though that takes time).

 

[Mad Dog]

The quality of attractions is more important than the IP. Even the super popular Potter has very good attractions. If the attractions were poor, like F&F and the Villains attraction, the Potter lands wouldn't be as popular as they are.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I think thats pretty short sighted to say Universal doesn't have strong IPs. Again, if they can turn a boring mega flop like Waterworld into a popular blockbuster stunt show, they can be creative enough to embrace other IPs in their vault

Dark Universe took a hundred year old legacy & made it into a hit that deserves an expansion.

Rides/attractions (or shows) shouldn't rely on what is "hot, new, currently popular, etc"... at least not without proper execution. Thats how you end up with Supercharged

Specifically referring to IPs not yet represented at the parks, what properties does Universal have that can realistically work in a theme park setting that haven't been utilized yet?

What would an Oppenheimer experience be? I don't want to sound negative, since I love hearing a bout blue sky ideas, but I'm not exactly sure what's left in the Universal library.

This is a big contributing factor to why they have invested so heavily in Illumination and acquired Dreamworks Animation. Animated IP is substantially easier (and cheaper) to adapt into theme park experiences. Part of the reason why Disney has such an advantage in this arena is their massive, evergreen animation library, which Universal Pictures is working to emulate (though that takes time).

Yes, and I hope Universal realizes the popularity/success of HTTYD - Isle of Berk at Epic, and finds a way to go back into IOA/USF and make better experiences with the DreamWorks characters, same with Illumination.