Universal Studios Japan General Discussion

[saint.piss]

My apologies to our Japanese comrades.

It's not THAT bad. It's not perfect either but for what it's worth it's enjoyable. Also a decent people eater

 

[Viator]

I wonder with the added time in the oven compared to Orlando, and the location of where the Stand-Gru attraction will be; if Osaka gets a custom ending to match the finale from Rise of Gru.

Would be interesting if they focused more on the Vicious Six and their Zodiac versions for this edition; if to show how the gameplay could change.

 

[Jake S]

It's not THAT bad. It's not perfect either but for what it's worth it's enjoyable. Also a decent people eater

I think it’s pretty bad as far as these things go, but I was also joking haha.

 

[quinnmac000]

The in park announcement of Villian Con.

 

[chaingang000]

Whilst it's great they're getting an extra attraction, it's such a shame it's a clone of an attraction that isn't that good and was shoehorned into the space it's in in Orlando, they had every opportunity here to design a good, original attraction for this space and they went the cheapest route.

 

[OrlLover]

It's not THAT bad. It's not perfect either but for what it's worth it's enjoyable. Also a decent people eater

Yea I’m surprised it was cloned however it must get good guest scores or whatever.

A lot of attractions we think are horrible by theme park standards the general public absolutely adores.

 

[Keladry84]

It's not THAT bad. It's not perfect either but for what it's worth it's enjoyable. Also a decent people eater

For some I got the worst sensory overload the one and only time I tried it and ended up in a ball on my dot after the third room just hoping could it please be over so I could get out…..so I agree with the previous poster that I feel sorry for those in Japan.

I think the concept is solid, but the execution of it is poor. I am glad though that you are getting something fun from it.

 

[UNIrd]

It's not THAT bad. It's not perfect either but for what it's worth it's enjoyable. Also a decent people eater

THIS. It regularly has 5 minute waits now at USF while the rest of the park is decently busy. AND it's right at the entrance to the park? That's impressive.

If any park needs a people eater like this, especially with the number of attractions closed right now, it's USJ.

 

[BatCom]

Villain Con is confirmed to be coming to USJ

エリア拡張＆新アトラクション「ミニオン・ハチャメチャ・ミッション～大悪党への道~」導入決定！ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン『ミニオン・パーク』8周年記念ファンイベント

ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン内で人気のエリア「ミニオン・パーク」 ミニオンとのグリーティングやミニオングッズを取り扱うショップなど、ハチャメチャかわいい世界観のエリアです。 8周年を迎えた「ミニオ ...

dtimes.jp

Personally not thrilled about this. Villain Con is the worst attraction I’ve ever experienced at a major theme park.

I have no doubt the Japanese will eat it up though.

 

[quinnmac000]

「ごちゃ混ぜ」特徴のUSJ、新しいアトラクションやエリアに意欲　運営会社の村山新社長

テーマパークのユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン（USJ、大阪市此花区）の運営会社、ユー・エス・ジェイ（同）の新社長に1日付で就任した村山卓氏（53）が5月31…

www.sankei.com

It will be the first time in 21 years that a Japanese person has been appointed to the top of the company, and the first time that a president has come from within the company. Regarding the future of Universal Studios Japan, Murayama said, "We want to carefully consider what IP (intellectual property) we use."

While Tokyo Disney Resort (TDR, Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture) expresses the world of Disney centered around Mickey Mouse, USJ is characterized by its "mixture" of domestic and international anime and games.

Regarding the balance of Japanese and overseas IP to be incorporated, Murayama cited "Super Nintendo World," an area that depicts the world of Nintendo games that opened at Universal Studios Japan in 2021, as an example, indicating his intention to place emphasis on "IP that is popular globally and has a long life."

He also said, "Each country has its own popular content," and based on the market research that is conducted regularly, "we will consider what kind of attractions and areas are desired and carry out development that suits that market."
https://www.sankei.com/article/20250601-QZN3TQZSRZIH5CUCTCAENNDAQU/photo/MTMTW4RCAFPKJEELPRPEUNQ6J4/
In an interview, Murayama talks about USJ's future strategy.
In the annual report released by the Themed Entertainment Association in August last year, USJ ranked third in the number of visitors to theme parks around the world in 2023, for the second consecutive year. The number of visitors increased 29.6% from the previous year to 16 million.


Murayama said that when he was director of inbound (visitor to Japan) sales in 2009, it was difficult to raise awareness of USJ overseas, recalling that "it was really unknown in mainland China."

In addition to the appeal of its IP, USJ's current visitor numbers have been boosted by the following analysis: "There are so many new discoveries to be made with each season, such as Christmas and Halloween, that it feels like a completely different theme park, and the guest services it provides are the result of the efforts of its employees."

USJ村山卓社長「ゲストと従業員から選ばれるパークに」 - 日本経済新聞

ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン（USJ、大阪市）を運営するユー・エス・ジェイ社長に1日就任した村山卓氏が報道各社の取材に応じた。「観光やレジャーの中で選ばれるだけでなく、従業員やこれから就職を考えている人に『企業としても魅力的』と言われる会社に育てていきたい」と抱負を語った。【関連記事】パークのアトラクションやイベントについて「どういう形のライドやアトラクションが望まれているかを考えながら開

www.nikkei.com

Taku Murayama, who was appointed president of Universal Studios Japan (USJ, Osaka City) on the 1st, responded to interviews from the media. He expressed his aspirations, saying, "I want to develop our company into one that is not only chosen for tourism and leisure, but also considered an attractive company by employees and people looking for employment in the future."

Regarding the park's attractions and events, he said only that "we will develop them while considering what type of rides and attractions are desired," and avoided mentioning any specific plans.

Regarding the collaborations with Japanese anime and games that have been promoted in recent years, he pointed out that " Nintendo and other companies have global content, and it is becoming difficult to draw the line between Japan and overseas." In order to maintain and improve the competitiveness of attractions and events, he said, "We will choose longer-lasting IP (intellectual property)," regardless of whether it is domestic or overseas.

 

[UNIrd]

For those of you who have been to USJ, are there any differences in the clones we have stateside that I should bother making time for?

I really rather spend my time focusing on whatever's unique to the park. But I am still a theme park nerd so even if it's minor differences (like more dementors in FJ or any unique elements of the other rides), I still might be interested in checking them out.

 

[Wesker69]

For those of you who have been to USJ, are there any differences in the clones we have stateside that I should bother making time for?

I really rather spend my time focusing on whatever's unique to the park.

The JAWS Ride. Enough said

Oh yea, also Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue just because.

 

[Viator]

For those of you who have been to USJ, are there any differences in the clones we have stateside that I should bother making time for?

I really rather spend my time focusing on whatever's unique to the park. But I am still a theme park nerd so even if it's minor differences (like more dementors in FJ or any unique elements of the other rides), I still might be interested in checking them out.

Jurassic just got a large scale refurbishment that might be up your alley.

 

[UNIrd]

The JAWS Ride. Enough said

Oh yea, also Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue just because.

JAWS is fully my main draw there at this point. I hope to ride it more than once if lines aren't too crazy... and at night if park hours allow!

Jurassic just got a large scale refurbishment that might be up your alley.

For sure. I love to go any JP ride, even just to see how their animatronics are working and how their skins are looking.

 

[quinnmac000]

JAWS is fully my main draw there at this point. I hope to ride it more than once if lines aren't too crazy... and at night if park hours allow!



For sure. I love to go any JP ride, even just to see how their animatronics are working and how their skins are looking.

Depends on when you go....the latest the park stays open is usually 10pm. The a two month overview of park hours can be found online with the refurbishment schedule and show times. Good news for you though, Jaws never had too extreme wait time compared to other attractions so I think you will be able to ride multiple times easily and there is single rider as well.

As for your question regarding clones....Jurassic Park The Ride i wouldn't even consider a clone....the layout and pathways are different from river adventure and the old version at USH. Universal Monsters Live; Rock and Roll show is fun. Its the same show that use to be in Orlando but indoors and the first half is in Japanese. The best clone is Waterworld and I will argue I enjoy the one in Japan more than the one at USH. The energy here is unlike any other because a lot of the viewers are repeat watchers.

What I do recommend that a lot of unexpecting guests from abroad really enjoy after watching is the Kuromi/My Melody Street Show....that surprising gets a lot of people pumped and hyped and seeing the Japanese superfans doing the choreo (especially the senior citizens) gives a lot of joy.

 

[BatCom]

For those of you who have been to USJ, are there any differences in the clones we have stateside that I should bother making time for?

Not really. JP just got a big refurb (but still pretty much the same) and of course there's Jaws.

If you're familiar with the U.S. parks, there's really nothing unique about USJ except Jaws and the Cool Japan attractions.

 

[Jake S]

If you're familiar with the U.S. parks, there's really nothing unique about USJ except Jaws and the Cool Japan attractions.

Flying Dinosaur is great if you're into intense flying coasters!

 

[Jwhee]

Not really. JP just got a big refurb (but still pretty much the same) and of course there's Jaws.

If you're familiar with the U.S. parks, there's really nothing unique about USJ except Jaws and the Cool Japan attractions.

?

Flying Dino, Hollywood Dream, SpaceFantasy, Sing, Curious George, Beetlejuice, Connan

 

[saint.piss]

USJ has the best version of JPRA. It's the most well kept and everything is working unlike Florida's. Also like everyone else here has said, JAWS. USJ isn't the most unique Universal park but besides Epic/USH because of Jaws alone it's my third favorite Uni park. Not much tops Jaws.

 

[BatCom]

?

Flying Dino, Hollywood Dream, SpaceFantasy, Sing, Curious George, Beetlejuice, Connan

Was considering unique themed attractions (not entertainment).

I'll give you the coasters, although most outside Space Fantasy are not themed.