A serious question about the appearance of things at UO/IOA

[Dr.Girlfriend]

To start: this is not a "zomg! Disney is FAR superior in this department!" post because they certainly have their own issues right now with cleanliness, etc.

However, we have noticed that the Universal and IOA is lacking in keeping things up to date paint wise. For instance, the Shrek sign outside of the Shrek attraction. I will probably snap a pic this weekend, but Donkey looks like he's been smoking 5 packs a day with those tobacco yellow teeth. The sign is faded, cracked, looks all around TERRIBLE.

Another good example is the lackluster color of Suess Landing. It used to be so bright and colorful, but now it looks dull and blah.

Does anyone know when or if Universal is ever going to get around to cleaning things like this up? Takes some of the magic away when it looks uncared for.

 

[damo]

When we were there in June there was painting going on in Suess Landing at the Caro-Suess-el. I never noticed any issue with the Shrek sign. Hulk and Dudley just got repainted.

I don't think anyone here knows, "when or if Universal is ever going to get around to cleaning things like this up', lol.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Actually, Google is my friend, sorta, today.

The sign used to look like this:

And while this is still not the sign that we see pretty much every weekend, check out Donkey's face. The sign looks WORSE than this right now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jared422/5469980193/

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

When we were there in June there was painting going on in Suess Landing. I never noticed any issue with the Shrek sign.

I don't think anyone here knows, "when or if Universal is ever going to get around to cleaning things like this up'.[/QUOTE]

I meant more like some sort of a refurb schedule.

 

[macraven]

To start: this is not a "zomg! Disney is FAR superior in this department!" post because they certainly have their own issues right now with cleanliness, etc.

However, we have noticed that the Universal and IOA is lacking in keeping things up to date paint wise. For instance, the Shrek sign outside of the Shrek attraction. I will probably snap a pic this weekend, but Donkey looks like he's been smoking 5 packs a day with those tobacco yellow teeth. The sign is faded, cracked, looks all around TERRIBLE.

Another good example is the lackluster color of Suess Landing. It used to be so bright and colorful, but now it looks dull and blah.

Does anyone know when or if Universal is ever going to get around to cleaning things like this up? Takes some of the magic away when it looks uncared for.

huh?

suess is painted yearly......

i don't understand your statements at all.



the homies that post on the universal boards don't make threads to stir the pot.



don't expect a lot of replies.



universal threads are more laid back, peaceful and informational.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Ummm....wasn't trying to stir the pot. I even said this isn't a "I'm posting this because I think Disney is better" because I don't think it is.

If Suess is painted yearly, you can't tell. It definitely doesn't look like it.

 

[Planogirl]

When did you last go to Universal?

I never noticed that the Shrek sign looks different but we'll check in a few weeks. I think that the difference in the pictures might be at least partially due to lighting.

 

[ADP]

I can tell you in regards to Suess Landing it is painted somewhat often. In fact, Audrey Giesel (the wife of the late Dr. Suess) who gave Universal permission to build Suess Landing is holding Universal to very high standards when it comes to the appearance of Suess Landing. It was one of her stipulations before she would ever let Universal build Suess Landing. The polystyrene material used for the structures in Suess Landing don't require as much paint as some other structures inside the park.

One could argue expectations on appearances can vary. So, to one person a paint job could look like its fading, but look okay to someone else. In Dr. Girlfriend's eyes it may look like the paint is fading, but to someone else, not so much. There's no right or wrong here, just opinion.

 

[damo]

Here's a link to someone's flickr album taken this June...http://www.flickr.com/photos/11180343@N06/sets/72157627118566491/with/5959228598/

Seuss Landing looks pretty good.

 

[buckeev]

We really enjoy BOTH WDW & US/IOA...A LOT! (Obviously, we-my family and the other bazillions of families-don't continue to spend our hard earned moolah at these places because we totally despise them.)
That being "said", I did notice a slight "cleanliness" drop-off at the North Side's theme parks last Christmas. In their defense, I can only imagine the facilities stress and strain levels due to the arrival of the Wizard Dude!

 

[nytimez]

I can tell you in regards to Suess Landing it is painted somewhat often. In fact, Audrey Giesel (the wife of the late Dr. Suess) who gave Universal permission to build Suess Landing is holding Universal to very high standards when it comes to the appearance of Suess Landing. It was one of her stipulations before she would ever let Universal build Suess Landing. The polystyrene material used for the structures in Suess Landing don't require as much paint as some other structures inside the park.

One could argue expectations on appearances can vary. So, to one person a paint job could look like its fading, but look okay to someone else. In Dr. Girlfriend's eyes it may look like the paint is fading, but to someone else, not so much. There's no right or wrong here, just opinion.

Seuss Landing looked just about perfect when I was there in spring... but don't get me started on Audrey Giesel. Ted's body was still warm when she started licensing all his work for everything he refused when he was alive.

 

[Tink2Day]

Why is it when someone prefaces a comment with 'I'm not comparing this to Disney, or saying that Disney is so much better' that is exactly what they will be doing?

Funny I saw FAR more trash on the ground, peeling paint etc at Disney than I did at IOA when I was there.
Shocking how far the standards have fallen since Walt Disney ran the parks.

 

[carmiedog]

Pictures of both from early march in this blog (start halfway down):
http://suki-pooki.blogspot.com/2011/03/universal-studios.html
(nice collection of photos that have me itching for another trip)

I was there in June and Seuss looked fine to me.

I do see the difference in donkey's teeth in the picture. (Can't tell anything about fading or cracking.) BUT, it's nothing that detracts from the sign or certainly not the park itself. I just assumed that's the way it was supposed to be. Not that I spent time looking at signs and analyzing things, anyway. I was way too busy having fun! I don't think the Florida parks will ever deteriorate to the point where I would notice obvious flaws.

Maybe someone with a more critical eye can bring back some pictures to post

 

[Planogirl]

I sometimes see the comment that Seuss Landing needs painting but then I ask when that person was last there and I get no answer. Maybe the OP will change that. I can only comment that the area looked great last August.

 

[damo]

We were there in both Feb. and June and I didn't see anything that I thought was in dire need of painting.

 

[MrsSparrow..]

I'm a fully-fledged Universal 'homie' but I would agree that Universal lacks in the paint department. Maybe their paint isn't good enough! Again, just my opinion.

It's fixed now, but the Hulk was in pretty bad shape for ages. Last time I was there in Aug 2009, Seuss Landing looked pretty rundown.

 

[dsmom]

the last time i was there Seuss Landing looked beautiful!! But honestly- i was having such a good time the last thing i was thinking about was PAINT!!!!

 

[damo]

the last time i was there Seuss Landing looked beautiful!! But honestly- i was having such a good time the last thing i was thinking about was PAINT!!!!

Several of the buildings were painted in June. There was also painting being done in February. They did some new additions to the play area If I Ran the Zoo as well.

We were there both those months and thought things looked great too.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

I was there a few weeks ago and agree with the OP. Seuss looks terrible. From the actual vehicles on One fish two fish, to the paint on the buildings, to If I Ran the Zoo. I was actually gonna start taking pictures of everything that looked bad but then I realized I would be there for a while.

 

[Carl4628]

I agree with the paint in Seuss Landing. The Florida sun wreaks havoc on the paint. The land needs to be painted more often.