IOA censors Spiderman queue video

[johare]

A story in today's Orlando Sentinel says that "Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure snipped scenes from a video on one of its most popular rides that depicted the destruction of New York at the hands of a group of comic-book villains."

This is totally ridiculous. Now we are letting terrorists influence our theme park attractions? Does Universal really think people are so stupid that they can't tell the difference between comic book characters and reality?

I think these companies do this for the PR rather than out of respect for anyone. I really hope this is a temporary change.

Anyway, here is a LINK to the story.

 

[BarryHom]

A lot of TV shows are editing out scenes of the WTC and attacks on NYC. I hope it is only temporary, as the whole point of the ride is an attack on NYC.

 

[johare]

As I said before, I think many of these big companies do this just to get their name in the paper. It's sad to think they would do that, but I really can't imaging anyone at Universal thinking that someone would be offended by the actions of some fictional comic book characters. I wonder why they didn't close down Jaws after all the recent shark attacks?

I was also disappointed to see the trailer for the Spiderman movie pulled just because it has a scene where a helicopter gets caught in a web built between the WTC towers.

 

[Seahag]

IMHO, it's not that at all, it's just that it is a fresh wound in the side of Americans. No one who is currently in or planning on a vacation wants to be reminded of this horrible, horrible attack on their fellow Americans right in the middle of the Spidey ride.
I'm sure every one can get more than enough reminders in the local papers & on the hotel TV, which I'm sure wil be reminding us for days to come. The idea of US & IOA is the "escape" of reality, as if you truly are riding the movies, & I don't think they want a downer in the middle of peoples vacation. At this time, sadly, real life is scary enough.

 

[Dznefreek]

<i>I wonder why they didn't close down Jaws after all the recent shark attacks?</i>

Excellent observation!

Political correctness in this country has gotten way out of hand. It is almost as if large companies/corporations are trying to decide what emotion we should have when viewwing a particular scene or object.

It is a ride and nothing more. If some guests do not want to see the WTC in the video; don't ride.

 

[Seahag]

And if I didn't know ?

 

[IOATech]

I think the point is we are not the enemy. We remain sensitive to events, but the references here are very subtle and are indeed based on comic books. I don't disagree with lightening things up, just taking things too seriously. We are here to entertain you and remove you from reality for a little while. This is only a ride.

 

[kellymonaghan]

Universal's decision was completely appropriate. They deserve kudos, not criticism.

 

[johare]

I'm sorry, but I don't feel their decision was appropriate at all. It was reactionary, probably because they felt the need to be part of this and do something and even though I don't like the idea, I think it may have even done just for the publicity.

What about all the people who go there who are familiar with this ride and now find a small part of it missing? I think enough has been lost...we don't need to start censoring our sources of entertainment just because it might bother a small percentage of the population. What if the Statue of Liberty had been destroyed in the recent attacks? Should the entire Spiderman attraction have been closed then?!? Maybe Universal should close the entire ride anyway out of respect for the families of those who jumped from the WTC towers...after all, how would they be affected if they were to ride Spiderman and experience the simulated fall from the building at the end. It quickly becomes ridiculous.

While I'm not sure that Universal deserves criticism, they most certainly do not deserve kudos for reacting this way.

 

[RhondaS]

Please keep in mind, that no matter what Universal did or does regarding this, somewhere, someone, will not be happy about it. Unfortunately, it's another of those "can't win for losing" situations.

 

[johare]

Please keep in mind, that no matter what Universal did or does regarding this, somewhere, someone, will not be happy about it. Unfortunately, it's another of those "can't win for losing" situations

I agree...they are not going to make everyone happy, but I think that's why they should have just left things as is rather than draw more attention to the situation.

 

[Quentin Disney]

I would not feel alright going on Spiderman now. The ride already features destruction of a famous landmark. Having lived in the Tri-State area for most of my life, this tragedy really hits me like so many others. I know Universal wouldn't do this, but I feel they should close the ride until people can get this stuff out of their minds.

 

[Robinrs]

johare, you have a right to your own opinion. I agree with kelly that USF deserves kudos, not criticism for this move.

The invasion of NYC may not have affected you the way it has many others, but try, I repeat TRY to be sensitive to the thousands of people who are hurting, me being one of them.

I'm sure it will be temporary but for now, I'm sure you can survive without it while USF tries to NOT remind those who do care, of it.

 

[AdventureFamily]

If the cowardly mastermind of the attacks could read what you all are writing, he would feel that his actions were effective. On the simple subject of Universal's reaction to the tragedy...and a simple change to a ride...this board, at least in this instance, has gone from a friendly chat room, full of people with the freedom to go and come as they please, to a divided and heated argument over what is a trivial matter.

We will see more of this in the days and weeks to come. We can't let it happen. Appreciate your freedom. Your freedom of choice. Your freedom of expression. Understand that many decisions will be made with which not everyone will agree. That is the nature of a democracy. Let's save our arguing for matters of importance and try to understand the Universal is simply trying to react correctly in a tremendously trying time.

God Bless America and all who love her.

 

[johare]

Robin,

Everyone is hurting over this, myself included. I was actually planning on going out there this weekend just to try to forget everything. I think the missing queue video will do more to remind me of this weeks tragic losses than just leaving the video alone would have done. Oh well...I guess I can live without the queue video...I'm just glad that Universal didn't decide to shut the whole attraction down!

 

[johare]

Thanks AdventureFamily for the great post. I think what bothers me most is the fact that tragic events of this week are spreading like a virus...movie trailers have been censored, theme park attractions altered, certain music pulled from radio station play lists, sporting events cancelled, etc... The cowardly terrorist scumbags have already taken much from us...I don't think we need to take things away from ourselves just to feel better.

 

[Robinrs]

AdventureFamily:

This is not a heated argument, just people giving their opinions about something that has changed the course of history.

This is just people offering responses to johare's ideas on what they feel about this subject. That IS freedom of speech. It's also what I consider a "discussion".

Everyone is reacting because they don't know what else to do. This is not a virus, it's a horrible circumstance. When one puts people on the offense, they will react on the defense. That is human. It's not bowing to anything, we are reacting the way we feel.

We must also remember that we are all together on this. What Universal did cannot please everyone but they chose to do it for their own reasons.

Remember guys, this is NOT the Debate board...

 

[Darkennon]

Originally posted by RhondaS
Please keep in mind, that no matter what Universal did or does regarding this, somewhere, someone, will not be happy about it.

In my limited experience with this forum, I learn that Johare is *always* that person, no matter *what* Universal does.

Nothing will ever be good enough for Johare. Too bad, really.

 

[joe]

I knew I saw the towers somewhere on the ride. In a previous topic started by myself entitled "spiderman ride and World Trade Center", I posed a question about the towers and if they appeared on the ride. I guess I was the only one that saw this coming.

 

[nhrenee]

I appreciate the sensitivity on the part of Universal and other companys. I also think actions like what has happended with the SM ride is a temporary action. It's too much like salt in the wound right now though.

I think I understand some of Johare's frustration though. You hate to see any response that seems like we're letting the *******'s win.

We need to stay united.