Is new coaster what Universal needs???

[boomhauer]

As a new Universal convert and someone who loves both resorts, I got to thinking about this new coaster at Universal. Is this REALLY what USO needs? Let's face it - Facts are, this is an attempt by Universal to bring more people away from Disney and to them. Makes perfect sense. However, let's look at the demographics:

You've got the thrill seekers who are already going to Universal. Many of them are probably going to Disney as well.

You've got the families who aren't thrill seekers who are going to Disney. Judging by attendance figures at the parks, this makes up the majority of the tourists in Orlando.

Then you've got the in between, like myself. I love the family oriented rides and magic feeling of Disney, but I like a bit of a thrill as well. That to me is where Disney has succeeded. Catering to those people. They have thrills that get the job done, but aren't super intense thrill rides that are too much for many people. When Universal came to town, Disney knew they needed these rides, and they hit the nail on the head:

Tower of Terror
Rock n' Roller Coaster
Splash Mountain
Test Track
Soarin'
Everest
Dinosaur

I think this is what Universal REALLY needs. Clearly, they are capable of doing it. The Mummy is a perfect example. It fullfills that thrill that the non-heavy thrill seeker wants. The person who finds Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and Dr. Doom's Freefall too extreme. I probably never would have gone to Universal had it not been for The Mummy. That is my type of ride. A thrill ride that doesn't leave me regretting being on it from the time I sit down, to the time I get off. I believe, if Universal is going to cut into Disney's lead, this is the route to go.

Opinions?

 

[rie'smom]

I don't think Universal is super concerned about cutting into Disney's lead. Rather, they are catering to their devotees into the thrill rides.
I LOVE Universal even though I am not a thrill rider. The atmosphere, the staff , and the resort hotels are heads and shoulders above WDW and that is the attraction to me. My daughter wouldn't care if we never go back to Disney but she (and I) have to get our Uni fix about every 6 mos.
I do like Disney but that's it-like.

 

[patster734]

Any new ride, that doesn't replace an existing ride, is a benefit. Plus, you said that most Universal guests are thrill seekers, makes sense that Universal would continue to cater to their tastes.

 

[boomhauer]

Any new ride, that doesn't replace an existing ride, is a benefit. Plus, you said that most Universal guests are thrill seekers, makes sense that Universal would continue to cater to their tastes.

Yes and no.

I can't imagine Universal execs are sitting around a table thinking about ways to pay their guests back. Obviously, they must want to boost attendance. Akin to Disney offering discounts to those who don't frequent the resort. They don't need to cater to those already going. They want the people NOT currently going.

 

[ChrisFL]

I've been iffy about it actually...

While obviously this isn't the first outdoor rollercoaster Universal has built, the others always have had a well done theme, at least in the queue area.

This, so far, does not really give me that same feeling....however, it is also apparently not going to really be in the way of the theming of the Universal Studios park itself, as much of it will be completely out of the way.

I am going to wait and see what the finished result will be.

I have always thought that Universal cannot directly try to compete with Disney as far as the same thrill level. They NEED to have bigger, thrilling rides.

It is very difficult to make super thrilling rides and keep them also enclosed. Can you imagine trying to enclose something like the Hulk coaster?

So Universal knows there is a market out there of people who want faster, taller, etc. rides than what Disney offers. While I definitely prefer Mummy style rides, I can really understand where Universal is trying to do a lot for attracting more guests.

I also think they're trying to prove that with this and Harry Potter that they can successfully cater to both the thrillseeking amusement park fans AND the super highly-detailed theme park fans with Harry Potter coming.

There is a coaster war brewing in Central Florida, Sea World, Busch Gardens and a refurb of Space Mountain are approaching...now we have this...it's a fun time to be a thrillseeker.

 

[ChrisFL]

Yes and no.

I can't imagine Universal execs are sitting around a table thinking about ways to pay their guests back. Obviously, they must want to boost attendance. Akin to Disney offering discounts to those who don't frequent the resort. They don't need to cater to those already going. They want the people NOT currently going.

While that's true, they also want to get to those people who are satisfied going to Cedar Point every year and not Orlando because there isn't enough for thrillseekers.

Picture 10 years ago, there was nearly nothing for coaster fans in the area except what Busch Gardens offered.

 

[boomhauer]

There is a coaster war brewing in Central Florida, Sea World, Busch Gardens and a refurb of Space Mountain are approaching...now we have this...it's a fun time to be a thrillseeker.

I met a Disney employee last week at IOA who works on the management team for ride rehabs. I asked her about Space Mountain. She says she has heard nothing at all about a SM rehab.

 

[patster734]

Yes and no.

I can't imagine Universal execs are sitting around a table thinking about ways to pay their guests back. Obviously, they must want to boost attendance. Akin to Disney offering discounts to those who don't frequent the resort. They don't need to cater to those already going. They want the people NOT currently going.

Yes and no.

Universal definitely wants to increase attendance with new visitors, I agree with you there.

But I also think Universal realizes that alot of their guests are repeat customers. Many of the changes Universal makes, are probably based on the surveys done at park exit or emailed to guests that have left an email address with Universal. Alot of companies (see Sprint) get into trouble by ignoring their current customer base when attempting to get new customers, resulting in a loss of current customers. I believe that this is a case of where Universal is listing to its fan base.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I definitely agree with a lot of your comments but unfortunately, we have to take into consideration the average guest.

I've spoken with guests at Universal who considered Mummy to be the only "real ride" there. I was dumbfounded. When asked about Men In Black, they said eh.. you just shoot your gun while the vehicle moves.

This ride will definitely make an impression on thrill-seekers who have to choose between the new rollercoasters planned for Sea World, Busch Gardens, and will even help disburse the crowds once they come for Harry Potter.

This does not replace an existing attraction so there will actually be more to do at the Studios. If the rumors of a separate entrance for after-hours guests hold true, this will be considered a major attraction for CityWalk. It would be similar to the way that the coasters in Vegas operate until late at night and require per-ride or unlimited admission.

So there's definitely enough reasons that this coaster makes a worthwhile addition to the Studios and Resort in general.

 

[dpayne1969]

i know my kids are already saying "lets go in summer 2009" they are totally ready for this new coaster! I think it will be awesome especially with the Simpson's ride opening up soon now this. I still like Disney too but this has already made up our minds to be back in summer 2009 once again

 

[Metro West]

I think Universal and Disney know rollercoasters bring in the bucks and it's a constant stuggle to stay ahead in the game. ROTM opened in 2004, Disney's answer was Everest in 2006 and now Universal is going to outdo the mouse with RRR in 2009. It's great for people like me who enjoy going to Disney and Universal for different reasons. Since Universal's audience is a little older than the Disney set, a new coaster is just what they need to bring in new people and to make sure the AP holders will continue to renew every year. I know I will.

That's my take...just an opinion.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I completely understand where you're coming from. My DS thinks the more coasters the better. Personally, I wish for every outdoor ride they'd add a dark ride. My DH rides anything that doesn't spin. I think balance is the way to go.

OTOH, when choosing to vacation, our DS is usually the deciding factor. He prefers UO, because of the rides, so we usually go there rather than WDW. I'm sure we're not the only parents who takes our DS's opinion into consideration. (We can vacation anywhere we want, when he is grown.)

Seeing big coasters as you drive by UO would get the attention of preteens & teens. If mom & dad will allow themselves to believe their kids may prefer UO over WDW, UO has won that battle.

I can see it both ways. Like I said, I wish they would balance thrill rides with dark rides. That would make everyone happy.

Any new ride, that doesn't replace an existing ride, is a benefit.

ITA!!!

 

[Figment22]

and will even help disburse the crowds once they come for Harry Potter.

I see this as a primary need; draw people over to the studios from the HP crowds (that will be huge) over at IOA.

 

[dpayne1969]

If mom & dad will allow themselves to believe their kids may prefer UO over WDW, UO has won that battle.

i agree that is why we usually do a split stay with Disney & Universal. My kids love Universal hands down over Disney the 2 main factors are the coasters & FOTL I like the magic of Disney it just brings back childhood memories for me so I still have to have my Disney fix as well. Everest is an awesome ride at Disney along with RRC We can't wait till summer 2009 to ride the new addition

 

[mslclark]

I was dumbfounded. When asked about Men In Black, they said eh.. you just shoot your gun while the vehicle moves.

I'm still scratching my head on that one! Did they actually ride it?

If mom & dad will allow themselves to believe their kids may prefer UO over WDW, UO has won that battle.

I know, why do so many have a problem with that? Just love 'em both!


I'm excited about this new coaster, and it sounds like it's going to have some state of the art features. I think it's a win-win for Universal.

 

[JaxJags08]

I definitely agree with a lot of your comments but unfortunately, we have to take into consideration the average guest.

I've spoken with guests at Universal who considered Mummy to be the only "real ride" there. I was dumbfounded. When asked about Men In Black, they said eh.. you just shoot your gun while the vehicle moves.

This ride will definitely make an impression on thrill-seekers who have to choose between the new rollercoasters planned for Sea World, Busch Gardens, and will even help disburse the crowds once they come for Harry Potter.

This does not replace an existing attraction so there will actually be more to do at the Studios. If the rumors of a separate entrance for after-hours guests hold true, this will be considered a major attraction for CityWalk. It would be similar to the way that the coasters in Vegas operate until late at night and require per-ride or unlimited admission.

So there's definitely enough reasons that this coaster makes a worthwhile addition to the Studios and Resort in general.

I totally agree. I'm an AP holder, but I'm not sure if I would visit US if I wasn't. The only thing I really look forward to riding there is The Mummy. This gives guests that feel like me a strong case to go to US. Then, if the powers that be see the attendance at US rise, they may raise the price of their PH option.

 

[Metro West]

With all this talk about new attractions, the one thing I wish Universal would build is a really nice miniature golf course in the resort somewhere.

I would love that!

 

[boomhauer]

Since Universal's audience is a little older than the Disney set, a new coaster is just what they need to bring in new people and to make sure the AP holders will continue to renew every year. I know I will.

I agree with the 2nd part, but it's the 1st part that is just my point. Universal already has the thrill seeking audience. I would think (and maybe I'm wrong) that they would want to broaden their base a bit and bring in some family rides. No one's saying they need It's A Small World, but they could do a family thrill ride, along the lines of Thunder Mountain or Test Track. I just don't see how brining in another pee-your-pants coaster is going to increase the crowds.

I'm only one person, but I think there are plenty like me. I really enjoyed Universal. I'm going to Disney in July. If this coaster, not being something me or my family would enjoy was open then, it wouldn't bring me over there. Now, if they opened a family friendly thrill ride, I would say "let's give it a day".

We have a Six Flags about an hour from our house. We never go there because there aren't enough family friendly rides. If they opened some more up, we would go there.

 

[keishashadow]

I completely understand where you're coming from. My DS thinks the more coasters the better. Personally, I wish for every outdoor ride they'd add a dark ride. My DH rides anything that doesn't spin. I think balance is the way to go.

OTOH, when choosing to vacation, our DS is usually the deciding factor. He prefers UO, because of the rides, so we usually go there rather than WDW. I'm sure we're not the only parents who takes our DS's opinion into consideration. (We can vacation anywhere we want, when he is grown.)

Seeing big coasters as you drive by UO would get the attention of preteens & teens. If mom & dad will allow themselves to believe their kids may prefer UO over WDW, UO has won that battle.

I can see it both ways. Like I said, I wish they would balance thrill rides with dark rides. That would make everyone happy.



ITA!!!

agree 100%

those of us with tweens & up (especially those who have visited WDW several times) know that they call the shots on vacation not quite...however, they sure do wear you down whining to want to visit "the cool park"

thrill rides are U's niche, they do it well and need to keep ahead of the pack to keep their rep.

i do wish that they'd offer a few more dark rides that aren't quite so vigorous for those of us who tag along with the youngins...imo, they need a really scary haunted house ride

 

[damo]

I agree with the 2nd part, but it's the 1st part that is just my point. Universal already has the thrill seeking audience. I would think (and maybe I'm wrong) that they would want to broaden their base a bit and bring in some family rides. No one's saying they need It's A Small World, but they could do a family thrill ride, along the lines of Thunder Mountain or Test Track. I just don't see how brining in another pee-your-pants coaster is going to increase the crowds.

I'm only one person, but I think there are plenty like me. I really enjoyed Universal. I'm going to Disney in July. If this coaster, not being something me or my family would enjoy was open then, it wouldn't bring me over there. Now, if they opened a family friendly thrill ride, I would say "let's give it a day".

We have a Six Flags about an hour from our house. We never go there because there aren't enough family friendly rides. If they opened some more up, we would go there.

I think The Simpsons Ride fills that niche. Buildling one family ride and one thrill ride works great for me. I think Universal is filled with family rides and that's what keeps people from venturing over from IOA. This ride will pull them over.