Recent(ish) Changes in the Parks

[MIChessGuy]

I was wondering exactly when the following changes took place. I read about them in print the other day, but hadn't been sure until then that these were a "thing" --

(1) The live actors in Reign of Kong aren't there any more. Something tells me this happened a while ago, and I suppose the reason was the same as for pulling the 3D: cost-cutting.
(2) Also at Kong, the exterior portion is operating after what I had assumed was permanent abandonment some time ago. That obviously was a wrong assumption. When did the exterior portion come back?
(3) At the money exchange in Diagon Alley, the goblin banker is now non-interactive. I especially regretted hearing about this, as I used to speak with him about the quality of the bank's dental plan years ago and he didn't appreciate it. Does this really help Universal's bottom line all that much, to turn this off? Disappointing.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Oh I'm so happy to hear the exterior portion of Kong is going again! It was still not going our last visit which was late Jan. The live actors in the Kong line I believe went away around Covid closure time. I did not see them in late 2020 nor any time after that.

 

[tony67]

Yeah its frustrating no doubt - lots of little cuts but they all add up. Another example is Cabbie at the front gate.
Cutting people unfortunately is the biggest savings and no doubt we have seen the same thing at Disney.

I'd rather see some of these people and small experiences stay and get rid of some of the repetitive not so great (IMO) shows, but I guess that gets people to stop and watch especially folks that have not been their before.

As for the Reign of Kong SAs I think they were cut very early on. I've never seen them at all and I go several times a year for an extended stay.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

As for the Reign of Kong SAs I think they were cut very early on.

I saw them on our first visit Feb 2018, but never again (our next visit was Nov 2020). They were great! Made the line fun.

 

[Kit Jackson]

I'd rather see some of these people and small experiences stay and get rid of some of the repetitive not so great (IMO) shows,

Which shows are you talking about? Do you mean Beat Builders, the Blues Brothers, and other shows like that?

 

[sherlockmiles]

Beat builders is the only must see show for us. Love that one.

 

[tony67]

Which shows are you talking about? Do you mean Beat Builders, the Blues Brothers, and other shows like that?

Yeah - I'm not a fan of Beat Builders - but many are.

Blues brothers has been their forever, but it still draws a good crowd.

Marilyn - I've been there when there is like two people watching them.

Also they have a lot of old time characters that are irrelevant today and most don't even know who they are.
Betty Boop is a lot of fun to interact with, but how many times have I heard someone ask who is that.

As someone who spend 20-30 days a year at Universal I'd like to see some things updated or changed.
Of course there will be others that hate change - so they cant really win.

Most important though is don't cut things and not add new things to replace them.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Yeah - I'm not a fan of Beat Builders - but many are.

Blues brothers has been their forever, but it still draws a good crowd.

I'm a total ride coward and I travel with someone who's a thrill seeker. While she does the intense thrill rides I'm not going on, I sometimes see the shows nearby. As long as there is something enjoyable for me to watch while she rides, I'd be okay with them replacing Beat Builders with something else. I can take or leave Beat Builders. I absolutely love the Blues Brothers show. I would feel sad if they ended that one.