Sometimes You Gotta Give It To Universal

[Timmy Boy]

With Harry Potter going up, AND Rockit, sometimes you gotta give it to Universal with the way the economy is to be able to fund these huge projects. The future looks good for this place.

 

[Shasta]

I totally agree! With the economy as it is, I see this as a "all in" poker move. I think they will win. Harry Potter's WW will be HUGE!

 

[Metro West]

With Harry Potter going up, AND Rockit, sometimes you gotta give it to Universal with the way the economy is to be able to fund these huge projects. The future looks good for this place.

 

[ky07]

Thats what I love about Universal
That no matter how bad things get when they start a project they are in it to finish it

 

[schumigirl]

The Rockit ride looks amazing, are there no over the shoulder restraints on this ride? On the pic it`s not clear what they are. Not sure I fancy such a big drop with no harness

 

[disneyfan67]

With Harry Potter going up, AND Rockit, sometimes you gotta give it to Universal with the way the economy is to be able to fund these huge projects. The future looks good for this place.

These two projects are certainly a lot more exciting than what Disney has offered for this year. IMO, the American idol experience is a waste of money that Disney could have used for a more exciting project and is nothing I want to see. As much as I love Disney and the history behind it, I'm disappointed in the lack of money and new ideas being put into their parks. Animal Kingdom has a ton of space to add on a new land, new E ticket attractions, but the management at Disney seems content on rising prices and cutting back on services, etc. Universal seems to be on the right track here.

I may never ride Rockit, but it looks exciting and adds a unique touch to Universal Studios. Universal is "doing more with less space" compared to how big the parks are at WDW. Harry Potter is another example and I hope Universal pulls out all the stops. If done right and not on the cheap, this attraction will be huge.

 

[donaldduck352]

Another too Universal.They are throwing caution in the wind with the economy and all!!You know what they say tho-if you build it they will come!!

As far as no shoulder harness,this ride is design not to go upside down..Thats the reason I believe..But what it will do is bring the thrill level up to A post thats gonna be hard to beat by the other parks!!!

 

[Metro West]

The Rockit ride looks amazing, are there no over the shoulder restraints on this ride? On the pic it`s not clear what they are. Not sure I fancy such a big drop with no harness

Since there are no inversions on the track, there will be no shoulder harnesses...just lap bars.

 

[mark2311]

Even though they are just lapbars they are more than capable of taking people upside down. Looks fun

 

[BuckeyeGuy28]

Thats what I love about Universal
That no matter how bad things get when they start a project they are in it to finish it

I'm pretty sure that Universal has been saving up for a long time now and no matter how much money they're making now, they've got funds for the projects. You don't build a house as you make the money to build it

 

[Todd&Copper]

Seriously, the latest Disney offerings just do not compare. Toy Story Mania is a *lot* of fun, but I am not interested in more HSM crap or Amerian Idol.

As a side note, I have to say Universal wins in terms of theming, too. DH was a Universal newbie in January, and he commented on how so many buildings are real brick-and-mortar around dead end corners, and not merely scenes painted on scrims like they are at DHS. And just that locations in US seemed more "authentic" - San Fran really felt like the city by the Bay, Amity felt like a NE beach town - while at Disney it all seems kind of pretty but ultimately fake.

 

[macraven]

These two projects are certainly a lot more exciting than what Disney has offered for this year. IMO, the American idol experience is a waste of money that Disney could have used for a more exciting project and is nothing I want to see. As much as I love Disney and the history behind it, I'm disappointed in the lack of money and new ideas being put into their parks. Animal Kingdom has a ton of space to add on a new land, new E ticket attractions, but the management at Disney seems content on rising prices and cutting back on services, etc. Universal seems to be on the right track here.

Seriously, the latest Disney offerings just do not compare. Toy Story Mania is a *lot* of fun, but I am not interested in more HSM crap or Amerian Idol.

As a side note, I have to say Universal wins in terms of theming, too. DH was a Universal newbie in January, and he commented on how so many buildings are real brick-and-mortar around dead end corners, and not merely scenes painted on scrims like they are at DHS. And just that locations in US seemed more "authentic" - San Fran really felt like the city by the Bay, Amity felt like a NE beach town - while at Disney it all seems kind of pretty but ultimately fake.

I do disney and universal each year.
I stay at both resorts also.

I have to totally agree with both above posters.


AI Experience..........??
The show is on it's last legs. This is the 8th season for it, the ratings have been dropping the past 2 years for that tv show.

Why in the world would disney do a show based on a tv show that is on it's way out?

Very disappointing.
They need new rides and attractions.


Toy Story Mania, it's a cute ride.
I do like the participation the riders get to do on it.

but, the long lines, the breakdown on this ride, is not enough to encourage more to that dhs park.

For me to continue to go to disney, I need more new rides/attractions to keep me interested.

The same old same old, is not going to keep the repeat customers forever.

Universal adds new ideas to their parks and keeps the public's interest in that they are encouraging repeat business.

When Universal puts in a new ride, they go all out for it.

When the parry hotter island is open, i'm sure many rides, shows and dining places will be exciting for everyone.

We will experience HR3 this year and Parry Hotter next year.
Two new things within a 2 year time period is fantastic to me!

 

[Niki Andiokno]

I can't wait for Rockit. HP, too. I hope this means the company is actually making profits. This should be a boost as well.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

With Harry Potter going up, AND Rockit, sometimes you gotta give it to Universal with the way the economy is to be able to fund these huge projects. The future looks good for this place.

I have rumors of other projects/upgrades that may be coming to the Studios after HP opens.

Things are definitely on the right track.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I'm sure their funding was secured before the market started taking its nose-dive and there were more foreclosures than home sales. The timing of these projects definitely helped. And then once contracts were signed and press releases were given, it made more sense to continue with the projects than cancel them. Time will tell if they made the right decision. Don't get me wrong; I'm glad they are continuing!

I was disappointed that RRR was lap-bar only, so I appreciate the pictures, alleviating my fears somewhat.

To me, Expedition Everest was a colossal waste of hype. If I can sit through the ride with my arms crossed, there is no need to waste my time standing in line or strategizing on how to get a Fast Pass for it. Yawn. And that is the "thrill" ride that Disney has given us in the past 3 years. Sorry, but unless my knuckles are white and I'm about to pee my pants, don't bait me with a "thrill" ride.

I honestly have zero interest in the new Jonas Brothers/Hannah Montana Extravaganza Land or whatever the heck is going into IOA, but I'm sure Universal will find something good and noteworthy to put there. In fact, me thinks it's going to be so big that I probably won't want to deal with crowds of newbies there just for that.

 

[geliebter2]

As we went in to Universal the other afternoon, we were talking about how generally happy everyone seemed and how much everyone seemd to be enjoying themselves including the employees. Everything was clean and looked well kept. It was nice to see that there is still such a happy and magical atmosphere in Orlando. Kudos to Universal.

I've always been a huge Disney lover, and took to heart the training way back on College Program that every detail had to always be perfect. We've noticed more and more of our favorite little secret spots and activites being closed at Disney, with no replacement. I think Disney is relying too much on it's big crowds now loyally returning without much concern that they will stop coming back if they don't leave happy anymore.

 

[keishashadow]

With Harry Potter going up, AND Rockit, sometimes you gotta give it to Universal with the way the economy is to be able to fund these huge projects. The future looks good for this place.

NBC has deep pockets, now to wait & see if U gets sold off how things will commence , well i hope!

AI Experience..........??
The show is on it's last legs. This is the 8th season for it, the ratings have been dropping the past 2 years for that tv show.

Why in the world would disney do a show based on a tv show that is on it's way out?

'cause it's lot's cheaper than running Fantasmic every night

I have rumors of other projects/upgrades that may be coming to the Studios after HP opens.

Things are definitely on the right track.

long overdue, looking forward to a dark ride myself

I was disappointed that RRR was lap-bar only, so I appreciate the pictures, alleviating my fears somewhat.

To me, Expedition Everest was a colossal waste of hype. If I can sit through the ride with my arms crossed, there is no need to waste my time standing in line or strategizing on how to get a Fast Pass for it. Yawn. And that is the "thrill" ride that Disney has given us in the past 3 years. Sorry, but unless my knuckles are white and I'm about to pee my pants, don't bait me with a "thrill" ride.

im thinking they r targeting a different audience

for me, EE is as agressive as my aging back can take ; therefore i think it swell...moreso theming/backstory, etc. Yet, we have skipped the park last couple of trips to spend extra day on U leg of trip, mostly because for us it's just a 1/2 day park (less if we don't do safari) after visiting so many times

re rumours, not sure what ever happened to the disney 5th park...the thrill/villian/limited # of guest access per day concept i've seen discussed...have a feeling it'd def be off their drawing board; yet would've been just the thing for diehard thrill seekers!

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I have rumors of other projects/upgrades that may be coming to the Studios after HP opens.

Things are definitely on the right track.

Don't forget to send a private message.

 

[Clifton]

When a new attraction opens at Universal that's when I go....just like Disaster, Simpsons and soon HRRR. HP, well it depends on what attractions they got in store for us.

 

[schumigirl]

Even though they are just lapbars they are more than capable of taking people upside down. Looks fun

Wow, thanks for the pics. That lap bar does look really secure. Really looking forward to this ride, I think