Universal (or I believe, Earl) was premature

[Molokai Gram]

I personally deplore Universal's decision to dump our beloved Kong (although I really believe Earl was somehow responsible too for this horrible decision... ) I still cannot understand why Universal took such a foolhardy move. Kong is one of its best known stars and has been a symbol of Universal, much more so than Woody or Curious George and a good choice to go up against a Mouse. And it seems that he is still popular with other companies, even if Universal has dumped him. I just saw his new "job". Barbie Collectibles is offering a new doll, "Starring Barbie doll in KING KONG" for $49.98. (The doll is playing the Ann Darrow character) Obviously Kong is not yet out of style. (Maybe Earl was just jealous. )

 

[scooby-the-doo]

It is quite simply as to why Kong was rid of: he is a classic movie icon and the 'kids' do not have a clue as to who he is. Universal is quickly filling their movie park with flash-in-the-pan cartoon attractions and rides to pacify the ankle biters and movie illiterate. If a ride based on the craptastic 'Fast and the Furious' crops up anytime soon I, for one, will scream.

 

[robvia]

The maintenance of the ride was also an issue.
Each tram weighed 80,000 pounds (correct me if I'm wrong). From what I heard, they had to break each one down and put it back together once a year.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by robvia
The maintenance of the ride was also an issue.
Each tram weighed 80,000 pounds (correct me if I'm wrong). From what I heard, they had to break each one down and put it back together once a year.

Pretty standard for most theme park attractions. Good parks will break down a ride / train / car what have you once a year to rebuild them. Preventive Maintenance is also ongoing through out the year as well for those attractions.

 

[DocRafiki]

"CRAPTASTIC" -- that is great! can i use that some time?

 

[scooby-the-doo]

As long as it is used to classify items as worthy of the moniker as the 'Fast and the Furious' is

 

[scooby-the-doo]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
I still want to know why the (Murder She Wrote aka Hurcules & Xena Soundstage) just sits there and nothing has been put there in 4 years. Yet Universal closed Kong, about to close Hanna-Barbera in 12 days, removed the boneyard, going to close Hitchcock and for 4 years that soundstage sits empty. If they want new shows or attractions why destroy something when they have space to build.

Mike

Kong gone.
Murder she wrote gone.
The boneyard gone.
Hitchcock and the Psycho house gone.
Hanna-Barbara gone.

Just how long are they going to keep up the pretence that this is a movie park?

 

[Lewisc]

The replacement attractions are all movie based (Shrek ...Netron, Mummy?)

 

[joe]

Actually, kids loved Kong because he was a giant ape regardless of the classic movie significance. My son is 3 and he loves to see the big ape. It doesn't matter if he knows about the movie or not. Same goes for my daughter, 8 years old.

 

[scooby-the-doo]

Originally posted by Lewisc
The replacement attractions are all movie based (Shrek ...Netron, Mummy?)

Yes, yes I see now. On one hand we have an attraction based on one of cinema's greatest director's and his canon of work. And on the other we have a flash-in-pan cartoon creation (Neutron). Movie credentials going out the window, no?

 

[E.Jane]

When is Hitchcock being shut down? We've never been to US before (arriving in March/03), and I hate to think they're shutting more stuff down before we get there.

As for the new attractions, I think it's all relative. 20 years from now the ankle-biters will be saying "MIB"?!?!?! "ET"?!?!?! and our kids will be horrified to realize that their kids don't know what they're talking about.

I've only been to Disney twice - 3 years apart. I LOVED the first trip - couldn't get enough. The second trip - well, a lot of it I just didn't need to do again. Which didn't leave too much we HAD to do again. I don't mind the idea of change and keeping it interesting for repeat visitors as long as they open something new the same time they shut something down!

 

[damo]

Murder She Wrote and Hanna Barbera were not movies. Murder She Wrote was a tv series and Hanna Barbera made cartoons. So we weren't really riding the movies with them were we. And as for Kong every time we went there was absolutely no line. Literally, we would walk directly to the front everytime. It would be ridiculous to continue with the expensive upkeep for a ride that no one wanted to see now wouldn't it. It was a sound decision.

 

[ksdave]

I just hate to see USF turn into another EPCOT Futureworld, with half the attractions closed at once. Last time I was at EPCOT, there were several attractions closed at the same time and it didn't seem like it was worth the $$. Hope I don't get that feeling at USF this coming Feb.

 

[h20jag]

Excellent points Damo & ksdave. Kong had a constant 10 minute wait year round it seemed. But it was a 'not miss' ride that many kids could do with their parents. Maybe a Kong re-make will bring back an attraction one day.
What with the Hulk movie coming out next year, will IOA advertise the "ride the movies" slogan of USF?
Jim

 

[the Dark Marauder]

they've recently ditched the "Studios" part of IOA. now it's just Universal's Islands of Adventure

 

[h20jag]

Whew! I was starting to worry that no one had pictures of the Kong 'wait time' sign. I'll sleep better tonite!!
Jim