Update on possibilites of Transformers

[damo]

Here's a question....

Is Transformers different enough from Spiderman that both could co-exist or are they too similar?

Is Jurassic Park different enough from Dudley that they both can co-exist in the same park? Is Hulk different enough from Dragon Challenge? I think there are lots of rides that are very similar but yet very different. From what I have read, there are lots of similarities between Transformers (in its other two locations) and Spiderman but yet lots of differences.



They are moving so quickly on this ride.

There are some great pictures here... http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php?5714-The-Soundstage-44-Thread&p=239943#post239943

 

[Metro West]

I saw the crane last night...very impressive.

 

[macphisto96]

New poster and all, so I understand if you want to take it with a grain of salt. I have a friend who has worked at Uni for years and dropped me many hints in the past. The first one I really remember him confirming was Mummy when they announced the closing of Kongfrontation. He's been directly involved in some design work in the past.

First, this project has been handled behind the scenes and apparently quite a bit of prefab work has been done offsite already. For most of the people at Universal, the quick demolition of Soundstage 44 was a big surprise. Even so, they now know that upper management and a select group at Universal Creative have been planning this to both offset the HP crowds that will be coming and to fill the gap until the HP expansion and London construction finishes.

I can get no confirmation of Transformers. I was told once that I might be surprised by something.

But one thing I do know is that this is on a super fast timetable. They are aiming to have it open by next 4th of July if not sooner. As I said, quite a bit of prefab work for the new building has already been completed offsite. It is supposed to be going up at staggering speed.

A central focus is to take some of the attention off of Disney's New Fantasyland. This is supposed to be a big enough name to get some attention.

Transformers? Maybe. Truth is, I think a hint was dropped on me, but it would just blow my mind if Universal worked out a licensing deal, so I don't want to put it out there just yet but it would be bigger than Transformers.

Was told that it should be apparent what it will be by the end of August. There'll be enough permitting and leaked information that those who want to know will figure it out by then. But was told to expect the unexpected. That could just be to throw me off the obvious trail.

 

[Planogirl]

New poster and all, so I understand if you want to take it with a grain of salt. I have a friend who has worked at Uni for years and dropped me many hints in the past. The first one I really remember him confirming was Mummy when they announced the closing of Kongfrontation. He's been directly involved in some design work in the past.

First, this project has been handled behind the scenes and apparently quite a bit of prefab work has been done offsite already. For most of the people at Universal, the quick demolition of Soundstage 44 was a big surprise. Even so, they now know that upper management and a select group at Universal Creative have been planning this to both offset the HP crowds that will be coming and to fill the gap until the HP expansion and London construction finishes.

I can get no confirmation of Transformers. I was told once that I might be surprised by something.

But one thing I do know is that this is on a super fast timetable. They are aiming to have it open by next 4th of July if not sooner. As I said, quite a bit of prefab work for the new building has already been completed offsite. It is supposed to be going up at staggering speed.

A central focus is to take some of the attention off of Disney's New Fantasyland. This is supposed to be a big enough name to get some attention.

Transformers? Maybe. Truth is, I think a hint was dropped on me, but it would just blow my mind if Universal worked out a licensing deal, so I don't want to put it out there just yet but it would be bigger than Transformers.

Was told that it should be apparent what it will be by the end of August. There'll be enough permitting and leaked information that those who want to know will figure it out by then. But was told to expect the unexpected. That could just be to throw me off the obvious trail.

You have me VERY intrigued. Thanks.

 

[DOOM1001]

So it's not Transformers?

 

[macphisto96]

So it's not Transformers?

I don't know outright. I was told not to assume that it's what everyone thinks it is. The one thing that was said to me pretty clearly is that this new building will be two floors (which we can see from the ride elevator system mentioned in permits) and that with that, it will have over 10,000 square feet of extra useable space when compared to the ride in California and Singapore - and the volume is far greater as well (obviously with such an area increase).

So the hint could be that if it is Transformers, it will not be an exact copy of the other two.

But there was also talk about synergy with another film studio coupled with cross promotion and shared production costs for a few large projects going forward - but that's talk from the film making end of Universal extending into the parks.

One thing that the person I know has said is that Comcast has been more active in developing projects than any other owner has ever been. He was there for Vivendi, there for the formation of NBC Universal, there for the Comcast purchase that took a long time to finalize, and there with Blackstone selling its stake to Comcast. It's at that point that development really started to kick into high gear.

Expect lots of changes to both parks beyond this ride and the Harry Potter expansion. There are some plans to seriously overhaul the other side of IOA in the future and a possible expansion of USF beyond what's happening over in what used to be Amity.

Expect Universal to be making lots of noise beyond Harry Potter in their response to Disney's Fantasyland expansion. I also expect Disney to counter in their other parks - and it'll be park guests that will benefit from this competition.

But the hint dropped suggested this new ride may have a lot to do with future strategy on the film side of things with some TV development thrown in.

Of course it could just be a slightly expanded Transformers or even a full-ride version of Kong. But if you plumb Universal's history for some of their other interests of the past, it might end up being something else too.

 

[RJMC]

So it's not Transformers?

Whatever it is - its big

You don't bring in machinery this big, during park hours and in peak season for a small scale midway project.

This is going to be a massive announcement whatever it is.

Along, with the 'project that must not be named' Universal clearly believe these 2 projects are big enough to warrant building another hotel.

 

[Planogirl]

... synergy with another film studio...

Dreamworks? Amblin? Disney?

This is fun to think about.

 

[Metro West]

Of course it could just be a slightly expanded Transformers or even a full-ride version of Kong. But if you plumb Universal's history for some of their other interests of the past, it might end up being something else too.

Now that would be fantastic if Kong was brought back to the Studios! Not the same attraction as Kongfrontation was but something different but just as fun!

 

[Mad Hattered]

Now that would be fantastic if Kong was brought back to the Studios! Not the same attraction as Kongfrontation was but something different but just as fun!

I agree 1000%

 

[JessicaR]

New poster and all, so I understand if you want to take it with a grain of salt. I have a friend who has worked at Uni for years and dropped me many hints in the past. The first one I really remember him confirming was Mummy when they announced the closing of Kongfrontation. He's been directly involved in some design work in the past.

First, this project has been handled behind the scenes and apparently quite a bit of prefab work has been done offsite already. For most of the people at Universal, the quick demolition of Soundstage 44 was a big surprise. Even so, they now know that upper management and a select group at Universal Creative have been planning this to both offset the HP crowds that will be coming and to fill the gap until the HP expansion and London construction finishes.

I can get no confirmation of Transformers. I was told once that I might be surprised by something.

But one thing I do know is that this is on a super fast timetable. They are aiming to have it open by next 4th of July if not sooner. As I said, quite a bit of prefab work for the new building has already been completed offsite. It is supposed to be going up at staggering speed.

A central focus is to take some of the attention off of Disney's New Fantasyland. This is supposed to be a big enough name to get some attention.

Transformers? Maybe. Truth is, I think a hint was dropped on me, but it would just blow my mind if Universal worked out a licensing deal, so I don't want to put it out there just yet but it would be bigger than Transformers.

Was told that it should be apparent what it will be by the end of August. There'll be enough permitting and leaked information that those who want to know will figure it out by then. But was told to expect the unexpected. That could just be to throw me off the obvious trail.

Stick around! Thanks for sharing - that was interesting.

 

[damo]

It is certainly an exciting time to be a fan of Universal!

It would be nice if they took out the theatre in Toon Lagoon and rehashed that whole area of that park with some family friendly things. That area is desperately lacking stuff for the younger set yet it hold so much potential.

And also rehashed the entire kids' area at Universal with stuff that is still kid friendly but much more technologically advanced. I can see that being the next area of focus after the new constructions are complete.

 

[macphisto96]

Dreamworks? Amblin? Disney?

This is fun to think about.

Nope. Someone that they have worked with recently that has a hot property they wish to expand upon.

This may be being built to tie in with a tent pole from next summer and may not be using the Spidey ride system.

 

[Metro West]

It would be nice if they took out the theatre in Toon Lagoon and rehashed that whole area of that park with some family friendly things. That area is desperately lacking stuff for the younger set yet it hold so much potential.

Or at least have some sort of family show featuring some characters...something. I remember the bicycle stunt show and that's about it.

 

[Karkor]

Nope. Someone that they have worked with recently that has a hot property they wish to expand upon.

This may be being built to tie in with a tent pole from next summer and may not be using the Spidey ride system.

Your posts were very interesting and now I am really intrigued..
Surely if it was a really, really cool attraction they could not get it up and running in a year?
Of course would be amazing if they did just no idea how long things take etc.
Would it be un-unsual for Universals to really rush a project like this?? I would love it if they were.
I do agree it could be another reason they are building a new hotel.
I also agree it is a great time for Uni fan's. I like Disney but for me as a 32 year old guy Uni is Awesome!!

By the way hi all. I have been reading the forums for some time and thought it was about time I joined. Some really nice people on here and seems more friendly than another site I use..

 

[Mad Hattered]

The Hobbit / LOTR, Twilight or The Hunger Games

 

[FargoBear]

Lemme see. Avengers was hot and Iron Man 3 comes out next summer.

Star Trek 2 comes out next summer.

I'm grasping at straws, really.

 

[DCTooTall]

Your posts were very interesting and now I am really intrigued..
Surely if it was a really, really cool attraction they could not get it up and running in a year?
Of course would be amazing if they did just no idea how long things take etc.
Would it be un-unsual for Universals to really rush a project like this?? I would love it if they were.
I do agree it could be another reason they are building a new hotel.
I also agree it is a great time for Uni fan's. I like Disney but for me as a 32 year old guy Uni is Awesome!!

By the way hi all. I have been reading the forums for some time and thought it was about time I joined. Some really nice people on here and seems more friendly than another site I use..

To be perfectly honest, I don't think you can use any history of Universal's previous projects in either confirming or denying anything when it comes to current projects. Comcast's ownership of the Universal parks is only about a year old at this point (a little over a year if you don't factor the Blackstone buyout). Previous owners/management have tended to see the parks as simply something to extract revenue from and therefor haven't been as likely to invest back into the parks as strongly. Comcast in the year it's owned it has gone on record saying how much they see the growth potential of the parks, and that they believe strongly in investing in the parks due to the return they believe they can get off that investment.

What's even more important than Comcast's statements however, is what we are actually seeing at the parks. In the Year since Comcast took over ownership, We have seen Spiderman's entire projection system and ride film completely overhauled, The Jaws and Amity section of the park demolished to start on the rumored HP phase 2, and now the rush work at the Building 44 location. We also saw the closing of Jimmy Neutron and the new Despicable Me attraction open in it's old location. We also have a new nighttime entertainment show at US plus a regular daytime parade. Even if you believe that several of these projects were in the works before the Comcast purchase was completed, The fact that we are seeing several large projects happening on top of each other instead of spaced out more should be a good indicator of Comcast actually believing what they are saying.


Also of note.... Even though the ownership by Comcast is only about a year old, The purchase in a holding pattern for almost a year prior waiting on government approval. It's likely even if they didn't have an official say in the matter, they were aware of some of the plans in the works, and Universal parks was aware of some of the new owner's desires out of the Parks division.

 

[DCTooTall]

Lemme see. Avengers was hot and Iron Man 3 comes out next summer.

Star Trek 2 comes out next summer.

I'm grasping at straws, really.

Avengers and Iron Man aren't likely to happen due to the Disney ownership and the terms of the existing deal.

Star Trek 2.... COULD happen. It wouldn't be the first time there was a Star Trek presence within the Universal park.

 

[Karkor]

Could it be something like Prometheus? No idea really.
I would love something similar to the old Alien Encounter in MK. That's just me though.

It does seem like a lot of new things are happening at once very fast in both parks.

As after thought someone mentioned The Hobit. That could be something cool 'maybe'