Will IOA surpass US at Universal Resort's flagship park?

[toonaspie]

...or has it already?

Something to think about with WWHOP about to open.

I've never been to IOA but I have been to Universal Studios which is quite quaint in comparison to IOA. IOA is also bigger isnt it? and most of the themed lands are based on popular franchises. The lands are also larger and more scoped in theming. US has some great themed rides too but are basically just fit into the park wherever they can (the themed lands are kind meh)

It looks like there is tons more to do at IOA now than US.

Or would you say that both parks are about even as to stuff to see and do?

Thoughts?

And in case anyone is wondering: "flagship" basically means the bigger money-maker (or more expensive depending...)

 

[Jason71]

Studios will probably keep a slight edge, based on number of admissions, because it will still have Mardi Gras and Halloween Horror Nights. Both of those are just huge events that often bring the park close to capacity.

 

[Metro West]

Studios will probably keep a slight edge, based on number of admissions, because it will still have Mardi Gras and Halloween Horror Nights. Both of those are just huge events that often bring the park close to capacity.

 

[DOOM1001]

I've yet to experience Harry Potter at IOA so maybe my mind will change after going and riding the new Potter ride but I have to give the edge to the studios right now.With Rip Ride Rockit,the Mummy,the Simpsons,MIB and the other rides,attractions and shows at least in my opinion make for a more balanced park.USF has many more attractions that are indoors as I remember going into IOA one day when it was raining and thundering and basically your choices of what you could ride were limited to Spider-Man or Spider-Man basically with so many water rides and the coasters everything was closed.Also size wise even with Potter I still think IOA is smaller.USF also has Mardi Gras and hosts HHN much more often than IOA.I love both parks but I have to go with USF as it just seems bigger and more balanced,more shows,3-D films,has more for kids as well as getting a couple of coasters in the last 6-7 years.IOA in my opinion is a park that needed something major like Potter BAD for like the last 5 years or so,if you look at the rest of the park just about everything there has been there since it opened in 1999.Maybe it also has something to do that I went to IOA so often between 1999 and 2004 that I simply just got bored with the park.I still remember my first visit the second week it opened in 1999 and how I thought it was the most amazing thing in the world,which it was for the next couple of years but eventually with the park not being very big and new attractions almost non-existent anyone would get tired of it.The studios on the other hand are the ones that have gotten more attractions in the last decade,also the park has a bigger more open feel to it and more events at different times in the year.

 

[kathy884]

Interesting questions -- My immediate family, for example, aren't Universal or IOA fans, but we will be spending a day at IOA on our next trip just to see Harry Potter theming and to go on WWHP rides. We'll ride the Hulk and go to the Jurrasic Park Discovery Center too (But those are the only two other attractions we want to visit again). I don't know, though, if there are that many people like us out there who will boost IOA attendance, but have no interest in visiting Universal Studios.

The more likely scenario is probably that there are lots of big Universal fans out there who will do both, and ticket pricing will encourage many people who have never been before to do both parks.

 

[cieslack]

Interesting questions -- My immediate family, for example, aren't Universal or IOA fans, but we will be spending a day at IOA on our next trip just to see Harry Potter theming and to go on WWHP rides. We'll ride the Hulk and go to the Jurrasic Park Discovery Center too (But those are the only two other attractions we want to visit again). I don't know, though, if there are that many people like us out there who will boost IOA attendance, but have no interest in visiting Universal Studios.

The more likely scenario is probably that there are lots of big Universal fans out there who will do both, and ticket pricing will encourage many people who have never been before to do both parks.

If you walk past Spiderman without riding it you are cheating yourself. I think it is still the best ride in existence and I have ridden Forbidden Journey.

 

[inkkognito]

IOA needs some serious updating in the Toon area. How many kids these days know who Popeye, Bluto, Blondie, Dagwood, etc. are? Basically that's wasted real estate that needs to be converted to something people born after 1980 would know. USF's attractions are based on more widely known franchises for the most part.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that they could stand to retheme some areas in the Studios to make it less "quaint". I like the New York area and the Hollywood street is nice but there are other areas that could stand some sprucing up.

I have mixed feelings about retheming Toon Town though. I know that most of the cartoons are old but it's really cute and it would a shame to lose that. I would rather see the Marvel area get a do-over.