Universal is said to be targeting their next attraction to be removed for a future attraction. Here are the attractions:
1.
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
2.
E.T. Adventure
3.
Twister...Ride it Out!
4.
Terminator 2: 3D
And a quote:
(4/15/10) Several people have backed up the Rockit running 5 trains at a time, and we’ve been told that it has already run six at once and is able to do it when they have them available to use. Now on to the good gossip...
Lots of rumors lately seem to indicate that Universal Orlando is attempting to choose their next attraction target for demoltion, making way for some new unknown new attraction. While Behind the Thrills mentions that Jimmy Neuton’s rocket is currently missing as a sign that the ride could be on the way out, a Screamscape reader also took a survey for Universal last week that paints a different picture.
The main focus of the survey seemed to ask a lot of specific questions about two older park attraction… ET Adventure and Twister. While Twister did replace Ghostbusters years ago, and has really failed to make a big impact, ET Adventure is one of the park’s remaining original attractions. Of course about a year ago we had heard numerous rumors that painted a rather grim picture for the future of Terminator 2 / 3D as well. Put the four together, and I think we’ve got a nice short list. Which would you rather see removed?
And another quote earlier this year (this time showing Jaws and Terminator, which I seriously doubt will go anytime soon):
The Future - (1/31/10) Over the past decade Universal Studios Florida has been focused on updating pretty much every old attraction in the park. King Kong became Mummy, Back To The Future became The Simpons, Earthquake became Disaster and so on. At this point however, there are really only two ‘old school’ attractions left in the park: ET Adventure and Jaws. Considering that ET was given a costly upgrade in the past decade to replace the track system to allow for an increased number of seats per car, I don’t think it’s going anywhere just yet. This leaves Jaws as the last ride standing... so to speak. Could a new attraction be in the works to replace Jaws in the not too distant future? I’d say the chances are good... eventually, however stronger rumors point the finger at a possible new attraction to replace Terminator 2: 3-D before Jaws takes the deep six. For now, enjoy them both while you still can.
Now here's the story...
Jimmy Neutron's rocket is missing from the entrance of the ride, which doesn't show a good picture for the ride's future. JNNB was on the chopping block before as a station for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (when it was rumored as a Hollywood Dream clone), but it ended up getting squeezed between Blue Man Group and Jimmy Neutron. Also, some people hate it, because it didn't appeal to both adults and children like Hanna-Barbera did (which I find complete BOGUS!). I'm, however, one of the people who LIKE the Jimmy Neutron ride and would hate to see it go. And I'm not the only one... I can think of some others who like the JNNB ride too.
E.T. Adventure is one of the older attractions at Universal (that, Jaws, and HMUS are the only attractions left from opening day 1990), and they already removed Hollywood and Japan's versions. Steven Spielberg, however, convinced Universal not to remove the other versions after Hollywood's version closed. They agreed, but a few years later (2009), they removed the Japan version without his permission, so I imagine the Florida one being next (even though I don't want it gone).
Twister...Ride it Out is a special effects attraction in the NY section of the park. Like JNNB, it was on the chopping block before too, to be used as the station for Hollywood Dream, but then it shifted to JN, and then it didn't replace anything. Twister is also one of the attractions that most Universal fans hate (I don't even know why). They claim that it replaced Ghostbusters, wasn't that cool, and it didn't blend in with New York. For the latter excuse, well neither does the Mummy, and it's a likeable attraction (well, much better than Twister)!
Terminator 2: 3D was also on the chopping block for Hollywood Dream. The main reason for its possible doom is that "the 3D doesn't work anymore." I honestly think they must be using the 3D glasses wrong, because in all my experiences with T2:3D, the 3D was working fine with me. And also, they came out with a 4th film not too long ago, and are planning a 5th and 6th film soon too. I doubt it's going anywhere. The latest rumor is that it will close to make room for our version of the Transformers ride. I completely, in all honesty, doubt it. If Transformers comes, I can see Disaster going.
Now my opinion:
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast - Hope not.
Terminator 2: 3D - If T2:3D goes, I will not be happy at all. It's the best 3D film attraction I've seen. I, however, doubt it will be removed for another few years(yeah I said it before). I'd probably say another decade of T2, then it might go. But now... no.
Twister...Ride it Out! - Hope not.
E.T. Adventure - All right now... as much as I hate to admit it... sadly E.T. has gotten kind of boring. It's a cool attraction, don't get me wrong, but it looks like it's E.T.'s time to "phone home." =,( I know it's a classic, but let's face it, Hollywood's and Japan's versions are already gone, the ride is due for major rehabs, and the vehicles are kind of boring (it used to look like bikes, but it doesn't anymore). The ending is cool though, with E.T. thanking us by name. I'll also miss the forest queue line.
As for its replacement... well the only thing I can think of is our version of "Space Fantasy: The Ride," an indoor coaster which replaced the E.T. in Japan, and opened this year. In case you don't know, Space Fantasy: The Ride is a MACK Spinner coaster indoors, using a moving platform as a station (like Rockit). The story of the ride is that you're on a "helping mission" unlike the American "something goes wrong" storyline. The story is that the guests are being loaded onto a mission to save the Sun, with energy only humans can provide. "Once the guests departs from Earth, they will see the big beautiful planet Earth in all its glory, and once slowly moving further away from Earth into deep space, passes by Nebulas, and a Milky way like Star field that looks like a Water Fall, called, the Star Fall. Once they pass thru the Star Fall, they will go around the ring of Saturn, and through the shooting star showers, and other small planets, until nearing the Mercury, pass by Mercury, the guests close in to the SUN." Could Space Fantasy: The Ride possibly make its way to Florida in 2011 or 2012? Stay tuned!
