What is Universal's Next Project?

With HP now open, I'm starting to wonder what Universal's next project will be (BTW, I'm going there next weekend! =D). Due to the money spent on HP, the maximum we could be seeing next year is a show (probably replacing Fear Factor... and for crying out loud Universal, PLEASE REPLACE THIS!!!) unless you count the apartment complexes being built behind MIB, Fear Factor, and Jaws. =P Here's some possibilities for the future additions/improvements at UOR:

Next Ride to go:

A few months back, Screamscape reported the following rides over at the Studios that could be removed for a future attraction:

Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
Twister
Terminator 2: 3D
E.T. Adventure

I personally am starting to doubt Neutron's closure. It was said to close this Spring, and guess what... it's summer. It's also worth noting that the rocket over the entrance was taken down a few months back, but now it's back up. I doubt UOR would waste their time taking down the rocket and putting it back up, only to close the ride soon. It would be a complete waste of time. But who knows, maybe I'm wrong, so I'm not going to let my guard down just yet.

Now Twister... recently a new floor drop was installed (the one from the now demolished Backdraft in Hollywood) and the attraction seemed to be better than ever to some people. I'm starting to doubt this removal too... but who knows? I recall that some rides start to run better than ever before they close (Great American Scream Machine and Back to the Future are examples). But I'm starting to doubt it anyway.

T2:3D... see my previous posts for more info. Though, I do remember Screamscape reported that T2:3D in Japan will be replaced by a clone of the Transformers ride debuting in Hollywood. I still doubt it completely though...

E.T. Adventure... while the ride does need a refurb (*cough*old vehicles*cough*) it's a classic ride, that shouldn't be removed. But it could be possible, seeing as how Hollywood and Japan have removed theirs (and the ride ended up not going up in Singapore, even though it was confirmed to). It still needs to stay though...

With that being said, I think it's time for Universal to start expanding and not replacing other attractions besides FFL...

Transformers:

I still have this feeling that Transformers will end up coming to Orlando.

Hulk Refurb:

I heard that Hulk has a clean spot in the mist tunnel, but STILL NO REPAINT! Argh... it needs one, though it's probably going to happen when the HP crowds die down. I'm still praying for LEDs and sound effects on the trains with that repaint (Screamscape reported it a few weeks back)... now that would be cool! =D

Water Park Coming Soon?:

I'm pretty sure some of us know by now that Screamscape reported a few weeks back that an online survey is up talking about a possible new water park being added. I had this thought... the plot of land between Hollywood Way and I-4. That land is huge and perfect for a water park. Anyways, I'll keep you updated on this development.

Chopping Block Update #2

It's time we discuss the eventual fate of Twister...Ride it Out.

Recently (a month ago I believe), Twister lost one of the thrilling elements for the ride... the part where the floor drops (it was working last January when I visited).

From VitaminsAndGravy at Orlando United:

I was at Universal about a month ago and I was excited to experience Twister: Ride it Out again. I had experienced this attraction a few years prior and I was always surprised by the floor drop at the end even though I knew it was coming.

Well, this time I was definitely surprised, but only because there was no floor drop. Needless to say I was disappointed. How long as this effect been turned off? Is this permanent or did I just hit the attraction on a week they had it turned off?

And some people are speculated that the ride is done for and could be removed soon. From Splatter at Orlando United:

If it is still not working than it is a major thing that has not been fixed yet, if it continues to go on without getting fixed than I would say it is the beginning of the end.

Splatter predicts more omens for Twister in BehindtheThrills:

So Twister has gone down seasonally last year for a while.

Twister has a shell of a former full queue that it once did have with movie vehicle theming and other authentic props as well as a kansas themed boneyard of goodies. Rockit ruined that and it just cuts you right into the preshow holding area.

Twister recently popped up (and has before) in guest satisfaction Survey with a select few other rides comparison. They seem to tweak them around and the two that consistently show up are Jimmy and Twister.

Twister is now without its floor drop. It has been missing for weeks and has yet to be repaired.

Not looking good for Twister.

TRANSLATION IN MY SIGHT (I don't want to say Rockit's ruined anything =P):

February 10, 2009, Twister was put on a seasonal schedule (like Fear Factor) but reopened March 7, 2009 (?), but it still took a while.

In July 12, 2008, Twister's queue was fenced off for construction of Rockit. It now directs you to just the pre-show (I knew there was something weird about how short the queue was in January. There was a cow advertisement thing there though).

Recently, Universal has been giving surveys to which attraction should go next, and both Twister and E.T. were listed the most.

As of last March, the floor drop was axed.

Now here are some omens for Back to the Future's demise:

* Cars got rough.
* The series was outdated.
* The left dome was closed off before the closure of the ride was announced.

As for my sight... I really hope Twister isn't next. Some people dislike it, but I LOVE it!

Anyways, I'll keep you updated.

Jimmy Neutron Update #4

http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php?4151-Could-this-be-it-for-the-nicktoons-at-Uni/page3

Scroll down. The rocket for JNNB is back. Ah... that's a nice breath of fresh air. B)

If JNNB is staying (which hopefully it does), then the only rides left on the chopping block are Twister, Terminator, and E.T.

I'm eliminating T2:3D too, because I doubt it's going anywhere. So, eliminating Terminator leaves the duel between Twister and E.T. Adventure.

Chopping Block Returns to Universal!

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!