Universal Studios Hollywood to Build "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter"

I mentioned it last post. Remember those rumors late last year of Potter coming to SoCal. Check it out!

After defeating Voldemort and his Death Eaters in seven bestselling books and eight hit movies, Harry Potter is taking on perhaps his greatest challenge yet: boosting the Los Angeles economy.

Universal Studios on Tuesday took the wraps off plans to build a Southern California version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which drove a 68% increase in attendance at its Orlando theme park during the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2010.

Ron Meyer, Universal's president, said his company would spend "several hundred million dollars" to create the attraction, which is expected to include a re-creation of Hogwarts Castle along with Potter-themed rides, shops and restaurants.

The plan was unveiled Tuesday morning at an elaborate ceremony at Universal Studios Hollywood attended by Gov. Jerry Brown, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslovsky, and executives from Universal and Warner Bros., which made the "Potter" films and controls licensing rights to author J.K. Rowling's characters. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa sent a congratulatory video message from Beijing, where by coincidence he was helping announce the opening of a new theme park in China.

Comcast Corp.-owned Universal will create more than 1,000 jobs in the process, with many more expected to be added indirectly at hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses. Executives said the new attraction would be built within the existing Universal Studios park boundaries, which will likely require the demolition or repurposing of existing rides.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. estimated that every 1 million additional visitors who come to Universal Studios Hollywood for the Harry Potter attraction will generate $417 million in spending in the county.

"This is a grand slam for the Los Angeles tourism industry," said Mark Liberman, president of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, known as LA Inc. "It's going to immediately be at the top of any attraction L.A. has ever seen."

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando has drawn more than 10 million visitors since it opened in June 2010. Visitors have bought more than 1 million glasses of butterbeer, a non-alcoholic drink made famous in the Potter books. Mugs of the sweet, frosty beverage were served at Tuesday's event.

As part of Tuesday's announcement, Universal and Warner also said the Orlando Potter attraction would be significantly expanded.

The Los Angeles attraction won't open for a while, however. Universal Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Williams said in an interview that the 20-acre Wizarding World in Florida took more than four years to build. The Universal Studios Hollywood attraction would likely take at least that long, putting the premiere in 2016 at the earliest.

In addition, Universal can't break ground until a planned $3-billion overhaul of its theme park and film and television studio lot is approved by regulatory authorities.

When it debuts, the legions of Potter fans from around the world who flock to the attraction could help Universal Studios Hollywood gain ground on its larger Southern California rival in Anaheim. Disneyland had 16 million visitors in 2010 and its sibling destination California Adventure drew 6.3 million, according to the Themed Entertainment Assn. Universal Studios Hollywood had 5 million attendees during the same period, the trade group said.

"If we take the authenticity of the experience in Orlando and put it in the world's entertainment capital, you're going to see streams of people coming from countries around the world and affect the whole economic chain of Los Angeles," said Universal Studios Hollywood President Larry Kurzeweil.

Many of the rides currently at Universal Hollywood are based on older films such as "King Kong," "Terminator" and "WaterWorld," though a new "Transformers" attraction will debut next spring.

Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer said his studio spoke to numerous potential candidates about the rights to build a Potter-themed attraction in Southern California before signing a long-term agreement with Universal. A knowledgeable person not authorized to discuss the matter publicly said Walt Disney Co. talked to Warner about adding Harry Potter to Disneyland.

"The millions of fans who have read the books and seen the movies are very demanding, and we're very concerned about not disappointing them," Meyer said. "What Universal built in Orlando met that bar in a dramatic fashion."

Brown, who unlike the business executives in attendance spoke without looking at prepared remarks, said the new Potter attraction was welcome news at a time when many are pessimistic about the state's future.

"Yes, we have had some tough times but the movie industry keeps hope alive and keeps us together," he said. "We are truly a state of imagination, and this great Harry Potter park just pushes us that much further down the road."

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/07/business/la-fi-ct-potter-park-20111207

Here are some confirmed items for the Hollywood PotterVerse:

* There will be Hogwarts
* There will be Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

That's pretty much it. =/ My thoughts on where it is going up: same as before. Gibson Ampitheatre gets torn out for FJ and Hogsmeade goes up in between that and WaterWorld (torn out for either a show or a Dragon Challenge clone).

To prove my point about Gibson... check it out here:

(12/7/11) Universal Studios Hollywood held a press conference a few hours ago to confirm that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will indeed be coming to the California park. Unfortunately, they were a little light on details… only mentioning that the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey thrill ride would be built, themed to look like the iconic Hogwarts Castle, but no timeline was given for the attraction to open. I contacted Universal for clarification on this, or to see if they could provide the year when it will open, but they responded that the exact timeline was not yet set at this point in time.
The press release had a few more minor details that confirmed that they were indeed building a themed land and not just the one ride structure. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be as impressive as what has been created in Orlando – and is expected to transform tourism in Los Angeles for decades to come. It will be a fully immersive environment for the entire family that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life and is faithful to the visual landscape of the films, including a majestic Hogwarts castle to serve as the centerpiece of the themed environment. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be created with the same commitment to authenticity and the same level of talent and resources as its Orlando counterpart.”
In another report I read elsewhere (sorry, can’t find the link) the reporter asked Ron Meyer about where they would build it because the park was lacklocked, to which he responded that “We’re not lacklocked! We’ve got 400 acres on this lot and 200 of them are still not developed.” So that got me to thinking… could Universal possibly be rethinking some of that once proposed Vision Plan (later revised in 2009 as the Evolution Plan)? Could they now be realizing the value of all that property they hold, and what else they could do with it is they choose to expand the theme park side of the business instead of selling off the land for new housing developments? We can dream…
In the meantime, a LA County Supervision did comment in this other report, confirming the rumors we had been hearing, that the Gibson Amphitheater would be scrapped to make way for the Wizarding World, possibly opening as early as late 2014.
If your not quite sure just what to expect from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, then be sure to read through Screamscape’s official two part coverage of the grand opening of the Orlando park’s version.

Also construction may begin at the end of the summer:

2015 - Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Confirmed - (12/12/11) Screamscape sources confirmed that we shouldn’t expect to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter open in Hollywood until 2015. The first phases of construction work for the project (or demolition to make room) are expected to begin before the end of Summer 2012 however.

Park Updates #8

Well, I'm in the middle of my California trip (in Sacramento) and I thought I'd catch what I missed lately:

SoCal Harry Potter:

From Screamscape:

???? - Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Under Consideration - (12/17/10) While there is a huge push right now to bring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Hollywood, I’ve also heard from some insiders that not all members of management are hot to jump on the bandwagon. It’s not that they aren’t impressed with the Wizarding World, but more to do with the timeline the Hollywood park would face if they were to approve the project.
Even if a deal is signed, the land designed and budgets approved, your still facing the fact that a West coast version wouldn’t be ready to open until at least 2014 at the earliest. With the final film in the series set to launch a little over 6 months, it would be 3 more years until guests could walk the corridors of Hogwarts. So to these more concerned management members, they have to address the elephant in the room and ask, does Harry Potter have the staying power to stay a hot property for 3 solid years beyond the release of the final film?
In most cases, the answer would be no… something new is always ready to come along, but there is a chance that Harry Potter could become a timeless and endearing entertainment series for the ages, much like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Back To The Future. Still, the ever enticing profit margin reports from Universal Orlando are proof enough for most Execs that they need to pursue this. After all, you’ve got to take risks in business from time to time…
That all said… one does also have to ask, is Harry Potter’s story all over and done? Are there other tales that JK Rowling may have left in her pen that may take place in the Wizarding World, outside of the goings of Mr. Potter? Even JK Rowling isn’t sure it seems, as she apparently told Oprah not long ago that she could definitely write an eighth or a ninth book but, “I think I am done, but you never know.”

Honestly, IMO, HP does have the staying power to last 3 years (and possibly more).

And even if it didn't, I would still say build it. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been the greatest success for Universal since 1999, when they added Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and the resort (the hotels). I really don't see a reason why they can't build it in Hollywood.

As for my idea, now I think it makes sense to put up Forbidden Journey where the Gibson Ampitheater sits, and Flight of the Hippogriff in between that and the Waterworld site. They can put up Hogsmeade after Hippogriff, and a Dragon Challenge clone where Waterworld currently sits.

If USH were to do that, I'd be all for it. =)

Cheetah Hunt Construction:

Well, it seems like track work has shifted to the old wet portion of Rhino Rally, where the drop from the block brake and most of the canyon track has been installed recently. As of today, footers for what seem to be the third launch and the block brake have been poured. Footers have also been poured for the heartline roll. As for the third trench, rebar is going in for the footers, so looks like footer pouring will begin pretty soon in that area.

Foundations are also getting poured for the entrance theming (they started on December 16), as seen in the concept art leaked out in September, and as of today, work has begun on the entrance itself. And another thing I didn't notice was that the old Skyride sign was removed (as of July 6, when they were starting construction in the old monorail station). I actually thought it was still there, until I saw a pic from RCPro's latest update. XD

Another thing I've noticed is that some Rhino Rally props are still in the canyon (such as the big waterfall, the falling water scene, and the old jeep). Could they be reusing them for this new coaster? Hmmm...

This is REALLY starting to excite me... =D

Kentucky Kingdom New Coaster:

It seems that Ed Hart wants a B&M coaster when he reopens the park in 2012, according to one of his recent videos. Here is what Screamscape has to say about it:

Park News - (12/21/10) An interview with Ed Hart about Kentucky Kingdom has been posted to ParkThoughts. The big surprise is that Ed claims that the new coaster he wants for the park will be a B&M, though the exact type was not mentioned. With so many other B&M’s in the Ohio area (Diamondback, Mantis, Raptor) I would almost thing that Ed might want to look into a coaster design not already used in the area.
That knocks out Hypers, Stand-Ups and Inverted designs, and due to height restrictions a Dive Machine is right now as well (unless they go deep underground), so to me that leaves Floorless, Flying and the new Wing Rider style design under construction in Europe right now.
Any of these would be a good idea, but I think a really classy Flyer may be a great idea for the park, and as SeaWorld has shown with Manta, a nice intense Flyer with lots of low to the ground elements can be a fantastic addition. Plus it would blow away Firehawk at nearby Kings Island, which is always a plus.
Other news from Ed Hart included: a dedicated parking lot for the park, with free parking for guests, plus the prices of food will be competitive with outside food vendors in order to keep guests IN the park rather than leaving to eat elsewhere.

I really like the Flying Coaster idea (partially because of my love for Manta and Tatsu, which I've ridden recently at SFMM). Ed also mentions that it would go up in the old entrance area.

I'm really looking forward to how this park will be brought back from the dead. A redone Twisted Twins, a new B&M coaster, a big water park expansion... I'm just wondering what he will do with Greezed Lightning (currently sitting in the park entrance).

Either way, this is getting interesting... =) It's hard to believe that this park, which I thought would be demolished, is coming back from the dead with some great additions.

HP Phase II:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/os-universal-harry-potter-20101215,0,1982334.story

When "60 Minutes" profiled Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg earlier this month, the TV piece included a look at some of Zuckerberg's personal posts online. They showed that the 26-year-old billionaire, whose website has more than 500 million users, had recently been in Orlando — visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

It was yet another jolt of publicity for Universal Orlando, which has been basking in a global spotlight since Wizarding World's formal opening in mid-June. The rides, shops and eateries themed around J.K. Rowling's beloved boy wizard have triggered a renaissance at Universal this year, snapping an extended slump and powering the resort to the strongest performance in its 20-year history.

"It has definitely exceeded our expectations," said Alice Norsworthy, Universal's executive vice president for marketing and sales.

But now, as it concludes 2010 and prepares for a new year, Universal faces a new challenge: keeping Potter's magic alive. Already, resort executives are wrestling with questions such as when to expand Wizarding World and how to keep business balanced between Islands and Universal Studios Florida — the park without Potter.

Experts say how Universal answers such questions will ultimately determine whether it is able to hold on to the gains it has made this year.

"The challenge will be to create a continuous buzz," said Abe Pizam, dean of the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management. "It's difficult to maintain the high level of [initial] interest. You have to create buzz on a regular basis."

36% attendance jump

It is difficult to overstate how dramatic Universal's turnaround has been. Last Christmas, Orlando's No. 2 theme-park resort was limping to the end of a year in which attendance tumbled by 1.3 million people to 9.3 million — its first year with fewer than 10 million visitors since Islands of Adventure opened in 1999.

This year's yuletide is far merrier. Attendance for the third quarter — which began days after Wizarding World formally opened June 18 — skyrocketed 36 percent, as Universal drew an extra 1 million people in just three months. It has continued to climb through the fall.

"I can't remember the last time anyone saw a 36 percent increase in attendance," said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, a Cincinnati consultancy.

Wizarding World's effect has been even more pronounced in areas beyond attendance. Universal's merchandise revenue more than doubled to $48.7 million, fueled by sales of magic wands and other Potter souvenirs. Food-and-beverage sales jumped 59 percent to $43.4 million on the popularity of butterbeer. And non-theme-park revenue rose 61 percent to $48.2 million, thanks primarily to sales of vacation packages through Universal's travel unit that offered early entry to Wizarding World.

The resort's CityWalk nightlife district has benefitted, as well. When " Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" arrived in theaters last month, Universal scheduled midnight shows on all 20 screens in CityWalk's movie megaplex. The resort said every showing sold out.

Universal has had to make adjustments on the fly to manage the crowds. The resort has at times distributed to guests receipts with return times just to enter the Wizarding World section of Islands of Adventure. Inside, it halted sales of liquor over the summer so workers in the "Hog's Head" tavern could more quickly fill mugs of butterbeer.

It has faced some complaints. Some fans, for instance, have criticized the small size of Wizarding World's shops, where long lines routinely spill outside. And some experts say the limited capacity has likely cost Universal sales as frustrated guests forgo purchases.

"The undersizing was a major issue," Speigel said. "It cost them money."

But Universal executives, who call the shops "retail theater," said they were designed to look just as they are described in the Potter books and appear in Potter movies. The authenticity, they say, is what has made Wizarding World so popular in the first place.

"That's how crowded it is; that's how chaotic it is [in the books and movies]. I think that is what helps to create the demand," said John Sprouls, Universal's chief executive officer. "I don't think we have any concerns about leaving revenue on the table."

Add to Universal Studios?

Few, if any, experts expect the frenzy to subside in the immediate future.

John Puchalla, an analyst with Moody's Investors Service, predicts Universal's attendance will continue climbing by 15 percent or more through the first half of 2011. He expects it will turn slightly negative in the second half of the year — but only because Universal will be facing tough comparisons against this year's grand-opening crowds.

"We believe the attendance lift generated from the June 2010 opening of [Wizarding World] will continue for the next several years," Puchalla wrote in a research note last month.

Still, amid all the attention being paid to Potter and Islands of Adventure, Universal is taking steps to prop up Universal Studios, which is the resort's original theme park and was, until Wizarding World opened, its busiest. The resort's lowest-priced annual passes for 2011 prohibit entry to Islands of Adventure over the summer — but permit admission to Universal Studios.

Executives have also begun discussing how and when to add to Wizarding World. Among the debates: whether to add something more to Universal Studios first.

Puchalla expects Universal to spend about $80 million on construction in 2011. Though that would be significantly less than the $105 million a year it averaged from 2007 to 2010 — when it built Wizarding World in Islands and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and The Simpsons Ride in Universal Studios — it would still be about twice the annual capital spending that Universal averaged during the middle part of the decade.

Although they won't discuss specific plans, Universal executives say additions to Wizarding World will happen at some point. The resort's licensing contract with Warner Bros. requires it to incorporate elements from the final Potter films, the last of which will open in theaters in July.

"We intend to very gladly live up to all those commitments," Sprouls said.

I wonder what USF will do if they were to expand before Potter... hopefully the end of Fear Factor. >=D And maybe they will expand to that plot of land behind the Simpsons Ride (Back to the Future-themed MACK LSM anyone?).

As for one of the last sentence... I wonder if that will involve a Gringotts-themed indoor coaster, with a dragon animatronic? Hopefully so. =D And maybe a Ministry of Magic walkthrough in Poseidon Fury's place (of course, WAY better than what is currently there)? Oh yeah... *drools*

Either way, all this is making me smile... with a BIG grin! =D

Park Updates #7

Harry Potter USH:

From Screamscape:

???? - Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Under Consideration - (12/13/10) The buzz about the possibility of a second Wizarding World of Harry Potter coming to Universal Hollywood has got some of the big Hollywood gossip hounds talking now. The news we revealed even made the headlines over at Perez Hilton, though for some reason they chose to link to our news indirectly through a posting at MuggleNet instead of coming right to the source, but what can you do, right?
Of course from what I’ve been told, Universal is 100% at this point, and like the Universal Orlando project, the fate of it all lies once again in the hand of JK Rowling. Of course this may not be the end-all either as there may be another mystery project in development between Universal Creative and JK Rowling as well… hmmm. More on this later.

Well, if this is true, HP is bound to come to California soon... I hope so! With me being a huge Harry Potter fan, I think "the more Potter, the better!" =D

Trike Encounter Returns:

Well, after months of speculation, the Trike Encounter in Jurassic Park (at IOA) has reopened today:

http://orlandoparksnews.blogspot.com/2010/12/breaking-news-triceratops-discovery.html

Well, JP does need more things to do... I hope this is their first step. Then maybe a Raptor Encounter, a Pteranodon Flyers redo to Canopy Flyers, and a B&M 4D/Wing Rider using the Pteranodon theme.

I305:

From Screamscape Twitter:

PKD Fans, John Pagel (PR Mgr) will be live on In The Loop tonight at 8pm EST, talking about Intimidator 305.

I can't see the video tonight (because its almost bedtime), but I wonder if this involves the rumored reprofile. I can't wait to see.

Cheetah Hunt:

As of now, the track has been complete from the final brake run, through the station, the first launch, first turn, first trench, second launch, and half of the Windcatcher Tower (with the supports for it up too). I wonder if before winter break, they will complete the tower and the second trench, or if they'll just complete the tower.

Either way, I'm getting excited! =D

X-Raptor:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56021&start=400#p971151

As of December 5, 2010, X Raptor is complete, with the over-banked turn after the first drop up.

Hmmm... I wonder when I'll see one of these go up in the USA (I know, I keep saying it)...

WWoHP Universal Studios Hollywood?

From Screamscape:

Park News - (12/3/10) While there has been a lot of talk lately about possible future attractions under development at Universal, there is one big fish in particular out there that the Hollywood park is just dying to get their hands on. The runaway success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida has many Hollywood execs convinced that getting their own version of the Potterverse in Hollywood would be akin to finding the Holy Grail. Normally the big question for Universal Hollywood is trying to determine just where they could put it, given their extreme lack of space. However, with the huge profit margins on record for the Florida version, the question isn’t so much where to put it, but rather what to demolish to make room for it. With those kinds of numbers, I’m told that Universal is ready to put nearly anything and everything under the wrecking ball to make it happen in California.

Not a surprise since the WWoHP in Florida is successful (about a great majority of my friends have experienced and loved the island, and many more are coming). Hopefully this comes true! =D

As for where it may go up, I came up with this possibility: among the attraction removals that will occur in the next decade at USH (part of the Evolution Plan) are Terminator, WaterWorld, and the old Creature theater. When WaterWorld closes, it frees up a plethora of space, which could be used for a version of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. Hogsmeade can go up in between the WaterWorld site and the Gibson Ampitheater. The Gibson Ampitheater can be torn out for a Dragon Challenge (still prefer First Task) clone (with some difference in height).

As for how it may affect the Backlot Tour... they can relocate some of the sets (like they said they would in the Evolution Plan), and, to prevent noise issues, they can put a sound wall bordering the tour route, and fill the coaster's supports with sand (similar to what they did with the Florida version, after the complaints from Dr. Phillip's High School nearby).

So yeah... hope it's true! =D

Terminator Replacement Rumors

From Screamscape:

2014 - Avatar 4D - Rumor - (11/24/10) Over the last few weeks I’ve been hearing whispers of a possible attraction concept in the works to replace Terminator 2: 3-D at Universal Hollywood. Ironicly enough, today the LA Times also reported that T2:3-D in Hollywood is on the short list of attractions on the chopping block over the next few years. The Orlando version of the attraction has also been rumored to be up for replacement as well for the past few years.
If the rumors are true, Universal may be in talks with James Cameron once again about creating a new 4D attraction, this time based on the Avatar film series. Yes… I said series. There are now two more films in the works, tentatively planned to be shot back to back and released in 2014 and 2015. The hope is to release the new Avatar attraction into the parks in time to take advantage of all the hype these two films generate, so I’d look for it to open by Summer 2014 if they go through with it.

While I'd rather see an Avatar ride than a show, I'm all for any kind of Avatar attraction (the film was epic, when I saw it back in February)! =D

So now Terminator's removal actually makes sense now (the main reason why I doubted this rumor was that the replacement would be Transformers, which I could not see replace T2. I can see Transformers replacing Disaster or Twister). I wouldn't be surprised to see an Avatar attraction in the future (the film is the highest grossing film in the world). I think Universal will do this right! =)

As for Terminator, while I don't care for the attraction these days, I guess I'm going to have to watch it one last time this Thanksgiving when I go, just in case they remove it in the near future.

Now if only they burn Fear Factor down soon...

Universal Studios Hollywood 20-Year Plan

From LA Times:

A long-term plan for Universal Studios Hollywood envisions adding seven new theme park attractions over the next two decades while removing or relocating several studio backlot tour favorites, including the "Jaws" lake, the "War of the Worlds" disaster scene and the famed "Psycho" house and Bates Motel.

The $3 billion NBC Universal Evolution Plan lays out a proposed blueprint for the 391-acre Universal City property in the San Fernando Valley, including new movie studio production facilities, CityWalk retail space and a residential neighborhood.

Additionally, the plan calls for 146,000 square feet of new attractions at the movie and television theme park. Inside the park, the 20-year plan also calls for three current attractions to be replaced: the "Terminator 2: 3D" special effects show, the "WaterWorld" stunt show and former "Fear Factor Live" theater.

Both the "T2" and "WaterWorld" shows, based on 1990s movies, have long been candidates for replacement. The former "Fear Factor" stage, which currently houses the relocated "Special Effects Stage," has played host to a number of theatrical duds over the years, including "Spider-Man Rocks" and "Creature from the Black Lagoon: The Musical."

The theme park plan also calls for the eventual removal of the Flintstones carnival midway games. No replacements for any of the theme park attractions have been announced. The "King Kong 360 3-D" drive-through movie, which made its debut this summer, and the Transformers special effects dark ride, scheduled to open in 2012, are not part of the growth plan.

Under the envisioned plan, the Studio Tour could see even bigger changes over the next 20 years. The footprint of the proposed 124-acre residential neighborhood would force the demolition or relocation of the Whoville village, the "Curse of the Mummy" revolving tunnel, the "War of the Worlds" plane crash set and the Falls Lake blue screen pond. Wisteria Lane from "Desperate Housewives" and the iconic "Psycho" house would be relocated to other areas of the backlot.

Under the plan, four new backlot attractions could be added to the Studio Tour, including proposed buildings near the seaside "Jaws" village of Amity and the "Fast & the Furious" special effects car show. The other two proposed backlot attractions are envisioned for areas not currently on the tour.

Next door to the theme park in the CityWalk retail center, Universal imagines a 3,000-seat theater that could host a permanent entertainment troupe such as Blue Man Group, which currently performs at the Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Fla.

Los Angeles city planners recently released a 39,000-page draft environmental impact report identifying possible effects of the proposed development, including increased traffic, on the surrounding area.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-universal-studios-hollywood-20101119,1,6285543.story

So according to these plans, the Studio Tour is getting improved, a new CityWalk venue, and... oho! Terminator and Waterworld getting replaced, as well as the old Castle Theater.

Makes me wonder if Terminator in Florida is next to go too...

Could Terminator Actually Be Next...?

From Screamscape:

Park News - (10/28/10) While we wait for Transformers to open, my sources tell me another park attraction already has a huge target on its head to be removed next. With the options of possibility being quite short at this point, it probably comes as no surprise that Terminator 2: 3-D is said to be next on the hit list, though honestly I’m still surprised that they haven’t opted to replace Waterworld yet first. Choosing a replacement for Terminator may be a bit more tricky, as the attraction is actually built on the top floor of a large parking structure, which would put some serious limitations about what might replace it., unless they’ve got their eyes on a new 4D Theater concept that could be used to replace all the Terminator attractions world-wide. Anyone know more?

This is the Universal Studios Hollywood version of Terminator, and according to this update, it seems that it will most likely be the next ride at USH to go.

Screamscape also reported this about the Florida version in August:

(8/6/10) Universal Orlando has launched a new “Blue Sky” survey this week, one that mentions a lot of questions about certain popular movies: Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Twilight and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Hitchiker’s Guide To The Galaxy and more. They also ask if you’ve read certain books by Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Horror authors like Stephen King, JRR Tolkin, Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein.
However the end of the survey chooses to go into a lot of detailed questions about Lord of the Rings in general. Could Universal be thinking of nabbing up another big fantasy franchise for a future park addition? For me it also asked a bunch of questions about adding a Terminator attraction… which is strange since they have one, but it looks like they want new ideas for a new one. Perhaps it’s time to replace T2/3D but may want to replace it with a new Terminator themed attraction. Fine by me… I always wanted to see that once proposed Terminator themed indoor/outdoor roller coaster concept.

Now for my thoughts: For some reason, I don't know why but I'm starting think that Terminator could be next. It got a little old lately. =/ I doubt they will replace T2 with another Terminator attraction. IDK, it seems to me that if they were to replace Terminator with something, it would be something non-Terminator related.

Anyways, I'll keep you updated...

UPDATE: I'm starting to think that this rumor may indeed be true. This might or might not be involved, but Six Flags Magic Mountain built Terminator Salvation: The Ride in 2009:

http://www.rcdb.com/4173.htm

Now that's got me thinking, why would there be two Terminator attractions in the same competitive market?

This increases the possibility of removal. And I also remember this Screamscape report back in May:

2013 - Rumor - Transformers - (5/7/10) Is Univesal Studios Japan looking to get in on the Transformers ride action? According to a mystery e-mail I got today, the park may be looking into closing their Terminator 2/3-D attraction in the future to may way for a Transformers ride as early as 2013. After all, we know the Japanese love giant robots. My only concern however is that the Transformers ride is supposed to be fairly similar, technology wise, to the Spiderman ride, and at Universal Studios Japan, Spiderman is virtually next door to T2/3D.

While I certainly doubt that Transformers will end up replacing T2 in Japan (if it does arrive, it will probably replace the Backdraft attraction, since the one in Hollywood is taking over their Backdraft attraction, and Universal usually does something similar if the ride has a clone), I've got to wonder if this rumor will be involved with the other two rumors (of Hollywood and Florida's version getting the axe).

As for a possible 4D attraction, I'd be all for a new one... as long as it is not World of Warcraft... =|

What If...? #1

This is my first episode of "What If...?," a new series of blog posts stating the possibilities of what parks could add.

Here it goes:

What if... Universal Studios Hollywood were to build a clone of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit? It seems like a suitable outdoor coaster addition to USH. HRRR is a pretty quiet coaster, so I doubt the noise will affect the film and TV production.

Where would it go up? I'm not sure where it would go up. I did come up with this possibility... reusing the old Castle Theater (being used for a temporary special effects show) for the station/queue line, and the vertical lift can be behind the Animal Actors show (which will become indoors not to disturb the animals), and the drop should go up over a service road followed by the Double Take. They can also take out Coke Soak for the first two block brakes. They can put up the treble clef out behind the Terminator building. They can put up the jump cut by the double take, and the crowd surfer can punch through the old Castle Theater building. The final half (third block brake, drop tuning, plot twist, and final brake run) can go up in between another service road and the Simpsons Ride building.

I'm just bringing this up because of the possibility of Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm adding coasters and how long USH has gone without building a coaster (and not to mention SeaWorld San Diego is rumored to build a new coaster soon). This is just speculation and will probably not happen... or probably will. Who knows? I'm just bringing some speculation.

Transformers Update (USH) #2

"2012 - Transformers - Confirmed - (3/29/10) Another inside source has reconfirmed to us that it looks like the Transformers ride may indeed have been pushed back to 2012 for Hollywood, thus pitting the battling bots up against the Cars themed Radiator Springs Racers opening at Disney’s California Adventures park that same year."

Well, looks like another Simpsons Ride issue has occurred.

On the bright side... I sense a war in 2012 in California:

Disneyland Resort: Cars Land
Universal Studios Hollywood: Transformers
Knotts: ???
Six Flags Magic Mountain: ???

Transformers Update (USH) #1

"2011 - Transformers - Confirmed - (3/27/10 We have received word from an insider than Special Effects Soundstage and Backdraft are both set to close down on April 1tth to begin construction for the new Transformers ride. While Transformers is still supposed to open for 2011, lots of rumors have been floating around lately claiming it may have bene pushed back until 2012 at USH, allowing for the first version to open in Singapore in 2011 and work out all the bugs first."

Good news: Transformers is moving along.

Bad news: There might be another Simpsons Ride issue (back in the planning stages, BTTF's closure kept getting pushed back even to 2008, but closed 2007. BTTF was originally closing 2006, and the Simpsons Ride was supposed to be a 2007 addition, but due to issues with the performers, those events were pushed a year).

I'm still trying to wonder why Florida can't get Transformers. Don't say it's because of Spidey. Again, if Disney can build three omni-mover dark rides (especially two in the same park!), then Universal can build Transformers.