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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 6:19 pm Post subject: Big and Shocking News from Universal parks
Universal Studios Orlando closing Jaws the Ride, Universal Hollywood getting Harry Potter and the mouse looks perplex.
In what could be called surprising news, Universal has gone on the forefront for their theme parks. First the shocking news, Jaws the ride at Universal Orlando will shut down forever on Jan 2, 2012. Plans are underway for a farewell party, so if you have the time and money. Get down there to enjoy your last ride forever. This has made a landside of rumors to what attraction could replace Jaws in the future. Harry Potter, Transformers, Fast and Furious, are just a few of what could replace Jaws area. The popular rumor is that Harry Potter type of land and attraction will take up all the space for Jaws, so it can bring more life to Universal Studios side of the park. But one problems with that theory is J.K Rowling herself who has total control of Harry Potter ip and Universal Studio having Halloween Horror night isn't a kid friendly event. I wonder how they going to get pass that. But in all, the opportunity for some great new attraction and experiences is worth the gamble. Given that Harry Potter is a huge cash flow to the resort, it seem Universal isn’t resting on their butts to create something new.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter by Tom Croom, on Flickr
Well Over at Universal Studios Hollywood, it was announce that Harry Potter is coming to the park. Probably, the most important question when it comes to Hollywood is where. Universal Hollywood is not know for having a lot of space. Unlike the other Universal parks, Hollywood is a real working full time filming studio. In others words, movies, TV shows, and media commercial are film at their back lot all the time. So, knocking down some sound stages for a Harry Potter attraction doesn’t make sense when real production is going on as well. But unknown to fans of Universal theme park the Hollywood park has been going though a ongoing expansion and redevelopment of the studios. A lot of the area is in flux for it’s expansion so plans can be redesign for room to make Harry Potter fit at Hollywood.
So, question is what type of attraction is coming to the Hollywood version of the park? Will the ride system be the same, or will we see new attractions? All these are question that will be argue and spill over as time goes on when this project gets into development very soon.
Is Mickey mad at Universal for closing Jaws or bringing Harry Potter to Hollywood?
The question not a lot of people are asking is what Disney thoughts on this? Now, we all know the reaction Disney has been doing. Carlands, Avatar, and Fantasyland expansion are major projection to bring new guest experiences and keep them spending more at their parks. But now, things are different. We are at an age of interactive immerse technology taking over the attraction experience. Seeing how Universal always set the bar higher each time they bring a new attractions means what we could see from Disney next. Disney has gone on record saying that their major spending budget will slow down after these projects finish up. But one has to wonder if now is the time that Disney starts to ramp on IM department for more attractions to come down the pipe line early. Tron, Tangle, Muppets, Pixar, and future Disney IP could be on the way down fast now that competition heats up.
So, start your rumor engines. What will Universal new attraction be, and how will Disney react now that the foot is on the gas?
Well, let me leave with a little video from the Universal Orlando Jaws ride. And as we say goodbye, we can say and hope for it’s return in the future with new technology as iconic as Jaws was, it will never be forgotten. Look at this way, they bung back King Kong at Universal Hollywood, why not Jaws in the future.
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