UniversalParksBlog News for September 6th, 2021
Beware of falling Goombas! Also, watch out for haymakers from angry park guests. Welcome to the most violent edition of UniversalParksBlog News thus far!
Universal Life Imitates (Fictional) Art
Photo: Newsweek
This is one of those instances where I struggle to keep a straight face while discussing a serious story. Universal Studios Japan suffered its first significant accident at Super Nintendo World, and it’s hysterical. I’m sorry, but it is.
Some of the life-sized Goombas dislodged themselves from their resting spot and fell on the tracks of Yoshi’s Adventures. Yes, for a brief moment, park guests had to watch out for falling Goombas!
Falling Goombas
Photo: gameintime.com
All they needed was a mushroom and a Fire Flower to make the experience complete. Sorry, I don’t know to report this one without jokes. It’s so funny that it feels like a viral marketing prank.
In the Super Mario video game franchise, Goombas fall at random locations and sometimes stack high to present a more significant threat. At Super Nintendo World, one of these stacks literally fell down. You can’t make this stuff up.
Can you imagine the story they told their friends when they got home from work that night? And were they scared? I mean, that angry Thwomp ominously hovers above them during the repair. It’s an almost literal Sword of Damocles situation.
Here are before and after pictures from the incident:
風でSNWのクリボー破壊される、、、
この部分のクリボー、、、
ザワつくSNW、、、#USJ#USJファン #SUPERNINTENDOWORLD pic.twitter.com/S25avZS05t
— ちとにぃ🧢🌎 (@chitonii_usjfan) August 9, 2021
Universal had to shut down several attractions while cleaning up the shockingly heavy Goombas, but most of them reopened the following morning. However, Yoshi’s Adventure has remained offline while workers repair the damaged tracks.
By the way, that wasn’t the only mishap during the first few weeks of Super Nintendo World. Some of the props from Yoshi’s Adventure come from a fan mod, not an official Nintendo game. This thread explains it:
Wow. I actually think Super Nintendo World's designers used art from Newer Super Mario Bros. Wii (a NSMBW mod) as a reference for their cacti. They have a somewhat distinct shape, were made specifically for Newer, and show up when you Google "New Super Mario Bros. Wii cactus". pic.twitter.com/CWrHiXCsj3
— Meatball132 (@meatball_132) February 6, 2021
Other International Universal Park News
Photo:Universal Studios Beijing
While we’re talking about Universal’s international parks, we have three other matters to discuss.
First, some guests have actually entered Universal Studios Beijing! This new park settled on a soft opening approach due to the pandemic. CNN International was among the first to take a tour. You can read a recap here.
Photo: Universal Beijing
Surprisingly, visitors reported wait times over an hour for many rides, including the Decepticoaster.
The early trial runs have proven successful enough that Universal Studios Beijing confirmed a grand opening date of September 20th.
Photo:skillastics.com
However, critics assert that prices are far too expensive. According to the South China Morning Post, tickets will cost $115 per person in US dollars.
The author quotes one Weibo user complaining: “I can accept the ticket price, but food and other stuff inside the park are so expensive that I can’t afford them.”
So, in a way, I find it oddly comforting that international park guests are just as upset over the prices of admission tickets and park food as Americans. We will discuss Universal Studios Beijing more after ride videos appear on YouTube later this month.
Photo: Universal Studios Japan
The other major international this week circles back to Universal Studios Japan. Halloween Horror Nights returns on September 11th.
Like its American counterparts, this version of HHN won’t operate in a limited form in 2021. Instead, it’ll feature a full complement of houses! That’s the good news. The bad news is that admission prices are going up at this park.
Photo: Universal Japan
Starting on October 9th, Universal Studios Japan will increase the cost of tickets enough to become THE most expensive theme park in Japan. Analytically, this move was expected as a way for park officials to receive a return on investment on Super Nintendo World (and its falling Goombas).
Fight for Your Right…to Riiiiiiiiide!
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
Have you entered the line queue for the VelociCoaster yet? It’s a terrifying experience! Like, Velociraptors trap you in a building at one point! Understandably, tensions run high as people work their way to the front of the line.
Case in point, a recent news report indicates that a woman lost her cool while waiting in line for VelociCoaster. This individual noticed someone else cutting in line. Even worse, this cutter accidentally (?) spilled her drink on the woman.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Enraged, the woman started throwing haymakers at everyone in that group. She ended up in jail for assault. According to the victim, her brother slid under the rope at VelociCoaster to stand with her. He had some sort of drink in his backpack. It fell open, spraying the assailant, who was already salty about the line-cutting.
At this point, the perpetrator’s niece grew upset and angrily defended her aunt. This action triggered a screaming fight between the two parties. Eventually, the perpetrator slugged the sister rather than the line-cutter, causing damage to her face, including cuts and bruises.
So, this was a blueprint example of multiple guests behaving badly. Only one of them spent time in jail, though.
Quick HHN Updates
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
We’ve got a few more items to cover. First, you’re undoubtedly wondering about the start of Halloween Horror Nights, which held its first event on Friday. I’ll provide a complete guide with some videos later this week. So, we’ll only discuss two things about HHN.
For starters, opening night turned into a record-setting sellout despite the COVID-19 outbreak in Central Florida.This turn of events undoubtedly provided a sense of relief for Universal officials who had worried about lagging attendance in recent days.
Photo: discoveruniversal.com
Of course, the outbreak has forced Universal Studios to take a more aggressive approach with its safety measures.All Scare Actors will wear masks throughout the event, which is a bit redundant for some. After all, many costumes come with masks anyway.
More importantly, the various HHN houses will include vinyl dividers. These additions protect guests from Scare Actors and vice versa. By taking this approach, Universal vastly reduces the chance of infection.
Other Universal Park News
Speaking of Scare Actors and other Universal employees, the company just updated its vaccination policy. All workers must report their vaccination status so that Universal execs can establish updated protocols.
Many companies have changed testing requirements for unvaccinated workers, which is something Universal may consider soon.
Photo: Universal Orlando
In non-COVID news, the previously mentioned Caro-Seuss-el refurbishment is underway.
This carousel has suffered structural issues in recent months and desperately needed repair. Thankfully, Universal’s on it.
Photo:Universal Studios Hollywood
Finally, the Platinum Pass is back on sale at Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s the top tier of annual passes at the park. Alas, the price has increased substantially. The new cost for a Platinum Pass is $529, which is still a decent deal.
Remember that this pass includes Universal Express Pass (UEP) as an amenity! I should mention that one thing changed, though. Passholders may only use UEP perks after 3 p.m. now. It used to be an all-day thing.
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
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Feature Photo: Universal Orlando
