UniversalParksBlog News for January 15th, 2023
How big a week was this for Universal Studios? The company announced not one but two theme park expansions coming. And that’s not even the best part!
Universal isn’t building out its current locations. These are two entirely new locations for Universal Studios!
Photo: UPR
Also, Super Nintendo World unexpectedly opened to some guests at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday if that sort of thing interests you.
Oh yes, this week’s UniversalParksBlog News includes some bombshells!
The Soft Opening of Super Nintendo World
We have known for a while that Universal Studios Hollywood had finished the essentials at Super Nintendo World.
Park officials confirmed this fact when they announced the opening date as February 17th, 2023.
Recent photos and private visits to the new themed land have hinted that it’s ready to go.
On Thursday, January 12th, Universal tacitly admitted this fact.
Universal Studios Hollywood hosted a soft opening of the themed land based on Nintendo video games.
Here’s a YouTube video of those frenetic opening moments:
In this clip and other videos from the lucky few in attendance on Thursday, one thing shines through. Super Nintendo World is ready to open!
Guests gained access to all the significant parts of the themed land. They could dine at Mushroom Café, shop at 1-Up Factor, or ride Mario Kart: Bowser Challenge.
Comments suggested that some parts of Super Nintendo World weren’t ready for primetime yet. And why would they be?
Universal Studios still has another month of work time to add the finishing touches. That’s all Super Nintendo World needs, though.
In broad strokes, this themed land has completed the necessities. For this reason, soft openings should continue throughout January and early February.
So, if you’re going to visit the greater Los Angeles area, you should drop by and try out the biggest theme park project of the decade at Universal Studios!
Speaking of which…
Surprise Theme Park Announcement #1
Universal Studios definitely isn’t suffering from a holiday lull. We’re barely two weeks into 2023, yet Universal has already announced two expansion projects!
The first of them will reside in Frisco, Texas, where Universal plans a smaller theme park for families.
The site’s Twitter page displayed an illustration of what this park will look like:
JUST ANNOUNCED: Universal Parks & Resorts plans to bring a new concept for families with young children to Frisco, Texas! pic.twitter.com/5rsAyEAcMO
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) January 11, 2023
In a future update, I’ll do a deep dive into what Universal has planned for this park.
We can draw several conclusions from the drawings. Still, there’s no need to overthink it just yet.
All that matters is that we calibrate our expectations appropriately. You should think Six Flags more than Universal Studios here, and I don’t mean that in a bad way.
Photo: Universal Orlando Creative
Universal’s strategy here prioritizes inexpensive but fun family content. It’s a simple getaway day at the theme park!
You shouldn’t expect any Mario Kart type of attractions here. Instead, they’ll likely share more similarities with the children’s rides at Universal Orlando Resort.
Photo: Slash Film
Expect attractions themed to NBCUniversal intellectual properties like Madagascar, The Secret Life of Pets, Minions, and Sing.
Universal already operates attractions based on Minions (Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem) and The Secret Life of Pets (The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash).
I would expect Off the Leash to exemplify the kind of attraction Universal will build indoors. The outdoor attractions will include lots of spinners and the like.
Just as importantly, character meet and greets and concert shows will entertain families as well.
In short, Universal will go smaller here. This won’t be any sort of Epic Universe clone. Instead, it’ll be more like Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove:
Companies like Universal have recognized Dollywood’s success in being a friendlier Six Flags. So, it’s become a blueprint for Universal to follow.
Surprise Theme Park Announcement #2
Photo: USA Today
In 2020, during the heart of the pandemic, Las Vegas finally opened its long-promised experiential entertainment complex, Area15.
Even though social gatherings weren’t possible at the time, Area15 quickly developed an impressive reputation for its activities.
Most notably, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience demonstrated what is possible with modern art installations.
Word spread so quickly and favorably about Omega Mart that 2.4 million guests flocked to Area15 in 2022.
Not coincidentally, the instantly popular entertainment complex plans to expand soon. Tourists are already clamoring for a larger space here.
Enter Universal Studios.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Quick, name the one flaw with Halloween Horror Nights (HHN)! Yup, the only bad thing about the premise is that it’s seasonal. The earliest you can attend is in August.
Universal loves the idea of monetizing the HHN brand throughout the year because it’s the hottest property of all.
Photo: Lynette Granger Rep/Facebook
Now, Universal can achieve this goal by adding a new permanent experience at Area15.
In a matter of two or three years, Area15 will add an entertainment district. The anchor space here will be a year-round HHN-style event from Universal.
JUST ANNOUNCED: we're bringing an entirely new year-round horror experience to you, Las Vegas. 😈 pic.twitter.com/Qn8lGQLVmc
— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) January 11, 2023
The pairing appears perfect on paper. One of the drawbacks of Universal’s current setup is that the child-friendly attractions I just mentioned reside at the same park as HHN.
That’s an awkward mixture of child-friendly and adult-terrorizing entertainment.
Photo: Universal Blog
Las Vegas, the adult fun-time capital of North America, fits better with HHN as a premise.
Even better, from Universal’s perspective, Area15 will do most of the hard work here.
Photo: OC Register
Universal will become the anchor tenant in a 20-acre expansion. The HHN entertainment section will comprise approximately 110,00 square feet of space.
That is a LOT of room for revolving horror setups. Also, that’s the plan. This HHN activity will change throughout the year, always offering something new!
Miscellaneous Universal News
Photo: Toothsome
Let’s stay west as we discuss more Universal news. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen will officially open on January 27th.
That’s a funny date, as it’s also the start of Disneyland Resort’s Disney100 centennial event. I guess Universal didn’t want its peer to get all the headlines that day.
Bulk Candy Pricing at Toothsome.
In East Coast news, Jurassic Park River Adventure has finally closed for its planned annual refurbishment.
While the schedule calls for the ride’s return on February 4th, don’t be surprised by potential delays.
Remember that a hurricane took a chunk off the side of the building.
Also, in a story that’s still developing, Universal confirmed its intent to fund a SunRail station at the Orange County Convention Center.
Universal has requested that the Florida government create the Shingle Creek Transit Utility Community Development District for this purpose.
Photo: sun-sentinel.com
This is the same process that Florida just dissolved with Reedy Creek Improvement District at Walt Disney World.
So, this request shows which theme park is the favorite of Florida’s government right now.
Photo: Universal
For Universal fans, the introduction of the Sunshine Corridor will make future Epic Adventure visits simple and efficient.
Okay, those are the news stories of the week. Don’t be surprised if UniversalParksBlog fills in the blanks a bit more in the coming days, though!
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