UniversalParksBlog News for February 12th, 2023
Frisco, Texas, residents may need some convincing about the new Universal Studios development.
We’ll talk about that, Super Nintendo World, and more in the latest UniversalParksBlog News.
Traffic vs. Property Values
Photo: UPR
Whenever a theme park company announces a new project, a PR battle ensues.
Residents love the idea of higher property values and municipal revenue. The latter leads to better roads, better schools, and myriad other benefits.
Photo: Fox News
However, the cost of progress comes at a high price. If you’ve ever driven on I-4, you know the deal.
Theme parks draw crowds, which explains why they’re solid business investments, at least when they’re well-run.
Photo: Universal
Universal Studios has developed a solid reputation in recent years. Since the advent of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, its parks have soared in popularity.
Once Universal brought magic into our dull Muggle world, fans flocked to the parks to wave their wands and dream of battling Death Eaters.
Traffic soared accordingly. Now, you’ll need 20 minutes just to drive the final few blocks to Universal Orlando Resort. And that’s less nightmarish than Universal Studios Hollywood’s traffic.
That place has been a (barely) moving sidewalk since the 1990s, and I speak from experience here.
Photo: Universal Studios Hollywood
If I never drive on another road in Southern California again, I’ll die a happy man.
I’m not alone in this opinion, either. Theme park fans recognize traffic congestion as the opportunity cost of a park visit.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Frisco, Texas, residents have figured out the deal here. While there’s excitement about the prospects of a new theme park in the area, citizens still sound outraged.
During a recent town meeting, local politicians faced an outcry of criticism regarding the possibility.
Photo: Universal
Residents have put two and two together on what a new Universal Studios theme park will do to local traffic.
Based on what we’ve seen thus far, they haven’t even considered how high sales tax will soar in the coming years.
What Happens Next?
Photo: Universal
I’ve got another article written and will talk in greater detail about Universal’s plans there.
However, the Mayor and other politicians took on the combination of conciliatory and calming tones with their approach to negative feedback.
I’m honestly doubtful they anticipated the level of rebuke they would face during this meeting.
S
/ AFP / VALERIE MACON Photo- VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Residents pressed for traffic estimates, which led to a disingenuous announcement that it could have been worse.
Universal has purchased land that had previously been designated for local businesses.
Photo:APNews.com
So, someone at Town Hall put together an estimate suggesting that the combination of apartment complexes, strip malls, and local businesses would have created more traffic.
If you believe that, I’ll happily sell you the Dallas Cowboys at a low, low price.
Photo: Hollywood Reporter
Notably, many residents felt that the single meeting did little to alleviate their concerns. They’ve called for more public discussions.
Frisco officials hadn’t planned a second meeting, but I suspect that must happen now. And it’s important for a simple reason.
Plans like this have fallen apart on many occasions. The Walt Disney Company, the dominant player in the industry, has watched several projects collapse.
Photo: Hong King Disneyland
Disney planned expansions in Southern California and Manassas, Virginia, that completely died due to complaints from locals.
Meanwhile, Disney’s hotel in Hilton Head, South Carolina, isn’t on the beach because citizens fought them tooth and nail.
In short, we shouldn’t get too far ahead of ourselves on the Frisco project. It’s far from a done deal, especially if the local outcry increases rather than decreases.
Super Nintendo World Opens Friday
We’ll obviously cover this a lot more later in the week, but let’s not forget the obvious.
This Friday, Universal Studios Hollywood adds its most anticipated themed land since Harry Potter.
We already know pretty much everything about it thanks to cast member previews, which brings me to the one concern about the themed land. It’s small.
A Pass Member preview at the end of January went very, very wrong for many attendees.
Universal officials scrambled to make good for the most loyal park fans in Southern California.
So, Universal added another preview the following week for impacted guests. That’s a one-time-only Band-aid, though.
What happens when the themed land opens on Friday and faces a frenzy of video game fans?
Photo: Universal Studios Hollywood
We’re well aware that Universal Studios has crushed the theming here. It’s a 10 out of 10 in every way.
The question has become whether Universal can manage the capacity restraints effectively without alienating superfans.
Since the success of Super Nintendo Land is a foregone conclusion, its congestion is probably the biggest story we’re tracking this week.
Photo: TDRexplorer.com
Universal will employ a Virtual Line reservation system on many days to avert crowd catastrophes here.
I would fully expect Virtual Lines for the first month of Super Nintendo World and potentially for long afterward.
Photo: Universal Studios Japan
I still have vivid memories of Wizarding World lines running down the street outside Universal Studios Hollywood’s entrance.
We all expect the same for Super Nintendo World, right?
Universal Miscellany
Photo: Universal Orlando
First, here’s a reminder. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure closes for refurbishment on February 21st. It’ll remain down through March 5th.
This change will cause ripple effects throughout both parks, as Hagrid draws the largest crowds. Expect other attractions to experience longer wait times.
Photo: Theme Park Insider
In other news, Universal Orlando Resort cleverly waited until the day after Disney confirmed impending 7,000 layoffs to confirm it’ll hire 2,500 workers.
So, we can expect an influx of former Disney park employees at Universal Orlando Resort later this year.
Circling back to Super Nintendo World, if you’re worried about crowds, I’ve got good news.
Photo: Orlando Sentinel
Universal Studios Hollywood is (at least temporarily) selling a ticket package that includes an hour of early admission to Super Nintendo World.
Depending on the date, you’ll pay up to $25 more for this add-on. This strikes me as a smart purchase if you want to enjoy the Nintendo stuff sans a crowd.
Photo:Nintendo/Universal Studios
By the way, Universal will also offer a livestream on Wednesday from Super Nintendo World:
Join us next week for a special livestream! You won't want to miss this! 🤩 https://t.co/H5qNIPXKYx pic.twitter.com/1TbUWShbbV
— Universal Studios Hollywood (@UniStudios) February 10, 2023
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Feature Photo: Universal
