UniversalParksBlog News for April 9th, 2023
Universal Studios has promoted two new bosses in the theme park division. Also, you can finally meet a Hippogriff…as long as you have a passport!
Meanwhile, Halloween Horror Nights is hiring, and we need to discuss Marvel’s future.
Credit: Universal
We’ve got a lot of moving parts in the latest UniversalParksBlog News.
Universal Makes Changes at the Top
Image: Universal
You may recall a few months ago when Comcast offered buyouts to many of its longest-tenured employees.
The fallout from this move created a vacuum at the top of Universal’s theme park food chain.
(Jeff Fusco/Comcast via AP Images)
Now, Universal Studios has moved to fill that void with a couple of essential promotions.
Mark Woodbury, who is the CEO and Chairman of Universal Destinations & Experiences, announced that Brian Robinson will take on a new role.
Photo: Comcast NBC Universal
As of now, Robinson works as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Universal, which makes him the ultimate decision-maker for theme park projects.
Obviously, Robinson will report to Woodbury, but the new CCO will control workflow throughout Universal’s theme park empire.
According to Deadline, Woodbury’s new duties give him oversight over ATI (Advanced Technology Initiatives), Media, Architecture and Planning, and Attraction Development.
Robinson wasn’t the only Universal executive to hear some exceptional news this week.
Universal has named Eric Parr as its Senior Vice President of Creative Studio, giving him a vital leadership role in the creation of new park attractions.
With Universal’s Epic Universe roughly two years from completion, Robinson and Parr’s choices will impact this park somewhat.
Image: Universal
However, where they’ll really make a difference is in the experiences coming to Frisco, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Those projects require more detail. Epic Universe construction is well underway. So, anything Parr and Robinson add to it will come later.
What’s a Hippogriff?
Image: Universal
The majestic creature with the front half of an eagle and the hind half of a horse is mythical no more!
Universal Studios Japan has unveiled a new show wherein guests can interact with a “real” Hippogriff!
Image: Universal
The Hippogriff Magical Lesson debuted last week, and you can hear the laughter from the crowd in this video:
That’s a really good sign that people love it already! I won’t sugarcoat it, though. I would NOT want to be one of the people in the Hippogriff suit on a hot day.
Anyway, the story entails a spell gone awry at Hogwarts – and don’t they all? – that accidentally turns someone into a Hippogriff.
Photo: Universal
You may notice during the clip that the language vacillates between English and Japanese. That’s typical of some shows here.
However, I have no explanation for the person in the crowd who is wearing the chicken costume. Japanese pop culture fans remain undefeated.
The Marvel Discussion
Photo: Marvel
Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, spoke at a recent shareholder meeting.
Why is this relevant to Universal Studios? A Disney shareholder asked Iger whether he had interest in adding more Marvel attractions at the parks.
Iger acknowledged that he did and kinda left the thought lingering in the air.
Image: Universal
The nature of this discussion proves essential to the future of Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
When Marvel nearly collapsed during the 1990s, Universal Studios sagely bargained a deal that was frankly one-sided.
Universal gained theme park rights to Marvel characters in perpetuity east of the Mississippi River.
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
Do you know which other theme park is east of the Mississippi River? Yes, that would be Walt Disney World, the most trafficked theme park in the world.
Disney has constructed Avengers Campus, a themed land based on Marvel superheroes, at Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris.
Unless something changes, Disney can NEVER do that at Walt Disney World, which must eat at Iger.
Image: Universal
Disney is currently engaging Comcast, Universal’s corporate owner, in negotiations regarding Hulu.
Ostensibly, Disney could ask Comcast for the rights to these superheroes. The question becomes whether Universal would share them.
If Comcast brokered that deal, what, if anything, would change at Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure?
Image: Universal
Any answer I offer here would be blind conjecture right now, but it’s a story we should track.
After all, Disney and Comcast face the same discussion twice. Springfield, the Simpsons themed land, comes with an expiration date.
Photo: Wikipedia
Universal only negotiated the rights to The Simpsons through 2028. At the time, Universal dealt with Fox, who owned the characters at the time.
Disney does now, which shows that both theme parks have reasons to bargain. Stay tuned!
Universal Studios Miscellany
Image: Universal
Honestly, the past two weeks have proven fairly slow at Universal Studios. We’re in a holding pattern in the wake of Super Nintendo World’s opening.
Universal will grow more exciting this summer, but the parks have proven steady – and more popular than ever – during Spring Break and Easter season.
Photo:Nintendo/Universal Studios
However, Universal is prepping for more excitement down the line. For instance, the installation continues for the Minions themed land.
A construction crew installed an adorable sign that says “Evil Stuff This Way” and points to a gift shop.
I doubt they’ll name the place Evil Stuff, but I would totally adore that.
Photo:UO
Also, Universal is currently holding internal auditions for Scareactors for Halloween Horror Nights 2023!
If you think you’ve got what it takes – and can run safely while wielding a chainsaw – now is the time to show off your skills!
Image: Universal
You have until April 16th to audition. Afterward, Universal will send out a call to non-Universal workers who may want to join the crew for the Halloween event.
Finally, in tribute to the opening of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Universal CityWalk Orlando is hosting a photo op.
Photo: Universal Japan
You can stand beside what you can pretend is Luigi and Mario’s work van. It’s…surprisingly adorable.
Also, The Super Mario Bros. Movie opened to $367 million worldwide this weekend, making it the biggest animated debut ever.
Universal has struck gold with its Super Nintendo World license!
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Featured photo: Universal
