UniversalParksBlog News for April 28th, 2024
What’s the latest UniversalParksBlog News?
We’ve got a tram crash and some tepid theme park earnings to discuss.
(Jeff Fusco/Comcast via AP Images)
So, yeah. It’s gonna be one of those…
The Tram Crash
Image: Universal
Last time, I excitedly relayed information about a “new” offering at Universal Studios Hollywood.
With the World-Famous Studio Tour turning 60 this year, park officials wanted to do something special.
Image: Universal Studios
Universal restored the old-school Glamor Tram, a variant of Earthquake — The Big One, and 1976 Runaway Train experience.
Alas, as wonderful as that thought sounds, life got in the way for Universal executives.
Image: Universal
Before the new stuff could even open this past Friday, disaster struck. And this one’s pretty bad, y’all.
As Kristin Sabol reported, an accident occurred on April 20th just after 9 p.m. PST.
Image: Universal
I was actually online when the story broke a couple of hours later, and the panic was real.
According to initial reports, more than ten people suffered injuries at the time.
Image: Universal
We’ve since learned the specifics. Fifteen passengers experienced “minor to moderate injuries” during the incident.
What happened? According to CNN and California police officials, the accident “occurred when the last car of the backlot tram crashed into a metal guardrail as the driver negotiated a turn.”
Image: Universal
Those of you who have ridden the Studio Tour are nodding in understanding right now. Frankly, it’s a miracle this doesn’t happen more often.
Universal hooks several distinct trams together via – let’s say – simple tethers. It’s not exactly a highly scientific solution.
Image: Universal
We are discussing 60-year-old technology, after all, making every turn something of an adventure for the folks in the final tram.
As you can tell from my tone, I typically aim for the front tram. I figure that if that one crashes, the driver has skin in the game.
Image: Universal
Anyway, here’s a live report from the night of the incident:
And here’s the original social media comment from local police:
TRAM ACCIDENT | FS51 | 3900 Lankershim Blvd #StudioCity | #LACoFD at 9:05 units were dispatched to a tram accident where 15 patients were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries. CHP will be the lead investigatory agency for all further inquiries. #StudioIC
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) April 21, 2024
As the reporter indicates, the timing was absolutely brutal, not that there’s ever a good time for something like this.
Photo: Universal studios hollywood
Universal Studios was hosting a 60th-anniversary party FOR the Studio Tour elsewhere on the campus when this crash happened. Oof.
About the Incident and Fallout
Image: YouTube
While the party was happening, the tram hit the guardrail. Immediately afterward, guests were hurtled into the air.
The California Highway Patrol’s report indicated that the tram ejected several passengers at this moment.
Photo:Security Pacific National Bank Collection at Los Angeles Public Library]
In the official report, the driver described a mechanical failure as the source of the crash, which is plausible.
These drivers have plenty of experience driving every portion of the lot. It’s not they wouldn’t know how to avoid the guardrails.
Photo: Universal Studios Hollywood
Mechanical failure could lead to greater speeds and a wider turn, followed by the tram striking the guardrail.
According to later reports, some riders indicated that the tram had sped up to 20-25 miles per hour, supporting this assertion.
The police department suggested that brake failure had led to the sudden acceleration on a downhill slope.
As you might imagine, the park was quite active at this time on a Saturday night. So, reports spread quickly.
Photo: Universal Studios Hollywood
Meanwhile, paramedics on site helped 15 different guests make their way to the hospital to get checked for injuries.
An attorney representing three people involved with the accident said that one of his clients “woke up sick with nausea and was vomiting the next morning.”
Photo:Universal Studios Hollywood
In an interview with the LA Times, this lawyer indicated that the client had suffered bleeding in the brain.
Since reports stated that someone was in critical condition, I’d wager it’s this person, but nobody has released details yet.
Photo: Universal Studios Hollywood
By the way, in a different interview, the same attorney claimed there was “mass hysteria” at the park.
Universal Studios Hollywood hasn’t closed the Studio Tour, though it is operating on a modified route in the short term.
How will that impact the 60th-anniversary celebration? Nobody knows yet, but we’ll report on the matter once we find out.
The Parks Slow Down
Universal Orlando
As I reported the other day, Comcast held its quarterly earnings report.
The news was decidedly average overall for the corporate overlord of NBCUniversal and, thereby, Universal Studios.
Photo:Universal Orlando
Since you probably don’t care about the inner workings of Wall Street, all that matters today is the theme park update.
Well, that news wasn’t the greatest. International park attendance was sluggish, although the strong American dollar counterbalanced that.
Photo: Universal
Meanwhile, Universal Studios Hollywood performed exceptionally well this past quarter, particularly when compared to 2023.
Technically, Super Nintendo World only opened for half the time tracked during the fiscal first quarter of 2023.
Photo:Nintendo/Universal Studios
Since the wildly popular theme park was open every day during the same timeframe in 2024, attendance was way up overall.
Alas, the news wasn’t as good at Universal Orlando Resort, and I think I know why.
Photo: Universal
Comcast executives described the park’s performance as sluggish, with revenue down and expenses up from last year.
The expenses portion is the hint about why I think this has happened.
Photo: Universal
Comcast noted that capital expenditures increased due to the continued construction at Universal Epic Universe.
For the same reason, I wouldn’t be surprised if Universal Orlando Resort cools down every so slightly from now until early 2025.
Photo: Universal
Some budget-conscious tourists will (correctly) decide to wait until Epic Universe is open.
Universal Studios Miscellany
First, let’s give credit where it’s due. The social media team at Universal Studios has been on fire lately. Did you see this?
It’s a deal 🤝 4.29.24 pic.twitter.com/sxu75NBWTl
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) April 23, 2024
Real talk: “*thinks in shark*” is a joke I would make. Much respect.
Photo: Orlando Sentinel
Their team also posted a hint about what’s coming later this summer, and it’s delightfully retro:
Just found these tapes. Should we see what’s on them? 👀 pic.twitter.com/zXCrmrv3o8
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) April 17, 2024
We’re also tracking a mystery with Pteranodon Flyers. It closed unexpectedly and unannounced the other day…and it’s still offline.
Similarly, Universal Studios Japan is undergoing a wave of bad luck.
Photo: Universal
The construction team there has badly miscalculated the opening window for the Donkey Kong expansion.
The themed area should be opening any day. Now, it sounds like the fall or maybe even winter of 2024 is likelier.
Photo: USJ
Finally, in a clever bit of cross-promotion, Universal Studios Hollywood will host a pre-show for Waterworld this summer.
This limited-time pre-show starts today and highlights Universal Pictures’ upcoming release, The Fall Guy.
Image: Universal Pictures
Actor Ryan Gosling made a surprise appearance at Universal Studios Hollywood to promote the film, too!
I don’t have video for you yet, but I’ll add it in a day or two. Until then, have a great week!
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Feature Photo: Universal Studios
