UniversalParksBlog News for November 7th, 2022
Rides are closing while the holidays are just around the corner at Universal Orlando Resort.
I’ll explain some news that may break your heart. However, it’ll eventually lead to a better park experience for all.
KidZone Rides Are Closing Permanently
Here’s the tweet, which isn’t great:
Update from Universal Orlando Resort: pic.twitter.com/ecVeEHfvbd
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) November 2, 2022
I know that you’re probably freaking out. So, let me start with a vital bit of reassurance. E.T. Adventure is NOT going anywhere!!!
Universal officials understand that any attempt to close this ride would meet fierce resistance. Also, they love it, too.
So, I apologize if this headline caused your heart to stop for a moment. However, it is an accurate statement.
Universal Studios Florida has chosen to close five of its KidZone attractions permanently. Don’t worry, though. You still have time to experience them!
Universal will shut down these attractions permanently on January 16th, 2023. So you have approximately 10 weeks to enjoy them before they’re gone forever.
What are the attractions that are leaving the parks? The list of endangered park experiences includes:
- Curious George Goes to Town
- DreamWorks Destination
- Fievel’s Playground
- Shrek and Donkey’s Meet and Greet
- Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
Some of these experiences are a bit obvious. After all, the Shrek/Donkey character greeting moved earlier this year after its attraction, Shrek 4-D, closed forever.
Since then, park guests have enjoyed the new character spot, but it’s not that popular.
Similarly, Fievel’s Playground and Curious George Goes to Town don’t draw in tourists.
That’s the underlying problem with the entire area. Most of the intellectual properties driving the experiences aren’t…let’s say modern.
Even Shrek lost his fastball more than a decade ago. Shrek Forever After came out in theaters in 2010 and felt like the end of an era.
Since then, Puss in Boots has become the face of the franchise, but even that character isn’t that popular today.
The New Universal Studios Plan
Folks, I don’t like being the bearer of bad news, but let’s be honest.
The former DreamWorks Animation characters from the early days pale in comparison to more recent ones.
This truth explains why How to Train Your Dragon will have a strong presence at Epic Universe instead.
Similarly, Illumination Entertainment titles have expanded in popularity, which works better for Universal Studios anyway. Those are NBCUniversal properties, if you didn’t know!
Technically, DreamWorks is as well and has been since 2016. However, previous licensing agreements make the ownership of these properties more challenging.
The past owners signed long-term contracts for popular DreamWorks characters that Universal still can’t alter today.
For this reason, Illumination Entertainment characters are easier to integrate into the parks. And I think you can tell where I’m going with this.
The prevailing belief is that we won’t witness massive changes at the former KidZone. If we were, Universal would have closed more attractions.
In addition to E.T. Adventure, Animal Actors on Location!, the Spongebob Storepants space, and the KidZone Pizza Company will remain unchanged.
Those are signs that KidZone won’t alter the overall landscape dramatically. Instead, what we’re likely to witness is a re-theming of several attractions.
At Universal Studios Hollywood, the kid’s play area utilizes a Minions theme. So I think it’s a safe bet that we’ll get something like that or The Secret Life of Pets.
In fact, the one bit of speculation I deem viable is that The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash could receive a clone at Universal Studios Florida.
This rumor already exists for the former Shrek 4-D space, but I could see it happening here, too.
Miscellaneous Universal Park News
Okay, let’s start with the continuing saga of Universal Studios Beijing. The on-again, mostly off-again park has once again reopened.
This park didn’t open until September 2021, while the pandemic forced a three-week soft opening rather than a full-fledged one.
Since then, the Beijing location has closed due to a COVID outbreak twice now, which is remarkable for a park that’s only 14 months old.
Thankfully, the latest outbreak ended quickly. So, Universal Studios Beijing is back up and running again.
At Universal Studios Florida, Revenge of the Mummy’s status remains perplexing.
Yes, you can now ride Revenge of the Mummy at the park. However, it’s still in a trial phase, as it has yet to officially reopen. No, I don’t know what that’s about.
Meanwhile, the Aloha water taxi at Loews Royal Pacific Resort is back up and running. Universal officials have fully overhauled it, though.
The next time you ride, you’ll notice a fresh coat of paint and new plexiglass to protect the people riding inside the boat. It’s like an entirely new vessel!
Finally, the Tribute Store is closing…but don’t worry! It’s just a temporary deal as Universal preps for the Christmas season.
We’ll soon have the Holiday Tribute Store, complete with photo ops! Guests can take their picture with either Earl the Squirrel or Santa Claus.
Up to two people can participate in one of four different holiday designs. It’ll make for the holiday postcard of your dreams!
Alas, the price tag is a bit hefty. These postcard photo ops cost $129 plus tax. Still, that’s a small price to pay to send the greatest holiday postcards ever!
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