Universal Orlando Rumors: Twister and KidZone Leaving
Rumors, rumors... you have to love them! That the Universal Orlando Resort is going to receive more new additions in the next few months is nothing surprising, as all Universal Parks & Resorts around the world have flourished since the acquisition of NBCUniversal by Comcast (that was a happy day indeed!). That said, we are always looking for more specific information about what is coming in the next few years to the parks in our backyard, and today we have a few rumors to share with you.
First of all, if you are keeping up with the various theme-park-focused forums that can be found around the web, you will know that quite a few people are not really happy to have attractions like Twister still existing at such world-class theme parks (we are not among them, as we like Twister. That said, we would not mind if it was replaced by something better). Well, it looks like they will not have to keep complaining about that attraction for too long, as one of our Readers (which will remain Anonymous) just shared this rumor with us:
"I am a current Team Member at UO [i.e. the Universal Orlando Resort], and I've heard from several unnamed sources that Twister will be closing by the beginning of next year. To reconfirm, today in passing I overheard 2 Team Members talking, the one said that "some or all the Team Members in Twister have been notified they would be moved elsewhere." I wish I knew what was replacing it, but I'm just glad Universal is getting rid of that mess of an attraction."
In addition to that, you will remember that the folks over at Parkscope have stated multiple times that the majority of Woody Woodpecker's KidZone - located at Universal Studios Florida - was rumored to be closing soon to be completely replaced. That same Reader shared yet another rumor, which also contributes in strengthening the possibility of seeing work starting in that area very soon:
"As a side note, my sources also confirmed with me that KidZone in the next year to year and a half will be totally replaced. Like flattened to the ground and something totally new would be built. So none of this remodeling existing attractions non-sense. I will keep in touch if I hear anything else."
As a reminder, all of these are just RUMORS, and should be treated as such until the Universal Orlando Resort makes an official announcement. That said, we invite all our Readers to share their thoughts about them.
So this essentially (ostensibly) means that not only is Twister leaving the park (thank god), but also the ENTIRETY of the KidZone, INCLUDING ET?! My goodness.
ReplyDeleteTwister will be remade into Battleship Experience!
ReplyDeleteThat's wrong...battleship experience? Really?Sounds uneventful to me. I love Twister!
Delete@BJ Wanlund: Actually, the E.T. Adventure and Animal Actors on Location are rumored to be staying. The E.T. Adventured DEFINITELY needs to stay! It's the only dark ride at Universal Studios Florida that can be truly experienced by the whole family (not too thrilling, Audio-Animatronics, fantastic queue, etc...).
ReplyDeleteE.T definitely needs to stay. If they take that out, the would destroy TWO ride franchises. Not just the originals but E.T itself! (Hollywood: Revenge of the Mummy; Japan: Space Fantasy; Dubailand: Not open; South Korea: Not open; Orlando: Currently last one!
DeleteIf They Replace Most Of Kidzone With Nickelodeon I Want Them To Put Jimmy Nutrin Back! #Agressive
ReplyDeleteNo Woody Wood Pecker Needs To Stay
ReplyDeleteI really hope Universal adds a water attraction the Studio needs one. IOA has 3 amazing ones and that can definitely sway someones decision when its hot. So all I'm asking for is some unique water attraction, it would awesome if Universal had a Mack Water Coaster!
ReplyDeleteYes Twister is old, but it's still a good attraction and adds variety to the Studios. We don't always need a thrill at the studios! I would hate to see it down, unless they replace it with something unique and something park fans will love. Whether made today or made in the 90's, all rides should be built to be classics.
ReplyDeleteI work at UO and am occasionally in Aftermath, the dump store for the Twister attraction. Stock has been quietly leaving and not being replaced. It's pretty obvious that there is going to be some kind of change. Word is that a remodel into a new attraction would take about 4 months. There are only a few people who work at that store only. The New York?/San Francisco area has a lot of stores that can handle them until something new is built. Don't know when there will be a change, but it's coming. Doesn't feel like a rumor anymore around here.
ReplyDeleteIf you ask me, Barney should go. Who watches that on TV anymore? Is it even still ON TV????
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that ET should stay (it's always been one of my favorite UO rides, even at 20 (: ), but I think it could probably have an upgrade or two. I don't know how they'd do that, but it would be nice to see it refreshed.
ReplyDeleteI think that ET needs to stay, and they need to get rid of the Barney show, and the woody wood pecker coaster. I say that, because Barney isn't even on TV any more, and the woody wood pecker coaster should be replaced with a water ride, because there are no water rides in universal studios Florida. I know that ET is an older movie, but its a good movie, and its the only dark ride at Universal Studios Florida. Twister definitely needs to go, they can put an a lot better ride in there, they can make the new ride use the same effects as the Spiderman ride.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention Et being the last original!
Delete*Reads about this stuff in alot of places*
ReplyDeleteIn the famous words of the Heavy: OH THIS IS BAD!!
They are replacing Twister with a Jimmy Fallon ride called Race Through New York. Fallon said that Universal was going to make a ride just for him on his late night show. But, wow, are they really getting rid of the whole kids area?
ReplyDelete