Universal Studios Orlando
In 1990 Universal Studios became the first real competition for Walt Disney World but, it didn't start there for the two power house rivalry. In fact, it started in Hollywood when Walt Disney lost rights for Oswald the Rabbit to Universal Studios in 1920. Walt Disney's demand for more money made Universal deny to push out more money leading Walt Disney to walk away.
The first form of Universals Theme Park was attached to the soundstages, which began with just backstage walk throughs of the Universal lot in 1962. It was the achievement of that experiment that desired Universal to spend $250 million in 1990. The idea was to challenge Walt Disney on the east coast not just Hollywood. Disney heard about the new coming of the park and rushed into production of another park known as Disney MGM Studios, which launched before Universal Studios due to the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
Just like all new ideas Universal Studios wasn't an exception, in 1990 the park opened with a few kinks on their top attractions. Such as Jaw's and Kongfrontation had technichal glitches and long lines making visitors leaving the park, with managers running out giving away free passes. It took a few years for Universal to over come the apocalyptic start. Finally getting all the problems out of the way Universal finally started to grow with Jaws, Kongfrontation, and E.T. were among the parks biggest sights to see in those days.
But today Universal has added more rides, shows and to help the slow lines Universal has come up with what they call Express Pass. Some new rides include Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, Shrek 4-D, Terminator 2: 3D, Men in Black: Alien Attack. Revenge of the Mummy (which replaced Kongfrontation in 2002). Not only new rides that have been added but new shows as well, such as Fear Factor Live (which was once Wild Wild Wild West Show), Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue, Universal Horror Make-Up Show, and Lucy - A Tribute.
In 1996 Universal had learned a lot since they first opened and had to consider expanding their attractions. The plan called for a new theme park (Islands of Adventure), an upscale resort hotel (Portofino Bay) and a dining and nighttime entertainment district (CityWalk). In 2000, a second hotel, The Hard Rock Hotel was added, and in 2002 The Royal Pacific Hotel completed the plan.
Today Universal has a special attraction during the September thru November months called Universal's Halloween Horror Nights. It started in 1992 which then it was called Fright Night and lasted only 3 nights. Since then it as evolved to a 23 nights of horror. Since 1991 thru 2001 Halloween Horror Nights was only held at Universal Studios but, since the Opening of Islands of Adventure the event was held in both parks in 2002 where the guest would be able to enjoy both attractions from both theme parks. But the recent years it has been held back at only Universal Studios. Guest are lined up through backstage and soundstage areas for the certain themed haunted houses.
The first form of Universals Theme Park was attached to the soundstages, which began with just backstage walk throughs of the Universal lot in 1962. It was the achievement of that experiment that desired Universal to spend $250 million in 1990. The idea was to challenge Walt Disney on the east coast not just Hollywood. Disney heard about the new coming of the park and rushed into production of another park known as Disney MGM Studios, which launched before Universal Studios due to the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
Just like all new ideas Universal Studios wasn't an exception, in 1990 the park opened with a few kinks on their top attractions. Such as Jaw's and Kongfrontation had technichal glitches and long lines making visitors leaving the park, with managers running out giving away free passes. It took a few years for Universal to over come the apocalyptic start. Finally getting all the problems out of the way Universal finally started to grow with Jaws, Kongfrontation, and E.T. were among the parks biggest sights to see in those days.
But today Universal has added more rides, shows and to help the slow lines Universal has come up with what they call Express Pass. Some new rides include Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, Shrek 4-D, Terminator 2: 3D, Men in Black: Alien Attack. Revenge of the Mummy (which replaced Kongfrontation in 2002). Not only new rides that have been added but new shows as well, such as Fear Factor Live (which was once Wild Wild Wild West Show), Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue, Universal Horror Make-Up Show, and Lucy - A Tribute.
In 1996 Universal had learned a lot since they first opened and had to consider expanding their attractions. The plan called for a new theme park (Islands of Adventure), an upscale resort hotel (Portofino Bay) and a dining and nighttime entertainment district (CityWalk). In 2000, a second hotel, The Hard Rock Hotel was added, and in 2002 The Royal Pacific Hotel completed the plan.
Today Universal has a special attraction during the September thru November months called Universal's Halloween Horror Nights. It started in 1992 which then it was called Fright Night and lasted only 3 nights. Since then it as evolved to a 23 nights of horror. Since 1991 thru 2001 Halloween Horror Nights was only held at Universal Studios but, since the Opening of Islands of Adventure the event was held in both parks in 2002 where the guest would be able to enjoy both attractions from both theme parks. But the recent years it has been held back at only Universal Studios. Guest are lined up through backstage and soundstage areas for the certain themed haunted houses.
posted by michael at
8:10 AM
