Theme

[Skillz5]

Glad to be the first post in this forum section....

In the late 80's, early 90's, there was an addition to the Entertainment Center which was called "Streets of the World". Much of this theme still stands today.

I feel that the themed areas of USH have been poorly handled. If you notice now, the park seems like a tossed salad of theme. Nothing matches anymore and emersive theme has been thrown out the door (ex. Termiantor in Paris and England, Animals and Marvel, Western theme and no Western show, Simpsons in New England, but best of all was Spiderman and Fear Factor in a Castle!!!)

What do you think? Have you noticed this? Do you think Universal should spend some big money and retheme the park image? Think IOA and then think USH...ugh!

[hulkcoaster2]

USH has never had a theme, streets of the world were jumbled Europe sets. USH is totally different than IOA, the studio theme means it will be jumbled.

[Ablirien]

It has a movie studio theme! On a real backlot, you can find yourself in Europe and a couple of feet away be in the north pole or something.

However, I do agree that they should be a bit more consistent on themes on what's located in each area. I don't mind all the mixed weird theme areas, however, I do find it weird as to what's located in some of them.

[Skillz5]

I am talking about the Entertainment Area. The "Upper Lot". I find that the streets of the park are poorly themed now and should be rethemed to respect the current attraction in the area.

[Ablirien]

^ That's what I mean, if you were refering to me. I see the Upper Lot as a backlot of sorts, with different areas being different sets. And yes, some of the attractions don't fit those areas at all.

[Jon]

With the studio theme, the park can get away with theming that doesn't make sense.

Plus, the Entertainment Center does have a backlot feel to it.

[Skillz5]

I have to disagree. I feel that the Entertainment Center is just a bunch of arenas. Baker Street and Moulin Rouge have a great backlot feel to them, but the rest of the park seems mixed and confused.

There was one thing that really made me happy. Between Cartooniversal and the Liberty Candy Shop the walls were themed to give an extension feel to the street. I also liked that behind the Blues Brothers stage the building now supports a sound stage paint scheme. It is much better than the Marvel Mania, Grinchmas, Van Helsing theme that was mixed on the building.

But my point is: Look at the Wild West arena...dull and confusing without a Western show. Shrek Gift shop inside a Western area (It used to be a surf shop!!!), Flintstones, Animal Actors with Marvel Gift shop and Fear Factor all mixed together...no real theme. Now we throw Curious George into the mix! It seems to me that the old theaters are playing a part in the old look of the park and missing great opportunities to have great attractions at USH.

If the heart of the park, where these theaters are located, were to be demolished and rethemed into new attractions, it would breathe new life into USH. These old, limited venues are playing the worst attractions in the history of Universal Hollywood. Animal Planet Live, Spiderman Rocks!, Fear Factor Live (Wild West was great, until the horse was removed).

Terminator just looks plain ugly on the outside, it is an eyesore when driving south on the 101 freeway. I understand what went wrong with the design of the building, but at least theme the area like Los Angeles, which is where the Terminator series takes place! The old Streets of the World made this area Europe and Paris.

I feel USH could spend a year and revamp the entire theme to the park and clean up some of the mess which has been created over the past two decades from all the companies which owned Universal.

[hulkcoaster2]

^What went wrong with T2's design? I like the building, all it needs is a nice new paint job.