Universal Hollywood has released details of a significant five year investment programme in new thrill rides and themed areas.
The programme of investment began in 2012 with “Transformers: The Ride—3D” and will conclude with “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” in 2016.
Larry Kurzweil, President of Universal Studios Hollywood, “This is a pivotal time in the history of Universal Studios Hollywood as we build upon our extraordinary success and expand our vision for the future of our world-class destination. This broad investment in our five-year transformation will further strengthen Universal Studios Hollywood as an economic leader, significantly contributing to long-term employment opportunities and tourism throughout L.A.”
The “ambitious blueprint for the future of the theme park” includes and an “expansive redesign” with the introduction of “mega-attractions”:
2014: “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” – the first fully themed environment for the theme park.
2015: To celebrate Universal Studios Hollywood’s 50th anniversary “Springfield” and “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” and “Nighttime Studio Tours”
“Springfield” will be an immersive environment surrounding “The Simpsons Ride” including Krusty Burger, Moe’s Tavern and Duff’s Brewery.
“Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will be thrill ride finale to the Studio Tour in a newly constructed 50, 000 square foot building. The dynamic hydraulic-motion based ride will include exclusive interstitial content filmed with the cast members and special effects combined with a 3D audio system and 3D-HD imagery projected onto the world’s longest and most expansive 360-degree screen. The screen spanning nearly 400 feet, will encircle Studio Tour guests and make use of 18, 4K projectors and a never-before-used front-projection system to fully envelope guests in unprecedented realism creating action sequences with perceived speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour.
“We’ve embarked on a new medium of immersive entertainment that brings to life the characters, hyper-realistic action adventure and custom-made effects to transport guests into the exciting world of Fast & Furious, ” said Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative. “Our collaboration with Universal Pictures to bring this franchise to life through epic storytelling and technological breakthroughs continues to be a hallmark of Universal Studios Hollywood.”
“Nighttime Studio Tours” will afford guests an insider’s look at moonlight movie-making magic.
“The Studio Tour has been our signature attraction for the past 50 years, taking millions of guests from around world on exciting behind-the-scenes excursions of an authentic movie and television studio, ” said Larry Kurzweil, President of Universal Studios Hollywood. “In celebration of Universal Studios Hollywood 50th anniversary, the ‘Nighttime Studio Tour’ will complement the popular daytime experience as we continue to create unparalleled opportunities that showcase the various dimensions of Hollywood movie making magic for our guests.”
2016: “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” like the Universal Orlando Resort themed land that opened in 2010 will be a themed environment “faithful” to the films and books and include a Hogwarts castle.
HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
