The Pros And Cons Of Universal Studios
Universal Studios has opened several Harry Potter attractions which have been very popular around the world, starting in 2010 with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. In 2014 they added Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express attractions (“TEA/AECOM 2016", 2017). In 2016 Wizarding World of Harry Potter came to Universal Studios Hollywood, at a very high cost of $500 million. There was a 13.9% increase in attendance compared to 2015 with more than 8 million visitors coming in total (Martin, Jun 1, 2017). Universal has also been performing well because of the new Walking Dead attraction created in 2016, along with new attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2015, including Fast and Furious, and Springfield (from The Simpsons)
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Theme park operators and ride manufacturers have invested heavily in new rides, making the technology evolve at a rapid rate (Sim, Jan 8, 2014). The application of virtual reality to theme park rides has brought worldwide excitement. In June 2017 SeaWorld Orlando, reopened a rollercoaster with the addition of virtual reality. The movement of the ride is paired with a headset that immerses the riders in a world where sea creatures such as pliosaurs interact with them. (“Virtual reality”, Jul 13, 2017). Virtual reality technology has provided the theme park a chance to turn old rollercoasters into new attractions. Another new technology used to thrill riders is a spin-style coaster known as a “4D Free Fly Coaster” (Levine, Sep 5, 2017). One example of this is The Joker, first developed by Six Flags. Instead of going for increased speed, acceleration or drop height, the ride uses movement along multiple axes to create dizzying and unpredictable spins and turns that occur in tandem with the cars movement along the rollercoaster's track creating a unique riding experience (Levine, Sep 5, 2017). Similar innovations have been implemented at Disney and Universal as recently as 2014, including the swinging cars used in the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Disney and the Gringotts Bank roller coaster-dark ride hybrid at Universal Studios Florida. Even smaller theme parks are attempting similar upgrades on a smaller budget, such as Wonder Mountain's Guardian at Canada's Wonderland (Sim, Jan 8,
Theme park operators and ride manufacturers have invested heavily in new rides, making the technology evolve at a rapid rate (Sim, Jan 8, 2014). The application of virtual reality to theme park rides has brought worldwide excitement. In June 2017 SeaWorld Orlando, reopened a rollercoaster with the addition of virtual reality. The movement of the ride is paired with a headset that immerses the riders in a world where sea creatures such as pliosaurs interact with them. (“Virtual reality”, Jul 13, 2017). Virtual reality technology has provided the theme park a chance to turn old rollercoasters into new attractions. Another new technology used to thrill riders is a spin-style coaster known as a “4D Free Fly Coaster” (Levine, Sep 5, 2017). One example of this is The Joker, first developed by Six Flags. Instead of going for increased speed, acceleration or drop height, the ride uses movement along multiple axes to create dizzying and unpredictable spins and turns that occur in tandem with the cars movement along the rollercoaster's track creating a unique riding experience (Levine, Sep 5, 2017). Similar innovations have been implemented at Disney and Universal as recently as 2014, including the swinging cars used in the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Disney and the Gringotts Bank roller coaster-dark ride hybrid at Universal Studios Florida. Even smaller theme parks are attempting similar upgrades on a smaller budget, such as Wonder Mountain's Guardian at Canada's Wonderland (Sim, Jan 8,