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Long Term Plans for Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood are planning to add seven new attractions to the park over the next 20 years, while removing or relocating several studio backlot tour favorites, including the "Jaws" lake, the "War of the Worlds" disaster scene and the famed "Psycho" house and Bates Motel.

The $3 billion NBC Universal Evolution Plan lays out a proposed blueprint for the 391-acre Universal City property including new movie studio production facilities, CityWalk retail space and a residential neighborhood.

The plan calls for 146,000 square feet of new attractions. Inside the park, the 20-year plan also calls for three current attractions to be replaced.

"Terminator 2: 3D" special effects show
"WaterWorld" stunt show
"Fear Factor Live" theatre

Wizarding World of Harry Potter may cause black-out dates for pass holders

After the huge success this year of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Orlando is considering implementing "black-out dates" on all its annual passes next year. The reason for this is to help combat the large crowds currently attracted to the new Harry Potter feature.

Annual pass holders will be asked to vote for or against this decision and can sign up at the Universal Orlando Website.

Universal Orlando has proposed to enable all annual pass holders to receive early entry to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before Islands of Adventure opens to the public, but only to guests staying in one of the resort's hotels.

Transformers Ride at Universal in 2012

The Transformers attraction is expected to open at Universal Studios Hollywood in spring 2012.

It will be located in the buildings that previously housed the Backdraft and the Special Effects Soundstages.

Universal has not released a lot of details, but it will be a dark ride with 3-D, high-definition projected images, 4-D sensory and special effects, and large-scale animatronic characters.

It's an ideally suited franchise for a thrill ride. Transformers demands an over-the-top attraction, the kind that Universal Studios, home of Terminator 2:3-D, Jurassic Park-The Ride, and Revenge of the Mummy, is more than capable of delivering.
It appears that Transformers may take its inspiration from The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, located at the Universal parks in Orlando and Japan. Spider-Man, which is considered one of the best attractions anywhere, combines a roving motion-base simulator vehicle with 3-D projected images and wild special effects.