[cwgator]

It was confirmed some weeks back that the Jimmy Neutron attraction would be closing for good as of August 18, 2011. Between now and then the attraction would only be run on peak days while they do some work on the building in between. There are several rumors as to what wiill take it's place. The most popular one is Despicable Me. Now the facebook page of Universal Orlando Resort is going to start posting hints next week as to what will be the new attraction scheduled to open early next year.

From the Universal Orlando Resort Facebook page:

Hey fans! We know you’ve been anxiously waiting to hear what our new attraction will be. Before we officially announce it, we’re going to give you a chance to figure it out! Next week we’ll start posting a new “UORHint” each week, giving you clues about the concept of the new attraction! So the question is, are you ready?

From Screamscape:

Despicable Me & Kong 360 - Rumor - (3/16/11) Universal has sent out an e-mail regarding confirming our rumor for the past month regarding the upcoming closure of Jimmy Neutron. According to the official report, Jimmy Neutron will close down on April 1 to begin work “on an all-new experience based on an amazing concept. The new attraction will be a natural fit for Universal Orlando” and so on, though they are not ready to give away what it will be just yet.
They also point out that Jimmy Neutron will “re-open for limited periods during the spring and summer before closing permanently on August 18.” So we’re pretty much talking peak days only… maybe just weekends in the summer perhaps. This has led many to wonder why close it at all on April 1st and not just wait until August 18th. With the way Universal has been raking in the money lately (and attendance) budget cutting seems to be the least likely senerio, so perhaps it is more likely that they may be performing some early work on the attraction itself to get it ready for whatever new attraction (cough, Despicable Me!, cough!) will replace it. Anyone know if the projection system in there is still film based or was it upgraded to digital when they switched from Funtastic World of HB to Neutron? (Update: It is still a film based projection system.)

[cwgator]

From the Universal Orlando Resort Facebook Page:

Here’s the first UORHint: We captured this photo of Thierry Coup, Senior Vice President of the Creative Studio, working in his office at Universal Creative. What do you think he is working on?.

[PhantomCat]

If they do another King Kong experience it has got to be far better than the last one. While breath taking at some points, it was really boring in others and not worth the long wait. We had a horrible actress on our street car who couldn't act at all. She was so bad, some guests were walking through the park mimicking her and laughing. "Turn - that - light - out! We can't see. Turn - that - light - out!" Oh brother...

[coasterdave]

Do you really think they are going to bring back Kong in the form it was when it opened with the Studios?

[PhantomCat]

Your guess is as good as mine.

[PhantomCat]

These days, how can you tell what anyone will do? They certainly did it the first time, didn't they? The Mummy is so much better! What I wish for are some upgrades on JAWS. There are times when the shark doesn't even make an appearance. How would you like to be the tour guide when that happens?

[coasterdave]

You crack me up sometimes with your replies! Maybe you need to look at coming on down here to Orlando and being a guide at the Studios Cat. If you did then I am sure we would be crossing paths alot in the park these next few months.

[PhantomCat]

I love that park, man. It's one of my favorites!
In which of the sister parks do you spend most of your time?

[cwgator]

New hint posted earlier today:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150165958502852.300305.90867402851

For our next UORHint, we're talking colors. We know which of these is our favorite color, but which is yours?

The link above has several pictures of colors/patterns as part of this hint.

[coasterdave]

I will say that I go the park afew times each year for fun but the majority of the time I am there it is for work. If they are building something then I am there during it or any other Blackstone Project.

[PhantomCat]

That's great. Then you know of the secrets that are to come.
Tell us oh great one...lol.
Just kidding. don't go losing your job, especially, in this economy.
What is it that you build, new attractions?

[coasterdave]

I do not build them and that is about all I will say.

[PhantomCat]

I hear you man!

[cwgator]

Here's the last hint posted on the Resort's Facebook page today:




I coulda sworn the announcement is supposed to be today. I'll go and check on that....

[cwgator]

Despicable Me CONFIRMED.

Here is the press release from Universal Orlando:

With a worldwide gross of more than $540 million, 2010’s “Despicable Me,” from directors Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin, is the sixth most successful film that Universal Pictures has ever distributed. It is now the 10th-biggest animated film in U.S. history. The 3-D animated adventure thrilled audiences across the globe with its outrageous humor, endearing characters and compelling storyline – all of which guests will be able to experience exclusively at Universal Orlando in 2012.


“Despicable Me” will become the first-ever Universal animated film to be transformed into a theme park experience. The Universal Creative team is working closely with producer Chris Meledandri, the founder of Illumination Entertainment, to create all-new animation for an all-new “Despicable Me” adventure that places guests right in the center of the action.


Gru, one of the world’s greatest super-villains, is bringing his high-tech empire – and his three adopted daughters – to Universal Studios, and he is looking for all the help he can get. First, he will transform guests into an army of mischievous, scene-stealing minions. Then he will train them. And that kicks off an unforgettable ride experience that creates a hysterical mix of chaos and family fun.


Guests will:

•laugh as they embark on an entirely-new, high-tech 3-D digital adventure with their favorite characters from the film – Gru, daughters Margo, Edith and Agnes, and of course, Gru’s not-so-bright pit crew, the minions
•marvel as they explore Gru’s lair and descend into his secret lab
•shriek as the entire family is transformed into minions
•celebrate as they are swept into a first-ever, minion-inspired, interactive dance party where they can show off their best moves
“The ‘Despicable Me’ attraction is the latest example of how we tap into pop culture’s most compelling stories and turn them into extraordinary theme park entertainment,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “This is a perfect fit for Universal Orlando, and we can’t wait to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life.”


“As we write, design and animate our films at Illumination, it is our singular goal to bring to life endearing and, hopefully, enduring characters,” said Chris Meledandri. “With the creation of next year’s ‘Despicable Me’ attraction at Universal Orlando, audiences will be able to immerse themselves in Gru’s world for many years to come.”

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Also in addition to the above, they will be doing a High Definition upgrade to The Amazing Adventures Of Spiderman @ Islands Of Adventure. I figure I'd combine the 2 announcements instead of having multiple threads.

(from Orlando United member figment1986)

Universal Orlando announced today that one of its most popular attractions ever created is getting a major upgrade. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman at Universal’s Islands of Adventures opened with the park in 1999 and in 2012 will be receiving a whole new digital upgrade as well as newly re-animated scenes to present the attraction in 4K high definition.

“Guests will not believe their eyes when they experience the new Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man,” said Thierry Coup, senior vice president of the Universal Creative Studio. “We are talking about a larger-than-life environment and the HD animation will make it even more remarkable than it has been. It will seem brand-new.”


^^A sample of a newly reanimated scene^^

The newly reanimated, high-definition experience will unfold within the attraction’s towering visual spaces – taking on even larger than larger-than-life proportions. The new digital animation – combined with the new Infitec system and new set enhancements – will transform what is already one of the most technologically advanced attractions ever created into what will feel like an all-new experience.

The newly reanimated scenes will be more film like as seen in the sample and provide more clarity and details including new easter eggs and details which universal won’t reveal themselves but did say will be included for the guests to find once the upgrades are finished in 2012.