Originally Posted By TDLFAN I finally made it to Universal Studios Japan this past week after months of delays and detoured plans. The main reason for me to visit was to check out their newest area in the park: Land of Oz. But first, upon my arrival to USJ, I was *shocked* to find out they are building a new roller coaster (yet unnamed but slated to open in srping 2007) over and behind the Hollywood Boulevard area of the park. You can see by the photos why this is not a good idea. Now... while I welcome any new additions to any of the parks I frequent, be Disney or Universal, I am taken aback by the poor placement of this new ride. I love roller coasters as much as anyone does... don't get me wrong, which is why I enjoy Universal's IOA in Orlando quite a lot, and seeing a little helping of that at USJ is good news to me. However, why oh why did they have to destroy the elegant look of Hollywood Blvd by placing a coaster that will tower high over the top and back of the Hollywood Blvd facades, and even more odd, a portion of the track that stretches over the main entryway into the park??? I find the whole placement of this coaster to be ill conceived and planned. While I am sure the ride will be a lot of fun...(and it's beginning to look quite thrilling) I have to give it thumbs down as the designers didn't appear to care much about the elegant Hollywood from the Golden Age sets that to me, set a higher standards in theming for an Universal "studios" park. Remains to be seen how the noise created by this new coaster and it's finished look will impact the entire Hollywood Boulevard area. Now on to Land of Oz... Forget Judy's version and MGM's glorious take on Oz. Universal Japan's Land of Oz is a nice but unimpressive take on the famed tale of Dorothy from Kansas. While the effort is nice (certainly nicer than say... Toontown Fair at WDW) our mindset in regards to Oz is purely MGM. Therefore, the version presented to us here registers to some degree but lacks the charm and wonder of MGM's old movie. But I have to give kudos to Universal for trying and reinventing something that is so pop-culture for many. It took galls to pull off, and better yet, Land of Oz, redeems itself with one heck of a broadway style show, and a favorite of many I may add. Land of Oz was built in the former Old West section of USJ and a couple of areas still have that Old West feel to them... The area is small when compared to the other areas of USJ...it consists of a restaurant, a gift shop, several snack carts, the animal actors stage (now called "Toto and Friends Animal show") and the piece du resistance: A 35-min version of Broadway's runaway musical hit "Wicked". To add to the fun, our famed Oz characters appear here as rubber heads and face characters. The gal I saw playing Dorothy was very engaging with guests and quite pretty. The cowardly Lion rubber head was to say the least huge in appearance and with guests, probably because it's a cute take on the character we all remember by MGM's standards. The animal show is standard fare similar to the other long running Animal Actor Stage show from Universal Hollywood and Orlando, but with a slight storyline as Dorothy and friends look for Toto. Next door to the Animal show, in the Emerald City Theater (formerly the home of the Wild Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show) is now the showplace where a glorious 35 minute version of the popular Broadway show "Wicked" plays. Mind you... I have never seen the original version of this show so it was new to me, but I am told this little show closely resembles the real one in feel and look. However, going into it withoout prior knowledge, I was simply WOWED! by the talent on the stage. The dancers and choreography was awesome, the lead actresses (especially the one playing the Witch) were extraordinary talented. The show production was great and overall, the show was a solid Broadway offering, in the shortest amount of time possible. I came out of the theater shaking my head in disbelief.. as this was one of the very best shows I have even seen in any theme park, and I mean right up there in caliber and quality to other comparable productions, such as DLP's Lion King, TDS' Big Band Beat, and even DAK's new Nemo Musical. Certainly makes me want to go check out the real deal on Broadway or when the traveling tour hits my town. As for other wonderful thinsg at USJ of late.. they are now in Xmas mode as they present their "Universal Wonder Christmas" event. The Hollywood and NYC areas of the park are very nicely decorated for Xmas. Nicer than what I have seen at other Disney parks in FL so far in fact. Universal Japan also happens to feature what I believe is the most stunningly beautiful and high tech Xmas tree ever placed in a theme park. The tree towers about 6 stories high and features a dozen different light movement combinations that makes for a most amazing and kinetic light display. You can sit there for half hour starring at this electric marvel of a tree and never get bored. One moment, the tree is green with silver fiber optic garland, and the next moment it's electric blue with strobes, just to turn into a swirly red extravaganza to soothing greens or rainbow colors.... then there is the all silver mode with elegant strobes and fiber optic splendor. This Xmas Tree is a stunner. A visual delight that will grab your attention and won't let go. Finally, the tree is lit up during the "Christmas Carol" lighting ceremony, which is a very solemn presentation worthy of the ocasion. The ceremony features an awesome choir of voices, carolers, and then for the finale... angels that "fly" high above the stage as a snowfall comes down over the entire stage and tree area. Simply a heart warming lighting ceremony NOT to be missed. All in all, USJ continues to excel in many ways with it's entertainment options thru the year. They have learned from TDR and revel in it, since their seasonal events are second to only TDR's. TDLFAN says "check it out". Here are the photos for your enjoyment. NOTE: Photos/video are strictly prohibited during "Wicked" so I was unable to bring you a taste of that, but I have seen video of the show on YouTube if you care to search for that on your own... Enjoy the photos! <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32366579&f=0&vt=mp" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32366579&f=0&vt=mp</a>
Originally Posted By brotherdave Great trip report and photos, TDLFAN! Oz looks interesting, vaguely like MGM, but definitely different. The Emerald City theatre looks very "Mary Blair" like. It looks like a green "It's a Small World" facade and I almost expect to see the boats of the ride floating past it! Was the facade kinetic in any way? As for the new coaster, it's supposedly going to be called "Hollywood Dream: The Ride" (according to rcdb.com). It will be a B&M Hyper Coaster (similar to Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Europe). And I have to totally agree with you about it's placement in the park. It makes it look 'Six Flags'-ish! Yech. I'm sure it will be a fun ride, but it appears that they're ruining the elegant theming of that area. Without knowing the layout of the park, couldn't they have incorporated it elsewhere? Or is it possible that this was the only way to squeeze it in? I hope that they don't get a similar idea for either USH or USF! Thanks for the report, TDLFAN!
Originally Posted By Mr X Yeah, that tree was amazing! I didn't think much of it in the daytime, but at night it is just the best tree ever (never thought I'd say it, but it tops all the Disney trees by a longshot!). As for the coaster, I don't know why but it didn't bug me that much. I suppose it's because I don't really expect so much from the Universal theming (it's nice, but lacks continuity anyway imo). If I saw that coaster in such a location at any Disney park, it would disturb me (much like the coaster at DCA did the first time I saw it!), but somehow it seemed okay in Osaka. Wish I could have seen Wicked...a former teacher of mine did all the music arrangements! I hear it's great, I'll have to get back to Osaka sometime and check it out. Thanks for the pics, TDLFAN!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Great coverage as always TDLFAN. I have to say, I think they really lost out getting rid of what looked like a fantastic Western Setting and putting in a tacky looking OZ. Shame. I'm glad the show is good though!
Originally Posted By leemac My understanding is that the coaster is called tentatively Hollywood Dream (the park is still toying with a character theme). I believe it is a B&M Mega (which is the four across format). It should be open by next summer.
Originally Posted By leemac Glad you enjoyed the abbreviated Wicked TDLFAN. I vehemently disagree with this format of show much like many of the Vegas shows. The originals are specifically crafted for 2 1/2 hours and I don't see any merit in shortening them (virtually the entire story is missing from the OSJ Wicked so they can just have some musical numbers). Totally pointless. It is one thing to create a show for a theme park audience (like Aladdin and Nemo) but another to cut it to shreds.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I would agree with that Leemac, but I doubt many patrons would be willing to sit thru a two hour show at a theme park, when they rather be on rides. Personally, I would enjoy DCA's Aladdin show if it was a good 15 mins shorter. Still, I appreciate the effort of them trying to give guests a small sample of Broadway style fare. As for the coaster info.. THANKS to you and Brotherdave who also explained it on post #2. I was a bit concerned about it because the track rails are being painted pink, and with Hello Kitty and Pink Panther being prominently visible at that park... well.. I was dreading a Hello Kitty coaster ride or similar. However, what's up with that "Dream" name on it? Yet another stolen term from Disney's many "dream" ideas?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Was the facade kinetic in any way?<< Very little. Two gold ornaments (at top and left of building) spin around a bit slowly. Also, the facade looks great on photos, but once you see it upclose and from the queue, it becomes nothing more than a plain wall facade, similar to the NYC facade at d-MGM when viewed from behind.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>As for the coaster, I don't know why but it didn't bug me that much. I suppose it's because I don't really expect so much from the Universal theming (it's nice, but lacks continuity anyway imo).<< Coninuity is something that I do not find necesary in a theme park that is supposed to emulate a "working movie studio". Anyone who has been to a real studio in Hollywood can tell you the last thing found in the backlot areas is continuity, due to all of the mismatched sets found there. I view all 3 Universal Studios parks the same way. However, in regards to USJ, this was the one park that has the nicest of theming of all Universal parks and the Hollywood section of the area, being the elegant area, is being somewhat ruined with this coaster track all over it. Just my take on this issue.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<and even more odd, a portion of the track that stretches over the main entryway into the park???>>> I dunno, I think this sounds kinda cool! <<<Dorothy was...quite pretty.>>> Yowsa! <<<I was simply WOWED! by the talent on the stage.>>> This sounds awesome! <<<You can sit there for half hour starring at this electric marvel of a tree and never get bored.>>> This kind of thing catches and facinates me! I want to see that! Awesome photos TDLFAN!!! When can we come visit???
Originally Posted By DVC_dad That tree looks soooo cool! I thought Dorothy's gloves to be odd. Is there some reason for them?
Originally Posted By Kane22 Great photos TDLFAN, I hope that coaster comes out to be good even though I have to agree with BrotherDave with the location part of the park. Also the Land of Oz only has two shows, not even a ride or the space is just too small?!?
Originally Posted By Roger55 Seems like USJ was a popular destination by some of us on these boards this holiday season! I was there on 11/14. I was pleasantly surprised with the offering. Having no pre-concieved expectations whatsoever probably had a lot to do with it Entertainment was... entertaining. Performers will really giving it their all which I ALWAYS can appreciate. Park was very clean and well kept. Attrations good and were about what I expexted except for Spiderman which I rode for the first time anywhere. It was amazing! As mentioned, a lot of ideas seemed to have been "borrowed" from TDR. Just replace the Disney characters at TDR with Snoopy, Sesame St, Shrek and Hello Kitty and viola! USJ! Well, that may be a little bit of an exageration, but found it to be a well done Disney alternative.
Originally Posted By nerdboyrockstar AMAZING USJ pictures. Thanks so much again for your photos and report, TDLFAN. I'm hoping I can save enough money and visit Japan and the theme parks next year. I know this is a random question but how much was your airfare and all that? How much did you spend?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I have this feeling that TDLFAN got his trip completely paid for. Even a little spending money left over from it! : )
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I thought Dorothy's gloves to be odd. Is there some reason for them?<< It's a insulation body coat/shirt over Dorothy to simulate exposed skin. It was cold and rainy that day. Dorothy needed protection. Many "Naked" characters at TDR (such as Ariel) wear such protective clothing under costumes in the winter time. >>I know this is a random question but how much was your airfare and all that? How much did you spend?<< I spent less that $200 dollars...(renewing my AP to USJ and a couple of small meals and some souvenirs). I do not have to pay for airfare because I work in the airlines (crew) and visited USJ during a working trip to Osaka. However, you would have to research air fares online at several travel sites or airline sites. A trip to Japan can sometimes be as cheap as $499 from the west coast. Just need to be on the lookout for deals and be flexible in regards to traveling.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN LAST CALL... to enjoy this album before it gets replaced in the next few days!!! Link in post #1.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Great pics! Love the decorations. Jaws with a wreath was pretty funny...as was your caption. Oz looks kinda cheap actually. I appreciate the effort, but things look a little "flat". The tree is great, and I hope Disney does one like that!!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN In Tokyo? Maybe, but I honestly believe the technology used on that USJ tree is not available in the USA yet. The tree is that stunning.
