This is what is not ;-) happening at Universal Studios

By Ken Storey

Earlier today Universal Studios finally announced an upcoming press conference for November 1st.  While they are not officially announcing what the press conference is on, outside of saying 'something big' and that it's a 'major announcement' a bit of sleuthing by the readers over at Orlando United uncovered an Easter egg or maybe just a overlooked bit of forgotten code within the countdown clock source.  The name of the 'mystery' announcement countdown clock was 'TransformsCoundown_clock.swf' as soon as a screenshot of the code was leaked the name of the countdown clock was changed.

The rumors have been loud lately, claiming that Transformers is going into the former Soundstage 44 space that is currently under construction.  While construction has begun on the new attraction no announcement has been made on what will go there.  A Transformers attraction recently opened at Universal Studios Hollywood and that attraction has the almost exact same footprint, even down to the two basement areas that were recently formed at the site here in Orlando.

Check out this video of the ride-through of the Hollywood version to get a sneak peek of what we may be getting.

Transformers though is just the latest in a long line of rumors for the Universal Studios Orlando resort.  Other rumors include

• A remodel of the World Expo area into a Simpsons/Springfield area.  The games that used to be in the Amity area of the park have now all been replaced by Simpson themed games in Simpson's area.  This is just one small step towards this entirely new themed land.
• Fear Factor Live closing (finally, who ever thought it was a good idea to have tourist eat bugs for fun!?!) and being replaced with a Fast and Furious Show.
• Terminator 2D being closed and replaced with a Wicked themed stage show.  In a related note the Hollywood version of the show will be closing at the end of this year, making room for the Hollywood edition of Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem. 
• A redo of the kiddie area, possibly with a Madagascar indoor water ride, similar to the one in Singapore (but hopefully water proof this time).
• The biggest rumor for Universal Studios though would have to be the Harry Potter expansion in the former Jaws area.  The new Harry Potter London area will supposedly feature Diagon Alley with a Gringotts bank coaster, note the supposed picture of the coaster cars below, along with a train ride that will connect with the current Islands of Adventure Harry Potter area.

At Islands of Adventure the rumors continue...

• Harry Potter has plenty of rumors surrounding it, to summarize expect Lost Continent to go away with an expansion of Harry Potter.  Sinbad would be replaced with a Harry Potter themed show, the train connecting to London over at Universal Studios Florida.  A new dark ride may also be part of the expansion.

Many involved in the message boards are pointing at recent permits pulled for a temporary stage within the Wizard World of Harry Potter area as proof that a major announcement finally announcing, or better admitting, the Harry Potter London and Train expansion.  While it might not be on during the same press event as the Transformers announcement (though many say it will be) the Harry Potter expansion plans just seem to be a matter of time before they re 

• Posedions Fury would be replaced with a coaster themed to the Grinch and Mt Crumpit accessible from the Suess Landing land.  Suess Landing also has rumors of a dark ride themed to Lorax, Horton, or both.  Right now the Lorax seems to be the rumor that is getting the most traction, though the Matterhorn-like (as found at Disneyland) Mt Crumpit ride seems to be the most popular with the fan sites.  Check out this pic of Matterhorn placed within Suess Landing, the location is a bit off based on the rumors now but does show that the size does fit with the overall size of the land.
• Over at Jurassic Park, where crane was recently spotted, giving some credence to the rumors of a new mine train coaster (through the amber mines from the first movie) that would be located where the Triceratops Encounter walk-through attraction is currently.  There are also the long standing rumors of a simulated jeep ride, junior version of the river adventure, and the addition of two more tracks to the Flyers kiddie attraction.
• In Toon Lagoon the amphitheater is supposedly going to be replaced by a Scooby Doo based Haunted House dark ride, possibly a shooter style ride like Buzz Lightyear's at Magic Kingdom.
• Also in IOA is Marvel Island which is in it's own bit of awkwardness as Disney now owns the rights to Marvel so for now all those Marvel items sold at Universal actually help Disney's bottom line.  The rumors for Marvel Island range from DC to SEGA to Nintendo taking over the theme and rides.  DC seems to be the frontrunner in these rumors with a Batman ride replacing Spiderman.

 These all rumors are on top of the new hotel coming and the rumors of major land expansion beyond the current property lines of the resort, with the 'Major Blvd Plot' directly across Kirkman as the most logical location (running all the way to I-4 and the Turnpike), I would also point out that there is only a few plots of land in-between Universal's current land and that of Wet-N-Wild and some of the southern Universal Blvd land that they used to own/possible could buy.

So needless to say (but I will anyways) it might just be worthwhile to keep an eye out for whatever this news on November 1st is because it may be huge this will just the be the first in a long line of news stories.