Monday, July 2, 2012

The Soundstage 44 Mystery Continues 7/2/12

Ripped. Tore. Killed.


The roller coaster that is the Soundstage 44 rumor mill has not stopped.  Nearly two weeks ago, we heard from multiple sources that a permanent, year-round haunt would be replacing Soundstage 44, but before that we were wild with speculation over a possible Transformers ride occupying the space.

The more we thought about the permanent haunt, the less it made sense, and the more it felt like we were being duped.  It turns out that may have been the case.  We are now hearing that Universal Creative may have leaked the House of Horrors rumor as a ruse and to get us off of their trail.  Another reason for the false trail may have been to find a leak from within.

The more you think about the  House of Horrors rumor, the less it makes sense.  First, if House of Horrors was replacing Soundstage 44, why would the current building be demolished? It stands to reason that a permanent haunted house could have occupied the same space. Although we have heard that the space was not easily used for this kind of thing, and the layout of the inside was cumbersome for HHN designers to use.  Second, the first clue we got about Soundstage 44 were the height balloon tests taking place above the building.  Why would a permanent haunted house be so tall?  Third, why would they be moving so fast on a permanent haunted house that would not be ready until 2013? The new building was never going to be ready for this year.  If  the site was really for a haunted house, Universal could have went with the original plans for Halloween Horror Nights and then demolished the building.

As you can see, there are holes all throughout the House of Horrors rumor, but like the Transformers rumor before it, we wanted and needed something to believe in.  Once you take a step back and look at all of the evidence, an attraction like Transformers looks more likely and makes more sense.  Again, not saying it is or is not Transformers, but the attraction would fit there, and the expedited construction schedule would make more sense.  Only time will tell what it will end up being.  Universal is seemingly holding this one close to the vest for as long as they can.  They have yet to file a building permit for the Soundstage 44 replacement.  When they do, we are sure it will be as cryptic as the Potter phase 2 permits.

Well-played Universal Creative.  You threw out the bait, and we took it hook, line, and sinker, and we are not the least bit mad.  The speculation is fun, and we welcome more games.  We cannot wait to see what you have in store.  Surely, it will be better than a Murder She Wrote effects show.

We hope that Universal will hold a media event soon to discuss the future of the many projects they are working on for beyond "The Year to be Here."  Understandably, they are still riding that wave which will culminate today with the Grand Opening of Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.  An announcement this fall for the Soundstage 44 replacement would be very welcome as would an unlikely Potter teaser.

As always, thanks for continuing to visit and read Parkscope.  We appreciate how successful our audience has made us in such a short span of time.

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