Has Universal been overusing 3D?

There's no doubt about it, Universal has been on a role with rides lately. They're no longer the one day companion to Disney and are now a vacation destination. Ever since Comcast took over the parks from Blackstone nothing but good things have come since (well ok, they're not perfect, but mostly good things). However, one of the complaints a lot of people say is that they're using too many screens, particularly 3D. Forbidden Journey is half screens half physical sets, Despicable Me is all 3D, and Transformers is about 85% screens 15% sets. Now that doesn't sound much of an overload, except Gringotts is going to have 3D screens in addition to sets, a rumored Lorax ride is supposed to be a mix of 3D and sets, and the rumored King Kong ride is rumored to be partially 3D with live sets but no King Kong audio animatronic. In this post I'll be giving my thoughts on the whole 3D debacle.


Let me start off by saying that I love Forbidden Journey and Transformers, they're both great rides. Despicable Me is pretty good too. The use of 3D can certainly help rides, but I'll be honest, Universal needs some more diversity. I and a lot of other people want Universal to make a ride that focuses on AAs with little to no screens. When HateToFly first shared the news of King Kong coming to IOA, everyone was pumped, but upon hearing that there would be no Kong AA and 3D would be involved, that lowered the hype for a lot of people. I'm sure Universal wouldn't make a Disney mistake and have a giant AA break down months after opening. Plus, technology has improved from the 90's, they could use Kuka arms to control the AA. If we had both Kong on a screen and an AA I'd be fine, but we don't. Really they could use the AA for roaring and such, then use the screens for a battle, simple as that. I'm giving Lorax slack here because it's going to be targeted at kids and will have no height requirement/a very low one, and Universal hasn't made a 3D ride that anyone under 40 inches can ride (not including the benches on Despicable Me since it's not the full experience). I really hope that they don't use 3D for the Amber Mine coaster coming to Jurassic Park, that'd be a letdown. Again, I'm a fan of 3D rides, it's just that there's already so many that a little diversity is needed. I don't care if 3D is the future for theme parks, variety is needed if Universal wants people to come. They're lacking in things everybody can do, and there's an area Disney has over them.