Mezmer Studios Blue Sky Pitch – Universal Studios Hollywood Refresh
*All of this was created in 2018*
This is an independent concept project developed outside any client relationship, purely out of a love for Universal Studios Hollywood. What follows is years of visits distilled into ideas for how the park could be elevated.
The concepts focus on stronger worldbuilding, elevated dining, and a more cohesive creative vision, unified around a single idea: For the Love of Movies.
With Universal Studios Hollywood’s 60th anniversary on the horizon and global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics approaching, the park sits at a rare window of opportunity. These ideas are a 10,000-foot view of what that moment could become.
With Universal Studios Hollywood’s 60th anniversary on the horizon and global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics approaching, the park enters a rare window of opportunity. These ideas offer a 10,000 foot view of how Universal could elevate the experience into something remarkable.
Tour Time!
The Universal Studio Tour is the single most impressive thing offered at any theme park, ever.
Something that effortlessly propels the park from being a half-day park to a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, despite its immense promise, the tour is showing signs of neglect over the past decade, both at its entrance and in its aesthetics. While these ideas aren’t massive changes, I think they will reignite the very essence of Universal’s storied legacy while also inviting patrons to embrace the exciting future that lies ahead.
Statues of the Past
Immerse visitors in the captivating stories behind the silver screen by enhancing the Studio Tour’s walkway with gleaming silver statues of renowned movies, listing their directors, Oscar nominations, and year of release. By doing so, Universal can pay tribute to the trailblazing creators who have contributed to cinematic history while also educating guests about the studio’s past ensures that the spirit of filmmaking lives on.
Casting Icons
On the left, a pillar with E.T. sitting atop with a metal Universal badge adorned on the front. On the right, at the entrance of the Studio Tour, hidden among the trees, lies a gigantic metal T-Rex waiting for a photo-op.
In addition to these changes to the walkway, a couple small changes could be made around the attraction to really bring it all together. The lime green stucco could be replaced with more timeless materials like sandstone or marble. Installing a second elevator to mitigate the excessively long lines for handicapped guests to enter/exit the area. A large stone relief piece where the current lower sign is, intermixing all the famous IP of Universal. Updating the video on the tour, interviewing and featuring more creators and foundational people in the industry. Outside where the food stand is, brand this as a photo-op area with the various famous props like the Delorean, or add massive scale with full size replicas of the downed tripod from War of the Worlds.
DreamWorks has a wide appeal unlike many animation companies, offering beloved characters and stories that both children and adults can enjoy while also feeling mature and not infantilized.
Perfect timing of the new World would coincide with the 2028 Simpsons rights lapse and the 2028 Olympics (Global appeal/cross promotion).
The world would drastically increase the foliage footprint of the park, have a strong emphasis on lighting/parties, and cement Universal as a world-class theme park.
World of DreamWorks is at its core, a party. Celebrating DreamWorks’ most iconic characters, the World will feature locations for IPs such as Shrek, Madagascar, Dragons, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda as well as leaving some parts generic for DreamWorks meet and greets. With King Julien at the reign, the party lights and characters pop out for a dance party that will take over the whole World. This being the access point to several parts of the park, the World will be there to put a smile on everyone’s face and bring awareness to the everlasting presence of DreamWorks characters.
Replacing the Simpsons Ride, Dragons Flightmare Mountain will create a massive, dynamic, and iconic structure consisting of several elements:
–Longhouse eatery with a pub in the back, all overlooking the amazing view from atop the hill. Dragons adorn the rafters and surround the area.
–Several shops/games surrounding the mountain make up the mining town of Ironscale.
–The basalt mountain with waterfalls and small structures for depth create an incredible backdrop.
–Possibility for a “Blue Bayou” style restaurant set with the massive cavern in the background.
A Dark Ride in a Glowing World
Discover the adventure of Flightmare Mountain. Be captivated by the mystical hexagonal basalt mountains adorned with bioluminescence and kinetic elements, reminiscent of ancient Celtic pillars. Nestled within this ethereal beauty lies the mine of Ironscale, whose ambitious digging for gems unearthed an ancient bioluminescent algae, attracting the legendary Flightmare, a mythical dragon with the power to freeze its enemies. Join the Dragon Riders on an extraordinary adventure, bracing for thrilling twists, daring launches, and heart-pounding drops as you journey through the mountain. Flightmare Mountain promises an unparalleled experience of wonder and magic at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Meeting Hiccup
In a dark passage, Hiccup and Toothless emerge amidst celestial light shafts, igniting torches to illuminate the room. The cart, stationed on a turnstile–a recurring motif. Hiccup explains the Flightmare’s awakening, instructs Fishlegs to pull a lever–which goes the “wrong” way–leading to an exhilarating crash through a “do not enter” sign, setting the pace for the adventure ahead. This turnstile also turns the other way, with an identical sign and elevator, to speed the ride up for a split section.
Escape, Backwards
As we emerge from that heart-pounding elevator launch, we settle into the adrenaline. And then, something unexpected happens…our cart starts moving backward! But just when we think we know what’s coming, the real twist arrives and the tracks merge ahead. And in the midst of this convergence, the Flightmare comes roaring after us. The drop that follows is heart-stopping, leading us through twisting hills and a sudden turn that keeps us clinging to the edge of our seats. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving us both exhilarated and hungry for more.
The Cavern
Step into a cavern alive with bioluminescence, where cascading waterfalls and basalt columns create an enchanting overwhelming vista. Dragons glide through glowing sky, casting an ethereal ambiance that transports you to a mesmerizing subterranean world. The flightmare sweeps above the cart as we cross the cavern on a bridge. In front of us is a giant Bewilderbeast skull with a glowing waterfall pouring out of it. This could just be a chain hill with an additional cavern at the end of the ride and the waterfall could be pouring onto a large wheel powering the chain hill.
The ride will be full of twists and turns, fake-outs and drops. In summary:
Embark on an epic journey with Hiccup and crew as your guides! Venture down the forbidden path to the broken elevator, and brace yourself for a vertical launch that propels you skyward, stopping at the pinnacle of anticipation. Suddenly, the ride hurtles backward, offering a breathtaking view of the formidable Flightmare after a heart-stopping drop.
Twisting and turning through dips and a colossal turn, the ride settles backward into a turnstile, spiraling left into a dark passage that unfolds into a luminous cavern. Ascend a chain hill, the cart slowly entering the Bewilderbeast skull, then navigate another dark passageway. Hiccup and the crew emerge, commending your valiant attempt to capture the Flightmare. Yet, as Hiccup instructs a turnstile switch, a thrilling twist awaits…it sticks, propelling the cart down the forbidden passage with the crew’s echoes yelling for you.
The tunnel unfolds into bunny hops and sweeping turns, culminating in a riveting encounter with the Flightmare. A hair-raising near miss precedes a staggering drop along the mountain’s backside, all set to the resounding beat of TEST DRIVE. Swiftly ascending a hill that steals your momentum, guiding the cart through a breathtaking, never-before-seen serpentine finale in brilliantly illuminated caverns with a Titan Wing Flightmare soaring above, soundtrack still going strong. Ending the song and ride in darkness to settle with the experience, we emerge back into the station. This ride promises an adventure of a lifetime, where every twist and turn defies expectations and leaves you in awe.
Eat like a King
King Julien’s is a vibrant and sustainable dining haven with a whimsical touch! The Café is infused with the spirit of adventure by incorporating elements of the downed plane from the movie, transporting guests into the jungle with ease. Inside, weave the magic further with character meet-and-greet spots, inviting guests to mingle with King Julien and the Madagascar crew. Envision a lofty and spacious design, offering myriad seating choices for guests to unwind and savor their meals in this jungle-inspired oasis.
Party Animals
Creating a captivating rainforest café-style restaurant, immersing guests in an authentic jungle atmosphere. With a diverse menu featuring vegetarian, vegan, and meat options, KJJK celebrates the joy of coming together to savor good food, mirroring the camaraderie found in DreamWorks movies. The building is facaded with terracotta wind walls made by Cool.Ant adorned with large portals that feature moving images of character silhouettes. See-through LCD screens make the shadows appear to be alive. Atop a rammed-earth wall in the middle of the café, the famous Madagascar plane perches with character shadows seen walking through the windows. In the middle, a giant Baobab tree towers over the entire area.
Sustainable Ice-scapades
Drawing inspiration from the beloved Madagascar series, Penguins Hydration Station becomes a delightful oasis in the World of DreamWorks and possibly throughout the park.
Inviting guests to refresh themselves with a variety of delightful drinks. The Penguins thematic presence adds a touch of playfulness and magic to the experience, elevating the enjoyment of their favorite DreamWorks adventures. Placed at the dead center of the World, right next to King Julien’s, the shop features a stolen aircraft engine from the plane in the tree, ice covering the small shack, and an animatronic Penguin there to entertain guests and interact.
The station features a new system for Universal, re-usable and refillable Hydration Station canteens. These aluminum canteens can be refilled for a portion of the price of a bottle of water. At the end of the day, you can either choose to recycle your canteen, or take it with you. These canteens can be brought back to the park and used forever. I am sure there may be pitfalls, but at the core, it’s a station to give guests the chance to have water while also encouraging the green initiative.
Shrek Burger and WaffleDonkey pay homage to the beloved Shrek franchise. The main building teems with fairytale creatures and whimsical charm. In the California burger joint style, Shrek Burger boasts a streamlined menu, with Ogre-Style taking the place of the iconic oniony option. In true Donkey fashion, he couldn’t let Shrek have it all, so he added a small kiosk to his restaurant, offering Los Angeles waffle-inspired treats.
Far, Far Away
Shrek Burger consists of two primary structures: a repurposed Lord Farquaad castle and Shrek’s swamp house. Guests can enter and dine in a swamp-themed patio, immersed in the ambiance of fireflies and frog sounds. The area is enveloped by swamp trees, while wild grass and moss embellish every nook and cranny. WaffleDonkey is featured just to the side of the swamp house so guests can quickly walk up and grab a bite.
Noodle Dreams
Mr. Ping’s Noodle Emporium, a tried-and-true concept at Universal Parks, is transitioning into a permanent structure. This iteration will showcase dim sum favorites, with a highlight on Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao, reminiscent of the renowned chain. A grand Chinese structure looms over Mr. Ping’s, offering versatility—whether as a store, a small show, a meet-and-greet, or any element that fulfills the area’s needs.
Elevating within the animation community, this quote could prominently adorn the entrance to the World of DreamWorks. Serving as a striking photo-op, it not only stands as a statement of solidarity by Universal/Comcast but also acts as a resounding motto, encapsulating the profound love for animation that DreamWorks Animation has passionately exhibited throughout the years.
Sands of Time
Revenge of the Mummy is an icon at the park. With some simple updates to the entrance and portions of the ride, it could once again claim its rightful spot as one of the best movie themed rides.
Enter if you Dare
The lower lot has these incredible soundstage buildings, but they seem to not be utilized to their full potential. Emulating the entrance of the Mummy ride in Singapore, the new entrance could be a soundstage door open, unleashing the World of The Mummy to the park. Sand billows out of the entrance, leading to massive Anubis statues surrounded by hieroglyphics carved into the stone. The sign is revealed through a broken portal in the stucco of the facade–at night it pulses with light.
New Life for the Dead
Possible updates: The new line could be a massive treasure room, showing the grandeur and beauty of The Mummy franchise. The mid-ride scene could be a screen that projects a sandstorm on a large face moving toward the car–melding the physical and projected. Projection mapping on the warriors as you zoom through the dark room could easily add additional production value while keeping costs down. And finally have an ending to the ride, as opposed to a loud bang and a spin around–featuring Brendan Fraser thanking guests, as he has had such a massive resurgence.
Good Evening
Nestled where the DreamWorks theater now rests, Escape from Monster Manor beckons with a colossal castle facade, a homage to the classic era of Dracula and Universal Monsters. The castle’s line winds through eerie laboratory scenes, a rain-soaked conservatory, and vignettes echoing Universal’s legendary Monsters legacy. As the ride swiftly unfolds, twisting hallways play tricks on perception, passing Victor Frankenstein raising his monster to the storm. All this culminating in a grand room with towering windows revealing a raging storm outside. Wolves are heard in the distance. A real pipe organ reverberates with Bach’s TOCCATA & FUGUE, as Dracula, in his timeless voice, muses, “Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!” After the doors fly open and Dracula seizes Wolfman onto the guests–a launch thrusts guests from the manor into the woods. In a tight building, the coaster weaves through the storm, providing a unique thrill of riding among the trees. Monsters emerge from behind the foliage, surprising guests as they navigate around ancient trunks. It’s an exhilarating journey, blending the charm of Universal Monsters with the pulse of a stormy night in the forest.
Ride out the Storm
In a turn of new and old, a remixed version of DRAGULA blasts while the track twists and turns through the storm riddled forest.
Subversion in Style
Universal Studios suffers from the absence of on-site hotels, a gap that could be filled with a Minion-themed tower. Behold Le Petit Minion, a hotel flaunting Parisian flair with an Illumination twist. Every corner is an homage to glamour and class–gold leafed chandeliers, Minion cupid fountains, every small detail is dripping with Illumination humor, even a penthouse graced with a stained glass Minion eye to elevate the ambiance. Offering instant access to the World of Illumination, it’s a charming hotel that adds a touch of class and fun, appealing to all ages.
Lands, Worlds, and Universes, Oh My!
There is a naming issue at Universal. First, comes the name Universal and “Universe”, the current go-to reference for a holistic inclusion of IP. There’s lands that hold multiple IP’s but are under a different name and personally, I find all of this incredibly confusing and I think I have a way to clear it all up in a way that is already being used throughout the park.
Worlds. Worlds can solve these issues by just clearly defining IP through various Worlds that hold Lands.
Wizarding World, Jurassic World, Super Nintendo World, World of DreamWorks, World of Illumination, Water World, World of Darkness. These could be used in signage, to clearly define areas, make ornaments for Holiday times–infinite applications. Use them in a commercial with it all culminating and zooming out to the Universal logo. Could refer to smaller portions still as lands, keeping current signs: MinionLand for instance (Super Silly Funland).
Genuinely, thank you.
Genuinely, thank you. This represents years of visits and a long list of ideas that has grown with each trip. This page shares only a small part of that work, with the hope that future conversations can reveal the rest.