Universal’s New Patents Could Be The Future
The Orlando Business Journal recently discovered a pair of patents from Universal City Studios LLC, which is another entity of Universal, and they offer a look at what could be in store for the future with Universal attractions.
The first patent, which was filed back on December 27, 2016, is for a Vehicle Transportation Room System and Method. Basically, this patent is for retractable launch rooms in which a ride vehicle would enter into and then be launched from. Certain show elements could go off while the ride vehicle is still in the launch room, but the room will continue along with the vehicle until the launch. Diagrams show launch rooms retracting in different ways like the room moving up a track while the ride vehicle continues forward, the room continuing to move forward with the ride vehicle dropping down, and the rooms being attached to a carousel similar to the carousels on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
The second patent, which was filed back on March 7, 2017, is for a System and Method for a Moving Puzzle Theater. Diagrams for this patent show seating areas in a hub and spoke style set up that are connected to arms and have the ability to maneuver into different positions where the seats can move together, spread apart, and even move over top of each other.
The Orlando Business Journal speculates that either of the two patents could be used for new attractions for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter if Dragon Challenge becomes a thing of the past. We won’t speculate here, but it isn’t a surprise that Universal has a lot up their sleeve and if any of these patents turn into reality in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, or the next great intellectual property that comes along then we will be in for a treat.
(h/t – Orlando Business Journal)
