NBC/ Universal news

[Ursulinda]

These two paragraphs were the end of a long article on restructuring NBC Universal (owned by GE)

Plans are still in flux for Universal Parks & Resorts. That division owns a theme park and an adjoining shopping complex north of Los Angeles and has significant interests in parks in Orlando, Fla., and elsewhere. The company may trim off-season hours at the theme parks.

Last year, Mr. Immelt, the GE chief executive, floated the idea of selling part or all of the parks to help finance a possible acquisition of DreamWorks SKG, according to several people with knowledge of the matter. But a sale would be difficult because NBC Universal doesn't fully own all its parks, and another studio ended up buying DreamWorks.

[WillCAD]

Off-season hours at Universal Orlando are ALREADY shortened! The parks close at 5-6pm in the off-seasons and don't open till 10 on some days, with many attractions not starting up till 11.

This is what happens when bean counters decide policy.

[Robin]

The 'shopping complex' they mention is the original Universal Citywalk. When I first moved to So Cal, I bought an AP for Universal and liked to drive over to Citywalk to shop in the evening.

I stopped going to Citywalk when I got tired of being charged 'theme park parking prices' to window shop. Why pay $6 for just for parking to see a movie, when I could go to the theatre at a mall and park for free?

It would be interesting if Universal sold the Studios in So Cal, considering they still do a fair amount of production on the backlot.