justint87

I too believe that a drop does not have to be steep to be thrilling. It was expected that it wasn't going to be steep as comparing it to others flyers, none are that steep. In addition, you have to add in the fact the position your already in. About the evergreen tree tradition, I never knew about it until today so I learned something new. Cool!

I too just learn about the tree being a good luck thing today. At first, I thought it was a tree poking up from the background but then I thought that it would had to be some tall tree. I took a closely look and realize it was placed up there and now I understand why. Those pictures also gives us an idea of the view we might be getting at the top of the lift, how exciting.

Thanks for the update... just when I wanted one, I got one. Thanks again. Great to see work progressing especially a lot of ground work. Can't wait until they start vertical construction, some of the footers been on site for quite a while now. Anybody have a rough estimate like what month HRRR might open besides the given "Spring 2009"?

Nice pictures, great to see work still progressing on the building. I wonder how long it would be before we start seeing vertical construction on the locations where all the buildings and dragons been taken down. On a side note, I wonder how HRRR is doing? Haven't seen an update in a while... if only it was moving at the same pace as Harry Potter construction is.

If your talking about the second highest support, its because it is shaped differently. The reason is because at the bottom of the support, there is actually a building in the way (a gift shop to be exact) so one side of the support is angle differently than what it usually would have been in order to fit the support.

Great pics Todd! Thanks for them. If you do get a chance to get more pictures tomorrow, I would love to see pics of the area they block off and pictures of the new supports up.

Every since the movie came out, I always wonder when they would make some ride based on the franchise and now to hear that they are and that it is from Universal, I couldn't be happier. If this thing turns out to be anything like Spider-Man at IOA or some type of completely new state-of-the-art attraction, this will be one ride not to miss. Knowing it is from Universal makes me feel confident no matter what, it should be a great ride. At least I sure hope so...

Great to see pictures of the steep lift hill. I was there today and I saw the bottom of the hill being installed and saw how steep it was but didn't think anyone would believe me without proof. Glad we have pictures of it...

Wow, with the support by itself, it just makes it seems really taller than it really is because there is nothing at that height in the immediate area around it. This is great, with the supports going up, the lift should be going up soon as well and we will finally know if the lift would be a normal lift or a steeper one compare to other flyers.

The dragons really told the story of Dueling Dragons. A true icon of IOA and the Lost Continent. I too am sad to see them go but I'm a optimistic person. Change can be good and even though I was never a big fan of Harry Potter, I am holding out that Universal will do a great job and they will open the new island to great amazement.

I just went on Friday night and we did all of the houses within a 2 hour and 15 minutes period. We went in and made a right and worked our way around and did all the houses with no wait longer than 20 minutes. We went right when it opened, later at night, some houses reached 60 minutes but a few remained at 30 minutes or less throughout the night. Did some houses twice but had to wait up to 40 minutes but afterwards, we spent most of the night checking out the scare zones and hanging out. Overall, my opinion was that it was ok. I thought everything we did (all the houses, all the scare zones, and the Bill and Ted show) was ok. Not too great, but not too bad. However, we had a great time and really enjoyed it.

That makes sense considering Manta highest part is expected to be installed by the end of this month. I can't wait for that time because it will give an idea how the park will look like from afar with the lifts of Kraken and Manta rising over the treetops changing the skyline of SeaWorld.

You know I'll admit I'm actually surprise myself. I seriously thought after the first day, there would be at least one photo of the track en route. However, no one seems to have it yet. Maybe there is some catch, you know to make the contest harder.

This video was posted over at YouTube showing off some Manta's tracks right off of Interstate 4 and a close up look at some of it. I guess it was posted by SeaWorld. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK1_SDEKCMo

This contest was created by SeaWorld to help get the word out and get us involved about Manta. The same contest to get the two tickets and front of the line access is being offered on numerous theme park related websites with the same rules of being able to get a picture of Manta's main track while it is on its way to SeaWorld.

SeaWorld is really bringing up the hype for Manta by providing this contest to numerous sites. I love that they are doing this because it shows that they pay attention to their audience and by getting them involved, it shows that they are committed to their guests and want to provide a world class experience for us all.

I agree with you, looking at these pictures, you can't really tell how big this thing actually is. Today I was on the side where the end of the brake run was (next to the Polar Parlor Ice Cream), and just looking at the track, you realize how massive this thing is. I was thinking to myself, how will they put something this huge in this area? Its going to be amazing to see this thing go up first hand every week as well as how they make use of the surrounding areas...

There was a quick update about the construction progress on HP land at IOA on OrlandoRocks. Scaffolding is coming down on one side of the large building and now the two dragons in front of the Dueling Dragons are gone... www.orlandorocks.com/1a/ioa/islands/harrypotter/construction/1/HarryPotter-Construction.aspx *Pictures are both from OrlandoRocks.

I'm not 100% sure but doesn't Montu and the Dueling Dragons have tires at the bottom of their lifts as well?

If I'm not mistaken, I believe you would load on the outside and the exit for both coaster would be in the middle. I seen a picture (blueprint sort of) with a view of the station from up top and it looks like the exit would be in the middle. I could be wrong as the picture wasn't of the best quality... EDIT: Oh by the way, more pieces of the coaster track behind the switch track has been installed. This includes a left turn (if you were riding the coaster) as well as a portion of the brake run.

To me, this actually sounds similar to the Holy Land Experience theme park here in Orlando, Florida. I never been there myself but its seems to be doing fairly alright. I remember it having trouble financially when it first opened but I haven't heard much about it since. Official Site: www.holylandexperience.com/ Wikipedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Land_Experience

I too don't think it is late. My sources tell me that Manta should be up and ready around the end of May 2009. If anyone remembers, this was around the same time Kraken was ready with a grand opening on June 1st, 2000 I believe. If this holds true, SeaWorld is basically aiming for the same opening time frame as Kraken back in 2000.

Great update Johnny! Its great to finally see a lot of the tracks and supports as well as the station being built. Pictures are beautiful. Cannot wait to see your future updates as the site will drastically change during the next weeks and months. Funny as I always thought the train would leave the station making a turn to the left, then climbing the lift. Now from these pictures, it appears that it will go straight up the lift after leaving the station.

I don't know if it's related or not, but I believe the on-ride photo area was closed when we went. I would think it is related because this was said over at Screamscape:

Great updates with great pictures. The photo you took with the Dueling Dragons sign behind the wall. I read somewhere that this may be a new pathway to the Dueling Dragons. Possibly to close off the old pathway to allow more room for the Harry Potter construction so this way, Dueling Dragons would remain open. I also read on Screamscape that the Hulk was getting a on ride video system. Anyone knows more?