O-Town77

Hang on. You're suggesting that Twilight would be a more viable option than continuing on with Harry Potter? I did read that right? Personally, A Twilight attraction would make me vomit. But Stephenie Meyer is still writing more books and more movies are on the way. I wouldn't want it to be built, but acknowledge that it would likely be successful. It's an active franchise versus one that has completely ended its story arc. I think it's silly to demolish an attraction (Jaws) because "its a dead franchise" just to replace it with another dead one. I think Twilight has a similar-sized fanbase to Potter..... Plus, it's newer and seen as "cooler" -- at least according to the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204261704574276261288253316.html Just food for thought. I wouldn't like it -- but there are demographics outside of mine that would be drawn to the park for a Twilight attraction.

You make an excellent point. Lucas wanted 9 total -- I've got no idea why he started with #4. The plan was for the first six during the 1980's. Then the last 3 for the 1990s.

Actually, that is a misconception. Everyone assumes its was planned as a trilogy -- but it's only because Lucas had trouble coming up with a storyline for film #4. In the late 1970's, Speilberg and Lucas signed a deal with Paramount Pictures to make five Indiana Jones films. Considering, Lucas was also planning to film six Star Wars movies during this same time -- I seriously don't know how they figured they would have had the time.

Final movie? They made an Indy movie after Disney opened their attractions (the last movie came out in 2008) and another film is in development. Not to mention that Disney opened their rides / stunt shows around the same time that Young Indiana Jones was a TV series. You "youngsters" really give me a chuckle sometimes. Remember what I told you in my email to you about not being obnoxious anymore on the forums, or you'll find yourself banned...again? Re-read that email. This is your final warning. I went back to edit the post / tone down it down.

Michael Crichton's dead. Does this mean Jurassic Park will be razed? Jurassic Park 4 is scheduled to come out in about 2-3 years from now..... Potter has ended. If they are claiming that Jaws is being pulled because its no longer relevant -- why would they add a franchise that has been ended to replace it? There are a ton of active film franchises that will likely live on for year to chose from (Star Trek, James Bond, Twilight, etc.)

Final movie? They made an Indy movie after Disney opened their attractions (the last movie came out in 2008) and another film is in development. Also note that Disney opened their attractions around the same time that Young Indiana Jones was an ABC TV series.

....And both of these theme park attractions were based on active film franchises. Indy 4 / SW: Epiosde 1 were already in the works. Harry Potter has completely ended with very little chance of ever getting another book or film. I think it's a great idea to convert the rest of Lost Continent, because it just looks like an afterthought now. But the Jaws real estate would be better suited for other uses.

I disagree. As someone who has seen countless fads like Harry Potter fade.... In my time, I've seen similar "hits" like Potter fade like Masters of the Universe, Dungeons & Dragons, Never Ending Story, etc..... The Potter universe has ended. No more books and no more movies. J.K. dead-ended the series because she was sick of writing it. No matter how much I liked the movies or books, there are several franchises that will have far more longevity. Just like the current crop of vampire TV Shows/Vampires will fade eventually. These things are cyclical. I remember the last fad of Vampire films when Interview with the Vampire started a similar trend. Expanding the existing IOA section, sure. Building a second new area for something already fading..... Kinda silly.

That's not a big shock. But, I'm pretty sure that they will completely update the remaining sections of Lost Continent to evolve into Potterverse. Nothing official for the Jaws replacement -- but from what they've stated, parts of Amity's theme will remain intact and I don't see how that is compatible with Harry Potter. Another rumor I've read is that King Kong will be coming back to Universal Florida based on the new technology of the Hollywood 3-D version. Time will tell.

+1 I agree. I think they would be losing their way. Have they completely run out of ideas -- that they are forced to build the same theme at two distinctly different theme parks?

I feel like the insane boost in attendance IOA received last year completely negates this argument... But, Harry Potter is a fad..... And this new area probably won't be ready until 5-6 years after the last film hit theaters. I'd bet Potter won't have the appeal 5 years from now.... Just like everything else fades with time. Personally, I think the media is getting confused about projects -- I think that Universal is talking about the brand new Potter area being built in California. Because -- it makes very little sense to build 2 different Potter Lands in Florida. Especially since this franchise has already ended in both books and films. There are plenty of long-running film franchises with future projects in the pipeline that would make a great area -- they don't need to pick one that has already been ended by its author. I think Transformers or Star Trek (Star Wars is already taken by Disney) -- have fan bases as big if not bigger than Harry Potter.... And will last longer as film franchises. It just seems like a bad decision if true. Seriously, the Harry Potter actor will have gray hair and a receding hairline by the time this land is finished. I realize they want to build on their success, but I think interest will wane by the time they finish building it.

The Fast & Furious, Bourne, and Jurassic Park franchises have upcoming sequels, and only one has a serious theme park presence in Florida. I think the Fast & Furious would be an awesome basis for a thrill ride. Considering all those slow-motion "tunnel" effects they did during the drag races for the first couple of films -- it could make a great ride. Fast Five grossed $625 miillion worldwide, making it #55 on the world's highest grossing films of all time. The sixth film is already in production. So it would be a logical addition to their theme park as that franchise is current and strong. I think Bourne could do a Indiana Jones-style stunt show really well, but I don't think it would work very well as a themed ride. I personally will miss Jaws -- although, it really needed a rehab/update. The fire effects and leaking fluids of Jaws also created huge environmental problems. The DEP has been on their case since the ride opened -- and the ride was always troubleprone, which is why it took so long to run on daily basis (built in 1990, but didn't operate completely until 1993 -- Universal even sued the ride's designer: Ride and Show Engineering). DEP going after Universal because of Jaws: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-06-15/news/9506150137_1_hydraulic-fluid-industrial-wastewater-stormwater-ponds

This is exactly what I was thinking... This year they're adding Kowabunga Beach featuring an interactive play structure and tipping bucket which with the theming VERY much reminds me of a certain TPR member's water park in Utah...ahem. Guess they know success when they see it. Kowabunga Beach..... Hmmmm..... Cowabunga Bay........ Can you say ripoff?

From what I heard, the new owners of Festival Bay didn't like the type of customers that went to Van's skate park. They want to redevelop the 'Bay into an upscale open air retail mall for yuppies -- young people are not invited apparently. Van's wanted to renew their lease, but the new landlords wouldn't budge. So yeah, the skate park is closing down.

Wow, great addition. You know.... I had thought Harry Potter had run its course now that the last movie had been released -- but its just as popular as ever. The new land at Florida really did pump up IOA. I'm sure it will be just as great for California.

I think the biggest problem with most of these proposals is the scale of them. New Orleans just can't support a retail complex or theme park of this size to make it profitable. If they were looking at smaller, lower cost proposals I'd be far more confident they'd be able to break even. But these 200 to 350 million dollar projects just seem like building a bridge to nowhere. New Orleans couldn't support a park the size of Jazzland when it had twice the population it has now. What do they think has changed?

Yep, it's the only thing that does well on the north side of I-Drive. It certainly doesn't hurt that it is visible from I-4. Belz really didn't plan the place particularly well -- Mall 1 has such narrow corridors and the bizarre cross shape, that they couldn't expand the original building when needed.... and were forced to build separate buildings and Mall 2. I know retail architects actually study it -- to see what not to do (regarding Mall 1). Mall 2 definitely was executed better.

It's so true. I know Belz dumped the outlet mall on Prime because of the how that section of I Drive was trending. Festival Bay died a painful death. Ron Jon claimed it was the technology that killed their surf park, put I suspect it was their financial prospects at that location that truly doomed it. (After all, Fantasy Surf is doing relatively well with a sorta shrunk-down idea of the Ron Jon concept). The Toy Train museum was losing a ton a money on North I Drive, but is now profitable since they moved closer to the convention center/Sea World area. The company I work for did several feasibility studies for a couple commercial projects -- but the lease rates for the pads on North International Drive are absurd and the low vehicle traffic past Kirkman killed every project. The numbers are really grim in this "dead zone." So far, Prime Outlets has bucked the trend.

Great photo tour. ICE Looks pretty cool. I guess I'll have to check it out next time I drive in the area.

Okay, that is easy enough. Here is a look at the first Arrow Launched Loop. I am not sure if it was the first to open at a park but it was the prototype ride that was built at their plant and later moved to Circus World where it was originally named Zoomerang. It went through several other names such as Flying Daredevil, Double-O and even back again to Zoomerang. Damn man, you're really bringing back some great memories. I must have ridden this coaster a million times when the place was called Boardwalk & Baseball. My folks "owned" the 3 park annual pass (for B&B, Sea World and CG) -- I swear I was at this park like 364 days of 1988. B&B was my home park during the late 1980's. Thanks for the great footage.

No doubt. That location really doomed Jazzland / SFNO. Do they really think a mall is going to help? Have they ever googled "Dead Mall" before? I've already seen Malls with much better locations already fail..... Plus, New Orleans isn't exactly know for its affluent demographics and now has a far smaller population than before Katrina. I really hope someone crunches the numbers in a serious manner before they dump more money into this thing. If they do build it -- I'd love to get some credits before they under. I didn't move fast enough to get my credits at Wild West World.

No doubt. Those Pinfari loopers are really starting to dry up. Maybe they could add an El Loco to replace the Looping Star.

More or less. Island in the Sky, Triple Hurricane, the Carousel and Swamp Thing mostly got refurbished and repainted -- not much beyond that. What was really cool was how Merlin transformed the Okee Rampage into the Dragon. They completely moved it, added more track for a new dark ride portion and gave it amazing theming. It's got a completely different feel than when it was a Cypress Gardens.... Just shows how a good theme can fix everything.

I think Danny was washing my car at McDonald's last week. They were raising money for the Southern Star Pep Club.

Beech Bend is one of my favorite "little" parks. I'll be heading up North to ride the new drop tower for 2012. Kentucky Rumbler is still one of my favorite small wooden coasters.