Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[testtrack321]

If I was more a betting man I'd place it on electrical short that caught some decorations on fire. The black smoke would come from the burning props.

[The SETGO Guys]

Update from the Universal Orlando FB page

Ripsaw Falls at Islands of Adventure did catch fire tonight. Because of our team members' quick response, our guests were kept safe. We will keep you posted on when the ride will reopen.

[robbalvey]

Update from the Universal Orlando FB page

Ripsaw Falls at Islands of Adventure did catch fire tonight. Because of our team members' quick response, our guests were kept safe. We will keep you posted on when the ride will reopen.

Well, at least it was confirmed that part of the ride did catch fire. There were some reports saying it was a "building next to the ride", etc, but I think we all could tell from those photos it looked like the actual ride, or one of the ride buildings.

 

I do hope the damage wasn't too bad and they can get it open quickly. I do really like the ride!

 

--Robb

[CHILLERLC1]

Was Chucky in the building?

[KaiRubix]

I learned the news from my cousin who posted it on her facebook then came here to see if it was picked up. and wouldn't you know know it here it is.

 

Personally I take the blame on my cousin. She's known for having disaster follow her and her family whenever they take a vacation. last time they went to New Orleans and Katrina Happened. Now I see on her facebook status that just a few hours prior to riding Rip Saw Falls the fire erupted!!!

 

this is something my cousins and I have a little inside joke about her but its just a huge coincidence that this could happen. not to mention right after her leaving New York after a couple of Days BAM 9/11 happens.

[Ace Of Spades]

^Was that supposed to be funny?

[KaiRubix]

^Was that supposed to be funny?

 

 

More like stating a huge coincidence because it was true with all the occurrences I have posted, Katrina, 9/11 all happened just after my cousin was there.

[buttonman700]

from this footage http://www.wesh.com/news/26340546/detail.html we can see that inspectors are on the ride itself. There are a few other news casts I have found, they are too lame to post.

[Ace Of Spades]

^Was that supposed to be funny?

 

 

More like stating a huge coincidence because it was true with all the occurrences I have posted, Katrina, 9/11 all happened just after my cousin was there.

 

And this is relevant or interesting...how? No need to reply, just...think about it.

 

Anyway, hope the damage to the ride was minimal, and good to hear that everyone was okay.

[jamesdillaman]

^ I found it interesting...so I'm doing a little investigating.

 

Is your sister connected with Al Qaeda... or tropical depressions?

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Do people even read TPR's disclaimer anymore?

[samisthabomb]

^Seriously!

[Chroniq]

I decided to do a spur of the moment trip and I'll be at IOA tomorrow. I'll have good pictures up by tomorrow if someone doesn't beat me to it.

[Inukaza]

I'll be going to to park tomorrow, I can give a update on damage or see what's going on.

[The SETGO Guys]

Just got an update from the local new station!

 

The fire was either sparked by a ride controller or an air conditioner.

 

More Updates to come! Nothing has been determined yet.

[larrygator]

^Was that supposed to be funny?

 

 

More like stating a huge coincidence because it was true with all the occurrences I have posted, Katrina, 9/11 all happened just after my cousin was there.

 

And this is relevant or interesting...how? No need to reply, just...think about it.

 

Anyway, hope the damage to the ride was minimal, and good to hear that everyone was okay.

 

 

Ace of Spades - No need to get on the poster's case for stating a coincidence, KaiRubix was not out of line as his original post was relevant to the thread.

[Ace Of Spades]

Eh, maybe I'm losing my marbles, but I just found that post to be incredibly...um...I wouldn't go as far as to call it pointless, but whatever, you guys seemed to derive more meaning out of it than I did. I'll leave my commentary in my own head from now on.

[delan]

Curse me kilts, this is serious. I thought it was just a few flames, but this is a hardcore fire. On a brighter note, mayhaps they'll be forced to fix the dilapidated animatronics.

[CoasterGuy06]

Not only did I ride the ride the night before the fire, I actually drove past IOA about 15 minutes or so before the fire started.

[churchpunk]

If I remember right, from the old Discovery Channel specials on the making of IOA, many of the buildings and themeing are carved out of a type of foam. One would think burning foam would most definitely cause a thick, dark smoke.

[BelizeIt]

I really enjoyed this ride when I visited IOA.

 

All that really matters is that the crew safely evacuated everyone, an nobody was injured.

 

This is one of those 'Freak' occurences where the employees of the park have to Step Up and follow emergency procedures to the letter. Obviously that happened, so that's great for Universal! (Often during some type of accident/emergency, you hear how the crew 'panicked' and didn't act correctly) That didn't happen here. The crew must have done their job and got everyone off the ride safely.

 

I'm sure Universal will reopen this attraction as soon as it's possible.

[chadster]

^^ you would be correct. I've witnessed foam buildings burning many a time and the thick black smoke is one of it's trademarks.

[testtrack321]

If I remember right, from the old Discovery Channel specials on the making of IOA, many of the buildings and themeing are carved out of a type of foam. One would think burning foam would most definitely cause a thick, dark smoke.

 

It's Touch Down Jesus all over again!

[robbalvey]

Well, this doesn't sound so good.

 

http://www.blooloop.com/ViewNews.aspx?ID=14205

 

Universal fire: Damage so extensive investigators unable to determine cause

 

Fire damage to a Universal Orlando attraction is so extensive that arson investigators are unable to determine the cause of the blaze, authorities said this afternoon.

 

But the Orlando Fire Department nonetheless said the fire, which erupted Saturday afternoon in the roof of Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, "appears to be accidental."

 

The investigation is still active.

 

Universal has said that Ripsaw Falls will remain closed several weeks while it repairs the attraction and performs other seasonal maintenance. The fire, which produced thick, black smoke that could be soon all around Islands of Adventure, forced the resort to briefly close all of Toon Lagoon, one of six themed "islands" that make up the theme park.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Well that sucks. Hopefully this is not the end of such an awesome attraction. I know they said several weeks, but I can't imagine them reopening this without assurances it won't happen again (ie: a cause).