My Universal Orlando / Islands of Adventure Updates

[Erik Johnson]

I figured I would "borrow" arrowfanman's idea in that I will put all my updates from Orlando's Universal/IOA into one thread. Since there will be a lot going on over the next two years, it would be much easier to have them all in one thread. While not much is going on right now stuff will start changing once the summer ends, especially with things gear up for the new Harry Potter area. Anyways, I will just start with some random photos of Universal as well as some of IOA, with a concentration on the Lost Continent area.

I also wonder about this guy.

I wonder if this will be around a year from now.

Stupid people are awesome.

Plus I had some entertainment while I ate.

The BBQ Chicken wrap was quite tasty and it filled you up. Great service today Mythos. Thanks!

A blurry picture of the current menu. At least the gooey banana dessert is back.

As of 7/20/07:

TPR Rating = 19,156

Themeparkinsider Rating = 118,784

Wow, the fire was working today.

Closed Hulk through the trees.

I guess they are trying to corner the Cypress Gardens market.

VW owners get a special viewing area for the new water/ski show.

Most all the attractions were still closed due to lightning.

Wow, it is now $79.99 for a 1 day/2 park pass. It only costs us $99 to renew our AP passes.

The old side entrance looks a little sad now.

A reverse shot of the new side gate/entrance.

It is a good show, you should check it out.

This area has changed with the new Blue Man Group addition. This is the new side entrance to the park.

Might as well head on over to IOA.

3 rides on the Mummy in 25 minutes. I love the single rider line. The ride was running really well today.

I love Florida summer storms. They usually only last 15-20 minutes, and that they clear out parks.

Well, I better find some shelter before I get rained on.

I honestly thought the Fear Factor attraction was closed for good. I guess I was wrong.

Not much new over in the Simpsons area that has not been covered already.

Because of the incoming storm, Jaws was closed.

The Mummy was broken down. I will try again later.

Yes, the summer crowds are here.

I honestly heard a lot more German today than English.

A storm approaches.

Hi Cameron.

This is IOA from the E.T. parking garage area.

I guess you do not have to pay if you get there after 4:00 PM.

This is the new pineapple runt.

Food fit for a god.

Edited June 3, 2019 by Erik Johnson

[Disney Dood]

The talking fountain better never leave. That fountain broke some kid's glasses when he got shot in the face with a jet.

[Erik Johnson]

Part 2.

Two more months until HHN.

Bye IOA.

Ok, it was time to head out of the park.

Still my favorite S&S tower. It does have great theming/backstory.

One Fish, Two Fish, in the dark.

Sinbad sign at night.

Things are really dark now.

One final back row Ice ride for the day.

Isn't Red Skull supposed to be over on the Marvel Island?

I really love this queue, it is even better at night since your eyes have adjusted to the dark.

Might as well ride again.

Still the most intense cobra roll section.

Scary castle at sunset.

More "artistic" DD shots.

The lift hill is so fast, it blurs the picture.

Oh, that is nice to know.

It was starting to get dark.

I decided to ride the Flying Unicorn today.

Even the other one was lit.

The ultimate in roller coaster merchandise.

Pyrrock/Blizzrock > Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff

I hope they keep DD the same when Harry Potter takes over.

Just as a joke, they placed Ice on Fire's track to see if anybody would notice.

I decided to try out the 2nd row of both Fire and Ice today. Honestly, I did.

I have never noticed the bench in the DD queue before.

I still simply love Dueling Dragons.

[mcjaco]

Erik, I love your Double D shots.

[Homer]

I totally want that pillow.

 

Great update Erik. I still can't wait for Homer: The Ride to open.

[Erik Johnson]

Erik, I love your Double D shots.

 

So when are you going to come down and earn your Double D credits?

[mcjaco]

^ That's sound kinky!

 

Hopefully soon (hint, hint).

[awclark]

I have a quick question. Is the ridiculously long outdoor DD queue still there or was it torn out when the Flying Unicorn was added?

 

If it's there, is it blocked off? Of my visits there, I've never noticed it

[Disney Dood]

I%20have%20never%20noticed%20the%20bench%20in%20the%20DD%20queue%20before.

 

There's probably alot of things you've never noticed in the DD queue. Yup, it's that well themed.

[disneyfan1313]

I love the idea of a SFMM-like thread! It will be cool to see all the changes that are happening over the next few years. BTW Erik - I think its time you moved to Orlando - you spend more time in the parks here than I do!

[alpengeist04]

Great shots, Erik. I look forward to each and every update in the future.

 

...but don't forget about USF and the new Simpson ride/Krusty Land, after all it's opening a year before Harry Potter. It's just a great time to be a Universal/IOA fanboy.

[nursemelis374]

Thanks ahead of time for all the updates you will be doing! This is a great idea! I am so excited for the changes that will be occuring at USF/IOA!

[Erik Johnson]

I have a quick question. Is the ridiculously long outdoor DD queue still there or was it torn out when the Flying Unicorn was added?

 

If it's there, is it blocked off? Of my visits there, I've never noticed it

 

It is still there.

[thefitness]

Awesome Pictures! I haven't been to the parks at night in a while so it was nice to see some night pictures.

 

Did you notice any construction for HHN? I've hard Narzaman's is cleared out and the Jaws over flow queue, and Earthquake Back lot are being boarded up!

 

EDIT: I answered my own question about the HHN stuff, check out the HHN thread if you want to see the pictures.

[thefitness]

Sorry for the double post!

 

When I went to Universal I took a lap around IOA, and took some pictures of some new things I noticed around the park. Erik said it was all right if I posted them here.

This is what I thought the name was. Thanks for letting me post these Erik!

HUH? Was this the original name?

OMG! It looks like a Wii car.

This was blocked off, I'm not sure why.

The artist guy wasn't here today =/

Fire was stuck on the lift and Ice was stuck on the brakes.

Treasures of Posiedon is open again! So was FireEaters.

Welcome UK signs are also over at IOA.

[Wes]

Someone needs to buy me that FU pillow.

 

FU = Best Attraction Ever.

[BeemerBoy]

FU = Best Attraction Ever.

 

Only from the wheelchair seat though.

[Adrenaline_Rush]

I read FU as if someone was saying f*** you lol. Man thats what school kids do to you.

[stingrock23]

I really love those nighttime pictures. I've never been in the park when it gets dark.

[Erik Johnson]

I really love those nighttime pictures. I've never been in the park when it gets dark.

 

You pretty much have to go during the summer. They usually close the parks around 6:00PM during the rest of the year.

[Erik Johnson]

It has been a while since I have done an update, so here is one. This one actually features photos of the Harry Potter area under construction. Ok, since I want to be honest, its pretty much photos of dirt/clearing out land photos, but it shows that they have finally started working. But first, I wanted to start with a few pictures from Universal Studios.

 

The are also a bunch of great photos located here as well:

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40176

The have several of these goofy mock up movie posters around the border of the "old" Earthquake ride.

Earthquake is getting changed at the moment.

I see you Kwik-E-Mart.

I wonder why this section is still closed off after HHN.

Mummy is always awesome.

Christmas and the Florida sun.

Yes, more Christmas stuff.

The week after Thanksgiving is one of the best times to visit the parks.

I finally got to see the new Simpson characters in the park.

Christmas decorations at the main gate.

I wonder how ticket sales are in the off season.

Grinchmas has returned.

I guess they have decided to try to sell cars in the parks.

Its Christmas time at Universal Orlando.

[Erik Johnson]

More photos!

Apu says Goodbye!

The same goes for the Flaming Moe.

Why is Duff beer now an energy drink?

You can buy all kinds of Simpson stuff in here.

The old Back to the Future store is now the local Kwik-E-Mart.

I see a credit!!

I thought comic book guy's shirt was funny.

See what I mean?

Yes, the Simpsons have taken over the old Back to the Future building.

[Erik Johnson]

Yes, more pictures.

Ok, one coaster picture.

They are still working on it.

The have been working on the DD building. Notice the tower looks a bit darker in color.

And hats.

Here is the current crop of DD shirts.

Mmmmmmm Dueling Dragons.

The current Mythos menu.

I think they have some sort of new show instead.

No Grinch ice slide this year.

Christmastime at Suess Landing.

At least the ride was a walk on. This pretty includes the front row as well.

After that awesome ride last October, Hulk was already back to its old rattling self. There must be a special train they bring out from time to time.

I want a Hulk car.

Over to IOA.

Guess who?

Maybe this is a better picture.

I do not remember seeing this before, but it probably has been here for a while.

[Erik Johnson]

Yes, even more photos.

Maybe they will get rid of those new horrible lap bars.

These are the first real signs that they have started the Harry Potter area.

While walking into Jurassic Park, you can notice that the old JP electric fence is gone.

You can really see it better from here, even though it is a bit blurry.

A brand new long wall has been built.

And its right by the Flying Unicorn area.

A huge area has been cleaned out.

OMG, what is that???

Candy Mountain, here I come.

Might as well.

[Erik Johnson]

Small Old Town update.

I hope you enjoyed this update, till next time!

It looks pretty scary, even from down here.

At 300 feet, this Skycoaster is still the world record.

Here is the brand new car.

Even faster and more intense than Dodonpa.

Sometime I really want to ride this.

Credit #239

Credit #238

While it is not Universal, I finally went over to Old Town.