My Universal Orlando / Islands of Adventure Updates

[Lenaapple1974]

oh yes, that would do rather nicely! more coasters please!

 

does anyone know if there is anything else besides the replacement of the Back to the Future ride going up in US with the simpsons?

[jedimaster1227]

^There is a rumor that we will be getting some kind of coaster along the lines of Hollywood Dream over here at the Studios, but that is purely a rumor at the moment. Though, we are getting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at IOA.

[Lenaapple1974]

that would be pretty cool! im always down for new coasters. cant wait for HP!

[Erik Johnson]

Well it has been a while since I went down to Universal to add an update, so I might as well post one.

 

For 3-21-08

 

FYI, eveerything is now posted.

Awwww.....poor old useless gate.

Nope, still no coaster construction yet.

I still think that Moonpies from Space is still the best shooting dark ride ever built.

New hot dog stand.

I toally spy a credit.

People are working.

Even though you do no hear it now, I already can't get it out of my head.

I bet that we will hear Krusty's laugh a few times this summer.

Speaking of new attractions, this one is supposed to open next month.

I tried out the new/makeover attraction later in the evening, when the line was much shorter.

Though this stupid thing was kind of in the way.

Oh, ok I guess I will go ride.

The Blues Brothers still seem to bring in a crowd.

These shops are only open on Saturday evenings.

I am curious what this area will look like next year.

Or maybe it is the only hit show they have.

I guess Universal has a thing for this show.

Here is the concert lineup this year. Though no lineup is complete without Starship.

I think its going to take up some of this area as well.

The Jimmy Neutron Building.

......and......

The new coaster is rumored to in between the Blue Man Group Building.

The front gate, now with beads.

The rumor is the majority of the coaster is going in this area.

This will look a bit different next year.

You can buy Simpsons stuff before you enter the parks.

This month's building ads.

The single reason why digital cameras were invented was to help you remember where your car is parked.

Heading into the parking garages area.

Parking prices have not changed in 4 months.

Can anyone answer that question?

Cypress Gardens has put up a bunch of new billboards.

[VivaLaVibora]

That's a good idea to take a picture where you parked.

 

For awhile, Deal or No Deal was on 3 times a week. It still might be on that many times a week. So, I understand why they have so many pictures of it. Bionic Woman, and Journeyman are canceled. I think they won't be airing any more Heroes for this year. People have to wait till next year. Scrubs is coming back in April, but they only have like 5 episodes left for the season, and maybe for the last season.

 

My dad is better than your dad is probably going to be a short run show. Amnesia just came on Fridays. I think there are only a small amount of Medium episodes left. I would think that Celebrity Apprentice is another show that's not going to last much longer. It's a reality show, and they end after 2-3 months. The only other show I see that they should advertise is Law and Order. However, does Law and Order need to be advertised since it's been around for such a darn long time? So, why advertise it? They could also advertise movies like I remember them doing before.

 

The Simpsons building looks cool, and I don't even care for the Simpsons.

[Erik Johnson]

^^ You know, I already forgot about the strike (It is now over, right?). That would make perfect sense to only have that show all over the park since it stayed in production all this time. Ok, onto the rest of the pictures:

Especially when it says that. Remember 10 minutes of that time is just the walk to the coaster.

I love Dueling Dragons!

While its hard too see, they have started to construct several building foundations.

Hooray for Unicorn Power!

You win again Supreme Wall! Until....

Oh no, the dreaded branchivous is ruining my shot...Noooooo!

Here is another one, at about a degree over to the right.

Ha, the steponacurbous spell worked.

My super quick levitation spell has failed.

What secrets lie beyond this enchanted wall.

Harry's Magical Dirt Pile.

"I hope you have been taking good care of our brother, Wes. Otherwise we will find and eat you!"

I always take a picture of the current menu.

OK, lets get going.

Current ticket prices.

Wow, the One Day-Two Park passes are getting expensive.

[kraken613]

^

That last one is so true!

 

Well the Simpsons Ride building is a bit busy to say the least!

[Erik Johnson]

I honestly think they have slightly enhanced/changed the sound effects of Hulk's launch. While the video is crap, you can still make out the sound. The launch still has the boom, but it seems to me that there is a bit more of a gunfire type sound as it leaves the cylinder. FYI, Hulk was running really well that evening.

CaliforniaUni 439.mpg

Hulk launch at Night. Does it sound a little different to you?

[Erik Johnson]

Ok, back on over to Universal to end this update.

I then just went around and took a few night shots of the park.

I was the last and only guest on the final boat of the night. Which was enhanced by all the evening fireworks.

One final Jaws ride of the night.

After the 2 preshows you board the old Earthquake subway. On the return trip they show all the footage that was taken during our tour and splice it into a movie starring The Rock.

While the virtual Walken was neat, they probably did the pass-off item trick a few too many times.

All hail the director.

Disaster Studios is a fictious movie studio who specializes in disaster movies. Which were popular in the 70s.

Creepy Christopher Walken, who is the new host of Disaster (Old Earthquake).

When in the heck did this show up? I never noticed this before at Universal.

[kraken613]

It does sound different to me too. Wonder why they changed it?

[jackskellington101]

Maybe they changed it to tie it in with The Incredible Hulk movie coming out this year. That's grasping at straws but for an explanation, that's a good as any. The other is they did it because they could. That works too.

[Hand 0f Time]

Horray for Harry's pile of dirt: the Ride! Can't wait to see how the castle and town will turn out.

 

Where'd you get the rumor of where the roller coaster will run through. I would like to see a link if possible.

[Swimace]

Thanks for the update! I haven't made it to Universal in about two years, hopefully I'll find the time to go back soon! Those parks are so great, I can't wait to see them once the new additions are all in.

[ernierocker]

We rode Disaster back in January and it didn't seem like our tour guide had her part down yet. It made the preshows rather awkward. I did like how they tied it all together with the video at the end. Otherwise, it was pretty meh.

 

I agree about Men In Black.

[alpengeist04]

Horray for Harry's pile of dirt: the Ride! Can't wait to see how the castle and town will turn out.

 

Where'd you get the rumor of where the roller coaster will run through. I would like to see a link if possible.

 

Here's a quote from Screamscape and article from the Orlando Sentinel.

 

The high speed coaster ride will feature a massive 167 foot tall tower and feature several inversions, twists and turns as well as run out over a section of Citywalk when it opens in Spring 2009. Universal explains that the ride will feature video displays in the queue, color changing LED lighting, digital audio and video effects during the ride. The rest of the ride was described as squeezing in between Jimmy Neutron and the Blue Man Group theater building on it’s way to Citywalk.

 

Article:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-universal1908mar19,0,3576109.story

[SharkTums]

Yeah it's not a rumor, they announced its location in the press release.

 

Thanks for the dirt update Erik!

[ETapley0687]

Great update! I was confused where the new coaster is supposed to be until you showed it a lil better. BTW did you get to ride Dueling Dragons at night? Because I really want to do that, I think it would make it soooo much more fun lol

[Erik Johnson]

Great update! I was confused where the new coaster is supposed to be until you showed it a lil better. BTW did you get to ride Dueling Dragons at night? Because I really want to do that, I think it would make it soooo much more fun lol

 

Yep I got to ride it at night and yes its pretty cool at night.

[Erik Johnson]

Even though it has only been 3 weeks since the last update, there are a few new things to add to this thread.

 

Universal/IOA Update: 4/12/08

And yes, I was told that this is a new gate. Plus the wood looked and tasted a lot newer.

I really had no idea you could get Hulk photos from this point. I actually am serious.

This was the first time I had been in this area of the park....I guess my ownership of this thread might be challenged.

Yes, even more new walls.

Another new wall.

They have placed quite a few new walls around this area.

The crane is quite tall.

They have already started construction on the new bridge which I think will be used as a bypass at a future date.

Before too long, I think this area will be closed off for a while due to its Harry Potter transformation.

Though the "terror" title is honestly there to try to scare people away from peaking over the wall.

Its Dumbeldore's new mystical crane of terror and construction.

Over in the Lost Continent area I noticed something new in the background.

I guess I shall check out IOA first today.

The movie theatre is now run by AMC. I think its cool that they run quite a few retro films as well.

The moving walkways were running today.

I swear I did not run over E.T.

Is Ryan in Florida? Or did the Simpsons steal a car?

[Erik Johnson]

Update Continued:

We gave up and told IOA to screw off so we headed over next door.

Ok, IOA really sucked today. The single rider line was also closed on the Hulk. Bad form IOA!!

Hulk line was not much better, but it also has a single rider line.

WTF!!!!!!!!

Well, it really has a long line, but at least Spiderman has a single rider line.

This was the first time I had seen the Spiderman queue use the outside section.

NEXT!

Actually, lap bars on a log flume is more insane.

Ok, now this is really insane.

Well...maybe it was not such a good time to visit the parks during Spring Break. Next.

Choose Thy Fate!

Has anyone else taken this photo before?

Ok, now that is a really long line. Notice the line of people outside the castle. I guess I will skip it today.

I might as well just check out the Dragons, even though the wait time did say 60 minutes.

Hee hee hee

[krazekiddd]

Holy crap! That's busy. Hopefully not that bad on Saturday. I'm taking my friend who's never been. I'll totally purchase express passes if its that busy this saturday.

[Erik Johnson]

Universal Studios Update.

I think its pretty neat.

Here is the new sign.

I spy a credit!

Its cool that they still use the Green Little Elves.

See? Did you see them move?

Yes, the eye pupils do move now.

Not open yet, but they did add new Simpsons character banners.

Awww...now I am really homesick.

Gators are cool!

Sharks are not evil.

This is the year the park opened.

Since Eric had not done Disaster! yet, we decided to do it today.

Anyone buy one of these yet?

The regular line was faster than either the single rider or the express pass lines. Both of those had huge lines.

Mummy rocked today, we got through the regular line in 15 minutes. Even though the posted time was 35.

Since it was a Saturday, Mardi Gras was in full swing.

I guess someone popped the big balloons.

Eric almost got run over by the Blues Brothers.

While Jimmy had a huge line, everything else had lines like it was a normal off season weekday.

No construction yet on the coaster.

Heading through the side entrance, I wonder if this will still be here once the new coaster is built.

[Erik Johnson]

Holy crap! That's busy. Hopefully not that bad on Saturday. I'm taking my friend who's never been. I'll totally purchase express passes if its that busy this saturday.

 

I think it should not be as bad next week. I believe Spring Break is winding down, but yeah the crowds were really insane.

[krazekiddd]

^One can only hope, but still, I'll be picking up my season pass (Thanks flex pay!) and if needed, I'll totally buy a express pass book. We did the saturday after Thanksgiving and those are worth the price.

[Erik Johnson]

Final section of the 4/12/08 Update.

Again...I promise, I was not drinking.  This is also the end of this update.

Jahan/Penguin joke #362.

Eric.....Do you want to go to candy mountain?

Still the ultimate in roller coaster merchandise.

Here is this year's shirt.

He was really popular when I was in school.  I guess that was a while ago.

He is still one of the finest examples of old school rap.

The seas of humanity were ready to see LL Cool J.

I am glad I do not have to pick all this up.

The gator came by and ate all those people who jumped the safety rope.  Well I can always wish for it.......right?

Universal Float.

Millions of beads flew off this thing.

"Prepare yourself for an onslaught of beads"

Notice how there are all these people in front of us now.  Yes, they are on the wrong side of the safety rope.

More floats.

The floats were different that the ones 2 years ago.

This is when people get into fights over .02 beads.

I swear, I have not been drinking.

Wow, these floats are impressive.

Ok, here come the cops.  The parade must have started.

Someone is an addict. 

I guess I can include a photo of myself.

We decided to stake out our parade spot 30 minutes early.