My Universal Orlando / Islands of Adventure Updates

[ETapley0687]

This makes me want to take a roadtrip to Orlando soooo bad! lol

[nursemelis374]

I love the construction wall signs from the Ministry of Magic. I think that themeing construction walls this early is a good sign of things to come!

 

Great update! Makes me want squeeze in a USF/IOA day on my October Florida trip. Hmmmm . . . .

[alpengeist04]

Thanks for the update, Erik. I'm heading over to Universal Studios on Wednesday to process my season pass. I guess I'll ride The Mummy, MIB, and The Simpsons while I'm there.

 

...have to love the September crowds.

[Erik Johnson]

Onward to Sea World's Manta and a little Old Town.

Though, for some reason, the tension was not right. The ride really did not look like its normal intense self.

That have one of these here.

The Starflyer was closed over at Magical Midway. Maybe next time Andrew.

We watched this go a few times.

We gave Windstorm a ride, since Andrew and Bryan needed the credit.

Hooray for credits!

Sure is an ugly worm.

Andrew looks like he is tall enough.

After Sea World we went over to Old Town since they changed out a coaster . Instead of a Dragon Coaster there is now a Wacky Worm.

I guess we can go ride these.

Quick Queue is now at Sea World.

I guess I should include a wall photo. I would have ridden the skytower, but it was down for the day.

More dirt and dirt.

There is a hole in the ground.

Dumpster photo?

The next few pictures will be mostly dirt pictures.

Let us check out Manta.

[justint87]

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?

[knottslover77]

Great updates I can't wait for the ones you will post in the future.

 

--Jay

[CoasterEricHP]

Awesome updates! I'm kind of sad I no longer work at IOA or live in FL! The next two years are going to be so exciting for Universal!! Plus Seaworld, and Im sure Disney will have something up it's sleeve.

 

That has to be what the Dragons sign is for. It looks like the entrance of Dragons will be up almost where the castle is now when the construction is done. So once they start ripping up the rest of the Lost Continent, the lower Dragons queue, and everything in front of the ride (Hopefully not the statues!!) they'll reroute the queue across the old bridge?! Is that where the sign is?

 

Sadly the line will still be close to the same length from there!

[Swimace]

Woah! Sorry for the late response but I completely missed that you put the Sea World/credit whoring portion up! I was walking a fine line between being relieved and sad that the Star Flyer was down, I'm sure I'll be freaking out on that thing eventually...

 

 

I also read on Screamscape that the Hulk was getting a on ride video system. Anyone knows more?

I don't know if it's related or not, but I believe the on-ride photo area was closed when we went.

[justint87]

I also read on Screamscape that the Hulk was getting a on ride video system. Anyone knows more?

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:

 

they also noticed that the photo booth area at Incredible Hulk was closed up. Asking around they were told that Hulk would be getting a new video camera system so that they could sell DVDs in the near future. I’ve got to wonder if they’re going to try testing out the video system they want to use on the Hollywood Rockit next door here first.

[Erik Johnson]

According to Screamscape, the G-Force attraction that was part of Old Town, closed. The final night of operation was the evening when we were there.

 

http://www.screamscape.com/html/orlando.htm

[Erik Johnson]

It has been many months since I have been down to Universal Orlando in order to do an update for this thread. Thank goodness there have been a lot of you Orlando people that have been doing a great job in keeping us updated. Anyways here is an update!

I should add this to the beer thread.

Ok, here is a ton of new Potter construction photos.

The current menu.

I guess Mythos has gone green. Just like what they did with the water tunnel.

At least he is still around.

I am sure the park was packed later that evening.

WOW! Prices have gone WAY up!

I finally can add RRR track photos to this thread.

This is why digital cameras were invented.

Just in case you guys wanted to see what the toll booth looked like.

[Erik Johnson]

Part 2.

I finally got to touch it.

The side entrance is still open!

While these are a few days late, I wanted to go ahead and post them.

I think you can find the other picture in the RRR thread.

The Bryan and Adam Show. In Hulk Green

Who watches TV previews after spending a lot of money to visit a theme park?

[ScoastinGS]

Awesome pictures at an awesome park!

[themeparkman25]

Does HRRR change spine diameter/shape for the same reasons that Intamin track goes from a 3 rail design to a 4?

 

Thanks for the update!

[KrazyT]

^ I believe its so it can handle the stress of the trains better.

Since they are in the areas with the most positive G's.

[Erik Johnson]

It has been a long while since I have updated this thread. So.......

 

2/21/2010 Update!

2/21/2010 Update for Universal Orlando

Parking prices really have gone up over these past two years.

I am glad that digital cameras help to remember where you parked your car.

The moving walkways are almost an attraction itself.

The Color Purple? Really?

I see castle!

Fast Food....At Citywalk.

Random Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit banner.

Just a few more months to go.

There are new ticket prices/options now.

Almost Disneylike options.

More information about AP passes.

So the Lotto drawing is considered an attraction now?

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit with Banner 2.0

Drat....Not open yet.

Yay! I see coaster train!

Testing coasters usually means that it will open soon.

Coaster Signage.

The non-inverting loop is rather strange looking.

However, it is a really fun part of the ride.

Instructions on how to pick your song.

This large screen samples many of the songs you can choose from.

The moving platform is now operational! It really makes a big difference on dispatches.

Movingwalkway.MOV

Here it is in motion.

Another shot of the lift hill. Trains were being dispatched on an average of 40 seconds.

Airtime can be pretty good here.

I really like this section of the ride.

You really do pull quite a few G-forces here.

I am glad to see the coaster run as well as it did today.

The new stage.

Yes, it is real astroturf.

Mummy is still my favorite attraction in the park.

Themed stroller parking.

Themed Disappointment #1

I wonder if Fear Factor is gone for good now. All the signs have been removed.

Since we are here.....

I honestly think the best thing about the Simpsons ride is the attraction waiting room.

Hee hee hee.

I am glad they found a use for these things.

Here is another one.

Ok, here is some more random Rockit photos.

Random!

This is taken from outside the park.

This would be an underneath shot of a coaster car.

Blue Man Group Theatre....now with Rockit.

One last shot.

I am glad that it is now running. Islands of Adventure update coming soon!

[Erik Johnson]

Islands of Adventure Update 2/21/2010.

Jurassic Park is under an extensive referb.

The castle is shaping up pretty well.

Since we are here....

Warning! Random Hulks Photos.

This loop is not photographed as much as the other one.

Hulk again.

TPR first! Markers under Hulk. Maybe they will finally add that dueling Captain America Hyper coaster.

Through the fence!

Now with Castle.....Well almost.

Q is much cooler than J.

Side shot!

I hate green friendly Universal.

It looks like Mythos finally got beat.

Here is the current menu.

I guess I can add a few Harry Potter photos, even though there already has been many updates already.

For you train buffs.

Quite a bit has been added since my last update.

A little further back.

Any idea what the sign will say?

I wonder what they are going to do with this bridge once the new area is open.

OK, here are a bunch of new photos.

Dark Ride Building.

The rumor is that Dueling Dragons closes next weekend for the finishing touches of its Potter transformation.

Since the main queue is closed, they pulse crowds over to the coaster loading area. It actually works pretty well....considering.

The pulsing is similiar to when a two-way road is under construction.

Here we go!

Stay on Target!

There it is!

It looks like the flag holders are in place for "Dragons Challenge".

This is the current entrance/exit for the ride.

Maybe Universal should have a design contest for this logo. Future Photoshop contest?

This is inside the Dragons loading area.

How often do you wait in line to exit an attraction?

I miss F.U.

Yeah, more Potter.

When does it open, late May?

Welcome to Juras........awwwwww.

The Potter warehouse still needs some work.

It looks like they are putting brickwork on the side of the show building.

This would be Cedar Fair's version of Jurassic Park.

Isn't he a TPR member?

Themed Disappointment #2

Yep.....Certainly not open today.

I did not notice anything else new or different so we now finish with a photo of the IOA sign.

[Hattuchili]

Thanks for the awesome update, Erik. I really miss that place and can´t wait to finally be back later in the year. I hope you are going to reserve a table at Mythos, again.

 

--Soren

[Chrissie]

Awesome update Erik!! It made me realise how much I love Universal.

 

I love your WWoHP shots. They are so clear!! It looks like they are working hard at it and I am praying it will be open when I am there in May.

[coasterenema]

OMG Is that George Lucas doing the testing ????

[KDcoasterMAN]

The sign you refer to at the entrances says "Hogsmeade: Mind the Spell Limit" It has a cat on it I think.

[darienlakerules]

OMG Is that George Lucas doing the testing ????

Tis be Him!

[spaceace12]

14 dollars for motorcycle parking! Do you at least get closer parking? It should be half the costs since motorcycles take up half the space of a car (half being conservative).

[Swiminn6]

Dueling Dragons Now Closed To Be Turned Into Dragon Challenge

From Orlando United:

I can confirm it is indeed closed as of today. I was at the park tonight and it was surrounded by a green construction wall and the DD sign was still up.

 

From Screamscape:

Park News - (2/15/10) A reader claims they contacted Universal Orlando customer service regarding any possible attraction closures during their trip and were told that Dueling Dragons would be closed from 2/27/10 through to 3/16/10.

 

Many over at Orlando United confirmed that the Dueling Dragons have closed February 27th to be turned into Dragon Challenge. During it's closure the ride will go through a new paint job (rumored), get new trains (rumored), & the queue line is supposed to be finished.

[Zack44]

$5 says that at least 10 people of the GP will think that the park got rid of Dueling Dragons and replaced it with Dragon Challenge.