Universal Orlando Resort (USF, IOA, Epic) Discussion Thread

[A.J.]

I'll add my $0.02 about Forbidden Journey. It's also very dark and you can't really touch or look at the person next to you to see if your kid is alright.

Now that you mention it, that is a definite issue when taking children along. I completely forgot that each seat is walled on three sides. I was thinking Gringotts was "scarier" due to more big, scary things coming after you, but being alone is in some cases more scary.

[KBrylczyk]

I'll add my $0.02 about Forbidden Journey. It's also very dark and you can't really touch or look at the person next to you to see if your kid is alright.

Now that you mention it, that is a definite issue when taking children along. I completely forgot that each seat is walled on three sides. I was thinking Gringotts was "scarier" due to more big, scary things coming after you, but being alone is in some cases more scary.

 

And if the younger child gets the "lucky" seat that has the dragon's head inches away from you when it blows fire at the car, well, that'd be traumatizing.

[SharkTums]

^&^^ Exactly my point. A ride could be terrifying but if the kid can bury their head into your shoulder or lap they'll get over it. Being walled in, OTSR on you, unable to see your parent could freak you out forever!

[thechadinator]

Okay, so I'm going to Universal Orlando and Islands on February 6-7th.

 

Does anybody know how the lines will be? Will Mardi Gras affect the crowds or can I go there and only have a 40 minute wait tops?

[jarmor]

It is a weekend but its "winter" in orlando so it shouldn't be that busy. I would get there first thing in the mornings.

[snoflake15]

Helpful advice above (thanks) re the HP rides. So to be clear Escape should be ok but Forbidden Journey is likely to be a no-no?

[KBrylczyk]

^ Use your discretion as a parent. Yeah, there's some scary stuff on both rides, to be sure, but if they're a fan of Harry Potter they'll likely come away happy. If they're clueless on the world, well, then you're sending them off in a closed box where evil things try to murder them.

[snoflake15]

^ could be an option if he's misbehaving!

 

Will need to see how brave he's being. Things like Spider-Man, Jurassic Park and similar rides in other parks are going to be a gamble. You never quite know until it's too late usually.

[mariareese]

I don't think so ..

[COASTER FREAK 11]

From the Universal Orlando Parks Blog

 

Link

 

THE INCREDIBLE HULK COASTER BEGINS ITS RETURN

 

You’ve been waiting since September for the return of one of the world’s most popular thrill rides. Now, if you know where to look, you can see The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure starting to take shape. The first pieces of track went in just days ago and more will soon be visible around the park.

 

To find out a little bit more about this process, I chatted with Universal Creative about what it takes to rebuild a roller coaster from the ground up.

 

The short answer: a lot, a lot, and a lot of measuring.

 

 

The old adage “measure twice, cut once”? Here, it’s more like, “measure a bazillion times, install once”. An expansive network of laser surveying tools are employed at every step of the reconstruction process, ensuring that the final bolt goes perfectly into place.

 

More details are still to come about what the new experience will be like. But the new track will ensure an even smoother ride—without losing the thrills The Incredible Hulk Coaster is known for.

 

Keep checking back here for more news. And keep your eyes to the sky as more track gets installed in the weeks to come.

[nswain1110]

Excited to find out if they'll do any drastic layout changes or mirror the old.

[KarlaKoaster]

I'm pretty sure it'll be nothing drastic. There's been no groundwork other than to replace the existing footers so it will probably either be identical, or possibly slightly refined to smooth out some of the elements. I'm also sure the Universal marketing machine would be hyping it up if it was anything else

[pianojohn]

Found some pics from my 1st visit to IOA back in 1999 BEFORE its grand opening.

Enjoy!

Remember when they used to duel?

Such bright colors!

Don't see this anymore!

[KarlaKoaster]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane... I love Islands! Is Hulk missing the fibreglass cover on the zero car on the pic of it coming out of the tunnel? Was this so they could mount cameras there or something? Thanks again!

[kweiss]

Okay, so I'm going to Universal Orlando and Islands on February 6-7th.

 

Does anybody know how the lines will be? Will Mardi Gras affect the crowds or can I go there and only have a 40 minute wait tops?

Here's a reference point for you. I went last Saturday, January 23. It was overcast and 40 degree weather which I thought would make the place dead. With the express pass, my waits looked like this:

 

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: 45 minutes (express pass not valid)

Dragon Challenge: 15-20 minutes for the front seat

Spider-Man: 15-20 minutes

Dr. Doom's Freefall: 15 minutes

Hogwart's Express: 40 minutes (express pass not valid)

Escape from Gringott's: A little over 1 hour (express pass not valid)

Revenge of the Mummy: 30 minutes

ET: 10 minutes

Men In Black: 10 minutes

 

Two lines I wasn't prepared for were the security line before park entry and the ahem.. securing valuables lines for HP Forbidden Journey, Dragon Challenge, and Escape from Gringott's. We arrived 15 minutes after park opening and had a 30 minute metal detector line. Securing valuables in the ahem.. safe rooms added another 10 minutes to the above waits.

[DoinItForTheFame]

Found some pics from my 1st visit to IOA back in 1999 BEFORE its grand opening.

Enjoy!

 

*sighs*

 

Oh, the good ole' days.

[viking86]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane... I love Islands! Is Hulk missing the fibreglass cover on the zero car on the pic of it coming out of the tunnel? Was this so they could mount cameras there or something? Thanks again!

 

It is missing indeed. It seems likely that it was removed for camera mounting...

 

Oh and thanks for sharing the pics pianojohn!

[cfc]

Found some pics from my 1st visit to IOA back in 1999 BEFORE its grand opening.

Enjoy!

 

*sighs*

 

Oh, the good ole' days.

 

Yep--it's still a very good ride, but it was great when it dueled.

[SixFlagsAstroworld]

I liked that part on Dueling Dragons (I'm still calling it that) where your feet almost touched the others on the loop. Wish there was a way Dueling Dragons can start Dueling again.

[snoflake15]

If I only get the chance to ride one dragon which should I be going for?

[KarlaKoaster]

The red one, Chinese Fireball. The Hungarian Horntail is really good, but Chinese FIreball is head and shoulders above this one in my opinion. The pacing is a lot better, I prefer the elements at the beginning with the airtime* hill and the second inversion, and the ending is better paced. Apart from that they're pretty similar.

 

(* There's not too much airtime**, so don't get too excited!)

(** This is not a general "B&Ms have no airtime" complaint!)

Edited February 1, 2016 by KarlaKoaster

[pianojohn]

If I only get the chance to ride one dragon which should I be going for?

 

You should be able to do both. The line is rarely more than 10 minutes, and you can re-ride without having to walk the entire queue.

[A.J.]

You should be able to do both. The line is rarely more than 10 minutes, and you can re-ride without having to walk the entire queue.

Oh. Whoops.

 

Something to remember the next time I go.

[delan]

The original entrance with the two dragons was so much better.

[jynx242]

Excited to find out if they'll do any drastic layout changes or mirror the old.

 

I don't think there will be much change to the actual layout of the ride. That (to me) is fine though. The Hulk, even when a bit rattly, was a pretty amazing ride as it was.

 

I do think that there will be upgrades to the station and story of the ride and perhaps some other peripheral upgrades as well. It's great to see it coming back together.