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

[King_K.]

King_K. You forgot Hogsmeade in the concept art they have Hogsmeade the one with all the snow on it?

It's there, under replacement for the Enchanted Oak.

 

[Guest]

I Guess it might be alright... Kind of Reminds me of the Nl Track Harry Potter Ride... still i hope they dont retheme dragons but yea b&m flyer would be coolio. good buisness for IOA all the nerds will come to see queer on a cape the ride

[rosscoe]

that should upset all the Disneyworld fans!

Why?

 

I'm reserving judgement until I see and hear more, but as a Disney fan, why would I be upset over this?

 

This was taken from WDWMagic Forums:

 

"Yes, but will Potter alone be enough to save Universal? Doubtful.

 

Especially since they are going to take the cheap route like usual and do rethemes and things of that sort. I guess it was one way of getting around Rowling wanting multiple attractions and an entire land. Is Potter the type of product that can support an entire land? Disney didn't think so, and I agree with them. I guess we'll find out. It will probably be popular for a while, and through the release of the rest of the movies, but after that?

 

I'd check it out if its impressive on my first trip after it opens, but I doubt it will be any more than that. For one, the terrible condition of Dueling Dragons gives me immense headaches after riding. "

 

love this one as well

 

"Believe what you want, but its about the money. If it was about doing it correctly and doing the best possible attraction for Potter fans, where the most Potter fans would see it and enjoy it, she would have taken Disney's offer."

 

 

There are so many more, the Disney Fan boys are are always trying to under sell Universal, but from what i have seen IOA looks way more themed than what Disney does.

 

But this one will all ways be my Favorite

 

"This whole thing is just an excuse for Universal to have their own castle so they can rip off Disney!!!"

[DarkMeasures]

First of all, thank God Universal got it and not Disney. I really want to see Disney working on original ideas instead of the existing franchises mostly seen in the past decade. And I think most Disney fans will actually be happy because they certainly didn't want Harry Potter in the 5 years of rumors that have existed.

 

Now Harry Potter is an interesting franchise. Forget about the movies, they are just generic movies based on books.

 

But here is why Potter is here to stay.

 

*spoilers for everything after this post. But you shouldn't care.*

 

The first three books were more of an entrance to the wizarding world. In each one, new characters are introduced and Harry is met with much acclaim to the world. He wins in all of them and is thusly dubbed the "Good Guy".

 

The fourth book, the mid-book marks the turning point in the series, and my point, that the series finally becomes good. Voldemort is revived finally and Harry actually loses at the end. And not only does he lose, but a friend dies. Not very close, but still important.

 

So the Fifth book comes. Voldemort missing. And the wizard world attacks Harry and Dumbledore for making up lies. Those who listen train to get ready, but it seems corruption is basically stopping all action, students, and adults from doing anything about Voldemort. The final conflict at the ministry of magic reveals the prophecy, and another close person to Harry dies. But the prophecy is what is important. Voldemort will either die from or kill his closest rival and that rival is the son of someone he killed. Only 2 people fit into those rules. Potter and Longbottom.

 

Sixth book things really bad start to happen. And in the end, Harry decides to no longer go to Hogwarts and instead spend his seventh year trying to kill Voldemort.

 

*end spoilers*

 

 

So my point is that, not only is Harry Potter a super coming of age story (thousands of pages of text), but the series gets darker as it progresses allowing many readers of all ages to enjoy the books.

 

The franchise will do wonders even decades from now. Harry Potter really is a literary work.

 

Posidon and the other show I would be happy to see removed as I don't like them. But I would like to see the Dueling Dragons section keep its theme.

[jarmor]

Just to throw some more fuel that dragons is going to be one of the attractions, or will it count as 2, after looking at this picture I cant help but notice a red and a blue dragon dueling at the entrance of that castle!

 

 

even larger picture showing it

[televisedconfession]

^^

well if you're talking about the castle to the right... then i'd say yeah it looks like a red and blue dragon dueling... making the coaster in the center Flying Unicorn and the coaster under the owl's wings something new... but that doesn't make sense positioning it like that would put the unicorn to the left and dragons to the right... putting everything south would be in the lake... but there is a bridge that looks like it could connect to jurassic park, but nothing in that picture makes too much sense to me... so i'm pretty much still in the dark.

 

here's hoping for more news. factual news. haha

[uwgbdork]

I think this would be quite obvious to anyone who has read the book or seen the movies. Dueling Dragons will be retheamed. Anyone who says otherwise is just in denial at this point. I personally love the ride as it stands but things change. Anyway, If you have seen Harry Potter 4 you would remember a scene in which 4 students must do battle with 4 separate dragons. The part that harry fights his dragon he uses his broomstick and flys in and out and around the castle. Dueling Dragons just happens consist of a roller coaster that is centered around a large castle. It is also interesting to note that further and further you get into the books, the darker and darker they get. The first couple are light and cheery but once you get to 3 and after there are people dying, excicutions, murders and everything in it. To pass the Harry Potter Craze as a young childrens type thing is truly gross overgeneralization. I personally know more adults that read the books the children. I am pretty sure that teh current queue line for DD will become the Hogwarts Castle. It is just that obvious to me. I think everyone will enjoy the shops that will be built with the over the top theming. Read some of the books and you will know what i am talking about.

[DATman]

The two dragons at its entrance are staying though, so perhaps it isn't getting too much of a retheme (if you look at number 6 on the link Jamor posted, the orange and blue right above it is the two dragons)

[arrowfanman]

Convinced by the photo that Jarmor posted, I glued together some photos and labled them accordingly. Forgive me if this has already been done.

 

-Jahan

[robbalvey]

Is there a key somewhere for all these numbers I keep seeing on all these images?

[arrowfanman]

^ I dont know! I just placed the numbers where they appeared to be on the concept art.

 

For example, 1 is the bridge to Jurassic park. 3 is the Flying Unicorn. 4 is DD. 5 is DD's station. Etc.

 

 

 

If I'm wrong (which is possible), then hit me with a penguin.

 

-Jahan

[King_K.]

A fun game of fill in the blanks.

 

 

[Guest]

i love harry potter and its going to be a wonderful thing

[bobafett]

Wow! A lot of negative feelings about this new project that is getting under way. I am a fan of both Disney and Universal.The only thing I hate about Disney is the way that they give out fast passes for only one ride at a time. Now when I got to Universal I always stay at one of their hotels to get front of the line access for their rides. Gotta love that. Both theme parks are great. Iam 33 years old and I love the HP books and movies. Of course she isn't a literary genius JK Rowling, but she created books for people to enjoy, not judge. How often do we read a trashy novel on the beach or read the tabloids on a flight to somewhere? And to say that she ripped off other stories and movies? Well, probably,but, hasn't that happened before? Flintstones=The Honeymooners, Star Wars=Buck Rogers and a million other different space stories,etc,etc. Things like books and rollercoasters were put on this earth to make us happy, not everyone likes books and not everyone likes rollercoasters. Be happy that you can go somewhere and enjoy the make believe that Disney and Universal have to offer. I know I do and I can't wait to taste my firstsip of ButterBeer!

[BeemerBoy]

that should upset all the Disneyworld fans!

Why?

 

I'm reserving judgement until I see and hear more, but as a Disney fan, why would I be upset over this?

 

This was taken from WDWMagic Forums:

 

"Yes, but will Potter alone be enough to save Universal? Doubtful.

 

Especially since they are going to take the cheap route like usual and do rethemes and things of that sort. I guess it was one way of getting around Rowling wanting multiple attractions and an entire land. Is Potter the type of product that can support an entire land? Disney didn't think so, and I agree with them. I guess we'll find out. It will probably be popular for a while, and through the release of the rest of the movies, but after that?

 

I'd check it out if its impressive on my first trip after it opens, but I doubt it will be any more than that. For one, the terrible condition of Dueling Dragons gives me immense headaches after riding. "

 

love this one as well

 

"Believe what you want, but its about the money. If it was about doing it correctly and doing the best possible attraction for Potter fans, where the most Potter fans would see it and enjoy it, she would have taken Disney's offer."

 

But this one will all ways be my Favorite

 

"This whole thing is just an excuse for Universal to have their own castle so they can rip off Disney!!!"

 

LOL. All the more reason I avoid Disney fan boards.

 

There are so many more, the Disney Fan boys are are always trying to under sell Universal, but from what i have seen IOA looks way more themed than what Disney does.

I'm not sure about that. If anything, they're on par with each other. But yes, the Disney fan boys can be as bad or worse than CP fan boys at times. When will they ever learn to welcome the quality competition? Orlando parks would never have any reason to consistently improve if they didn't have each other to feed off of.

[ginzo]

I'm not sure about that. If anything, they're on par with each other. But yes, the Disney fan boys can be as bad or worse than CP fan boys at times. When will they ever learn to welcome the quality competition? Orlando parks would never have any reason to consistently improve if they didn't have each other to feed off of.

 

Yeah, and the successes of Disney and Universal are not mutually exclusive. Many, many people do both when they travel to Orlando. I mean why limit yourself to one resort when you can do both?

 

BTW, that line about Dueling Dragons giving someone a headache is priceless. Imagine how that person would respond if they rode one of the truly awful rides out there, like 90% of the corporate park woodies.

[BarryH]

^If they really want a headache-inducing ride, I'm sure we can find a Vekoma SLC for them to experience.

 

Some people on Disney forums snort too much pixie dust and have Mickey-colored glasses. Heck, they can stay at Disney. One less person in line for the Mummy!

[thefitness]

Convinced by the photo that Jarmor posted, I glued together some photos and labled them accordingly. Forgive me if this has already been done.

 

-Jahan

 

 

Ugh, that image is depressing. If it's correct Lost Continent will be the smallest, most use-less island at the park. If they are including DD and Flying Unicorn as two of the three Potter rides that's pathetic. I geuss I better start taking a lot more pictures of LC before it's destroyed.

[Electerik]

I've seen a few posts hoping that Dueling Dragons won't be much affected. And I'm sure that it won't. However, for me personally, as someone who's worked at nearly every ride in the park, Dragons is the first thing I would take out. Or, at the very least, seriously rework.

 

Why? Because, no matter how I arrange my visit, my positive guest experience and "park exploration ease" always comes to a screeching halt there.

 

Also, the park's big coaster experiences are far too similar to one another.

 

So, I say, TAER IT DOWN! And put in a hypercoaster instead.

 

Yes, I am serious.

 

No, I'm not trolling.

 

Yes, I will be flamed.

 

No, they won't actually do it.

 

But, yes, I would really like for them to.

[thefitness]

^

[Mr. Volcano]

Interesting comments I see on here... I think that this project looks neat. If the project turns out being like some of the renderings (aerial renderings) above, that would make sense to me. Though the only employee parking lot I see is in front of Dueling Dragons, and with those pictures, the employee parking is not to be touched.

 

Good deal though, it will be cool to see something different for once, too bad that Oak Tavern restaurant is getting torn down, I kind of liked the archentecture on it, but I'm sure the new land will make me not miss it.

 

Who else will be happy as long as the Fountain doesn't get touched?

 

-Justin

[drewelap]

Why is everybody so pissed about this? I think it would be a great installment to an already great park. From everything I have read and looked at so far, I have come to the following conclusions.

 

1.) Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn will be rethemed, big deal, as long as they dont replace or change the tracks.

 

2.) There will be TWO NEW ATTRACTIONS. The first will be placed on the undeveloped land between flying unicorn and Jurassic park. (which kinda sucks since now Jurassic Park only has room for one more attraction between JPRA and Ripsaw falls.)

 

The second will be built on the employee parking lot behind Dueling Dragons. (with all the future resort changes, they will prob built a massive parking garage for employees anyways). The way they get you there is by boarding the hogwarts train (look at the painting) and it will take you to the new attraction.

 

I do not know which will be the kuku robotic arm ride, but it will probably be at the employee parking lot site (ron weasly's magic car themed ride would be better suited there instead of Hogwarts anyways.)

 

Posiedon and sinbad wont be replaced. I dont really know what to think of that. Well I guess its better to add more rides than replace them? They are ok attractions i guess, Lost Continent would be the smallest island and probably lamest then after this new change. Oh well.

 

Suck it Disney

[mmousefan]

If this is how its going to look the new entrance for Dueling Dragons...

 

 

I bet they are going to retheme it into a Quiddich Match!!!

 

 

 

 

I think it would look awesome!!!

[Disney Dood]

Then stick a giant gold ball in front of the train and make all the bludgers pop out at you along the course.... then you go through the loopy thing in the end. Nice idea^!

[mmousefan]

Then stick a giant gold ball in front of the train and make all the bludgers pop out at you along the course.... then you go through the loopy thing in the end. Nice idea^!

 

No I dont think they will stick a giant gold ball to the trains, that would be so cheap. But I bet they can do something awesome like adding LED ligths to the track to make the effect of the Golden Snitch.