Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[Hercules]

Love it! You have no idea how many times I've tried to correct people on the name of the area!

 

"It's the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, not 'Harry Potter Land' or 'World of Potter'."

 

I don't think that was the point of the comic, but interpret it however you like.

[disney4me2001]

I don't think that was the point of the comic, but interpret it however you like.

 

I was just pointing out how much I liked that part of the comic. Yes, I realize that the comic was at least in part referring to the discussion going on earlier about the relevance (or rather lack thereof) of Toon Lagoon's characters.

[Bryce]

Been following this for a while. I honestly love Universal for all that they're doing, and this just helps my increased love for them. The dark-ride sounds completely amazing. I feel like Universal's Islands of Adventure needs more family rides, and this sounds perfect. Plus it's canon.

[Bryce]

I don't think that was the point of the comic, but interpret it however you like.

 

I was just pointing out how much I liked that part of the comic. Yes, I realize that the comic was at least in part referring to the discussion going on earlier about the relevance (or rather lack thereof) of Toon Lagoon's characters.

Personally, I don't think the characters featured on the facades of shops and along the main strip matter that much. Sure, you may recognize a few, but that isn't their purpose. They're there to help symbolize that you're walking through the Sunday pages. The land is more geared to the whole, broad topic of newspaper comics, not towards specific characters. That's why there is so many featured and that's why the meet & greets and the two attractions are based on the more well-known ones.

[Jew]

I don't think anyone really cares about the theme of the area---the majority of the guests probably just think of that area as the spot with the two fun water rides.

[chargersmichael]

Screamscape reports that members of Universal, Warner Bros., and Comcast were "touring" IOA lately.

 

Rumor has it that members of NBC/Universal’s top brass were seen touring Islands of Adventure with members of Warner Bros and Comcast top brass this week, with a heavy focus on looking over every inch of Toon Lagoon, as well as showing off the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Early Middle-Earth talks maybe?

[tmhuber]

This last rumor about Comcast and WB big wigs roaming Toon Lagoon makes sense. The whole revamp of JP for 2014 in align with the release of JP4 makes sense. The only time I was at IOA, i wanted to ride Duddley-do-right falls, but it was too cold. But I think that was the only thing I wanted to do in that section. I think I ate a burger in the QSR Toon Lagoon section, but only because I was hungry by the time I walked by it. GG indoor mine coaster would be cool since I never rode a woody indoors, and there are no wooden coasters in central florida. I really liked the boat ride at JP island, maybe the best boat ride I ever road. I think this move by Universal is smart.

 

-Tim "I think Robb is a genius" Huber.

 

I really do think this.

[Jew]

I think it's a stretch to assume that just because people in suits were spotted walking the area, it ]has to be for future expansion...

[Inukaza]

Hi there, I spent 3 hours cleaning our queue line at Dragons for these suits that didn't even come to our attraction. They WERE actually in the park though, and did visit toon landing, not rumor. Though, what they were here for? *shurgs*

[chargersmichael]

I made a trip to Islands of Adventure today! First off, there were doing a lot of construction today with a big crane over by sinbad and dragon challenge. Dragon challenge was closed today. Harry Potter seemed different to me. The beginning and ending there was a green light of some sort and though you traveled through hogwarts. Jurassic park was closed when we went by and they said they don't know if it will open today. I couldn't tell what was behind the walls by the front of the park. Also, in the parking garage, it looked liked a lot of new advertising signs are in prep for city walk. One of them said something like "be in the movies every day." I forgot to charge my camera so I have no pictures. Heading to universal and will hopefully get some pictures.

[Bryce]

I made a trip to Islands of Adventure today! First off, there were doing a lot of construction today with a big crane over by sinbad and dragon challenge. Dragon challenge was closed today. Harry Potter seemed different to me. The beginning and ending there was a green light of some sort and though you traveled through hogwarts. Jurassic park was closed when we went by and they said they don't know if it will open today. I couldn't tell what was behind the walls by the front of the park. Also, in the parking garage, it looked liked a lot of new advertising signs are in prep for city walk. One of them said something like "be in the movies every day." I forgot to charge my camera so I have no pictures. Heading to universal and will hopefully get some pictures.

Yep. They changed that confusing Floo Network scene where it looked like you were flying through chimneys. I think the new green orb looks much better.

[BenFreeze]

^What exactly is the green orb? Is it still a projection or what?

[PeggedSole]

With three different types of B&Ms running backwards seating for the upcoming season and with one of those coasters at Universal (Japan), do you think we'll possibly see Universal Orlando run coaster trains in reverse in the future?

 

I think Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge might be a good candidate for backwards trains on one of the tracks depending on how reverse-Batman at SFGAm goes. The Dragons don't duel anymore as it is so why not try reversing one of the sides for something different?

[Bryce]

^What exactly is the green orb? Is it still a projection or what?

Yes. It's a projection of a glowing orb that follows the rider. I guess to symbolize that you're traveling by magic? I like it much, much better than what was there before.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.wesh.com/themeparks/other/Universal-to-host-Days-of-Our-Lives-fan-fest/-/14183038/18281934/-/5iu800/-/index.html?absolute=true&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=wesh

 

Stars of NBC's "Days of Our Lives" are heading to Orlando in February.

 

Universal Orlando will host a fan event on Feb. 23 for the daytime drama.

 

Fans of the series will have the chance to meet many of their favorite stars of the show during autograph signings and a question-and-answer session.

 

Stars expected to be in attendance are: James Scott (E.J. DiMera), John Aniston (Victor Kiriakis), Arianne Zucker (Nicole Walker), Shawn Christian (Dr. Daniel Jonas), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Peggy McCay (Caroline Brady), Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux), Camila Banus (Gabi Hernandez), Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez) and Casey Deidrick (Chad DeMera).

 

Events will take place throughout the Universal Orlando Resort, including CityWalk and Universal Studios.

 

Autograph signings will take place at CityWalk from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. A question-and-answer session will be held in the Animal Actors Theater inside Universal Studios at 3:45 p.m.

 

After the day's events, the stars will toss beads from floats during the Mardi Gras parade at Universal Studios beginning at 7:45 p.m.

 

Theme park admission is required for the events inside the park.

 

"Days of Our Lives" can be seen every weekday at 1 p.m. on WESH 2.

[kissrox101]

Universal Orlando will always have a place in my heart, no matter what changes they make.

[jray21]

^^It will be interesting to see how this works for Universal. Disney got rid of there Soap Opera weekend a couple of years ago, so it will be interesting to see how this smaller event with only one soap opera works out.

[cfc]

^I think the big problem with the "classic" soap opera as we know it is that the form became too successful. So many TV series use "story arcs" now that they've all become much like soap operas.

[Jew]

^^CItywalk and USH have hosted this event in the past and it was always insanely popular.

[donkeyman18]

Screamscape posted this today.

General Resort News - (2/4/13) Universal Orlando will lose another interesting attraction soon… one that a good number of people might never knew existed. Since 2004 TNA Wrestling has been shooting TNA Impact, aired on Spike TV, from one of Universal Orlando’s soundstages. I believe their typically would tape a pair of episodes one evening about every two weeks or so, and guests at Universal Orlando were allowed in for free to serve as the live studio audience.

TNA will tape their last regular show at the Impact Zone in Orlando on March 7th before taking TNA Impact on the road for all future shows, touring around the nation much like WWE does with their show schedule. From time to time TNA may return to the Impact Zone for the occasional show, but for now wrestling fans in Orlando will have to get their last regular fix on March 7th before bidding TNA “Bon Voyage!”

[SharkTums]

They still shoot things at Universal Orlando!?!?

[paiging_jen]

They still shoot things at Universal Orlando!?!?

I've actually been there on nights they were taping these shows and needless to say the people waiting to get into the tapings were quite "interesting".

[ernierocker]

I'm sure the ratio of mullets to non-mullets in the park increases sharply on those night.

[Wes]

They still shoot things at Universal Orlando!?!?

I've actually been there on nights they were taping these shows and needless to say the people waiting to get into the tapings were quite "interesting".

 

Discussing organic quinoa recipes and the latest Maureen Dowd column, no doubt.

[cfc]

Screamscape posted this today.

General Resort News - (2/4/13) Universal Orlando will lose another interesting attraction soon… one that a good number of people might never knew existed. Since 2004 TNA Wrestling has been shooting TNA Impact, aired on Spike TV, from one of Universal Orlando’s soundstages. I believe their typically would tape a pair of episodes one evening about every two weeks or so, and guests at Universal Orlando were allowed in for free to serve as the live studio audience.

TNA will tape their last regular show at the Impact Zone in Orlando on March 7th before taking TNA Impact on the road for all future shows, touring around the nation much like WWE does with their show schedule. From time to time TNA may return to the Impact Zone for the occasional show, but for now wrestling fans in Orlando will have to get their last regular fix on March 7th before bidding TNA “Bon Voyage!”

 

Pro 'rasslin hasn't been the same since Tor Johnson died.