Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[marth555]

reminds me of willy wonka

[Nrthwnd]

^ That's what I thought too, when I first saw it! I was actually looking for the Willy Wonka logo above the main sign.

Now, after reading about their upcoming menus etc., definitely not Willy Wonka, heh.

[robbalvey]

King Kong ride vehicles revealed along with more details about the ride!

[shadox17]

I knew the ride vehicles were huge, but still impressive to hear those numbers!

[Jcoaster]

This is going to be so freakin amazing. Universal is on a hot streak as of late.

[SixFlagsAstroworld]

[pianojohn]

Some pics I took yesterday at IOA and USF.

 

Spring Break has arrived and with it the CROWDS. I guess I will wait til April to go back!

So far so good

A panoramic view of what is left to do

Those supports that everyone is freaking out over

Track

More track

Kong

Kong panorama from Jurassic play area

Dora was freaking out over my Rivers of Light t-shirt.

[snoflake15]

Is there any update as to possible openings of Kong and re-opening of Hulk? Both look fairly advanced.

[cookiex]

Is there any update as to possible openings of Kong and re-opening of Hulk? Both look fairly advanced.

Still "summer 2016" for both projects, but late May/early June looks plausible especially since Kong has been testing since a few weeks back.

[Renegade37]

I am heading to Universal/Islands for my first visit on March 28-30, right after Easter Sunday. I'm expecting huge crowds but just how huge are we talking? Any advice on how to tackle the rides at each park in order to assure we get on everything?

[pianojohn]

I am heading to Universal/Islands for my first visit on March 28-30, right after Easter Sunday. I'm expecting huge crowds but just how huge are we talking? Any advice on how to tackle the rides at each park in order to assure we get on everything?

 

If you're staying on property, you will get in an hour early. Do Diagon Alley one morning and Hogsmeade the other. If not, prepare to wait. The crowds will be crazy.

 

Single rider lines at Forbidden Journey, Gringotts, Mummy, Dr. Doom, Spiderman, Transformers, and Men in Black will help you get on those rides. The single rider line for Rip Ride Rockit usually moves VERY slowly.

 

Good luck!

[KBrylczyk]

The single rider line for Rip Ride Rockit usually moves VERY slowly.

 

Understatement of the century, right there. A geriatric crippled snail moves like lightning in comparison.

[cookiex]

Rip Ride Rockit has to have the only line where I was ready to just give up and leave because it was that horrible. The coaster itself wasn't that great either so it definitely wasn't worth the wait.

[Jew]

Is there any update as to possible openings of Kong and re-opening of Hulk? Both look fairly advanced.

Still "summer 2016" for both projects, but late May/early June looks plausible especially since Kong has been testing since a few weeks back.

 

Testing doesn't necessarily mean an opening is imminent. Depends on the process and what testing finds. I wouldn't plan anything for any specific date just yet.

Edited March 17, 2016 by Jew

[snoflake15]

Is there any update as to possible openings of Kong and re-opening of Hulk? Both look fairly advanced.

Still "summer 2016" for both projects, but late May/early June looks plausible especially since Kong has been testing since a few weeks back.

 

Going to be tight for my trip. In week of 13-20 May I have a nervous wait for these two, Mako and Cobras Curse.

[chargersmichael]

Was at the park today! The Cobra Roll is complete and the twist coming out of the tunnel was started!!! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures with me as my phone died by the time I finished up at Universal and made it over to Islands.

 

Btw, anyone notice something weird about the tunnel? The last green strip on the outside looks crooked and broken almost. It looks as if it they slid it back. Also, the opening out of the tunnel looks more narrow. It seems they built a smaller ring around it just before you exit the tunnel.

 

Kong was looking amazing! I'm sure it is going to be a huge hit with the park!

 

Lots of work was being done on the outside of the Jimmy Fallon building. Almost looks as if a new facade was being put up.

[rcrider4]

The ring on the end of the tunnel looks weird because they removed those green shard decorations from the end. And also the tunnel doesn't get any narrower at the end than it did before. It has always been that way. And if anyone wants to see good footage of Hulk, Mako Madness has some great shots in his newest video.

[B&MBoy1982]

The guy from Mako Madness said that it looks as if they are getting the tunnel ready for repainting.

 

As for the narrow part of the tunnel, it has always been there. Hard to see from the train or the ground.

 

Found this by using this new thing called Google.

[KarlaKoaster]

I can't believe how quickly the track is going up, particularly as most of the work is being done at night... it's only about 10-or-so pieces from being completed!

Edited March 20, 2016 by KarlaKoaster

[coasterfreak101]

^As a person who studied structural engineering in school, this was really interesting! Thanks!

[SixFlagsAstroworld]

I wonder how the changes might affect the ride performance. Even slightly

[Jcoaster]

The new Hulk looks gorgeous, I can't wait to see how it rides.

[CPmillenia94]

^^I would expect smoother, and staying smooth for a long time

[thrillrider]

I was surfing youtube this morning and ran across a video of whats left of the nick studios at universal florida. It looks as if they just got up and left the building as is.

 

Here is the video...

[SixFlagsAstroworld]

^R.I.P. Nickelodeon studios