Thrasher Posted March 4, 2006 Posted March 4, 2006 Hey guys. Its been a few months since Ive last been here because unfortunatly Ive been swamped with school work. I had a free weekend so I decided to head to IOA to see what was happening. This update is shorter than most because im going to spare you all the obligatory shots. So I headed to USO for a few quick rides on Mummy, and Jaws, which is now open. I didnt have a chance to ride it before it was rehabbed, but it seemed as if all the effects were working and it was a great show. After that, I headed over to IOA to check out how the new ride is coming along and to get some rides in on Hulk and Dueling Dragons. I decided to hit the park counter-clockwise, but starting of course with Hulk. It was to my suprise that they had extended the covering over the track under the bridge. The next few pics are of the new covering, which was done on both sides. It REALLY adds to the head chopper effect! The main update in the park had to be at Suess Landing though. There was a lot of work being done, and it was kind of distracting to the whole theme to see workers all over the roofs and scaffolding in pathways. They are repainting the roof of the Caro-suess-el and The Circus McGurkus Cafe, and they have begune re-painting Cat in the Hat. In addition, and by far the most confusing, they are repainting sections of the old track for the new ride, and other major portions are now removed. I had to go through the kid play area to get some of these pictures, so appreciate them! In addition, they were also doing more work on the entrances to the buildings. The entrance sign coming from Lost Continent is also MIA. I assume its being re-painted and fixed up. In the meantime, it was replaced by a two-sided banner. So I got my rides in on Duelign Dragons, whose wait times were the longest ive seen since I moved to Orlando. Dont forget Mardi Gras is still going full swing at the parks. There were signs, banners, posters, and beads all over the place, as well as a nifty stage. Thats all from Orlando! -Thrasher
ECZenith Posted March 4, 2006 Posted March 4, 2006 Cool, thanks for the update Thrasher. Wonder why they decided to cover IOA's tunnel some more?
KrakenKing Posted March 4, 2006 Posted March 4, 2006 The reason they put more covering over the track for the Hulk is because stupid park guests thought it would be funny to throw things (Pennies, etc) at the train as it passed... now it makes it harder for them to throw things as the train passes. When I was there last it was only on the side where the train pulls out of the loop, not the other sied. But it's not all bad, it does add a really great headchopper effect to the ride
Hattuchili Posted March 5, 2006 Posted March 5, 2006 Nice pictures, man! Thanks for posting! I can´t wait to visit Universal in a few days / weeks! --Sören
Erik Johnson Posted March 5, 2006 Posted March 5, 2006 I was at IOA about a week and a half ago and I do not remember the extended Hulk tunnel. So it must be something that they just added in the past week.
Thrasher Posted March 5, 2006 Author Posted March 5, 2006 Yea, I had walked past it and didnt even notice, then as I made a left to head to the lockers, it hit me that something wasnt right, so after looking for awhile, I finally figured it out. It completely changes the effect of going under the bridge, and IMO, improves the ride experience with the head chopper effect. And Soren, send me a PM when your going to go to IOA if you want to meet up or something!
pianojohn Posted March 5, 2006 Posted March 5, 2006 Thank goodness they are painting Seuss Landing. I worked there when the park opened in 1999, and the colors were so bright it was almost blinding. Since then, they have faded and were in need of some TLC. Hopefully they will repaint and get rid of the algae growing on the waterfall/fountain area right by the entrance to Seuss Landing from the main part of the park.
JT3000 Posted March 6, 2006 Posted March 6, 2006 Suess really needed this kind of attention. It seems the paint would fade quickly, and everytime they repainted it, they would do so with darker colors. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be the case this time. Now if only they'd do something about the cracks in the ground. They also need to clean and repaint Mythos. Half it's facade has turned green instead of it's original tan color. I realize this is because of the waterfalls, but come on.
DarkStitch626 Posted March 6, 2006 Posted March 6, 2006 You know , I know IOA isn't a place to screw up but I hope they fully encircle the tunnel cover, that just looks flimsey and as if the train passes it would fall! Not my idea of a good time.. Its cool but flimsey.
Mr. Volcano Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Hey, great pics! Its nice to see allitle update too, although I have renewed my Universal pass I haven't been able to go in quite awhile. It looks like the Suess Landing Monorail is going along nicely, its confusing to look at though and try to tell whats going on lol.. Was that Dr. Suess Hand always there or is it new? I know that sounds lame but I cant tell if it was just painted or a new addition... thats pretty bad huh? I'm not sure why IOA extended the tunnel like that but I'm sure they had some reason, maybe people were throwing stuff at the train when it was going by or something, who knows. It doesn't look REALLY bad but I'll miss seeing Hulk fly out of the little mist tunnel for sure. Anyways, great pics, thanks for the update! -Justin
verticalzero Posted March 14, 2006 Posted March 14, 2006 Nice photo's, do you have anymore to post. I agree with "DarkStitch626", there should be a full long tunnel with is pitch dark. I have to visit the park in the next few years.
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