Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

Erik - That was the IOA that I loved! This Potter stuff doesn't appeal to me. I know I'm in the minority, but still... *sigh*

Erik - That was the IOA that I loved! This Potter stuff doesn't appeal to me. I know I'm in the minority, but still... *sigh*

Lost Continent as a whole was amazing during the younger years of IOA. Seeing the old entrance photo compared to the "Dragon Challenge" entrance is just depressing.

Great pictures, Erik. Fire Dragon was quite possibly the best invert I've ever been on behind Montu, and Ice is just unique and awesome in every way (that cobra roll is legendary, I swear). May they both rest in peace.

It's sad to see a near perfect attraction getting treated like this.

Yeah those pictures are kinda of sad to see, that attractions was the total package and just on a different level that we might not ever see again (state side at least, I see you Phantasialand).

Wow, those pictures really bring to light a lot of the fun that Universal as a whole has killed off in recent years. Comcast really has sucked the life out of the place in favor of cash cow fan service.

Very cool photos. I never got to ride Dueling Dragons, but I had friends who went to IoA back when these were new, probably 2000 or 2001, and they were so excited about them. Thanks for allowing me a glimpse of what used to be.

Wow. I never visited IoA pre-Potter, so it's pretty incredible seeing pictures to realize how much that ride was bastardized to shoehorn them into Hogsmeade. Shame they're being removed; both sides are kick-ass inverts.

Considering Universal has recently gained the rights to Dreamworks, you would think they would've kept the ride and given it a How to train your dragon theme.

No, I wouldn't think that. Harry Potter is infinitely more marketable a brand than How to Train Your Dragon.

If Dragons are far away from Potter then it would be very possible to get a re-theme. Sadly Dragons take up a huge plot of land right next to Potter.

I am so glad i got my final ride on these two coasters this year, but it hasn't been the same since the duelling stopped, but they are still both awesome individual coasters.

Should have moved them to the Studios and themed them to Kodos and Kang the aliens in The Simpsons area.

Should have moved them to the Studios and themed them to Kodos and Kang the aliens in The Simpsons area.

I would approve of this idea.

Should have moved them to the Studios and themed them to Kodos and Kang the aliens in The Simpsons area.

 

I would approve of this idea.

Or literally anywhere that does not have "Garbage," "Trash," "Recycling," "Reclamation," or "Dump" in its name.

I have to admit, a lot of Universal's recent decisions have me worried about how the Nintendo area is going to turn out. I'm sure it will be great on a visual level but the actual attractions are a toss-up, I think. Hopefully N's attention to quality will help. I suppose worst case there will at least be some great merch, which I have an apparent genetic weakness for.

The final weekend looms upon us.

Subtle.

But effective.

This year of closures has been hard for me, but this one will be the most painful. I'm so lucky I got to go January, when the park was empty and this ride had a walk on. My friends and I rode twice on each side, and I even summed it up as the best ride experience on the entire Orlando trip last time. Not sure why it was the best ride this time around, but it was. Been on this ride many times but just wish I could give it one final goodbye.

I'm hoping that it's not destroyed and turned into scrap. Is there not any theme park interested in a dueling B&M invert? I know it takes up a large amount of property but installing this to a new theme park can give it new life. It can duel again and be a major draw for any park it opens at. I can only hope to see it again somewhere else....

Wishful thinking

What's the over/under on the new Potter attraction having some crappy tribute to the Dragons? Like they spare one of the skulls from the queue that you see for .0001 second during the ride.

Like they spare one of the skulls from the queue that you see for .0001 second during the ride.

The skulls were all thrown away in 2010 when they re-themed the queue to Potter.

Like they spare one of the skulls from the queue that you see for .0001 second during the ride.

The skulls were all thrown away in 2010 when they re-themed the queue to Potter.

Yes I remember reading that Rowling wanted anything non Potter removed from the ride if they were to retheme it to the series.

^^

Damn that makes me hate rowling even more.

Where were the skulls in the ride again?

Where were the skulls in the ride again?

It was part of the original queue...

Like they spare one of the skulls from the queue that you see for .0001 second during the ride.

The skulls were all thrown away in 2010 when they re-themed the queue to Potter.

Wait, really? I've been on them since the retheme and I could have sworn some were still there. I definitely remember the skeletons and frozen knights being removed in favor of crappy tents and what not but the winding catacombs section remained. Guess my memory is screwing with me.

Wait, really? I've been on them since the retheme and I could have sworn some were still there.

Nope. Just some bare walls now.