Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

Astroturf!

The stage was being painted today, and looks great.

As for the coaster opening, definitely don't hold your breath for any type of February preview. I'd say April, at the earliest.

Thanks for the Seuss Landing info. (I always forget to quote, and actually do not know how to double quote) I just read the WDW marathon TR by Nay, and she actually had a pic from Seuss Landing. What timing! I really didnt realize just how close they were to each other. I know they are next door, but I guess because we never see anything, it felt like a world away!

That one circular element looks like, its ...well, circular in that picture. LOL. It has that effect of looking like it is going to connect. (I know its not - for those of you who are thinking...what is she talking about?)

Thanks alot for those updates everyone!

Wow, look at the construction work fly, gotta be done by May surely?

I have friends that worked or do work on the ride but thanks to dumb Harry Potter, they are also planning to make dueling dragons a quiddich match. Anywho I heard that "cdride" was going to affiliate with the cars or trains of this ride. I really think the X cars would be difficult to work with so they might have the new Maure Shone trains running on the track. I can't wait for them to put up this one-of-a-kind loop!! I have gone every sunday and trust me pictures do no justice. Can't wait to ride it!!!

I am very amazed by how fast this coaster is going up! It looks fantastic! I can not wait to get back down to FL to ride this thing!!

~Matthew

I haven't been on an X-car before anyway, so it will definitely be a new experience.

They're certainly a different experience, of PAIN. The restraints on these things are god awful. Say goodbye to your hip-bones!

Unless Maurer have sorted out the whole 'keeps locking further and further as the ride progresses' by the end of it you won't be breathing.

I haven't been on an X-car before anyway, so it will definitely be a new experience.

 

They're certainly a different experience, of PAIN. The restraints on these things are god awful. Say goodbye to your hip-bones!

 

Unless Maurer have sorted out the whole 'keeps locking further and further as the ride progresses' by the end of it you won't be breathing.

Awh man don't tell me that!! Now i gonna contemplate with myself!!

btw-Is the hulk bumpy?

I haven't been on it yet.

^ Not from what I've experienced it wasn't.

And we're planning to head down to Universal some time, can't wait to see this coaster...even if it's not finished by the time I'm there. Now I have a reason to go to the main park instead of IOA all the time. The only thing I really liked at the main one was Jaws and Earthquake (now called Disaster as all of you know. Lol)

I can't say for sure that Maurer has officially changed the restraints, but I can tell you that the restraints on G Force were terrible, Abysmo was much better, and Formule X was amazing!

So maybe they've figured something out, or I just got better at understanding how to use those terrible restraints!

You know, it's just cool to see a coaster in the skyline over at USO. I like the this last shot and think HR3 adds a lot to the area.

Looking good my friend.

^That baby is making sure everyone looks at her

^And they haven't even started on the lift hill or the loop thingy element yet. Those are going to be massive in comparison.

^ And there are still taller pieces to be put up in that Citywalk section too.

Johnny upsidedown has posted a new update. It looks great!!!

I really hope this thing has some speed to it after the first set of brake runs...cause this has a lot of potential. It's a great looking coaster, and it's not even landscaped yet! Or the most impressive sections up!

I love watching this thing grow day by day. I know I was somewhat against it as in my opinion cutting into theming and such but its turning into a beautiful coaster.

Johnny upsidedown has posted a new update. It looks great!!!

After checking out this update I am officially stoked to ride this coaster, it looks amazing! I definitely had my doubts about the theme of production central being ruined and I was worried that the layout was going to be unsatisfying, but WOW. HRRR completely fits in the surrounding area, the layout looks great (look at how steep the drops coming out of the brake runs are), and the coaster just looks stunning overall.

Now my only concern is... the restraints on the trains.

I actually think it works well over there in Production Central. If it was in San Francisco/Amity I could see how it would ruin it. But previously there was just an empty boneyard sitting there amongst soundstages. I would much rather have Rockit looming above.

Absolutely. The Boneyard served its purpose for many a year but over time it became an eyesore. The new ampitheatre and the coaster will be much better for guest satisfaction.

Wow, I am so impressed with this new coaster. Universal is full of amazing ideas for their parks.

Does anybody know the degree of that drop off the brake run? Thanks.

I have to say (and as I hoped on page 5 of this thread) that I'm pretty impressed with this. This will probably be my #1 anticipated ride for '09.

Is there any new pictures from today?

*Lift hill has had some work done, nothing major

*The sides of the stage are painted

*It looks like more stuff has been added to the ride building, what exactly I don't know.

They've been busy, it's shaping up, but as far as you guys are concerned nothing photo-worthy has happened.

New ticket booth ads too. Courtesy of NickC.

^I'm really liking the HRRR ads. Full of energy and color. I'm seriously looking forward to riding this ride whenever the next time I'm able to get to Orlando is. Definitely excited to see the construction of the lift hill and non-inverting loop continue in the near future.

^ Is there a loop like it anywhere else in the world? On any other coaster?

There's been a low rumble in the Rumor Mill that the Island Skipper Tours might be returning once again to Islands.

If anyone remembers the iconic scene from the first Potter movie in which they arrive to Hogwarts by boat, then you'll understand what the significance of the rumor is. If they were to expand the current inlet from the Inland Sea going under the old JP/Lost bridge they can carve out a path through the pre existing foothills and all the way back to the castle, giving the illusion that your boat was navigating the cliffs at the base of the castle.

(Cause remember the castle is being built UPON the big ol' show box)

Direct transportation to the hot new attractions in the park would be an incredibly smart thing to do, especially seeing how they already have queue and a loading platform built and up to code

Construction around The Flying Unicorn has begun too.