Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[King_K.I wrote the book about donkeys!]

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.

[King_K.I wrote the book about donkeys!]

Not that I'm aware of. I think it's a first.

Here's some stuff from the original press release..

* Features six near-miss moments and first-ever thrills including a record-breaking loop.

Vital Stats

- 167 feet tall.
- 3800 feet of track.
- Reaches top speeds of 65 mph and towers 17 stories over Universal Studios Florida.
- Will be largest, tallest, fastest X track installation in the world.
- 1st coaster to ever include onboard guest selectable audio and 1 person video capture.
- New X Car designed by Universal Creative to include audio, video, and color changing Daylight LED.

- 3 new maneuvers:
+ Doubletake - Non-inverting loop.
+ Treble Clef - Ascending high-G helix into a Hi-Hat stall and vertical dive.
+ Jump Cut - Spiraling negative-G camelback.

- Other maneuvers:
+ Crowd Surfer - Overbanked curve crowd fly-by.
+ Drop Tuning - Sideways drop into chasm.
+ Plot Twist - Sideways loop.
+ Chorus - High speed ground maneuvers.

[CDIndiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Donkey.]

Does anyone have any idea as to how the "people mover loading and unloading" to be installed on HRRR will work? I am assuming that there is a moving sidewalk or the cars are continuously moving. Does anyone know more?

[ShavethewhalesI wish they would make Street Fighter Donkey.]

^I'm assuming it's some gimmick with moving floor space. The cars will stop for loading, I'm sure - I don't want to think about what it would be like to manage that mess.

If there is a moving floor, that does imply that the dispatches will have to keep a regular pace, so no slacking when you're being seated! I can just see some large fellow putting a dent on the whole show when it takes 10 mins to convince him that he's too large to ride.

[gotdaneOh my cherries!]

^The vehicles on Mulholland Madness at DCA are constantly moving through the station...and theres no moving floor there.

It can work rather easily. It's very easy to stop and resume vehicle motion. And Rock It vehicles will be easier to get into than an Xcar Im sure.

[coolhandlukeA donkey is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family.]

I've heard Crush's Coaster was modified for Disney to have perpetually moving cars. I dunno about the floor, but looking at the RCDB pics it almost looks like there's a small strip of floor next to the track. Maybe the strip moves with the cars? Maybe someone who's been there can confirm one way or the other.

I don't like the looks of the ride in the sense of aesthetics. As a ride, though, it looks MUCH better that I was anticipating.

[ForkI Love Donkeys!]

Yes, there will be a moving floor. Universal has contracted Magic Carpet to do the loading system. They're the same company doing the load system for the Harry Potter attraction. It'll work just like any other attraction with continuously loading vehicles. Cars and floor moving at the same speed.

[ShellemonsterDoes Jeff Johnson count this donkey as a credit?]

That may be one way Universal is satisfying J.K. Rowling's wishes that everyone has a wizarding world experience like in the books. She wanted some very unrealistic terms, as described in this Jim Hill Media article.

That sounds like a way to satisfy her wishes while also vastly improving guest flow issues.

Nice picture too. That looks like a castle spire, and I've not seen any pictures of that yet. Do you have anymore, because it's rather hard to tell where that is.

[CoasterEricHPI just swallowed a whole donkey!]

It does look like a castle spire.. or maybe the roof of Hagrid's Hut?! Since the retheme of the Flying Unicorn is being themed to Hagrid and that part of the Hogwarts "campus"..

I'm wondering if the queue of the attraction will wind its way through the different area's of Hogwarts (which would be awesome).. or if there will also be a whole separate area in the castle that will be open to all guests.

Can you imagine if they have a character dining/show that takes place throughout Hogwarts and ends with dinner in the Great Hall??! That would make the long waiting list at Cinderella's Castle seem like NOTHING and would be a must do for a ton of guests and people would pay!

They could even hold it after park hours (in the offseason) and have guests take a boat from the Port of Entry to Hogwarts.. in the dusk/darkness.. it'd be HUGE!

Anyways.. I do hope they can capture the creepy/scary atmosphere of some parts of the book in the ride instead of making it too kiddy!

[King_K.I wrote the book about donkeys!]

Hm, this picture was put up today of the same area. So I'm guessing that it is Hagrid's Hut.