Universal Orlando (Studios/IOA/Epic Universe) : General Discussion

Here's the thread for all talk about Orlando's Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure parks - which I will be visiting for the first time in two weeks

Lucky you going soon. I dont even want to think when I might actually get back to Orlando.

There are some exciting plans for the next few years as well which is great. we have the following to look forward to-

2012 (already Opened)-Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular(night time show), Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem,Superstar Parade & Superman upgrade at IOA

Late 2013-New Ride/Attraction at Universal Studios (project 609)- Construction has started and is heavily rumoured to be a copy of Transformers the ride, althouh same ride system as Spiderman its got amazing reviews since opening at two of their other parks). With the new Harry Potter area a few years away its seens as a stop gap as they are trying tp update the orginal park which is something thats needed.

2014-Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort-New hotel

2015- Harry Potter exapnsion on the Jaws site. This is expected to be the London area and will feature Diagon Alley, Gringotts Bank themed dark roller coaster ride and Hogwarts Express train that will take you to the orginal Harry potter area in IOA.

2016-Grinch themed coaster in IOA (Rumour), apprantly they are looking closly at coasters with dropping track (ie thirteen)

So the next few years look great for Universal Orlando and should hopefully encourage Disney make some big investments in WDW, IMO Epcot needs to updating in Future World with a couple of major new e-Tickets and Studios could do with a couple of new major attactions

Quite a lot happening at Universal right now. Construction on the old Sound stage 44 site [rumoured to be for Transformers] and obviously the conversion of Amity to the extension of the WWOHP. So let's dive into some updates:

















































US really does look like an absolute tip right now. Although I'm sure it'll be looking spectacular 3-4 years down the line

Universal Studios... America's Phantasialand...?

I hope they never get rid of Earthquake/Disaster!, that ride is so fab. <3

Went to both Universal parks last year! It was great!

Maelstrom said:

2015- Harry Potter exapnsion on the Jaws site. This is expected to be the London area and will feature Diagon Alley, Gringotts Bank themed dark roller coaster ride and Hogwarts Express train that will take you to the orginal Harry potter area in IOA.

Click to expand...

MY DREAM! For the Gringotts Bank themed dark roller coaster, at the end, they should put a waterfall and make it the one that washes away all enchantments! Like in the series!

Will they use the model train in the IOA HP area for transport? :O

Sam said:

I hope they never get rid of Earthquake/Disaster!, that ride is so fab. <3

Click to expand...

It wasn't that long ago that Earthquake became Disaster, so it's still quite a fresh ride. [Even the original part of the ride isn't that old]. The interraction that the hosts do with the guests is great. I was slightly nervous when they picked me to be in the production [I had foam bricks dropped on my head ] but it really is great fun. I'd hate to see it go, but yet I have a feeling it won't be standing this time in ten years.

cool_boy_jon said:

Will they use the model train in the IOA HP area for transport? :O

Click to expand...

Nope, anyone who's actually touched it (or knocked on it) will tell you it's a fibre glass shell and is hollow. So I reckon they'll scrap it and have an actual working one (seemly steam but electric powered).

They wouldn't scrap it, surely? They could send it to the other Universal, sell it or see if the Studio Tour in London would like it. It just seems like a waste if they get rid of it after only a couple of years.

I would have thought that they would send it off to one of the other Universals. I certainly look forward to seeing the actual train that shuttles guests from park to park though.

I'm still a bit annoyed they removed Jaws before I could get to Florida.
It seemed like a very great attraction, It's replacement has a lot to live up to.

SamJ, when I visited in 2010 the ride was in a fairly sorry state (and that's a huge deal for the pristine Florida parks!). A fair few of the effects weren't working at all, including the finale, and it generally looked dirty and dated. I appreciate the ride has a lot of sentiment from the film lovers, but it really was looking shabby the technology was old school, the effects were intermittent (if at all in parts), and it looked as if it had been forgotten about.

The new project however... wow. My little Universal antennas are waving wildly at the prospect of such an immense Harry Potter expansion! Think I'll be booking my 2015 holiday in the not so distant future .


Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

I was a big fan of the films to be honest
But it's better removed and remembered when it was running well than left to slowly deteriorate.
I also cannot wait to see what they do with the massive space that jaws occupied, should be good

I was disappointed when I heard Jaws was being removed but the reasons given, basically what Sazzle just said, do make sense.

The fact that they always install a Jurassic Park ride in their new parks (I think) and have even been trying to update them with the rapids element makes me happy. It shows that the removal of Jaws really was just because it was that ride's time to go...not because they're out to replace classic movies with whatever the next fad is. Of course they do that too (Transformers) but whilst they're still reppin' JP...I'll be happy.

Now all I need to do is actually GO! ;P

Had my 2nd visit to Florida last September and rode JAWS a few times, once in the dark at HHN21 and it was as good as ever.

Was very sad to hear it go, and tbh in still against it. Although WWHP was the most amazing place I think I've ever been and The Forbidden Journey is quite possibly the best ride experience I have ever been on, I'm not really for an expansion in UO.

Seeing as the HP films finished a while back I don't think they'll have a legacy as big as JAWS, Kong etc.

Whilst an expansion of WWHP in IOA would be great (without affecting JP) but I'm sure my mind will change when I see it constructed.

Construction has finally begun to go vertical, with the first signs of framework being installed a few days ago.

A look at some of the theming that will be placed on the lake:







And, the presumed location of where the Hogwarts Express will arrive at IOA from the Studios:







Also, several of the midway games in Lost Continent have been shut down and bordered up.

More images can be found here.

They've done quite well to conceal the construction from inside the park - I was at IOA yesterday and I didn't see any sign. The only thing I did see was a couple of cranes behind Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit but they were in Universal Studios not IOA.

The Psychoaster said:

They've done quite well to conceal the construction from inside the park - I was at IOA yesterday and I didn't see any sign. The only thing I did see was a couple of cranes behind Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit but they were in Universal Studios not IOA.

Click to expand...

They will probably be for the Transformers ride on the old Soundstage 44 site

New opening date for Transformers: summer 2013.

Screamscape said:

2013 - Transformers: The Ride / Project 609 - Rumor - (9/5/12) I’ve got a quick correction… one that will really impress some of you, and sure to send others into a tizzy of disbelief. Apparently I did my math wrong… because I’ve been informed that if all goes as planned, Universal Studios Florida will actually be ready to open Transformers: The Ride as early as June 2013! This is just utterly shocking… and will apparently require construction crews to be working 24/7 to accomplish this amazing feat, but at the rapid pace they have set, it certainly does look possible.

Click to expand...

Sam said:

New opening date for Transformers: summer 2013.

Screamscape said:

2013 - Transformers: The Ride / Project 609 - Rumor - (9/5/12) I’ve got a quick correction… one that will really impress some of you, and sure to send others into a tizzy of disbelief. Apparently I did my math wrong… because I’ve been informed that if all goes as planned, Universal Studios Florida will actually be ready to open Transformers: The Ride as early as June 2013! This is just utterly shocking… and will apparently require construction crews to be working 24/7 to accomplish this amazing feat, but at the rapid pace they have set, it certainly does look possible.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

24/7?! They must be desperate to attract more people to the Universal Studios side now IOA has taken over in popularity.