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Universal Orlando (Studios/IOA/Epic Universe) : General Discussion
Benjsh
TS Member
13 is a great example of where Towers/Merlin came up with a really good idea but didn't quite pull it off. The backstory and theme is good but the ride, especially the outdoor section, is just so ordinary and bland. It will always be a "what could have been" ride for me. I still like it but I will always feel like they missed a trick with it.
Edit: That Potter coaster looks stunning though. The level of detail that looks to be going into what is essentially a slightly better version of 13 really is incredible. It will make all the difference I'm sure. Far better fit for the park than the dueling B&M's which may have been good for thrillseekers but not so much for the target audience of the area.
Edit: That Potter coaster looks stunning though. The level of detail that looks to be going into what is essentially a slightly better version of 13 really is incredible. It will make all the difference I'm sure. Far better fit for the park than the dueling B&M's which may have been good for thrillseekers but not so much for the target audience of the area.
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Matt N
TS Member
I personally think Thirteen is a fun and rather underrated family coaster, but I'd certainly say that this looks better than Thirteen from what we've seen so far. I'd say it almost looks like a mini Taron in parts, and look how much praise that ride gets!
Controversially, I'd also say that there's a high chance I will prefer this coaster to both Dragon Challenges (even excluding the theming); I really wasn't a fan of either side of that coaster!
Controversially, I'd also say that there's a high chance I will prefer this coaster to both Dragon Challenges (even excluding the theming); I really wasn't a fan of either side of that coaster!
RicketyCricket
TS Member
I really enjoy Thirteen nowadays as I've accepted it for what it is. The first drop is fun, and the indoor/backwards section is great.13 is a great example of where Towers/Merlin came up with a really good idea but didn't quite pull it off. The backstory and theme is good but the ride, especially the outdoor section, is just so ordinary and bland. It will always be a "what could have been" ride for me. I still like it but I will always feel like they missed a trick with it.
But yeah - the overall outdoor section should be a lot better than it is.
John_P
TS Member
Thirteen would've been great if they'd built more of a coaster at the start. I still like it though.
Also the theming was confusing initially, when I went the week it opened I thought the scaffolding in the entrance was legitimately because they'd not finished the station at that point.
Also the theming was confusing initially, when I went the week it opened I thought the scaffolding in the entrance was legitimately because they'd not finished the station at that point.
Agree with the sentiments re: Thirteen. I would say Thirteen and NST are two excellent ideas that haven’t been executed to their potential, although they certainly did better with the former than the latter.
I’ve always felt with Thirteen that it would have benefitted from being entirely enclosed, other than perhaps the ‘escape’ section at the end where you’re launched backwards. I understand why it isn’t all enclosed, as its for a forest theme and they already have natural theming there, but I feel it would have benefitted from being a different theme that suited a dark ride setup. If they did that properly I feel they could probably have gotten away with the first part of the ride as it is and it would have felt far more exciting as it’s is indoors.
I’ve always felt with Thirteen that it would have benefitted from being entirely enclosed, other than perhaps the ‘escape’ section at the end where you’re launched backwards. I understand why it isn’t all enclosed, as its for a forest theme and they already have natural theming there, but I feel it would have benefitted from being a different theme that suited a dark ride setup. If they did that properly I feel they could probably have gotten away with the first part of the ride as it is and it would have felt far more exciting as it’s is indoors.
Benjsh
TS Member
It's an American thing. They like to have the full explanation of things as they have next to no imagination. Like pavement isn't acceptable to them so they use sidewalk etc. There's plenty other examples.
I agree it is an absolutely grotesque name for a coaster but I have no doubts it will be a fantastic experience, especially for potter fans. We'll be giving it a go in 2021 when we next visit.
I agree it is an absolutely grotesque name for a coaster but I have no doubts it will be a fantastic experience, especially for potter fans. We'll be giving it a go in 2021 when we next visit.
Tim
TS Member
Something that's been bothering me for a while is that if this is supposed to take place in the Forbidden Forest why is there some random ruin in the middle of it? I originally thought this was supposed to be part of Hogwarts that the ride is breaking out of, but as recent concept art has shown it clearly isn't. A massive ruin doesn't really fit in story canon.
Of course the real reason there's a ruin is so they can reuse Dragon Challenges Station.
Of course the real reason there's a ruin is so they can reuse Dragon Challenges Station.
Rob
TS Team
Something that's been bothering me for a while is that if this is supposed to take place in the Forbidden Forest why is there some random ruin in the middle of it? I originally thought this was supposed to be part of Hogwarts that the ride is breaking out of, but as recent concept art has shown it clearly isn't. A massive ruin doesn't really fit in story canon.
Of course the real reason there's a ruin is so they can reuse Dragon Challenges Station.
I was thinking something quite similar. What is being built obviously looks fantastic and of very high quality, however the station building does seem a bit forced as it were. Despite the fact that it is being re-themed it is blatantly obvious that it is the old Dueling Dragons station. I'm no Harry Potter expert but I am led to believe that it does not resemble anything from the films or the books.
Rob
TS Team
^Isn't the ruin structure an entirely new structure, nothing to do with the old B&M invert station?
The ruin structure is yes, but the station building is being themed in the same style.