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Islands of Adventure
Orlando, FL
NBC Universal / Blackstone Group
---- THE LATEST BUZZ ----
(5/7/12) Behind the Thrills has posted a report on testing Universal’s new Q-Bot enabled version of Universal Express at Islands of Adventure.
(5/4/12) Theme Park Review has posted pictures from a trip to Islands of Adventure where employees all over the park were spied with Qbots and barcode scanner guns. (MORE...)
(3/22/12) Our local man on the spot Keith dropped into Islands of Adventure this past week to try out the newly revised Adventures of Spider-Man attraction. (MORE...)
(3/14/12) I figured it would only be a matter of time… but an HD POV video of the new and improved Spiderman ride has made it to YouTube this week. (MORE...)
Ride Rehabs - The following information is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.
Nothing is known to be closed at this time...
 General Park News - (5/7/12) Behind the Thrills has posted a report on testing Universal’s new Q-Bot enabled version of Universal Express at Islands of Adventure.
(5/4/12) Theme Park Review has posted pictures from a trip to Islands of Adventure where employees all over the park were spied with Q-Bots and barcode scanner guns. I’m guessing the barcode guns were for the existing Universal Express pass system, but not sure why the employees have Q-Bts hanging from their pants unless they are just testing the system remotely throughout the day by making occasional ride reservations with it.
In other Islands of Adventure news… in the same update, scroll down past all the Despicable Me photos and you’ll see some new high-priced Harry Potter merchandise options for the Potter-maniacs to drool over. Actual character costume inspired wardrobe pieces… such as Snapes Coat for $195, Voldemort’s bathrobe for $295 (Eeew!), Hermione’s Ball Gown for $325 and you too can dress in a Dumbledore wizard robe for just $700!
Ok… we’ve seen the clothes… now how long until we see a Passholder in the park wearing them?
(2/16/12) According to a local area reader, Jurassic Park has reopened.
(2/10/12) The feedback that came in regarding the Ripsaw Falls lapbars has been interesting to say the least. According to a few of you, those newer style lapbars have been around for the past 2 years or so, however according to a former insider, the process to install them is very time consuming, so they’ve been slowly changing them for the past two years… and still have a ways to go. So depending on what logs you’ve been getting, riders may simply still not have encountered both style of restraints yet. So in other words… nothing new to see here. Move along…
(2/9/12) I’m not quite sure what was done, but it seems that some of the logs on Ripsaw Falls are now running with some kind of new modified lapbar restraint. A new bar can be seen here this week, while you can compare to the old one here. According to a reader who tried it out, they describe the new bar as, “Rather than the traditional pull down bar that was in the boats before, the Lapbar on some boats is now almost a small bar that you flip down when seated. It did make getting in and out of the boats a little less challenging than before.” Anyone else got to try one of these? I’d love to see some better close-up pictures as well, showing off how they work compared to the old bars.
(1/17/12) The good news is that Ripsaw Falls is set to reopen on Jan. 19th. The bad news is that Jurassic Park will then go down for about two weeks. I’m told that Popeye already had a rehab last fall and isn’t expected to close again this Spring. However Spiderman is rumored to be preparing to close down briefly sometime in February to complete some of the upgrades.
(1/16/12) I’m hearing that we can expect to see Ripsaw Falls closed for at least 2 weeks for its winter rehab. Sorry, I don’t have an exact date when it will reopen yet, however typically once Ripsaw reopens, you can usually count on Popeye to go down for its own rehab as well.
(1/13/12) Ripsaw Falls is currently closed for annual rehab. Anyone know the planned schedule for when it will reopen and what will close next?
(11/8/11) Grinchmas will return once again to Islands of Adventure this holiday season, where the park will put on the Grinchmas Whoiday Spectacular show once again. You will also have a chance to meet the Grinch in person or partake in a Character Breakfast on select days with the Grinch and other Seuss characters.
(11/2/11) IOA fans may enjoy this little story posted over at Disney and More, showcasing train artwork and a few details about a once proposed racing wooden coaster for the Jurassic Park section of the park.
(10/31/11) Local sources tell us that the ‘new’ queue area for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was tested out over the weekend at times and is expected to go into normal use starting today. The new queue is to the left of the current entrance, and all guests (except single riders and those just taking the castle tour) will be sent into the new area and ‘pulsed’ through the locker area to help solve the bottleneck problem.
(10/21/11) In an extremely disappointing bit of news, Universal Orlando has confirmed our worst fears by stating that the Dragon Challenge coasters will never duel again. Instead the dispatching of the coasters will always be staggered, and the themed description of the ride now altered to describe the action as a “chase” rather than a duel.
RIP – Dueling Dragons… Thy Fate Was Chosen.
2012 - Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Upgrade - (3/22/12) Our local man on the spot Keith dropped into Islands of Adventure this past week to try out the newly revised Adventures of Spider-Man attraction. While Keith reported that the all new audio and visual improvements really are as fantastic as you can imagine, he also felt that the motion reprogramming left a little to be desired. In his opinion, the previous wild and quick movements of the ride experience have been somewhat “neutered”.
Those who have visited the park and ridden Spider-man over the years may also recall a period of time a year or so after the park opened when the on-site staff did a little reprogramming of the motion program themselves and ended up mellowing out the more thrilling physically moments of the ride then as well. As I was told back then, they ended up calling back the original ride motion programmer to crank the experience back up to eleven again, which is where I believe it still was when it closed down for this most recent rehab.
While Keith believes that the new and improved projections and effects more than make up for the loss, he felt it it could have been a little wilder on the ride side to make it even better. Would anyone else agree that the motion may have been tamed a little or did Keith just get a ride on a bad Scoop?
Keith did have a bit more to say however, “The ending sequence is monumentally better and has changed quite a bit more than any other sequence on the ride. Much more floating and flying feelings. And the drop sequence is much more thrilling and realistic.”
So overall, the Spider-man ride experience has been greatly improved. If anything, the one comment I have read online and heard from so many others now is that the new high-quality projections in Spiderman now make Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey look dull by comparison. I wonder how long it will take before we see the same upgrade added to the PotterVerse.
(3/14/12) I figured it would only be a matter of time… but an HD POV video of the new and improved Spiderman ride has made it to YouTube this week. Looks like they put a pair of glasses on the camera, as you can actually see the beautiful new animation quite well. I can’t wait to see it in person… it just looks fantastic.
(3/9/1 2) The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is open once again, and the first reviews are starting to trickle in. The overall word is that they have really managed to plus what was already one of the world’s top dark rides and make it simply spectacular. Try reading the review from our buddy Arthur Levine at About.com.
(3/2/12) Universal Orlando has announced that The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man will reopen to park guests on March 8th. In addition to the other improvements already mentioned (new animation, the best HD projection images and a cameo by Stan Lee, the ride will feature a new original music score. “It is the same Spider-Man theme you love – with a rockin’ twist.”
The ride cars have upgraded the onboard audio system from 8-channel to a 16-channel system to better provide 3-D sound quality. They also claim that there are hundreds of small changes and cool new details to discover inside the attraction, ranging from new lighting, set pieces, new graphics, props and much more.
Universal Orlando has also provided us with a sneak peek at one of the new animated scenes, with instructions on how you can see even more! Just follow the instructions and click the Like button to help unlock the next clip.
(2/29/12) Universal Orlando sent out a sneak peek pictures this week showing off some Universal Creative staff checking out the new Spiderman enhancements… wearing all new 3D glasses. T
he new Spider-Vision glasses “feature new lenses made of dichroic filters for amazing color and clarity”. (Is it me or do they look like Doc Ock’s shades?)
(2/20/12) Orlando Park News has posted a new photo update from Islands of Adventure, checking out all the latest little changes as well as the construction walls up around Spiderman.
(2/2/12) Universal Orlando confirmed on Twitter yesterday that Spiderman will close on Feb. 8th so they can finish up the attractions big upgrade package and reopen in March.
(1/26/12) The new upgraded Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride will be ready to open this March. In addition to the all new animation, which makes the characters much more lifelike than ever before, the ride will feature a cameo appearance by Stan Lee. (Just a wild guess on my part, but if it were me I’d make him the driver of the garbage truck near the start of the ride.)
While it isn’t official I’ve also heard that certain scenes in the ride may have been lengthen somehow, which will be timed out with all new ride platform programming.
(1/23/12) Screamscape sources report that the Adventures of Spider-Man will close for the final phase of the upgrade starting around February 8th or so. In addition to finishing up the installation of the new digital projection systems and new animation footage, I’ve been told that the front of the attration area will also get a bit of a rehab, including some new surfacing of the area in front of the ride entrance.
(5/24/11) While the new fully upgraded Adventures of Spider-Man ride wont be ready to open until sometime in 2012, this has apparently not stopped the park from installing new digital projection systems into the existing ride. I’ve now heard various reports claiming that screens 2, 3, 4 and 5 may have now been upgraded to some new digital technology and are looking better than ever.
(5/20/11) Universal Orlando made two exciting announcements today regarding attractions in 2012 for Universal Studios Florida and for Islands of Adventure. As rumored since the start of the year, the Adventures of Spider-Man will be upgraded with new state of the art 4K HD Digital Projection systems and even set enhancements.
If upgrading the ride’s projection system wasn’t enough, they will also go back and reanimate the action footage used in the ride, bringing it up to true ultra-realistic 4K HD quality, and even adding new hidden details into the backgrounds. I’ve put up a image showing off the new higher quality HD animation footage that will be coming to the ride next year.
The Adventures of Spider-Man set the quality bar high back in 1999, but there have been a lot of improvements in average home theater system since them. Widescreen HD monitors are now the norm, powered by high end Digital HD video, BluRay and even 3D BluRay media systems. I’m glad to see Spider-Man upgraded to the 21st Century.
(5/13/11) According to some Twitter reports, both the 3rd screen (Electro attack) and 5th (Hydro attack) on Spiderman now seem to be using a crisp digital projection system over the old film system.
(5/11/11) I’ve also been told that as of this past weekend, one of the projection scenes in Spiderman appears to have been upgrades to use a new digital projection system. I’ve been told that it is the fifth projection scene, described as the one featuring the villain Hydro. Could this be the first “test screen” for the rumored all digital upgrade for the attraction?
(2/17/11) I’ve heard an interesting rumors this week, claiming that at some point in the next 8-10 months we will likely see Spiderman close for an extensive rehab. I’m told that the plan is to replace the projection systems with new current digital projection systems, which may also result in the new of an improved 3-D system. Of course the switch to an all digital system will only make any future possible transformations of the attraction (if they give up the rights to Spiderman) a little easier to handle.
Now, if I’m not mistaken, didn’t they already install an all-digital version of Spiderman in the Japanese park, or did I hear that wrong? Anyone know for sure? In any case, they want the new and improved Spiderman ready to go before the new Spiderman film hits the theaters in Summer 2012.
2014 - Wizarding World Expansion Link - (2/10/12) It’s hard to say if this is due to the expansion plans for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or not, but according to a report at ParkRumors, Universal filed for permits last month to destroy building “234A” as well as a nearby tent-roofed structure. According to the article, Building 234A is the Frozen Desert building just to the right of the archway entrance into Hogsmeade.
The immediate assumption is that this could be tied to the functional Hogwarts Express rumors, but I think it’s still far too early to say for sure. However these two buildings are right inbetween the Hogwarts Express display train and the footpath that winds between Sinbad and Dragon’s Challenge that leads to the backstage area. Unless they were planning on demolishing the Sinbad theater, freeing up a little space here may be the best and only way to fit a functional train into the area.
On a related not, lets go back and talk about those rumored survey markings spotted bac
kstage last month. I’ve marked the two structures slated for demolition in a blue hue on the two overhead images of the park, while in the wider view, I’ve marked off a few reported survey marker locations sent in with Red X’s, which oddly enough seem to fall right in line leading from the backstage road that leads to Amity in one direction and right through the footpath next to Sinbad that leads right to the buildings to be removed.
While I don’t have any more specific locations, I’ve been told about possible survey markings spotted from here all the way down to behind the Disaster show building as well. (Oh… and if you’re a Universal employee… please don’t stop to take a picture for us. I don’t need to see it and it’s not worth losing your job for.)
???? - Poseidon’s Fury Replacement - Rumor - (12/21/11) With the latest rumors about the London side of the PotterVerse going in to replace Jaws / Amity still growing steam, you might be wondering if this means Poseidon’s Fury will now be safe from the wrecking ball. According to an interesting note posted to Jeff Jober’s DisneyAtWork.com, you might want to take another visit to Poseidon’s Fury soon, because it is also rumored to be closing forever by February 1st.
This is an interesting twist as well, because we’ve all been hearing about the proposed Hogwarts Express train ride to run between the two parks. We know how the London side can be accomplished, but how and where will the Hogwarts side of the train ride go? It’s got me wondering if the Poseidon’s Fury site (or building) could be used for this purpose somehow. Even if not, and Poseidon does still close, does this mean there is still a Phase 2 in the works to expand Hogsmeade?
Between the Sinbad show arena, Poseidon and the various marketplace stalls here, there is quite a bit of room to do something special when the times comes. So I guess the question is... is this area still destined for a PotterVerse transformation or does Universal have something else more unique in mind?
???? - Island Refurbishment - Rumor - (7/6/10) While most of the attention at Universal’s Islands of Adventure park has been focused on the Wizarding World lately, they did take the time to spruce up several other park attractions as well. Unfortunately, as this article points out, the Incredible Hulk coaster was the one high profile ride that apparently was left-off the list of things to be spruced up. On top of looking a bit ulgy, the ride is apparently rubbing some fans the wrong way with a rougher than normal ride experience as well.
All is not lost however, as I have heard a few rumors being tossed around Universal campus claiming that there may be plans afoot to take what Universal has learned from the Hollywood Rockit and Hollywood Dream coasters (onboard lights & sounds system) and may apply it towards building some new themed trains packed with lights and sounds to take the Hulk to the next level. Cross your fingers…
(10/16/09) Once the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens next year, Universal’s next step for Islands of Adventure may be to begin a series of “refresh and refurbishment” projects to the rest of the Islands over the next couple of years. With the success of the light up panels on the Rockit coaster, there is now a plan in place to go back and add green lighting to the Hulk trains as was promised way back when the park was first announced. If the rumors about audio being added to Dragon’s Challenge are true, I would count on seeing it added to Hulk as well. There is also a rumored plan to “upgrade” Spiderman, by adding a new scene or two by replacing a couple of scenes that don’t work as well as the rest. Seuss may just get repainted, possibly some new scenic elements, and there has been talk about adding a new attraction to the Jurassic Park area for years. What about the remains of Lost Continent? I think we could see something happen here as well, though would it be an expansion of Potter’s Wizarding World or something brand new?
???? - Marvel Super Hero Island Replacement Concepts - (12/2/10) It seems the subject of what may become of the Marvel Super Hero Island has become something of a hot topic of speculation lately. Given the number of e-mails I’ve had since then asking about a particular topic… I’ll answer here as best I can. My previous article was mainly concerning the topic of a “What if’ they converted the island to DC characters and nothing more. This does not mean that there are not OTHER entire ideas under discussion, so the DC Universe is not a lock. One big example that many have asked about is the Transformers ride going into Hollywood and Singapore. It would be very possible to convert Spider-man into a Transformers ride… and this subject has apparently been given a lot of thought as well by Universal… but again, this is just another one of many ‘What If” lines of thought. For now, Marvel Super Hero Island will remain… until it has a reason not to.
(11/24/10) Screamscape sources tell us that Universal management had a discussion not long ago about what the future may be for Marvel Superhero Island. Now before I get in any deeper, I’ve been told that this was simply a blue sky meeting to discuss the various ideas and ‘what if’ scenarios and nothing more. There are currently no plans to remove the Marvel themeing to the land at all, so this is all very LONG term thinking only.
So why talk about it at all? While Universal had negotiated the rights to continue to use the Marvel universe theme for many attractions as long as they were willing to pay for them, there are periodic times when the actual cost for those terms (or for certain specific Marvel attractions) come under review and cost increases are expected to happen. From what I’ve been told, the first such renewal period will take place in 2018, roughly 20 years after the agreement was first signed.
That said, it is without a doubt that no one at Universal had even dreamed that Disney would have bought Marvel Comics years later, putting the entire future of Marvel Superhero Island in doubt. So those discussions that took place were simply to start coming up with ideas, just in case they are forced to throw Marvel out the window, and find a new cost effective theme to replace it with. One very interesting idea that was said to be given serious attention was looking into replace Marvel with DC Comics instead.
While Six Flags does have a semi-lock on the DC Comics universe character, it was felt that Universal may be able to negotiate a deal to use the characters in Florida only, as this would not cause any direct conflict with any Six Flags parks. This is very ironic because it’s been said that a few DC Comics themes were actually first developed for the island, and not Marvel. A whole Batman themed attraction proposal was seen for sale on Ebay a few years ago showing off a lot of concept artwork of this proposed land that would have had a Batman themed coaster, possible a Batman dark ride and a Batman & Robin Stunt Show. (You can find a few pieces of artwork from one such proposal here.)
While I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to convert Incredible Hulk into a Batwing themed coaster adventure, and retheme Dr. Doom to be a sick creation of The Joker, you’ve got to really be wondering what Spiderman’s fate could be. The easy answer? In a very budget saving manor, Superman could save the day here and the Daily Bugle exterior and queue themeing could be left virtually intact to become the Daily Planet instead, allowing all the money to go into the revamping of the actual ride experience, and creation of all new film sequences, all themed to a new Superman adventure.
Fear not Spider-Fans, please remember that this is all a big “What If” game, allowing Universal to have a game plan ready and filed away just in case they are forced to take action. Universal knows how important Spiderman is to the park, even with the Wizarding World now in place to steal some attention away. They’ll do whatever they can to keep it in place for as long as possible.
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