What does Dragon Challenge need?

[BryceM]

A recent discussion on another topic had me thinking...

Dueling Dragons is no more. It may have taken me a few years to fully realize this, but what once was one of my favorite roller coasters has become a shell of it's former self. No longer is there that elaborate queue, the two iconic dragon statues, the dueling aspect, the amazing name. All that's left is a pair of really fun B&M Inverts that have been half themed to Harry Potter. They don't even duel anymore. And all that's left of the queue is long, dark corridors and the amazing ride entrance is now just a... Stone arch.

So my question is, what could really finalize the change from Dueling Dragons to Dragon Challenge? Right now, it's stuck in between the two. It's still the same coaster, same color, same trains but everything amazing about the experience as a whole has been removed and slapped on with a little bit of Potter take it's place.

I think some steps in the right direction would be:

1. A track re-paint. Make the Hungarian Horntail a faint gold and possibly the Chinese Fireball a lighter brown. I think these colors would contrast less with the surrounding area and it would look more natural.

2. Foliage! Maybe some tall pines around the track and fancy rock-work. Really make it a forest. Right now, the grass and water is not cutting it.

 

[HTF]

Your wish for Pine will come true as for the repaint the jury is still out.

 

[cheezbat]

Your wish for Pine will come true as for the repaint the jury is still out.

I had figured down the road we'd see some serious tree work added to the area to help with all of the construction and not so nice scenery on the ride.

I hope to someday see the Forbidden Journey building covered up by mountainous rockwork too...

 

[JustInTime]

It needs paint most of all.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

It needs paint most of all.

This. Not only this but if your going to re-theme something, don't half it.

 

[marni1971]

Landscaping and to duel again.

I know one is to going to happen.

 

[BryceM]

Your wish for Pine will come true as for the repaint the jury is still out.

It is for sure coming true?!

 

[ScoutN]

Your wish for Pine will come true as for the repaint the jury is still out.

This is VERY welcome new.

As I am sure you are fully aware of... B&M Invert + Trees = Sex

 

[BryceM]

This is VERY welcome new.

As I am sure you are fully aware of... B&M Invert + Trees = Sex

But with tall pine trees, it will look even better.

 

[ScoutN]

But with tall pine trees, it will look even better.

Good portion of the photo is the coaster in a ravine 30-40ft down. Seeing it at other angles shows the tall oaks and pines all around it. 170ft coaster with trees looks far different than a 125ft coaster with tree (or without should say).

 

[BryceM]

Good portion of the photo is the coaster in a ravine 30-40ft down. Seeing it at other angles shows the tall oaks and pines all around it. 170ft coaster with trees looks far different than a 125ft coaster with tree (or without should say).

Oh, well yes! I know Alpengeist really makes use of the terrain. I'm just saying that tall pines will truly make Dragon Challenge look amazing, instead of grass and ponds.

 

[cheezbat]

Alpengeist is the tallest inverted coaster. Knowing Dragon Challenge is considerably shorter reassures me that much can be hidden by tall trees. I look forward to the end result.

 

[YodaMan]

If they can never duel again, I hope they add some sort of "story." Forbidden Journey works well because of the plot leading up to the ride. Mayhaps if they add elements in the queue (signs, narrations, etc) that explain things, it will work better. You could "be Harry" and prepare for the first task, but have to wait for Cedric to finish his turn first. Maybe have something in the queue with Hagrid and learning about the dragons ahead. As it stands, the ride is just a mess of Potter memorabilia and an unconnected ride. Is there anything related to that? What is the connection to "being a Dragon" and dueling? It feels so removed from the attempted realism of riding a broom or flying a hippogriif.

 

[AswaySuller]

Is actually wondered how this was signed off considering JK Rowlings notorious attention to detail.

 

[WED99]

What about an audio loop as your ride? Binaural sound or something that makes it feel like the dragon is roaring at you.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

What about an audio loop as your ride? Binaural sound or something that makes it feel like the dragon is roaring at you.

On the ride or through-out the ride? On the ride will make it too much like HRRR

 

[GLaDOS]

On the ride or through-out the ride? On the ride will make it too much like HRRR

How? A set score and sound effects is not the same as picking your own pop song.

 

[disney fan 13]

DC's theming has never bothered me, and adding pine would make it even better. What bugs me is the exposed showbuilding on FJ... Seriously... Did they run out of cash or something? At the very least I would love to see some rockwork up there before Phase two opens so the whole "world" is amazing.

 

[BenSmith]

Maybe some Props?

 

[djlaosc]

I have to agree with everyone else - repainting and landscaping!

Hungarian Horntails are black and Chinese Fireballs are Scarlet.

Here is the Dragon Task Scene from HPatGoF



So landscaping should be a stadium around the outside, or at least places where you can stand and watch, and there should be rockwork all over the bottom, and areas where you fly between rocks, and there should be a golden egg somewhere.