Universal's Dueling Dragons...

[Kristi Kay]

A while ago, I heard a rumor that Disney created the idea for Dueling Dragons, this is at Universal's Island of Adventure. It was intended to AK, but budget wouldn't allow for the project. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this whatsoever?

It's a bummer if it is true, that is a FANTASTIC ride! AK could have used that!

I also wonder why they chose to sell the idea and not save it until the budget would allow for the addition?

 

[majortom1981]

I dont think disney created that idea.

Dueling and racing roller coasters have been around for a while.

 

[sbkline]

I wonder if they are referring to the fact that the Jurassic Park section of Islands of Adventure is similar (although probably entirely unrelated) to the "Beastly Kingdom" that was originally planned as one of the lands of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

 

[imagineer boy]

Originally Disney was going to build a ride with dragons in them as a apart of Animal Kingdom's Beastly Kingdom section that was to be built. It was going to be an inclosed roller coaster with more story than Dueling Dragons. I guess the idea got carried on from imagineers who went to work for universal.

 

[marni1971]

Some ideas.... not all. Dragons Tower - an inverted coaster - was to have been built in DAKs Beastly Kingdom(me). Outdoor sections. Indoor sections. Huge fire breathing AA dragon.

BK is mothballed. The designers are laid off. Universal takes designers on. A few years later IOA opens. More than a passing resembelence to the concept of Dragons Tower.

 

[Skylinecar1982]

Too Bad. But I wonder how a hardcore rollercoaster would fit in Disney. And no I don't think EE or RnR are anywhere near the level of Hulk or DD. Not that they are bad just I put them on more of a level of The Mummy which is just as enjoyable as any other coaster.

 

[iKat]

I've heard that too... and that there's a Hidden Mickey on one of the car things. (I've seen a picture of that, it's on one of the Fire cars... could be completely unintentional, but it's there)

When I worked at Universal, I asked someone about it, and got yelled at.

 

[bob0012]

Originally Disney was going to build a ride with dragons in them as a apart of Animal Kingdom's Beastly Kingdom section that was to be built. It was going to be an inclosed roller coaster with more story than Dueling Dragons. I guess the idea got carried on from imagineers who went to work for universal.

Exactly, more just it's a good idea so some one is going to do it.

 

[Mansion Butler]

A while ago, I heard a rumor that Disney created the idea for Dueling Dragons, this is at Universal's Island of Adventure. It was intended to AK, but budget wouldn't allow for the project. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this whatsoever?

It's a bummer if it is true, that is a FANTASTIC ride! AK could have used that!

I also wonder why they chose to sell the idea and not save it until the budget would allow for the addition?

I read an interview with an imagineer who worked on Dragon Tower once, and no, it's not true. There are small elements of truth to it that have lead to the story that "it was a Disney ride that went to Universal!"

Bill Buckner also cost the Red Sox the world series, and Pecos Bill tamed a wild tornado. It's like one of those Whisper Down the Alley games, stuff gets distorted way out of proportion and message boards create insane rumors.

Not that this one's insane, but it's pretty off from what I understand.

 

[monorailguy01]

Disney did not creat the idea for this ride. They were offered the ride first it was going to go in AK in the Asia area, but Disney turned it down because they had ideas of a indoor rollercoaster (EE). So the company that Disney turned down went right to Universal IOA and they bought the ride. And I think it fits the theam over in IOA, I can not picture a Out door Rollercoaster that big in Asia or in Disney for that fact.

 

[Kristi Kay]

I've heard that too... and that there's a Hidden Mickey on one of the car things. (I've seen a picture of that, it's on one of the Fire cars... could be completely unintentional, but it's there)

When I worked at Universal, I asked someone about it, and got yelled at.

Seriously, got yelled at? Why does that not suprise me? I was at Universal a couple years ago and a kid, maybe 8 or 9, had on a Buzz hat and a Universal Employee yelled at him for wearing it. It wasn't necessarly in a "mean" voice, but nonetheless, made a deal over it. And all the comericals that Universal does, with "Are you tired of Princess and Fairy tale" etc etc....They are just jelous over there at Universal....

 

[bob0012]

Disney did not creat the idea for this ride. They were offered the ride first it was going to go in AK in the Asia area, but Disney turned it down because they had ideas of a indoor rollercoaster (EE). So the company that Disney turned down went right to Universal IOA and they bought the ride. And I think it fits the theam over in IOA, I can not picture a Out door Rollercoaster that big in Asia or in Disney for that fact.

Offered the ride? Who's out there designing such a ride on spec?

 

[Philo]

I think B&M designed that one along with HULK too. B&M have always been on the forefront of coaster design (first inverted, first vertical drop). For new ideas, As far as I'm aware the designers (B&M) offer a concept to a park (i.e. inverted, dualling coasters) and once it has been accepted the ride is then developed to fit specifications. For more standard rides the parks will normally approach the manufacturer and ask them to create something for them.

 

[Lee]

Disney did not creat the idea for this ride. They were offered the ride first it was going to go in AK in the Asia area, but Disney turned it down because they had ideas of a indoor rollercoaster (EE). So the company that Disney turned down went right to Universal IOA and they bought the ride. And I think it fits the theam over in IOA, I can not picture a Out door Rollercoaster that big in Asia or in Disney for that fact.

Ummm....nope.
DD was custom built by B&M for IoA, along with Hulk. Uni ordered it, they built it. Disney was never involved. B&M doesn't work with Disney...at all.

 

[the-reason14]

Shoot, I surely wish disney would create some more roller coasters. Some that were mammoth and record breaking, but have a clear concise story and theme similar to everest.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Ummm....nope.
DD was custom built by B&M for IoA, along with Hulk. Uni ordered it, they built it. Disney was never involved. B&M doesn't work with Disney...at all.

is it that B&M doesn't work with Disney or that Disney doesn't work with B&M? B&M's coasters are so smooth to ride, but kind of an eyesore...

 

[Joepic]

Wow that ride was really fun, whenever I go on it I have to go more than once, except I can't really see it "fit" into Disney. I'm sure they can pull it off but it will be a little risky. I can't imagine any sort of story to go with it.

 

[sknydave]

Regardless of where it was built I'm just happy it was built

I love Dueling Dragons!

 

[bob0012]

I think B&M designed that one along with HULK too. B&M have always been on the forefront of coaster design (first inverted, first vertical drop). For new ideas, As far as I'm aware the designers (B&M) offer a concept to a park (i.e. inverted, dualling coasters) and once it has been accepted the ride is then developed to fit specifications. For more standard rides the parks will normally approach the manufacturer and ask them to create something for them.

It was designed by B&M at universals request. The way it works is the park comes to the manufacturer not the other way around. Though the companys do try to sell to the parks at IAAPA.

 

[Lee]

is it that B&M doesn't work with Disney or that Disney doesn't work with B&M?

Little of both, I guess.
Working with WDI requires a company to provide a truly custom job, with WDI having creative control over the entire project. B&M don't like to work that way. They like to take the order, then just be left alone to build the ride as they see fit. Nothing really wrong with that, they build great rides. However, there is no way the two sides could get along.
Actually, if I remember the story correctly, Uni and B&M butted heads over Hulk's launch. Uni wanted a launch...B&M said "No. We don't do launches." So, Uni Creative had to design and implement the spinning-tire launch for Hulk without B&M's help.

Vekoma has been very good about working with WDI. That's why they are involved in almost all Disney coasters these days. Intamin did a good job on Cali Screamin'....but since then have been a bit put off at the changes Disney has made to the ride.