EpcotServo's Jan. 29th USF/IOA Update: Updating Universal

EpcotServo

EpcotServo

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hey there everyone! As you may or may not know or care, it's been nearly a year since my Universal AP expired. But the other day I was very lucky, and got to spend the day at USF and IOA. So for the first time, let's get started on the first ever Universal Update!

Universal Studios Florida

-Thankfully, it wasn't a crowded day. We walked right into the loading area on EVERY ride we went on throughout the day.

-First up, after a few rides on ROTM, it was time to check out the Earthquake! refurb, now called "Disaster!". With not much news about it, and one very bad review from Mr.Miceage, everyone in my party had pretty low expectations. And what I can say without a doubt, is that he is crazy. Not only is there any reason to bash the refurb (I guess he must've never even BEEN on the old ride.) but the chages were all very, very good. The theme was great, and the new pre-show is really quite amazing to see. (and would've REALLY made the RNR Pre-Show even cooler if they had done it this way.)

Also, the hosts and hostess were all dead-on funny, and very excited and seemed to be enjoying having to actully act, instead of standing and talking about effects from a movie nobody remembers.

Bravo, Universal Creative! You really sursprised everyone in my party with this one!

-Also it should be noted that it was nice to see so many effects working on all of the rides!

-Jaws was under refurb.

-Simpsons still looked like Back to the Future, but blue.

-the Kwik-E-Mart was open. It's alot like the 7-11 overlay that we had awhile back when the movie came out.

Islands Of Adventure

-Not much in the way of progress for Harry Potter, still just a wall. Though they were hard at work.

OK, that's about it for news. Now for the Pictures.

Enjoy!
:wave:

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSe...teUpdatingUniversal/photo#5161368231232192962
 
doop

doop

Well-Known Member
:lol: I loved your description on two of the Jurassic Park photos.

*puts on the Jurassic Park soundtrack*
 
kcnole

kcnole

Well-Known Member
Just to let you know, Poseidons Fury and Mythos will not be touched at all as part of the Harry refurb, at least last I heard. That part will remain as the Lost Continent, everything else will be sucked into Harry land.
 
EpcotServo

EpcotServo

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Figment1986 said:
nice Trip report... Good to see people find good things at the other parks too...

Now come to Busch Gardens in April ;)
Click to expand...

I dunno....wasn't too impressed on my first trip. Rhino Rally's uber-cool ending only worked once, the only coaster I wanted to ride was down, and Haunted Lighthouse 4-D offended all of the senses.
:lol:

Plus, it's really far away and I don't know anybody to get me in for free...
:lookaroun

Thanks for all the kind words!
:wave:
 
DicksonGR

DicksonGR

Well-Known Member
Cheers! Love your updates man!

I remember the days when I thought that I wouldn't set foot anywhere near the hulk ... How times have changed now. I finally gave in to peer pressure and it is now one of my favourite rides. You really should give it one wee shot and you never know ... you might like it!

Believe it or not the only three rides i've never been on in IOA are Ripsaw Falls, JP River Adventure and Spiderman - don't like drops!:shrug:
 
Matpez

Matpez

Well-Known Member
DicksonGR said:
Believe it or not the only three rides i've never been on in IOA are Ripsaw Falls, JP River Adventure and Spiderman - don't like drops!:shrug:
Click to expand...

Spiderman only give the sensation of falling... but you don't drop at all!
It is an awesome effect!

:)
 
DicksonGR

DicksonGR

Well-Known Member
Matpez said:
Spiderman only give the sensation of falling... but you don't drop at all!
It is an awesome effect!

:)
Click to expand...

Guess I'll have to give it a shot the next time I'm there. I was always under the impression that it actually dropped! Thanks for clearing that one up.

I could probably go on JP and Ripsaw, its just I don't like the feeling of when your stomach is in your mouth - which I don't get on the Hulk or Dueling Dragons.
 
kcnole

kcnole

Well-Known Member
I hate most roller coasters, but I finally got up the courage (after my 6th visit to Uni in two years) to ride the Hulk and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I actually enjoyed it. I've ridden other looping rides at other parks that made me very sick but this one was fairly smooth and didn't have any of those horrible g's that always give me a headache. While I won't ride it every trip or multiple times in a day, I'll ride it again sometime. My next trip will finally take me on Dueling Dragons however as that is the one ride there I still haven't conquered.
 
Timmay

Timmay

Well-Known Member
The Hulk's loops and banks are so big, and you are moving so fast, it doesn't give the impression of its actual speed and size. I know it sounds silly, but tighter, smaller loops and banks give a much greater feel of speed and disorientation.

Spider-Man is still the most imaginative ride in Orlando...but don't tell that to the "video screen" haters...:lookaroun

I have a trip report that will be showing up (with lots of pics) over the weekend in the trip report section from our visit there on January 16th.
 
D

disney111

New Member
EpcotServo said:
First up, after a few rides on ROTM, it was time to check out the Earthquake! refurb, now called "Disaster!". With not much news about it, and one very bad review from Mr.Miceage, everyone in my party had pretty low expectations. And what I can say without a doubt, is that he is crazy. Not only is there any reason to bash the refurb (I guess he must've never even BEEN on the old ride.) but the chages were all very, very good. The theme was great, and the new pre-show is really quite amazing to see. (and would've REALLY made the RNR Pre-Show even cooler if they had done it this way.)

Also, the hosts and hostess were all dead-on funny, and very excited and seemed to be enjoying having to actully act, instead of standing and talking about effects from a movie nobody remembers.

Bravo, Universal Creative! You really sursprised everyone in my party with this one!
Click to expand...

I'm looking forward to seeing it. I think almost anything would've been better than the old outdated preshow! Thank you for the update. :)
 
Figment1986

Figment1986

Well-Known Member
EpcotServo said:
I dunno....wasn't too impressed on my first trip. Rhino Rally's uber-cool ending only worked once, the only coaster I wanted to ride was down, and Haunted Lighthouse 4-D offended all of the senses.
:lol:

Plus, it's really far away and I don't know anybody to get me in for free...
:lookaroun
Click to expand...

Haunted lighthouse has since been replaced by Pirates (4d)... Sheikra is floorless ;)

kumba is mostly reliable... and montu works most of the time. and buy one day get the rest of the year free ;)

That, and if you do it right, Jungala would be open, so you can see a great example of new busch compaired to old busch.
 
J

JLW11Hi

Well-Known Member
Timmay said:
Spider-Man is still the most imaginative ride in Orlando...but don't tell that to the "video screen" haters...:lookaroun
Click to expand...

Aw, Spiderman is way more than video screens!

I believe Spiderman is the perfect "show" ride that most theme park rides should aim for.
 
sknydave

sknydave

Active Member
Figment1986 said:
Haunted lighthouse has since been replaced by Pirates (4d)... Sheikra is floorless ;)

kumba is mostly reliable... and montu works most of the time. and buy one day get the rest of the year free ;)

That, and if you do it right, Jungala would be open, so you can see a great example of new busch compaired to old busch.
Click to expand...

Pirates 4D should never be mentioned EVER again.


Ever.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom