Islands of Adventures - Dueling Dragons Changes Coming

[Deadman]

Screamscape sources tell us that Dueling Dragons may finally be forced to shut down for it’s final transformation in late August. According to what we’ve been told the ride will likely be renamed Dragon’s Challenge, but when it returns it will apparently come back with an even darker look and theme. No more Fire and Ice dragon either… as apparently even the track colors may be repainted in much darker tones. Meanwhile the nearby Flying Unicorn is still said to be renamed Flying Hippogriff as expected.
The big rumored news however is what I’ve been expecting to be announced… and that a custom built MagiQuest system will be brought into the park. Not only in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but from what I’ve been told little things will be added all throughout the park’s other lands that will react to the magic wands purchased by guests. You’ll only have to look out for little “lightning bolt” symbols here and there to tell you where to aim your wand.

 

[jonnyc]

Darker merely in colour or in atmosphere?

 

[krankenstein]

Darker merely in colour or in atmosphere?

Hopefully, both!

 

[wvugeoggrad]

That sounds great, I just hope they aren't closed yet when I'm down on the 23rd and 24th of August!!! I Loooooove Dragons and would hate to miss it!!

 

[JROK]

Glad the rumored MagiQuest game is official... That's going to really make IOA fun... I wonder what happens if you already have a wand from one of the other MagiQuest sites?

 

[Dinoman96]

Goodbye DD, and hello Dragon Challenge....I liked DD better but I regress.

Assuming Unicorn is becoming the Flying Hippogriff. Maybe the Unicorn could work somewhere else......

 

[wvugeoggrad]

I spoke to a friend who is working part-time at Universal and he said that DD isn't on the calendar for a closure in August, but I'm sure there is always going to be changes so we'll see. I just want to get in a few rides, its been 3 years and I'd hate to miss it!

 

[Pete C]

I hope they don't change the amazing queue much, but as for the repainting of the track I am all for it. The current red and blue is just too bright for an already darkly themed attraction.

 

[SirGoofy]

SO excited to ride on a Hungarian Horntail!

Also, I'm glad to hear the wands will work in all of the lands. This is gonna blow the pants off of all of us.:sohappy:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Cant see it myself, still think it will be after xmas, if Potterlands rumoured timings are true.

Also on another board Guest Services confirmed that DD is not scheduled to close in August nor have they any confirmed dates that they are able to provide.

 

[Pete C]

I wonder if they will keep one dragon operational while the other is being painted. Not that they would paint one while the other is actually running, rather painting one and then let it dry, then paint the other...that way the whole ride is never down. I wonder if they could even route the queue around the castle as to not shut down the whole ride while the interior queue is re-themed. Doubtful for any of that though.

 

[DarrenLevesley]

I wonder if they will keep one dragon operational while the other is being painted. Not that they would paint one while the other is actually running, rather painting one and then let it dry, then paint the other...that way the whole ride is never down. I wonder if they could even route the queue around the castle as to not shut down the whole ride while the interior queue is re-themed. Doubtful for any of that though.

Dont think that will happen espically becasue of the recent accident a few weeks ago.

 

[Skip]

Dont think that will happen espically becasue of the recent accident a few weeks ago.

The accident would not have any effect on whether or not it closes for a greater or lesser amount of time...

It actually wouldn't be THAT difficult to keep the coasters open while the majority of the interior queue is changed... for a time the express queue went straight into the loading zone for Ice in a door near the exit ramp. If the stand by queue went through this area instead (thus bypassing the castle completely), the coaster could theoretically remain open while the interior queue was changed. There's even a bunch of outdoor switchbacks that are never used that could be utilized should the line get backed up.

That said, that all seems like quite a hassle and it would probably easier to just temporarily close the ride.

 

[jonnyc]

Do we know if they will be theming the actual rollercoaster area? That's been the only let down on DD for me, so hopefully it will get some TLC.

 

[DarrenLevesley]

The accident would not have any effect on whether or not it closes for a greater or lesser amount of time...

It actually wouldn't be THAT difficult to keep the coasters open while the majority of the interior queue is changed... for a time the express queue went straight into the loading zone for Ice in a door near the exit ramp. If the stand by queue went through this area instead (thus bypassing the castle completely), the coaster could theoretically remain open while the interior queue was changed. There's even a bunch of outdoor switchbacks that are never used that could be utilized should the line get backed up.

That said, that all seems like quite a hassle and it would probably easier to just temporarily close the ride.

I think you may have miss understood the point I was trying to make.
Because of the recent accident I'm sure they would not even entertain the idea of letting one side of the coaster still run whilst the other track was being painted/altered.
I dont know if the family of the guy was sueing for what happened but Im sure the solicitors would have a field day if they was letting people work on the other track whilst the other is still operational.
I do agree about the queue though they could change work on that whilst it is still operational.

 

[JT3000]

Do we know if they will be theming the actual rollercoaster area?

Why would they? :shrug: Riders would just zoom past any attempt at theming and you can't see most of the course from elsewhere.

 

[SirGoofy]

Why would they? :shrug: Riders would just zoom past any attempt at theming and you can't see most of the course from elsewhere.

WHile it would be completely useless, and not able to be seen, it would be cool if they put the golden egg the dragons are protecting somewhere along the track.

They could also theme around the coaster to look like the stadium where the first task is set.

 

[icandrawem2]

They could also theme around the coaster to look like the stadium where the first task is set.

Yeah that would be nice...mostly rockwork, but it would be incredibly cool.

 

[JLW11Hi]

Levels of detail need to be coherent with the type of attraction. A Dark Ride gets all levels of detail from the biggest set piece to the tiniest little hidden details. A roller coaster where people are zooming past things so fast needs to have larger, more iconic imagery that people will see and feel, even if they don't have a chance to look at it for very long.

A large stadium set with large rock work would probably work just fine. It wouldn't have to be anything too fancy and it would make more sense than just leaving it empty.

 

[dxwwf3]

Of all attractions at IOA that need to be rethemed, I would say that DD is pretty much at the bottom of the list :lol:. Hopefully they won't mess too much up with it.