Dragons Not Dueling?

[d a n n y]

That's very disappointing. I'm sure they'll duel again though, not sure how long that'll be.

 

[Jymmymack]

I posted this in the other thread, but screamscape retweeted a reader who said they saw people throwing pennies at the opposite train.

 

[Cwoolboy]

could u post the tweet from Screamscape here?

 

[TSSD]

From Click Orlando:ORLANDO,

Another Injury At Harry Potter Rollercoaster
Universal Studios Makes Changes In Wake Of New Injury

Fla. -- Universal Orlando is making a big change to one of the key attractions at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter after a second incident on the ride in two weeks has left another park patron injured.
The injuries happened on the Dragon Challenge dual roller coaster. In both cases, riders say something struck them on a portion of the ride where the two coaster trains come close together at high speed.
In the latest incident, 19-year-old Jon Wilson of Ohio says something struck him in his foot, arm and face on Thursday.
"My sister was sitting next to me at the time and when I said I was hit she thought it was a bug or something but then she looked over and I had blood on my hands so it was obviously something more," Wilson said.
In a major change for the attraction, the two trains of the dual coaster will now be staggered so they do not pass within feet of one another at high speed.
"As we continue to study these incidents, we will operate both coasters as separate experiences without their usual intersect points, Universal Spokesman Tom Schroder said in a written statement.
Thursday's incident came just over two weeks after another rider said he was injured on the same section of the ride. Carlos Montalvo said something struck him as the coaster he was riding passed the other coaster. Montavlo said the injury blinded his right eye.
Schroder said Universal Orlando officials believe "the ride itself did not play a role in these incidents."
"The safety of our guests is our highest priority and we are taking this very seriously," Schroder said, noting that more than 50 million people have "safely experienced" the Dragon Challenge (which was formerly called Dueling Dragons) since it opened.
Schroder said the park would not "speculate on what caused these incidents" but would continue its "long-standing policy of advising guests to safely secure personal items before riding."
Wilson said he's upset that Universal didn't change the ride after the incident that injured Montalvo.
"If this kind of thing is happening more than once in two weeks...it could be a problem of some kind and I feel...I feel....I just wanna make sure other people aren't getting hurt on it."

 

[Jymmymack]

"screamscape: @screamscape when we were riding dragon challenge people looked to be throwing pennies, we couldn't belive people would do that"

 

[TheDecemberists]

Well this is depressing. . . .

 

[StarTrekGeek]

"screamscape: @screamscape when we were riding dragon challenge people looked to be throwing pennies, we couldn't belive people would do that"

:bang:

 

[jh32488]

if they aren't going to duel then universal will take this off the site "Then climb aboard and hold on tight as the two dragons twist, loop and nearly collide with each other in an intertwining roller coaster chase across the sky."

i doubt its permanent. I'm sure universal realizes the dueling part is what makes the coaster, and will do anything in its power to keep them dueling.

they will most likely review the footage they have and install more cameras. it HAS to be another guest for this do be happening twice within that short amount of time and not once before in the coasters 12 years.

 

[AcidPop]

Mugglenet had a link to an article about this today.

Maybe it's Death Eaters...

 

[GrahamSHAZAM]

I agree that the "dueling" will be probably back. But my guess is that it won't be until at least a few months to maybe even a year. Security will be bumped up, and pockets will have to be emptied.

 

[mantaguy]

Understandable move but still lame.

 

[The_Bled]

WFTV Channel 9 reported on this subject and said that until further notice they won't be dueling. Consider me skipping this ride from now on.

 

[jtsalien]

With the way the Primeval Whirl investigation went, I expect a year at least. They take their time with these kind of things.

 

[White Rabbit]

So I read on another board that the ride has been closed for a majority of the day today. They said that first there was no movement on the ride, then it started cycling empty. Not sure if it's still closed or not, but maybe more tests being done to it? Maybe their doing stress tests to the trains to see if anything at all could have come loose? I don't know....

This is a picture I took a loooonnnngggggg time ago. It was on row 7 on Fire, looking at row 8, and I thought it was interesting. Turns out it was camera testing for Rockit. Do you think they're installing these on all the trains now?

BTW, I can also see the TM's asking everyone to open their hands, making sure they're empty, as they're checking harnesses. I like Universal's statement about their "long time practice about securing all loose articles", and although it sucks that they don't duel anymore, it's a necessary step they park had to take.

 

[AcidPop]

Yeah, it's not like Universal had much of a choice. And you know what, if they have to ask people to empty out their pockets in addition to their hands, so be it.

 

[Teebin]

I love this picture for something I talked about a long time ago. It shows how the ride is gone over very quickly for safety. See those blobs of hard plastic next to the bolt on the far left. They are basically a version of the ancient "wax seal" to make sure the bolts have not changed position. Look up at the car in front of you next time you ride... every bolt on the train have these seals.

 

[Cwoolboy]

WFTV Channel 9 reported on this subject and said that until further notice they won't be dueling. Consider me skipping this ride from now on.

I'm going to give this thing ONE TRY while it's staggered (because I'm fair), but I'm about 99.999% positive I'm going to come off with a frowny face.

 

[sierrak5]

This won't stop me from riding because the rides will still be just as good, but the visuals are now ruined.

 

[White Rabbit]

I love this picture for something I talked about a long time ago. It shows how the ride is gone over very quickly for safety. See those blobs of hard plastic next to the bolt on the far left. They are basically a version of the ancient "wax seal" to make sure the bolts have not changed position. Look up at the car in front of you next time you ride... every bolt on the train have these seals.

Indeed they are! Also, check out the buckles for the coasters (Hulk and Dragons). Lift the black buckle and the 2 screws in there have them as well.

 

[KRAKENvsMANTA]

Again, this is disapointting, but more than anything it's angering.

I know Universal will do what has to be done. NOTHING allowed on the ride! Pockets emptied 100%. Maybe they can have some security with metal detectors patting people at the queue's entrance? It sounds extreme. And sadly, it is. But what else is there? Really discontinue the dueling effect permanently?! Lets hope not.

But worse scenario, what if Dueling Dragons never duels again? Is it worth riding? Yes of course. Fire & Ice are both fun coasters. However, both are kind of short and will be significantly hurt by the lack of dueling. I love going up the lifthill and glaring over at the other guests in the opposing train as our dragons prepare for battle. Nevermind the "near-misses" while riding! I'll still ride Dueling Dragons no matter what, but this is simply crippling.