Future of Dragon Challenge?

[JoeCamel]

Of course, it's always possible, (and don't hate me for this folks,) that there actually is no loop to be in. Maybe, just maybe, there's not actually any plans for a Dragon Challenge replacement?

Fun to imagine what could be done in that space of course. But I'm gonna lessen my hope until we get any inside info, an official announcement, or see some walls go up. Sorry to be a debbie downer.

Of course, a bunch of little orange flags all around the coaster footers would be a great sign of something going on. That might get me excited again.

That said I bet I know where you will be tomorrow. At least for a look around

 

[Scott W.]

Of course, it's always possible, (and don't hate me for this folks,) that there actually is no loop to be in. Maybe, just maybe, there's not actually any plans for a Dragon Challenge replacement?

Fun to imagine what could be done in that space of course. But I'm gonna lessen my hope until we get any inside info, an official announcement, or see some walls go up. Sorry to be a debbie downer.

Of course, a bunch of little orange flags all around the coaster footers would be a great sign of something going on. That might get me excited again.

Some more solid rumours might start to circulate soon I think but Universal doesn't wait about to close a ride and I can't see them closing DC just as summer is starting.

I also don't know what to make of the flags on the footers at all. If the coaster was going, I'd assume any flags wouldn't be near the coaster at all as it would be completely gone unless they're planning on doing the same to DC as Hulk which I can't see either.

I'll be happy once some construction starts. Seems like we're going through a bit of a dry spell just now after VB (No pun intended). Sure, we have F&F but we don't have x-ray vision and Aventura is hardly an exciting build.

 

[Alicia]

That said I bet I know where you will be tomorrow. At least for a look around

No comment.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm completely out of the loop. Unfortunately, I always become friends with people in the biz and then I feel like I would be abusing the friendship to continually ask, ask, ask. So, I will be surprised just like some of you, and will appreciate any inside scoops provided by others on here.

Ask not what your Forum can do for you, But what you can do for your Forum.

 

[Alicia]

Some more solid rumours might start to circulate soon I think but Universal doesn't wait about to close a ride and I can't see them closing DC just as summer is starting.

I also don't know what to make of the flags on the footers at all. If the coaster was going, I'd assume any flags wouldn't be near the coaster at all as it would be completely gone unless they're planning on doing the same to DC as Hulk which I can't see either.

I'll be happy once some construction starts. Seems like we're going through a bit of a dry spell just now after VB (No pun intended). Sure, we have F&F but we don't have x-ray vision and Aventura is hardly an exciting build.

I think Nintendo is going to be a heavy-lifting project, like Diagon level or more. Between demolition, new foundations to support multi-story structures, and some serious ride engineering for two new E-Tickets and a C-Ticket, we're looking at all hands on deck come a few months from now. Honestly, besides Fast and Furious I really don't see any other movement in the parks as far as new attractions go besides Nintendo for a bit.

But hey, like the way Transfomers came out of nowhere, so could something else while Nintendo work is underway. We'll have to wait and see.

EDIT: And maybe the VB area expansion. That might start within a year also. I always forget about that.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm still solidly in the camp that HP expansion replaces DC and opens the year or so before Nintendo. :thumbsup:

 

[bandit14]

Of course, a bunch of little orange flags all around the coaster footers would be a great sign of something going on. That might get me excited again.

Yeah maybe they could be adding some actual scenery to make the ride cool again since it doesn't duel anymore. Like making it carve through rocks and such like that Black Mumba ride someone shared. Make it feel more like the dragon challenge from the book.

 

[Scott W.]

I think Nintendo is going to be a heavy-lifting project, like Diagon level or more. Between demolition, new foundations to support multi-story structures, and some serious ride engineering for two new E-Tickets and a C-Ticket, we're looking at all hands on deck come a few months from now. Honestly, besides Fast and Furious I really don't see any other movement in the parks as far as new attractions go besides Nintendo for a bit.

But hey, like the way Transfomers came out of nowhere, so could something else while Nintendo work is underway. We'll have to wait and see.

EDIT: And maybe the VB area expansion. That might start within a year also. I always forget about that.

I'm still solidly in the camp that HP expansion replaces DC and opens the year or so before Nintendo. :thumbsup:

I'm with @Mad Dog here although this camp needs a catchier name.

 

[belloq87]

I don't think we get anything of substance in 2019, but we'll see.

That's disappointing if true. I was kind of hoping 2019 would be the year Universal returns to form after the filler of Fallon this year and creative laziness/wasted opportunity of Fast & Furious next year.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm with @Mad Dog here although this camp needs a catchier name.

F Troop?

 

[ReelJustice]

FWIW, I checked the Water Management District site earlier, and nothing has been filed for this project yet.

ETA, I'll leave the messy City of Orlando permitting to @NJBrandon

 

[Alicia]

FWIW, I check the Water Management District site earlier, and nothing has been filed for this project yet.

The real hero of this discussion.

 

[Scott W.]

F Troop?

I think that's gone way over my head but it's catchy and I like it.

To explain a bit why I think this needs to happen sooner than later is that I think the IP is going to become stale. Sure, it's doing well just now but if this is a project after Nintendo, what year are we thinking? 2022? 12 years after the last film and it's not like Avatar where sequels are being planned. Fantastic Beasts is obviously happening but I think that will be something that's for the new park and kept separate from Potter.

 

[devinp267]

That's disappointing if true. I was kind of hoping 2019 would be the year Universal returns to form after the filler of Fallon this year and creative laziness/wasted opportunity of Fast & Furious next year.

Are we sure yet that f&f will be exactly the same as Hollywood? Imo kong is a step up over here from Hollywood, I haven't rode it but It just looks like we got the better version.

 

[Mad Dog]

I think that's gone way over my head but it's catchy and I like it.

To explain a bit why I think this needs to happen sooner than later is that I think the IP is going to become stale. Sure, it's doing well just now but if this is a project after Nintendo, what year are we thinking? 2022? 12 years after the last film and it's not like Avatar where sequels are being planned. Fantastic Beasts is obviously happening but I think that will be something that's for the new park and kept separate from Potter.

F Troop was a hysterically funny 1960's TV western about a troop of misfits in the old west. Starring the really funny Larry Storch..... I would think a HP expansion comes within the next couple years to keep the tremendously lucrative franchise fresh & energetic.

 

[belloq87]

Are we sure yet that f&f will be exactly the same as Hollywood? Imo kong is a step up over here from Hollywood, I haven't rode it but It just looks like we got the better version.

I'm sure there will be a few token upgrades, but most signs point to the bulk of the experience being the same as Hollywood's (and Reign of Kong's right next door in IOA... the ride they just opened last year).

I hope I'm wrong and it turns out to be fun, but the fact that it's going to be relying on the 360 gimmick again really sours me on it, and I don't think anything could change that.

Sorry for the slight derail!

 

[bandit14]

I'm sure there will be a few token upgrades, but most signs point to the bulk of the experience being the same as Hollywood's (and Reign of Kong's right next door in IOA... the ride they just opened last year).

I hope I'm wrong and it turns out to be fun, but the fact that it's going to be relying on the 360 gimmick again really sours me on it, and I don't think anything could change that.

Sorry for the slight derail!

I saw the same thing on the POV and really have no interest to do the new Fast ride as much as I love the movies.

 

[bandit14]

I would think a HP expansion comes within the next couple years to keep the tremendously lucrative franchise fresh & energetic.

How big of an expansion though? Taking over all of the Lost Continent and Fear Factor too? I mean yes it is a great franchise but I am thinking that when Nintendo opens it is going to steal a good deal of the spotlight. Way more gamers than Potter fans, I could be wrong though

 

[ReelJustice]

No recent demolition permits up on the City's permitting site. The next permit will be DEM2017-00094

 

[devinp267]

How big of an expansion though? Taking over all of the Lost Continent and Fear Factor too? I mean yes it is a great franchise but I am thinking that when Nintendo opens it is going to steal a good deal of the spotlight. Way more gamers than Potter fans, I could be wrong though

They could keep building potter for 10 more years and still keep building potter and it'll be just as big a hit as the first couple lands. Not even Nintendo can fully sleep on potter imo. Theres just so much that hasn't even been touched in that ip.