Awaited "Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure" Coaster Will Open on June 13 at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure, Ride Details Revealed on March 12 !

Universal Orlando has confirmed the opening date of the highly awaited "Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure" coaster which will open on June 13 at Islands of Adventure Harry Potter Wizarding World!

Universal Orlando will also revealed on March 12 all details about the coaster ride. The announcement will happen live at UniversalOrlando.com at 8:30am EST.

Picture: copyright Universal Orlando

Islands of Adventure : The Jurassic Park Jeep Safari Ride That Never Was

When Islands of Adventure opened some rides envisioned for the Jurassic Park land were unfortunately cancelled. One of them was the Jeep Safari ride which would have been great as you will see on the renderings below from artist and former WDI Imagineer Scott Scherman.

The first artwork above shows a concept for the jeep vehicle of the ride. The next one below shows the jeeps entering a Jurassic Park camp before they move inside the land where the AA dinosaurs are.



On the next artwork things are becoming serious as the jeeps would have gone right under a giant Brontosaur. These artworks are unfortunately in low-res but if you enlarge them you can see that others animals would have appear like a long Apatosaur neck, from the lagoon. Before moving under the Brontosaur the jeep would have enter the land through the famous Jurassic Park gates and moving under a kind of giant net where probably others effects or animals would have awaited the guests.



On this last artwork - which was not the last part of the ride - you can see clearly a jeep being attacked by what seems to be Velociraptors. The arrows on the drawing indicate for sure other kind of effects and i wish i could tell which one, if i only knew... What i know is that others renderings exist and that in another scene a T-Rex would have "stepped on" the guests jeep and spin it in a way similar to the scene in the movie!



Apparently this ride was planned for the area behind Thunder Falls and was scrapped for its similarity to the River Adventure raft ride. Universal obviously favored the water based ride but who knows, may be they will build it one day - let's hope so!

Artwork by Scott Scherman : copyright Universal Studios

Islands of Adventure Harry Potter Wizarding World : "Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure" Roller Coaster Will Open on June 13 !

It's official, at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure Wizarding World "Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure" - the official name of the new Harry Potter roller coaster will open on June 13, and here is the official visual unveiling for the first time the design of the coaster train which, as rumored, has Hagrid motorbike and sidecar for each "car"!



 "For the first time ever, join Hagrid as you fly far beyond the grounds of Hogwarts castle on a thrilling roller coaster ride that plunges into the paths of some of the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Universal’s most highly themed coaster opens June 13, 2019 only at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, in Universal Orlando."



Pictures : copyright Universal Studios

D&M Exclusive: Land Cleaning Starts at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure for the Awaited Jurassic Park Roller Coaster

I've got some exclusive pictures for you today showing the works on the site at Islands of Adventure where Universal Orlando will build soon the awaited Jurassic Park roller coaster. They're currently cleaning the site to make room for the coaster structure, cutting trees and vegetation, and today's pictures show the land cleaning for the area between the Jurassic Park Discovery Center and Islands of Adventure lake - as the coaster track will run too through this area.

Inside the Jurassic Park land fences are now in place all around the areas where the coaster will be built.

Recently Orlando Park Stop had posted a picture showing a layout of the coaster teack, and yesterday in her new article "Harry Potter Coaster Construction Update with Scene by Scene Track Layout" Alicia Stella has posted the picture below indicating each scene of the ride. To learn more details about these, jump to Alicia's article.

Stay tuned on D&M for more exclusive pics of the works at Islands of Adventure!

Islands of Adventure Jurassic Park Roller Coaster Track Layout Revealed

As you may know Islands of Adventure Jurassic Park land is rumored to have works for a roller coaster planned to open in 2021, the year a new Jurassic World movie will be released. The coaster will use for a big part the land where was the extinct Triceratops Encounter before running in front of the Discovery Center and over the lake. OrlandoParkStop has posted a picture showing what will be the track and you have more about it in their article HERE

Alicia Stella from Theme Park Stop tells you all about the Jurassic Park Roller Coaster Rumored for Islands of Adventure in her new video below:




OrlandoParkStop is a real good site with apparently good insider sources, which deserves to be followed, so i added it in the list of websites of Disney News Central HERE and you'll find daily its latest posts on the left column under the banner looking like the one below.

Pictures and video: copyright OrlandoParkStop

First Teaser Artwork for Universal Orlando Harry Potter Coaster Opening in 2019 !

Universal is teasing the highly awaited Harry Potter roller coaster opening next year at Islands of Adventure Wizarding World with the new artwork above!

Universal didn’t provided many details about the ride itself - not even its title - or given a more specific opening date in 2019, just saying that more infos will be released next year. The press release, though, announced that “The new experience will become Universal’s most highly-themed coaster yet – immersing guests in an all-new adventure that is the next installment of the Wizarding World brought to life at Universal Orlando Resort.”

Disney and more is covering regularly the construction of this new Harry Potter coaster so stay tuned on D&M!

Picture: copyright Universal Studios

Islands of Adventure : Latest Pictures and Videos of Harry Potter Roller Coaster Construction Site

D&M has the latest pictures and videos of the construction site of the new Harry Potter roller coaster at Islands of Adventure - shot this week from Hogsmeade train station and as you'll see there is still plenty of work to do before it will open next year at IOA. I remind you that the coaster is rumored to be a motocoaster with guests boarding Hagrid's motorbike and its sidecar and going through the Forbidden Forest.

Rumor: Islands of Adventure - Dragon Challenge Might Close Soon, New Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Ride Coming in 2019...

According to Screamscape sources the new Harry Potter ride is supposed to be a new family coaster / dark ride attraction concept themed to the “Forbidden Forest” and Universal may be working with Mack Rides to adapt their “Inverted Powered Coaster” ride system which allows outdoor and indoor sections for this new ride. A Forbidden Forest area was also added recently in the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London.



Lance tells you much more about this exciting rumor on Screamscape HERE but if you don't know what is the new Mack "Inverted Power Coaster" ride rumored to be used in the new Potter ride ( see post below ), it's a great new ride system allowing to have the coaster cars to rotate to show a particular scene or even stop before restarting again. It was so far used only in the Arthur ride at Europa Park and the brand new "How to train Your Dragon" ride at Motion Gate Dubai. Here is a video showing the "How to train Your Dragon" ride in the Dreamworks land of Motion Gate Dubai - which was designed by former WDI Imagineer Bill Gorgensen who was the show producer for DLP Adventureland Pirates of Caribbean - that will show you how this "Inverted Power Coaster" ride system works.




Video: copyright Theme Park Review

Skull Island : Reign of Kong now in Soft-Opening at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure !

The highly awaited Skull Island : Reign of Kong is now in soft-opening at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure, and thanks to Attractions Magazine and Inside the Magic we have excellent videos of the queue decor and the ride itself. The ride looks great and include real sets, Audio-Animatronics creatures, the 3D sequence similar to the one in KONG 360 at USH but with new additional 3D sequences and the expected BIG surprise at the end! 

But what you must not miss is to watch first the video showing the queue decor as USO did one of the best queue theming i've seen since a while, which includes scary sets, projection effects, Audio-Animatronics, fire effects and the biggest quantity of skulls you've ever seen in a ride queue decor! The queue is an attraction in itself, just like the one of Indiana Jones Adventure is at DL or TDS. Note that the video filmed by attractions Magazine is a low light video, meaning that the lighting is most probably more dim in the queue than what you can see on the video. 

About the attraction length itself, we have a 6.30 min ride plus the time spent in the queue decor which last 6.40 min long in the video but of course it has been edited, so let's count 10 minutes even if people will of course spend more time than this in the queue decor. That makes more than 16 min for the full experience and i don't think we can consider this short. I, personally, gives a "E-Ticket" to this new Universal attraction and i think they did a fantastic job. Some may complain about the use again of projections in the ride, but there was no other way to create these scenes, you simply can't do it without projections. Personally it don't bother me because of the mix of real sets, AAs, and more, not to mention others effects that we can't see or feel on the videos like the trackless vehicle probably shaking or water effects that seems to happen during one of the projection sequences.

Anyway, i let you discover the whole thing and let's start with the queue decor video filmed by Attractions Magazine - don't miss it if you want to live the Skull Island : Reign of Kong full experience!




And now, if you've watched first the video above of the queue decor, here is the full ride filmed by inside the Magic.





And for those of you who have the nostalghia of the now extinct King Kong attraction at Universal Studios - or simply want to compare the two rides - here is the video of the full KongFrontation ride uploaded by Themepark Thrills!

Universal Orlando Reveal The Creatures of Islands of Adventure Skull island : Reign of Kong

Universal Orlando released a new video and Gifs files showing the "unimaginable creatures" that guests of Skull Island will face off at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure! 

When you embark this summer at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, you won’t be alone. 
Here you’ll come face to face with unimaginable creatures that prowl this mysterious and foreboding world. 

Massive winged beasts that hunt from the skies. Serpentine predators that burrow through the earth and attack from below. Giant insects that infest the jungles. These are just a few of the deadly creatures you’ll encounter on Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

   
Arachno-claw

These carnivorous arachnids move throughout the swampy underworld of the island’s dark caverns, foraging for dead or injured creatures. The six-legged scavenger uses its crab-like claws to crush its prey before feasting on the remains.

 
Carnictis

The giant, slug-like Carnictis lacks eyes or facial features. But its gaping, oozing mouth—ringed with sharp, jagged teeth—is a distinguishing feature that allows this slow but relentless creature to feed on dead and wounded beings that have succumbed to the wretched, murky chasms of the island.


 
Decarnocimex

One of the largest and most aggressive cave-dwelling inhabitants on the island, the Decarnocimex will attack anything smaller or weaker that dares to cross its path. These vicious insects tear apart their prey with their razor-sharp mandibles and two-bladed forearms.

Terapusmordax
 
These are the largest flying predators on the island, with wingspans up to 10 feet. They live in colonies within the island’s interior caverns and are easily provoked. Spearing victims with lethal talons, they use large carnivorous fangs to penetrate anything—or anyone—caught in their jaws of death.
 
Vastatosaurus rex
 
The V. Rex is the largest, most intimidating dinosaur that roams the island’s dense jungles. Despite its large, bulky head and tough leathery skin, it’s an agile predator, changing direction at high speeds and ripping into its prey with razor-sharp teeth.
 

Are you ready to face them all?
 
To learn more about what else awaits you at Skull Island: Reign of Kong, stay tuned to the blog or sign up for email updates.
 
And, you can tune into Syfy on March 30 at 9/8c to see a whole new side to these terrifying creatures on the hit special effects makeup show, Face Off.

Pictures and video: copyright Universal Orlando 

Universal Orlando Unveil Skull Island : Reign of Kong Trackless Vehicle

Universal Orlando revealed more about the trackless ride vehicle of Skull Island : Reign of Kong, and massive is the right word as the new expedition vehicle measures 40 feet long and 13 feet high, weighs17 tons and will carry up to 72 people, all this on a totally trackless system. The front and back axles can be steered independently, allowing the vehicle to do sharp twists and turns despite its size and 45-inch wheels. We also learn the name of the company doing these Skull Island "expeditions" and it is named "Eight Wonders of the World Expeditions"!

Five characters will be "behind the wheel" to guide the guests through Skull Island and each will have a story to tell. It doesn't mean you'll have the five characters in each vehicle but a different one in each of them. And we don't know yet if they will be Audio-Animatronics as rumored, or not. But that also mean the ride experience will be different with each driver's story and you'll have to ride Reign of Kong more than once to get the full experience! Here are their names:

Becky Callahan: The loose-cannon cowgirl who isn’t fazed by the dangers awaiting her on Skull Island.
Will Denham: The fresh-faced, adventure-seeking younger cousin of famed movie director Carl Denham.
Jinks Costanza: A hardened New York City ex-con who is wary of the island’s mysteries.
Kalana: A mystical descendent of the natives who first settled on the island.
Charles “Doc” Jordan: A PhD student in paleontology who took time off from his studies to explore the world.




Universal also released another new video showing a first look at Skull Island : Reign of Kong ride film, vehicle and Great Wall at Universal Islands of Adventure!




This Reign of Kong is more and more exciting and i can't wait for its opening this summer at Islands of Adventure!

Pictures and video: copyright Universal Studios

Two new major attractions coming to Universal Islands of Adventure in 2015 ?

According to the always well informed and reliable Screamcape web site not less than TWO major attractions will open at Universal Islands of Adventures in 2015! One of the two would be a long awaited new Jurassic Park ride. As Lance says "There have been too many JP themed ride rumors lately to say for sure what this one will be..." ...but we still can hope that the JP Jeep ride envisioned a long time ago could make its come back, although i wouldn't bet a lot on it... but we can dream, can't we?

The other ride to open in 2015 will be an unexpected one to be built at IOA Dr Seuss Landing. Always according to Lance some project called Project 301 "was just given the green light, with an aggressive plan to get it up and open in time for the Christmas 2015 holiday season. All I know so far is that this will be a new 3D ride experience themed to The Lorax, and that they will build a new large structure behind One Fish, Two Fish for it". 

So, just one year after what will be a major opening with Wizarding World of Harry Potter part two Universal will open two new attractions this time at IOA. At WDW,  after the 2014 opening of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train guests will have to wait until 2016 with the new Soarin' over the World movie - and 2017 with Avatar Land at Animal Kingdom - and obviously Universal is decided to use as much as they can their "momentum" and their ability to built new rides extremely quickly. Recently it was announced that Comcast - who owns Universal Studios - will add $500M more to build new rides, and now we know where they will be spent!

In the meantime don't forget to check regularly Screamscape updates for more news coming soon about these two projects!

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios

Universal Orlando Announces New Cinematic Spectacular Fountain Show to rival World of Color

Although it hasn't been announced yet officially we know that Universal Orlando has the project to expand the Harry Potter land at Universal Orlando park, and not Islands of Adventure where the "part one" of the land has been built. We also know how damaging it has been for WDW and apparently Disney consider that because of the Harry Potter land guests are staying one day less at WDW.

Obviously the part two of the Potter land, if it's build at UNI instead than IOA, is going to be a nightmare for WDW executives as it'll mean that UNI guests coming for Harry Potter will probably stay two days instead of one, as they'll need a two parks tickets - and it will be hard for them to see the whole two parks in one day. Until now the only good news for WDW was not only the opening of the new Fantasyland later this year but also that their Potter part two won't open before 2014 or 2015.

But apparently Universal was not decided to wait 2 or 3 more years to have their guests staying longer in the parks and they announced a new nighttime show at Universal Orlando lagoon, called "Cinematic Spectacular". And guess what? It's a fountain show with projections on waterfall screens, and yes, it's the counter-attack of Universal to Disney's World of Color! Universal know that Disney have no plans to bring World of Color at WDW in a near future and apparently they decided to build their own "World of color" based on Universal phenomenal movie library. And the new show - as well as a new parade - will open...this spring!



Here is Universal official statement about this Cinematic Spectacular lagoon show: "Narrated by award-winning actor and recent Golden Globe - Cecil B. DeMille honoree, Morgan Freeman, Universal Orlando’s brand-new nighttime show, Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular, will celebrate the most powerful and emotional moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films – all on cutting-edge waterfall screens within the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics. The experience will take guests on a journey through epic cinematic moments filled with heroes, horror, laughter, good vs. evil and triumph. The new show opens this spring, runs all summer and then on select nights through the end of the year".

And here is the video announcement by Universal.




Now, as if this was not enough, Universal Orlando also announced a new "Superstar Parade which will feature familiar animated characters with all-new floats through the streets of Universal Studios Florida"...



...and a new 3D attraction called "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem", "which will take guests on an unforgettable 3-D adventure with their favorite characters from the hit film – Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the mischievous minions. The experience begins when guests enter Gru’s home, where they learn that they’re being recruited to become minions and undergo “minion training.” Things don’t go as planned, and guests find themselves on a wildly hysterical journey with Gru and his daughters. Once guests make it through training, they join an interactive, minion-inspired dance party where they can show off their best moves.here is the video announcement". here is the video announcement...




...AND they also announced a major upgrade of the beloved Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride at Islands of Adventure: "Universal Orlando is transforming what is already one of the most amazing attraction experiences ever created into what will feel like an all-new adventure. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man will soon feature all-new, 4K digital high-definition animation, new high tech 3-D glasses and upgrades to the set, audio and lighting systems. The re-animation of the ride film will include an entirely new level of detail for guests to discover, including a cameo by legendary comic book icon and Spider-Man co-creator, Stan Lee". Here is the video announcement as well as an example of the new animation of one scene of the ride.







All of these are opening this year and obviously Universal intend to be ready for 2012 to face WDW New Fantasyland opening...

With Disneyland Paris 20th Ann Disney Dreams! show in front of Sleeping Beauty castle it will be the second major fountain show to open in 2012. By the way, talking about the DLP show, although i have no doubt that Disney Dreams! will be great there is a good news and a bad one coming with it: the good news is that the Disney Dreams! show is here to stay, even after the 20th anniversary. Now for the bad one: as i told you quite a while ago DLP had the project to build a small lake at the Walt Disney Studios to install the World of Color show. It would have been a night time show, but now that they will have the Disney Dreams fountain show at DLP i think we can say bye-bye to have a World of Color at the WDS as it will be very surprising that they decide to have two fountains show using more or less the same technology in both parks. Not to mention that WOC would have been probably more expensive to build than the upcoming Disney Dreams show...

To come back to Florida we'll see what the next round will be between WDW and UNI - and from who it will come - but it promise to be interesting!

Pictures and videos: copyright Universal Studios