Designing Islands of Adventure

[Don Pacho]

Designing
Islands of Adventure

Ever been curious as to the origins of RIPSAW FALLS or its parallel drops? Back in the early 90's, Gary Goddard and company worked with the Universal team to create this concept for a first-of-its-kind flume in which the log would be SAWED IN HALF by a ripsaw during the ride's climax, sending each side of the vehicle down its own drop!



Source: www.facebook.com




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[jtsalien]

WOW. Never heard that. I guess its budget really got cut

 

[JungleSkip]

Ugh. That's amazing. Now THAT is something that would have been worthy for a Universal park.

 

[slappybob]

Wow that wouldve been the best water flume ever!!! Splash Mountain is still the best though

 

[Andy]

Splash Mountain is the best, or at least when it's running at 100% show quality. As for the blade I would imagine it didn't come down to budget as much as it did guest safety. I mean come on they have already have to station employee's, numerous cameras, and now lap bars because people want to stand up before the drop let alone "saw" a vehicle in half. Another idea ruined by the general public.

BTW thanks for sharing this. This is one of the few pieces of original art I have not seen.

 

[slappybob]

If only we could pick out the idiots that we know will do something idiotic and stop them from riding

 

[ChrisFL]

Some unique pics I have

 

[DragonSlayer]

Never seen that first one before, thanks!

 

[grizzlybarely]

Same, that first image is new and I really love it. Unique version of Pharos Lighthouse. Source?

 

[ChrisFL]

Same, that first image is new and I really love it. Unique version of Pharos Lighthouse. Source?

I've had those pics on my PC since about 2000...no clue where they first came from

 

[grizzlybarely]

I've had those pics on my PC since about 2000...no clue where they first came from

Dang. Hope there are more in that set.

 

[jtsalien]

Just grabbed 85 pics from this thread. Man I love this place.

 

[Don Pacho]

Designing
Islands of Adventure

The Noisarium

One concept that never made it off of the drawing board was The Noisarium. Designed for Seuss Landing, the attraction would have been made of several different musical exhibits. The “musical playground” was intended to be a post-show for the Cat in the Hat attraction, where parents could watch their children enjoy the sights and especially sounds and burn off some energy running from instrument to instrument. More than likely, the idea was scrapped in favor of If I Ran the Zoo, a similar experience with interactive playground where guests encounter different Seussian creatures. Ancona + Associates, the firm that designed the concept, said the following about The Noisarium:


“Universal set out a simple challenge, design an experience about Dr. Seuss and noise. The Noisarium was to be the landing pad for the Cat in the Hat ride in Seuss Landing at the Islands of Adventure Theme Park. After emerging from a forest of Seussian palms, the focal event was an interactive orchestra set in a village square, inviting visitors to join a jam session. Surrounding the square, a series of mysterious rooms invited visitors to explore a warren of whacky interactive sound chambers.”



Read more: http://parkpedia.cc/the-noisarium/

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[grizzlybarely]

Haha, thanks for the shout-out

 

[Don Pacho]

Designing
Islands of Adventure








For over ten years, Islands of Adventure had a large, vacant expansion area between Jurassic Park and Lost Continent. In Islands of Adventure’s second year of operation, some of this expansion land was dedicated to adding The Flying Unicorn, but this still left a large plot for expansion. As evidenced by original concept art, this plot was intended for an attraction entitled Jurassic Park Helicoptours. The ride was planned to be an aerial simulator attraction where riders would fly high over Jurassic Park and see various species of dinosaur. However, the attraction never opened, and the concept was either shelved or scrapped.

Concept art of Jurassic Park showing Jurassic Park Helicoptours on the Future Expansion Area site.


Years later, further evidence of Universal’s longtime pursuit to add a “monster” attraction to the resort was seen when concept art surfaced for a Van Helsing attraction. Likely intended to open in the mid-2000’s (possibly as a response to Disney’s Expedition Everest), the attraction would be a dark ride in a massive show building which occupied the entire expansion area. Interestingly, the concept seemed to use KUKA’s Robocoaster technology, the very same technology used in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. With the announcement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter just a few short years later in 2007, Van Helsing likely paved the way to the attraction that sits on that land today.

Today, the expansion area is occupied by Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Just like the Van Helsing concept, the large plot is dedicated to a massive show building. Nearly all of this land is backstage and off-limits to guests.

Blueprint of Van Helsing attraction, also planned for the Future Expansion Area site.




Read more: http://parkpedia.cc/harry-potter-and-the-forbidden-journey/



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[BJCool]

During a Google image search, I came across a website of some scenic artists whose work includes various aspects of IOA, including Poseidon's Fury, Sinbad's Village, Port of Entry, and the Dueling Dragons castle.

PORTFOLIO HOLLIE WITTMAN & BRENT MILLER


Poseidon’s Fury 1

North wall, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios/ Journey to Atlantis – Orlando, Florida

The theme of the Vault Mural was the Atlantis, the prized city of Zeus and the eventual destruction of Atlantis by Zeus’ arch nemesis Poseidon.

Brent was selected with Virginia Zuelsdorf of Wisconsin to execute the grand undertaking. Painting and developing the murals for five months, based on the comps of acclaimed artist John Whipple, a rich oil finish was achieved with acrylics and clear coats. The Murals were then moved from a studio at Nickelodeon to the vault where the Artists installed the canvas’s.


Poseidon’s Fury 2

in the studio, painting head of Poseidon
Universal Studios/ Journey to Atlantis – Orlando, Florida


Poseidon’s Fury 3

in the studio, painting top vinnette of West wall
Universal Studios/ Journey to Atlantis – Orlando, Florida


Poseidon’s Fury 4

East wall, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios/ Journey to Atlantis – Orlando, Florida


Poseidon’s Fury 5

entry wall, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios/ Journey to Atlantis – Orlando, Florida


Poseidon’s Fury 6

mural under finished lighting, North wall, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios/ Journey to Atlantis – Orlando, Florida


Poseidon’s Fury 7

mural under finished lighting, South wall, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios/ Journey to Atlantis – Orlando, Florida


Poseidon’s Fury 8

South wall, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios/ Journey to Atlantis – Orlando, Florida


Poseidon’s Fury 9

West wall, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios/ Journey to Atlantis – Orlando, Florida


Detail Of Marbaliztion

detail of marble, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida


Marble 2

large tank prior to age treatment, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida


Marble 3

large tank, throne room of Poseidon, Poseidon’s Fury, Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida


Sinbad’s Village 1

Trompe-l’œil backdrop of Sinbad’s Village, Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida

Working with a team of artist on backdrop to the theater of Sinbad.


Sinbad’s Village 2

Trompe-l’œil backdrop of Sinbads Village, Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida


Sinbad’s Village 3

close up of Trompe-l’œil backdrop of Sinbads Village, Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida


Sinbad’s Village 4

Trompe-l’œil backdrop of Sinbads Village, Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida


Merlins Castle

designs and signs

design painted on four shields to adorn Merlins castle

Specialized Signs Graphics and mural projects
Completing sign packages for corporate and private clients. With a very steady hand and line they have used traditional techniques as hand drawn, pounced and grid transfer to surface image. Products; One Shot Oil acrylic and urethane. Brent apprenticed under acclaimed artist Dennis Vandaveer a Journeyman billboard artist from New York ; on Universal graphics and sign package.


Hand Painted Graphics

designs and signs: hand painted graphics, one of a dozen designs painted for Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida


Sign: Open Arms Hotel

designs and signs: sign painted for Open Arms Hotel in Port of Entry Island, Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida

 

[jtsalien]

^INCREDIBLE FIND!!!! :rep:

 

[Andy]

Very very cool stuff!!

 

[universal_fanatic]

Wow! I've never seen any of these images before. :rep:
Anyone know what the "large tank" in the "throne room" is from Poseion's Fury? I don't recall ever seeing it before in the old show...

 

[Bryce]

Amazing! Islands of Adventure is so incredibly designed.