Future of Dragon Challenge?

[GadgetGuru]

Yes, They have changed their philosophy a great deal in the 15 months since they completely rebuilt Hulk.........

I think refurbing a coaster is different than choosing to build a brand new coaster, even if many of the steps are similar. Building a new coaster is a signal that Universal wants to go after that market. Refurbing the Hulk isn't as extreme and the Hulk is a huge IoA landmark.

 

[shiekra38]

That is a Universal thing.

Remember, Disneyphiles proclaimed Hogsmeade an abject failure and pointed and laughed hysterically at the edges of the exposed showbuilding absolutely convinced that it would cause the entire resort to go bankrupt and with tail between their legs, Universal would place the crown on Mickey's head after being so totally neutered by their own incompetence by showing a little show building.

And then....weaves snatched

Yes, They have changed their philosophy a great deal in the 15 months since they completely rebuilt Hulk.........

Hulk and RRR are anomalies for them, as they are iconic and popular...DD is a shell of its former self, I don't see a NEW coaster being built, unless it's in a building

 

[fryoj]

I think refurbing a coaster is different than choosing to build a brand new coaster, even if many of the steps are similar. Building a new coaster is a signal that Universal wants to go after that market. Refurbing the Hulk isn't as extreme and the Hulk is a huge IoA landmark.

They ripped out everything including the footers and rebuilt them. All new track, supports, and cars. It's a new coaster. A coaster refurb doesn't involve replacing everything. What they did has not been done anywhere before. It was about as extreme as it gets.

 

[shiekra38]

They ripped out everything including the footers and rebuilt them. All new track, supports, and cars. It's a new coaster. A coaster refurb doesn't involve replacing everything. What they did has not been done anywhere before. It was about as extreme as it gets.

So, you are expecting them to build a coaster like Hulk again?

 

[fryoj]

So, you are expecting them to build a coaster like Hulk again?

In the south property, I think they'll absolutely build a big steel coaster. I don't know if it'll be an inverting coaster, but a big, most likely B&M, coaster sure.

And I wouldn't bet against them building one on the DC plot.

 

[Disneyhead]

3rd gate is going to have Universal's version of Space Mtn. It'll be a launched "family coaster" with a 36" height restriction.

It will launch straight into a 400' vertical incline topping out with a top hat roll into a 350' vertical drop in a tube in the dark. It levels out into a show building where it hits 9 more loops in the dark. The tower is themed to a NASA launch tower. The onboard audio is by Daft Punk.

 

[shiekra38]

In the south property, I think they'll absolutely build a big steel coaster. I don't know if it'll be an inverting coaster, but a big, most likely B&M, coaster sure.

And I wouldn't bet against them building one on the DC plot.

I think DC plot will have a coaster, just inside...and not a B&M

 

[alomar]

3rd gate is going to have Universal's version of Space Mtn. It'll be a launched "family coaster" with a 36" height restriction.

It will launch straight into a 400' vertical incline topping out with a top hat roll into a 350' vertical drop in a tube in the dark. It levels out into a show building where it hits 9 more loops in the dark. The tower is themed to a NASA launch tower. The onboard audio is by Daft Punk.

Don't you tease me like that! That is not nice!

 

[tielo]

Yes, They have changed their philosophy a great deal in the 15 months since they completely rebuilt Hulk.........

There is still that pesky rodent problem Universal has with the Marvel ip. The coaster needed to be scrapped due to it's age. I'm sure they tried to replace it with anything else but a coaster but they probably were stopped by Disney and lose their ip rights. So they replaced it and plussed it a bit with the approval of the mouse.
I'm positive JK is not a fan of DC and would like to see it replaced with something more aesthetically pleasing and has a nudge and a wink to her new movie franchise.

 

[Scott W.]

3rd gate is going to have Universal's version of Space Mtn. It'll be a launched "family coaster" with a 36" height restriction.

It will launch straight into a 400' vertical incline topping out with a top hat roll into a 350' vertical drop in a tube in the dark. It levels out into a show building where it hits 9 more loops in the dark. The tower is themed to a NASA launch tower. The onboard audio is by Daft Punk.

The modern Apollo 13 rumour.

 

[SkiBum]

There is still that pesky rodent problem Universal has with the Marvel ip. The coaster needed to be scrapped due to it's age. I'm sure they tried to replace it with anything else but a coaster but they probably were stopped by Disney and lose their ip rights. So they replaced it and plussed it a bit with the approval of the mouse.
I'm positive JK is not a fan of DC and would like to see it replaced with something more aesthetically pleasing and has a nudge and a wink to her new movie franchise.

Sad thing is that DC isn't that old. Cedar Point's Raptor opened 1993 and is still running great. Maybe the lack of downtime affects DC where Raptor gets to sit in the cold for six months. I get that people want a themed dark ride or more appropriately themed coaster but the decision probably depends on ride popularity and maintenance issues should any exist.

 

[Mad Dog]

Sad thing is that DC isn't that old. Cedar Point's Raptor opened 1993 and is still running great. Maybe the lack of downtime affects DC where Raptor gets to sit in the cold for six months. I get that people want a themed dark ride or more appropriately themed coaster but the decision probably depends on ride popularity and maintenance issues should any exist.

Yea, I think you're right on with the point of no significant downtime over the years. It probably ages three years for every one of a northern coaster. I heard that it now requires nearly daily maintainance due to it's issues. I would imagine the Florida tropical weather also contributes to the problems.

 

[shiekra38]

Sad thing is that DC isn't that old. Cedar Point's Raptor opened 1993 and is still running great. Maybe the lack of downtime affects DC where Raptor gets to sit in the cold for six months. I get that people want a themed dark ride or more appropriately themed coaster but the decision probably depends on ride popularity and maintenance issues should any exist.

And also, the ride isn't that great to begin with, taken alone they are short inverted coasters with minimal pacing between elements, and a bit jerky....When they dueled it brought a new life to it...I think the flaws with the ride are made glaringly obvious when the ride doesn't dual

 

[wizwit]

3rd gate is going to have Universal's version of Space Mtn. It'll be a launched "family coaster" with a 36" height restriction.

It will launch straight into a 400' vertical incline topping out with a top hat roll into a 350' vertical drop in a tube in the dark. It levels out into a show building where it hits 9 more loops in the dark. The tower is themed to a NASA launch tower. The onboard audio is by Daft Punk.

Wrong! I heard the incline was only 390'.

 

[Scott W.]

And also, the ride isn't that great to begin with, taken alone they are short inverted coasters with minimal pacing between elements, and a bit jerky....When they dueled it brought a new life to it...I think the flaws with the ride are made glaringly obvious when the ride doesn't dual

I can't agree with this more. For the amount of room they're taking up, it can be so utilised so much better.

 

[OLSinFLA]

Yea, I think you're right on with the point of no significant downtime over the years. It probably ages three years for every one of a northern coaster. I heard that it now requires nearly daily maintainance due to it's issues. I would imagine the Florida tropical weather also contributes to the problems.

Kumba (a B&M) opened in 1993, a good 6 years before Hulk, at Busch in Tampa and is still running. In fact the Hulk is the ONLY B&M coaster to have been torn down (even if it was replaced).

 

[Scott W.]

Kumba (a B&M) opened in 1993, a good 6 years before Hulk, at Busch in Tampa and is still running. In fact the Hulk is the ONLY B&M coaster to have been torn down (even if it was replaced).

I think the main issue with Hulk was in the tunnel under the walkway where it was bombarded with mist for most of the day for 16 years solid. There must have been other issues though as they could have just replaced that bit of track.

Lots of photos still up in this thread showing how bad a shape it was in:
The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster | Inside Universal Forums

 

[fryoj]

There is still that pesky rodent problem Universal has with the Marvel ip. The coaster needed to be scrapped due to it's age. I'm sure they tried to replace it with anything else but a coaster but they probably were stopped by Disney and lose their ip rights. So they replaced it and plussed it a bit with the approval of the mouse.

So you think the rides in Marvel Island now will be all there ever is there and Uni is forced to keep the rides exactly like they are?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Remember, Disneyphiles proclaimed Hogsmeade an abject failure and pointed and laughed hysterically at the edges of the exposed showbuilding absolutely convinced that it would cause the entire resort to go bankrupt and with tail between their legs, Universal would place the crown on Mickey's head after being so totally neutered by their own incompetence by showing a little show building.

This sounds familiar.........

 

[tielo]

So you think the rides in Marvel Island now will be all there ever is there and Uni is forced to keep the rides exactly like they are?

Not necessarily but there is a contract and there is Marvel/Disney who at least need to make sure everything is within contract.
But regarding "mega coasters" there is no way that will find it's way in Hogmead after DC is torn down. There is no logic behind that. It doesn't generate as much money as a dark ride of the forbidden forest where ton of merchandise will be sold to a broader audience.