Me too. Completely disagree with HTF. And lets not forget Camp Jurassic, one of the all time immersive play for "all ages" areas.
If the kids playground is as good as Camp Jurassic, I agree
Id be shocked if they ever built another playground again. We're losing the one at kid zone, for example. Camp Jurassic is the coolest playground in the world- but it occupies quite a bit of space and really isn't marketable. "Come play in our kickass playground" doesn't sound appealing. Of course, once they get there- it's a different ballgame.
I'd level everything but JPRA. It's old and outdated and frankly, Universal are better than this.
I also can't see a Jurassic World ride existing in Orlando, the same time as a Jurassic Park ride unless they're in the same area.
I believe that whatever comes to JP, will be a dry attraction that will be a thrilling attraction that can cater high capacity. Can it be a coaster? Yes. Could it be a Dark Ride? Yes. But I do believe that the future of this discussion will revolve around something that will be air-controlled, and that it will benefit the park in some way.
They have a couple ways they can go to improve the area. One would be as suggested- make a new JP/JW area in the new park and once open, shut down JP area at IoA to start a new project. Skull Island could expand with JPRA and the playground gone- even if it expands just a little- better walkways, a QS restaurant, etc.
Zelda would work very well here. As the replacement. The transition to skull island and Hp would work just fine.
The other thought is fixing what they currently have. Massive refurb of JPRA with top notch AAs and removing the dumb carny games. Everyone agrees with those two points.
JPRA is great in its own right and the story is really good and complete- so no need for a replacement there. Adding a gyro ride or jeep ride would be redundant and unnecessary to advance the land IMO.
Outside of JPRA, id flatten the majority of the rest including the play area (which is awesome).
So what I'd recommend for something different would be a Tron-like coaster where you mount motorcycles and it blends slow dark elements with fast launches. Yes- this would have primarily screens (sorry) mixed with real elements (trees and leaves). But the story could be different than JPRA/Gyro/Jeep in that it would be about being the aggressor during most of it instead of just escaping. "Lets go get that Trex" type ride with your raptor buddies running alongside you (hence the screens). Indoor and outdoor elements.
With (if) DC going away- this would be a perfect fit.
For discovery center- which is a centerpiece- I'd much rather them add a QS to skull island and turn discovery center into a table service dining area while increasing and updating the interactivity there as well. Make it upscale inside but fascinating and interactive at the same time. This would need to be moved over closer to the playground but could also share a kitchen or at least some backstage elements with the skull island QS.
Both options would be profitable and would renew the brand pretty well I'd think. I actually prefer the 2nd option. Fix what we have instead of starting from scratch. JPRA is too complete of a ride (story-wise) to just scrap.
