Future of Dragon Challenge?

[Mad Dog]

And I will agree with you there. In 1999 it was a fantasmical creation of art. Sadly, the attractions either didn't hold up or were too too much for all age ranges. At the same time, it was a frenetic piece of design from Greece to Arabia to Ye Olde England. The creators did their best with literally nothing but mythology on all counts.

Poseidon's Fury Facade is still one of the most impressive attraction entrances at any theme park.

 

[UNIrd]

The biggest loss, to be honest. At least they could've let us keep the corn chowder..

 

[devinp267]

I think it's not too bad of an attraction to need to go. I don't think they will drop it though anytime soon.

 

[ThreePack Shagur]

Are we talking about the shortcut that is just outside of the exit building to the right of the path?

Because it is still there. At least it was when I was there last September. Maybe it's only open during quieter periods?

Sorry for the late reply. This was the ride again where you would stay in the building. You would take a right near the baby swap and cut in just before choosing a side. It probably hasn't been used since last decade.

 

[Garagely]

That's a realllllllllyyyyy old shortcut that hasn't been used since express pass became a thing. It's currently partially taken over by express and partially by a team member path between load and express.

Oh my gosh, it's been that long? I don't ride Dragon's Challenge much nowadays, but I still think of that old re-ride path when I do.

 

[Ryan]

I may get slaughtered for saying such heresy, but the original 2000 IOA was where it was at, truly magical..I felt after Potter (even though Potter is phenomenal) that IOA has been a shell of its former magical self

My family visited IOA in 2001 mostly because anyone who went were blown away and would not shut up about it. It was a technical, magical wonder. We all agreed, and even did Spider-Man twice. Even 14 years later I can still respect the pure genius of how Universal went all the way on the project, but I don't think the problem was Potter, but age. They're adding Kong and have been freshening up Marvel. Seuss, TL and Lost Continent badly need nice, clean refreshes. (Seuss not as badly) I think they could work to make IOA as shiny of a jewel as it used to be.

 

[boomerthom]

Re-ride path was open today - the one with the sign. I was shocked to see it...thought it was gone for good after the metal detectors were installed.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

There has been a good deal of discussion on other threads regarding what might be about to happen with Dragon Challenge. This is what I remember reading, not necessarily facts.

Originally the rumor was that DC would get a Hulk level refurbishment to start sometime after Hulk was done. It was then mentioned somewhere that extra space would be freed up in the DC area to add to Hogsmeade. Speculation after that has been since the area is so large the attraction could be removed and replaced with something better themed to Harry Potter.

The question is what will happen and when. The dragons don't duel anymore, but it is two coasters that have a large combined capacity. A lot of HP fans are not coaster fans. The attraction is just an overlay of Dueling Dragons and is not being duplicated in any other HP land at any of the other Universal parks. One member had said even Rowling is not a fan of the ride as it currently exists.

From Google maps DC looks like it is around 40% of the total Hogsmeade area. Universal could do quite a bit with that much area.

Anyone know the facts, time frame or budget?

 

[hishedale]

There has been a good deal of discussion on other threads regarding what might be about to happen with Dragon Challenge. This is what I remember reading, not necessarily facts.

Originally the rumor was that DC would get a Hulk level refurbishment to start sometime after Hulk was done. It was then mentioned somewhere that extra space would be freed up in the DC area to add to Hogsmeade. Speculation after that has been since the area is so large the attraction could be removed and replaced with something better themed to Harry Potter.

The question is what will happen and when. The dragons don't duel anymore, but it is two coasters that have a large combined capacity. A lot of HP fans are not coaster fans. The attraction is just an overlay of Dueling Dragons and is not being duplicated in any other HP land at any of the other Universal parks. One member had said even Rowling is not a fan of the ride as it currently exists.

From Google maps DC looks like it is around 40% of the total Hogsmeade area. Universal could do quite a bit with that much area.

Anyone know the facts, time frame or budget?

I miss early 2000's Universal. There's just a novelty that it had.

 

[shiekra38]

I miss early 2000's Universal. There's just a novelty that it had.

I feel when the next park opens we may have a second Universal age coming around

 

[Mike S]

I feel when the next park opens we may have a second Universal age coming around

I thought we're already in that age?

 

[shiekra38]

I thought we're already in that age?

Kind of...When IOA, CityWalk, and the Resorts were finished it was a very special time...Of course what Universal is doing now is amazing and bringing life back to the resort...but 2000 was just a magical new time for the parks...Imagine experiencing IOA with everything working and for the first time..What's been happening is certainly close to how it felt in 2000 though for sure

 

[sparky]

There has been a good deal of discussion on other threads regarding what might be about to happen with Dragon Challenge. This is what I remember reading, not necessarily facts.

Originally the rumor was that DC would get a Hulk level refurbishment to start sometime after Hulk was done. It was then mentioned somewhere that extra space would be freed up in the DC area to add to Hogsmeade. Speculation after that has been since the area is so large the attraction could be removed and replaced with something better themed to Harry Potter.

The question is what will happen and when. The dragons don't duel anymore, but it is two coasters that have a large combined capacity. A lot of HP fans are not coaster fans. The attraction is just an overlay of Dueling Dragons and is not being duplicated in any other HP land at any of the other Universal parks. One member had said even Rowling is not a fan of the ride as it currently exists.

From Google maps DC looks like it is around 40% of the total Hogsmeade area. Universal could do quite a bit with that much area.

Anyone know the facts, time frame or budget?

I have never been on that ride. Always send my son to escort his sister on. Did they keep the dragons? They look amazing, and really very Potterish.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

I have never been on that ride. Always send my son to escort his sister on. Did they keep the dragons? They look amazing, and really very Potterish.

The coasters are still dragons.

 

[sparky]

The coasters are still dragons.

I was wondering about those huge dragons in front of the ride? They still have those?

 

[Galaxy Defender]

I was wondering about those huge dragons in front of the ride? They still have those?

No. Those were taken down when the ride was converted to Dragon Challenge. The castle was there for the original ride also. They just redecorated a bit and took all the skulls and bones out of the passageways.

 

[sparky]

No. Those were taken down when the ride was converted to Dragon Challenge. The castle was there for the original ride also. They just redecorated a bit and took all the skulls and bones out of the passageways.

How sad. They look amazing. I'm guessing there was no way to move them.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

How sad. They look amazing. I'm guessing there was no way to move them.

The real loss was the Enchanted Oak Tavern, which was where the Three Broomsticks is now.

 

[Living_Bread]

Imagine if instead of removing Dragon Challenge, they just amped up the theme of the ride. For example, if they made facades for the ride to speed past. Imagine fly past a forest or something. I know it's probably impossible, but it would really be cool.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Imagine if instead of removing Dragon Challenge, they just amped up the theme of the ride. For example, if they made facades for the ride to speed past. Imagine fly past a forest or something. I know it's probably impossible, but it would really be cool.

Emphasis on the words speed past. You would go buy them so quickly I don't know if you really get time to enjoy them.