Universal Orlando Resort has been through a lot during it's rather historic twenty-four year span. From it's disastrous grand opening in the summer of 1990 that nearly sank the park before it even started, to the drama faced as the company watched Michael Eisner creating their park with their ideas before they even had an opportunity to counter, and all the way to the dark times of the mid 2000's under Vivendi Universal and Blackstone; Universal has faced more than it's fair share of hardship. Yet here we theme park fans stand now, watching as Diagon Alley and the Harry Potter universe come to life right in front of our very own eyes at Universal Orlando, now a Comcast owned theme park. The old "watch and look as Disney monopolizes the theme park industry" days seem to have all but passed, and now Universal sits on the cusp of becoming one of the most popular theme park destinations, not only in the United States, but the world.
It's a far cry from what these parks once were. Universal was hurting so much financially under Blackstone, in fact, that bankruptcy loomed it's head, and major fire and water effects were being cut back to save money. Things were getting ugly at the park that once housed the likes of Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the popular Hannah Barbera characters. Yet now we're witnessing as Harry Potter and it's avid fan base bring a new life to these theme parks that is nearly unparalleled to anything we theme park fans have witnessed. This leads to an interesting question though, one asked by many a fan as we see the resort evolve in front of our eyes: what's next for Universal Orlando Resort?
It's quite possible that the success of Diagon Alley, which officially opens to the public on July 8th, could lead to more Potter in the parks. Some begrudge this idea, but for Universal it would be a no-brainer. Fear Factor Live is just begging to be axed from Universal Studios Florida, and just so happens to sit right by the new London waterfront/Diagon Alley expansion. Potter has already proven time and time again that it will bring the crowds, and with so much more of the Harry Potter universe out there, Universal could create plenty more of the boy wizard's famous locations. The biggest rumor hovering around is the Ministry of Magic could be making it's way to the Wizarding World with some even speculating that it could replace Men in Black: Alien Attack.
Moving over to Island's of Adventure though, we spectulate on what could possibly be going into the already cleared space of land located behind and in-beween the Jurassic Park and Toon Lagoon lands. The space is big enough to house a rather large E-ticket attraction or even a new land to the Island's. Now, if you follow theme park message boards, you'll see that the biggest rumor regarding this plot is that a brand-new King Kong attraction could rear it's head, marking the return of the big beast after a twelve year hiatus following the 2002 closure of Kongfrontation. This brings up the debate though, is Skull Island coming to Island's of Adenture, or will the ape be bombarding his way into Jurassic Park in rather tacky fashion. Only time will tell as work continues in the area.
Other speculation with the parks involves an expansion of Seuss Landing, bringing the popular Dr. Seuss tale The Lorax to life in dark ride form. Also an expansion of the pre-existing Jurassic Park land to coincide with the realize of the new film "Jurassic World" sequel, releasing in 2015. There's also a definite need to remove and replace old attractions at the parks, including but not limited to Shrek 4-D and almost the entirety of the Kidzone area, which is home to such popular kid's cartoons as Fievel the Mouse and Woody Woodpecker. NBC Universal has publicly stated it's intent to open at least one new attraction a year. Leading Universal fan's to ponder if this could mean a sooner rather than later third gate to the resort. After all, the last park added was Island's of Adventure, and that park (As absolutely great as it is.) opened in 1999.
Regardless of what may happen next, Universal Orlando is begging to prove to the visitor's of Orlando and everyone paying attention that it is a force to be reckoned with and a serious contender in the theme park industry. It wasn't the easiest road to get them where they are, but it can only mean great things for theme park fan's that they're finally there.
It's a far cry from what these parks once were. Universal was hurting so much financially under Blackstone, in fact, that bankruptcy loomed it's head, and major fire and water effects were being cut back to save money. Things were getting ugly at the park that once housed the likes of Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the popular Hannah Barbera characters. Yet now we're witnessing as Harry Potter and it's avid fan base bring a new life to these theme parks that is nearly unparalleled to anything we theme park fans have witnessed. This leads to an interesting question though, one asked by many a fan as we see the resort evolve in front of our eyes: what's next for Universal Orlando Resort?
It's quite possible that the success of Diagon Alley, which officially opens to the public on July 8th, could lead to more Potter in the parks. Some begrudge this idea, but for Universal it would be a no-brainer. Fear Factor Live is just begging to be axed from Universal Studios Florida, and just so happens to sit right by the new London waterfront/Diagon Alley expansion. Potter has already proven time and time again that it will bring the crowds, and with so much more of the Harry Potter universe out there, Universal could create plenty more of the boy wizard's famous locations. The biggest rumor hovering around is the Ministry of Magic could be making it's way to the Wizarding World with some even speculating that it could replace Men in Black: Alien Attack.
Moving over to Island's of Adventure though, we spectulate on what could possibly be going into the already cleared space of land located behind and in-beween the Jurassic Park and Toon Lagoon lands. The space is big enough to house a rather large E-ticket attraction or even a new land to the Island's. Now, if you follow theme park message boards, you'll see that the biggest rumor regarding this plot is that a brand-new King Kong attraction could rear it's head, marking the return of the big beast after a twelve year hiatus following the 2002 closure of Kongfrontation. This brings up the debate though, is Skull Island coming to Island's of Adenture, or will the ape be bombarding his way into Jurassic Park in rather tacky fashion. Only time will tell as work continues in the area.
Other speculation with the parks involves an expansion of Seuss Landing, bringing the popular Dr. Seuss tale The Lorax to life in dark ride form. Also an expansion of the pre-existing Jurassic Park land to coincide with the realize of the new film "Jurassic World" sequel, releasing in 2015. There's also a definite need to remove and replace old attractions at the parks, including but not limited to Shrek 4-D and almost the entirety of the Kidzone area, which is home to such popular kid's cartoons as Fievel the Mouse and Woody Woodpecker. NBC Universal has publicly stated it's intent to open at least one new attraction a year. Leading Universal fan's to ponder if this could mean a sooner rather than later third gate to the resort. After all, the last park added was Island's of Adventure, and that park (As absolutely great as it is.) opened in 1999.
Regardless of what may happen next, Universal Orlando is begging to prove to the visitor's of Orlando and everyone paying attention that it is a force to be reckoned with and a serious contender in the theme park industry. It wasn't the easiest road to get them where they are, but it can only mean great things for theme park fan's that they're finally there.