It seems that every ten years or so, the theme park giants here in Orlando "have at it" and battle to see who can out do each other to capture a larger share of the all-important, and ever-fickle tourist dollar.
Ten years ago, or so, saw the full-out creation of brand-new parks. Disney with Animal Kingdom, Universal with Islands of Adventure and a tad later, Sea World with Discovery Cove.
Over the next decade, the competitors would throw up a new ride or attraction here and there, but now we seem to be at another major alignment of the new development stars...
Disney has just recently launched their new addition to Disney's Hollywood Studios: The American Idol Experience, an interactive show reminiscent of the hit TV singing competition.
Sea World is erecting their new coaster this Spring. It'll be called Manta.
But Universal is out doing them all.
First will be a new coaster sandwiched among the existing structures on the south side of the Universal Studios original park. It'll be that park's first true adult rollercoaster. It'll be called Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit featuring a vertical 17-story lift, rider selected music and full ride video available for riders to upload to YouTube et al.
But the real excitement is for a new Island to join the others at IOA: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Though it meant the destruction of my beloved Enchanted Oak restaurant with its dark and cozy Medieval-themed Alchemy Bar, where many a tankard of ale has been drunk with friends in the past, the work on this new addition looks phenomenal.
Dueling Dragons will be incorporated into this new island, leaving Lost Continents without moving an inch. I just hope they don't ruin the themed queue through the castle by re-imaging it for a Harry Potter theme. It's great as it is, IMHO.
Here are some shots of the new construction and temporary structures put in place.
It should be completed sometime in 2010.
It's a great time to be in the theme park capital of the world!
Ten years ago, or so, saw the full-out creation of brand-new parks. Disney with Animal Kingdom, Universal with Islands of Adventure and a tad later, Sea World with Discovery Cove.
Over the next decade, the competitors would throw up a new ride or attraction here and there, but now we seem to be at another major alignment of the new development stars...
Disney has just recently launched their new addition to Disney's Hollywood Studios: The American Idol Experience, an interactive show reminiscent of the hit TV singing competition.
Sea World is erecting their new coaster this Spring. It'll be called Manta.
But Universal is out doing them all.First will be a new coaster sandwiched among the existing structures on the south side of the Universal Studios original park. It'll be that park's first true adult rollercoaster. It'll be called Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit featuring a vertical 17-story lift, rider selected music and full ride video available for riders to upload to YouTube et al.
But the real excitement is for a new Island to join the others at IOA: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Though it meant the destruction of my beloved Enchanted Oak restaurant with its dark and cozy Medieval-themed Alchemy Bar, where many a tankard of ale has been drunk with friends in the past, the work on this new addition looks phenomenal.
Dueling Dragons will be incorporated into this new island, leaving Lost Continents without moving an inch. I just hope they don't ruin the themed queue through the castle by re-imaging it for a Harry Potter theme. It's great as it is, IMHO.
Here are some shots of the new construction and temporary structures put in place.
It should be completed sometime in 2010.
It's a great time to be in the theme park capital of the world!