A moment of silence for IOA and UO, BHP (Before Harry Potter)

[Flyin2MCO]

Now that Harry Potter and his World have been unleashed, let us pause with bittersweet remembrance of the UO of days gone by...Surely the WWHP will enhance the Universal experience and boost the park's continued evolution, but keep a place in your heart for when Kong ruled the concrete jungle, and when repose from a scorching hot day could be found in the Enchanted Oak Tavern.

Chaos will likely be the operative word in the short-term surely for IOA, probably for USF, and maybe even for the on-site hotel experience as HP draws in the masses. But just as WED never accepted the status-quo and always tinkered with his creations, hopefully we will see UO continue to adjust and grow, and create generations of new fanatics.

I, for one, will always appreciate and remember UO "the way it was before"....

 

[Planogirl]

I miss the Enchanted Oak. I'm hoping that the new restaurant will be amazing though.

I hope that the Studios will be a relatively quieter area. I still like it better than IOA so I might at least have a place to escape to.

 

[seadd67]

I hope HP brings all the fun and dreams that we all hope and dreamed for.

 

[Poohbug]

Now that Harry Potter and his World have been unleashed, let us pause with bittersweet remembrance of the UO of days gone by...Surely the WWHP will enhance the Universal experience and boost the park's continued evolution, but keep a place in your heart for when Kong ruled the concrete jungle, and when repose from a scorching hot day could be found in the Enchanted Oak Tavern.

Chaos will likely be the operative word in the short-term surely for IOA, probably for USF, and maybe even for the on-site hotel experience as HP draws in the masses. But just as WED never accepted the status-quo and always tinkered with his creations, hopefully we will see UO continue to adjust and grow, and create generations of new fanatics.

I, for one, will always appreciate and remember UO "the way it was before"....

Well said.

 

[inkkognito]

I've always preferred USF to IOA. Hulk got too rough for me (boxes my ears on the shoulder restraints), and Spidey is fun but not enough to draw me over there when there's a lot more to do on the Studio side. HP will actually cause me to get my butt over to IOA now as it's worth a few rides on FJ and a butterbeer fix. IOA seriously needed some kind of draw. I mean, come on...Popeye, Gasoline Alley, Blondie, Betty Boop, et. al.? What kid today even knows who they are? Now IOA can stand on its own instead of continuing as the red-haired step child.

 

[damo]

I've always preferred USF to IOA. Hulk got too rough for me (boxes my ears on the shoulder restraints), and Spidey is fun but not enough to draw me over there when there's a lot more to do on the Studio side. HP will actually cause me to get my butt over to IOA now as it's worth a few rides on FJ and a butterbeer fix. IOA seriously needed some kind of draw. I mean, come on...Popeye, Gasoline Alley, Blondie, Betty Boop, et. al.? What kid today even knows who they are? Now IOA can stand on its own instead of continuing as the red-haired step child.

I agree. I'll go one step further and say that IOA needs one more family ride. It doesn't have to be something mind blowing, but one more thing to even things out. Then it will be the perfect park.

 

[Magpie]

I've always preferred USF to IOA. Hulk got too rough for me (boxes my ears on the shoulder restraints), and Spidey is fun but not enough to draw me over there when there's a lot more to do on the Studio side. HP will actually cause me to get my butt over to IOA now as it's worth a few rides on FJ and a butterbeer fix. IOA seriously needed some kind of draw. I mean, come on...Popeye, Gasoline Alley, Blondie, Betty Boop, et. al.? What kid today even knows who they are? Now IOA can stand on its own instead of continuing as the red-haired step child.

Nerdy kids. Like mine!

Actually, Betty Boop's had a big revival around here. A lot of teenagers go in for that retro cartoon look. Her over-the-top sexuality is edgy - but not TOO edgy.

Blondie still runs in the daily newspaper, which means kids read it. Also Teletoon Retro is a popular channel with the middle school kids. My 12yo son frequently tunes in to Rocky and Bullwinkle, along with his friends. Ironically mocking the old cartoons is a far cooler activity than watching any of the newer stuff like Jimmy Neutron (he used to like that show, but now he thinks he's too mature for it).

And LOTS of teens read the Comics Curmudgeon on a regular basis.

 

[Metro West]

I hope HP brings all the fun and dreams that we all hope and dreamed for.

 

[safetymom]

I hope people are not dissapointed when they see how small the HP area is. I hope that Universal figures out that more people will be able to ride Forbidden Journey.

I hope everyone packs a lot of patience when visiting the HP area.

I wish Universal well with their new area.

 

[Disney Padawan]

I too will fondly remember the UO of old. However, I'm very happy that it got such a great franchise. I hope that they do a lot more with it and also continue to expand the other islands. (JP desperately needs a new ride, LC should eventually become the rest of WWoHP...etc.)

Hopefully if WWoHP is very successful, we could see a 3rd gate in the near future!!!

Here's hoping.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Saluting the old one last time & welcoming the new.

 

[MWS94Rock]

I too will fondly remember the UO of old. However, I'm very happy that it got such a great franchise. I hope that they do a lot more with it and also continue to expand the other islands. (JP desperately needs a new ride, LC should eventually become the rest of WWoHP...etc.)

Hopefully if WWoHP is very successful, we could see a 3rd gate in the near future!!!

Here's hoping.

I agree that JP needs a new ride. I love the river adventure but I really wish they had a jeep ride or some thing like that.

but I don't really know where they would build that ride at

 

[damo]

I agree that JP needs a new ride. I love the river adventure but I really wish they had a jeep ride or some thing like that.

but I don't really know where they would build that ride at

There seems to be room behind the Thunder Falls Terrace Restaurant. It doesn't have to be a big ride, but a family jeep ride in that area sure would be nice.

 

[Purseval]

You make it sound like HP is somehow changing the studios. That's rubbish, if the studios weren't outstanding to begin with HP never would have considered the location in the first place. HP won't make it better, just different.