Latest on Saving the Lost Continent

[Spidey7]

Does any of the Uni experts on here know what the latest is? I have heard so many conflicting stories, from LC is not going to be disturbed at all (Sinbad workers being told it was going no where) to that a big chunk of the LC is indeed going to be ripped down, which I think is a crime against art.

I will be very upset if one iota of the LC is disturbed, this is the most unique, awesome and just beautiful spots in all of theme parkdom, not just IOA.

I like HP and all and look forward to that park but not at the expense of the LC. Why does it seem like all the suits in the theme park and movie industry haven't a clue at what they are doing in so many regards.

This is like ripping off half of the Mona Lisa to make way for something else, when they could easily find some way to accomodate it all, what a waste.

 

[bugabri]

taking it out for harry potter world

 

[damo]

Sound like most will be preserved with tweaks in the theming. I don't think anything is being torn down other than perhaps some storefronts. DD, Poseidan, Sinbad, Mythos and Flying Unicorn will all remain. The queue for DD will be changed a bit adding in the HP theme a big more. The addition of the Hogwarts and Hogsmeade should only add to the theming not remove.

Since the attendance at IOA has been falling, the suits obviously need to do something. Since the announcement of HP in IOA made worldwide headlines, I'd say it is a step in the right direction.

 

[ChrisFL]

Ok, this may be a long post, but let me first say that I LOVE the theming of the Lost Continent and if it were up to me I'd keep it the way it is

However, being a study of theme parks like Universal and Disney, I can see why it's being changed.

Its not because the Lost Continent is lacking in any way, but that it is unique. Sometimes being original and unique can be a curse for a theme park. Let me try to explain...

For example, let's take some attractions, like Poseidon's Fury. It was open for about 3-4 years and they changed it. It is a long attraction with a lot of explanation to start with (in both versions). Thats' because even though people may have heard of Zeus, Poseidon, etc. they aren't in pop culture and haven't been.

Whether fortunate or not, people want attractions based on something familiar, and theme park designers have a much easier task when there is less time needed explaining things than there is getting on with the attraction.

This is also quite important when trying to sell a park experience to someone who doesn't know anything about it. If you tell someone that IOA has a "lost continent" with Merlin and Poseidon, they probably wouldn't care...if you tell them it has Jurassic Park, Spiderman, Rocky & Bullwinkle, etc. suddenly they take more notice.

Like I said, I LOVE the Lost Continent area, but it was never a draw to get people in the park, and right now, Universal seriously needs that attendance.

 

[Spidey7]

First off I'm thrilled to hear that it sounds like its not going to be any major destruction. However if they do anything to the statue I may organize a protest. Has anyone heard anything about the broken statue?

And Chris, you are right I think. But I don't think that holds true for everyone like you and me who seem to care more than most. When IOA was first being announced, the main thing that caught my eye WAS the LC. I thought it looked amazing and it was the first island I wanted to visit.

And also let me say I am alllllllll for a HP section, and I think that is a great idea. Just don't want to see the LC disturbed in any major way. If they keep it to transforming the store fronts or something I can live with that.

But the enchanted oak, Mythos, and the giant crumbled statue are icons that should not be disturbed IMO. Thanks all for the latest news.

 

[goofy!]

First off I'm thrilled to hear that it sounds like its not going to be any major destruction. However if they do anything to the statue I may organize a protest. Has anyone heard anything about the broken statue?

And Chris, you are right I think. But I don't think that holds true for everyone like you and me who seem to care more than most. When IOA was first being announced, the main thing that caught my eye WAS the LC. I thought it looked amazing and it was the first island I wanted to visit.

And also let me say I am alllllllll for a HP section, and I think that is a great idea. Just don't want to see the LC disturbed in any major way. If they keep it to transforming the store fronts or something I can live with that.

But the enchanted oak, Mythos, and the giant crumbled statue are icons that should not be disturbed IMO. Thanks all for the latest news.

There was a great thread back when HP was announced. I think it was Damo's son that overlayed the existing IOA with the conceptual art from the universal/harrypotter website. It give a general idea of what might be touched and what might not.

Looks like Mythos is completely safe. As mentioned above, DD will probably have some theming changes. I think it was mentioned that the Enchanted Oak may be a victim of change.

But look for that thread. It had many of the great minds here discussing what might be done to LC for HP.

 

[robvia]

There's always a handful of people who are frustrated when an attraction is removed for something new.

I mean, think of the attraction Earthquake. The movie came out in the 70s, most kids have never even seen the movie, yet when they finally replace it, there will be a bunch of people saying it was their favorite ride.

Guess what, I don't go on it any more because the pre-show is a waste of time.

I think they'll keep Posiden's Fury, but it does use a lot of space for an attraction that's not even a ride.

 

[ChrisFL]

There's always a handful of people who are frustrated when an attraction is removed for something new.

I mean, think of the attraction Earthquake. The movie came out in the 70s, most kids have never even seen the movie, yet when they finally replace it, there will be a bunch of people saying it was their favorite ride.

Guess what, I don't go on it any more because the pre-show is a waste of time.

I think they'll keep Posiden's Fury, but it does use a lot of space for an attraction that's not even a ride.

But using the Earthquake example, its one of those attractions where it doesn't matter if you've seen the movie or not, same with Jaws or Twister...its a very simple concept that everyone knows about. I dont even recall a subway scene in the Earthquake movie anyway.

 

[damo]

There's always a handful of people who are frustrated when an attraction is removed for something new.

I mean, think of the attraction Earthquake. The movie came out in the 70s, most kids have never even seen the movie, yet when they finally replace it, there will be a bunch of people saying it was their favorite ride.

Guess what, I don't go on it any more because the pre-show is a waste of time.

I think they'll keep Posiden's Fury, but it does use a lot of space for an attraction that's not even a ride.

I think it will eventually be replaced. It will stay for now to keep LC intact but I think as WWoHP grows in popularity, Sinbad and Poseidan will be taken over.

 

[Spidey7]

I appreciate the comments but I honestly do not see the comparison between Earthquake, BTTF, Kong or any of those old rides, all of which I liked and didn't like to see go either, but the LC is a gigantic work of art. Not just a theme park IMO.

I'll really be upset if they get rid of the statue. And getting rid of the Enchanted Oak is a crime. I wouldn't mind so much re-vamping the interiors of Poisieden and the Sinbad show, but keeping the facades should be done.

I wish you Floridians could contact the historical preservation commission in your state and have them stop this. (Not stop HP, just stop the tearing down of the LC)

 

[damo]

IOA was built in 1998. It is not historical by any means. It is mostly just framework and a bit of plaster. Nothing to get upset about. I'm sure they will keep as much as they can but really, it is just a themepark.

 

[Spidey7]

IOA was built in 1998. It is not historical by any means. It is mostly just framework and a bit of plaster. Nothing to get upset about. I'm sure they will keep as much as they can but really, it is just a themepark.

Yeah I realize its not technically "historical" due to its age, that was more tongue in cheek, but I disagree. I think it is much more than plaster and framework.

If you want to reduce it to that, the Mona Lisa is just really some oil and canvas, why not let it go to waste as well.

Without art, we are nothing more than apes that can talk and drive.

 

[damo]

Yeah I realize its not technically "historical" due to its age, that was more tongue in cheek, but I disagree. I think it is much more than plaster and framework.

If you want to reduce it to that, the Mona Lisa is just really some oil and canvas, why not let it go to waste as well.

Without art, we are nothing more than apes that can talk and drive.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree here but I really don't consider anything at IOA to be a masterpiece. The park was made from architectural drawings and articles can be remade or moved.

I don't think you have to worry though, since as far as we have been told, the area around Mythos is being preserved.

 

[justprettynpink]

I dont even recall a subway scene in the Earthquake movie anyway.

Just FYI.....the ride is in the Fisherman's Wharf Area of the park. (Which is located in SF California.) You are not riding a subway but BART (Bay Area Rapid Transporation). From what I remember most of the track is above ground but there are some areas underground. I grew up in that area and I loved showing my boys BART when we rode this ride. I got to tell them that mommy used to ride the real one......

This ride reminds me most of Universal Hollywood from a long time ago. We would ride trams through the park and experience all kinds of special effects......


Just thought I would share my knowledge....