RUMOR - Fantastic Beasts is replacing Dragon Challenge

[Dfan79]

http://www.slashfilm.com/theme-park...rge-election-year-heads-to-universal-studios/

The rumor says that Universal wants to remove Dragon Challenge completely and put a new Fantastic Beasts section. I'm surprised that they want to do this given the movie won't be out until November. What if the movie tanks?

I'd be alright with them getting rid of Dragon Challenge though. I don't like the ride at all, it's too shaky and disorienting.

 

[Disxuni]

Considering the fandom's excitement, the fact that they are already working on a second script for the sequel, and plan to do a third film making it a franchise, I would say that they have more confidence in the world that it is going to do well. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me in the least bit if they are thinking to take Dragon Challenge out and putting something Fantastic Beasts related into the park with that much confidence.

Not saying it's true, as it is a rumor, just that I wouldn't be surprised if they had enough confidence to do that. Regardless of how well it does, it is still a part of the Harry Potter universe, as it was still a book before a film, and I would imagine they would want to take advantage of that piece of the universe. Especially since they know they cannot keep WWoHP as it stands forever, they need to expand, and change as well in order to grow and now this film is a perfect excuse to do that.

Besides, Dueling Dragons (Dragon Challenge) and Flying Unicorn (Flight of the Hippogriff) barely had anything done to them to retheme them. And while FOTH is insanely popular, as it is mild enough for children to enjoy, DC often doesn't have very high wait times and is clearly not a huge favorite anymore. At Hollywood, it was FOTH that was reproduced to be part of WWoHP there, but not DC. However, I do not know how much of a Fantastic Beasts section they'd have if it was only DC alone to be ridden of.

 

[Dfan79]

Considering the fandom's excitement, the fact that they are already working on a second script for the sequel, and plan to do a third film making it a franchise, I would say that they have more confidence in the world that it is going to do well. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me in the least bit if they are thinking to take Dragon Challenge out and putting something Fantastic Beasts related into the park with that much confidence.

Yeah, I know. Harry Pottermania is stronger than Hulkamania. It made kids actually want to read and go see a play.

 

[pcstang]

As long as it's a great coaster I'm good with the change. I like DD and don't want it replaced with a "family" attraction.

 

[RAPstar]

Ever since Dragons lost the dueling function due to too many people getting injured, it's been kinda pointless. I mean the coasters are ok, but they loose something without the near misses from the two coasters. But they also have a lot of fans. IDK. I'd love to see more new Wizarding World stuff though.

 

[Dfan79]

As long as it's a great coaster I'm good with the change. I like DD and don't want it replaced with a "family" attraction.

I wouldn't mind if FB's main ride was a copy of Forbidden Journey. This way it's both a thrill ride and I don't lose my lunch.

I'm not sure about the movie though, it looks like they used too much special effects. Overly used computer effects ruined the Hobbit series for me. I like Eddie Redmayne though so I'll give it a chance.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

I've been to Hogsmeade at USO twice, and both times you could basically walk on to the Dragon Challenge - while the big HP ride (what's it called?) was a two hour wait. I think folks are voting with their feet in this case. It's good that USO sees that. Besides, new HP attractions will sell...

 

[RAPstar]

I wouldn't mind if FB's main ride was a copy of Forbidden Journey. This way it's both a thrill ride and I don't lose my lunch.

I'm not sure about the movie though, it looks like they used too much special effects. Overly used computer effects ruined the Hobbit series for me. I like Eddie Redmayne though so I'll give it a chance.

It wasn't so much the computer effects, it's that the used cheaper computer effects compared to the LOTR series. Or at least that's what I hear. I've only watched Fellowship of the Rings.

 

[Dfan79]

It wasn't so much the computer effects, it's that the used cheaper computer effects compared to the LOTR series. Or at least that's what I hear. I've only watched Fellowship of the Rings.

Dude, you gotta watch the whole trilogy. It's awesome. I got to warn you though, if you watch the longer versions your *** will probably be hurting for a few days afterwards. They are longer than my last sentence, but it's well worth it.

 

[kohlby]

I loved Dueling Dragons. I like Dragon Challenge too - though I miss the dueling aspect. I understand why they had to get rid of that though. So - if they change it, I still want a real coaster.

 

[schumigirl]

I loved Dueling Dragons. I like Dragon Challenge too - though I miss the dueling aspect. I understand why they had to get rid of that though. So - if they change it, I still want a real coaster.

Me too........I still think the coaster is one of the best duelling or not. One of the smoothest rides and has some good thrills.......

I would miss it. Yep, don't want another family friendly ride like Gringotts if they do replace it........a good old thrills and spills coaster

 

[kip0992]

I've been to Hogsmeade at USO twice, and both times you could basically walk on to the Dragon Challenge - while the big HP ride (what's it called?) was a two hour wait. I think folks are voting with their feet in this case. It's good that USO sees that. Besides, new HP attractions will sell...

A lot of that is related to capacity though... Even with only 2 trains running on each side the Dragons can put through more than twice the number of people that FJ can.

 

[macraven]

I always loved dueling dragons

Still seem to refer to it as that even with the name change

One of my favorite coasters for sure

 

[kohlby]

I always loved dueling dragons

Still seem to refer to it as that even with the name change

One of my favorite coasters for sure

At one of my husbands interviews, he referred to it as Dueling Dragons and then corrected himself to say Dragon challenge. One of the interviewers told him he got it right the first time.

 

[macraven]

 

[Rash]

How did people get injured when they were "dueling"?

 

[macraven]

Objects fell out of people's pocket

One man was hit in the eye and now blind from that accident


Years before this happened, the peeps in front of me lost many things that flew out of their lanyard and something the man had in his hand

His lanyard dangled behind him flapping in the air
His wife's lanyard broke loose and blew away


One item hit me in the face but I grasped it
Gave it back to him after the ride, his lanyard

No real injuries for any of us but he lost his passport out of his shirt pocket

TMs were very helpful to them but they did replace park tickets but not much else
Id, passport , money was gone

Don't know if any of it was turned into lost and found

 

[Catvondita]

I would be sad if they got rid of the whole ride completely. I love it when it was Dueling Dragons. And I think I read somewhere that is was considered one of the best queues in the world. When they switched to HP it lost a little of the magic for me even though I love Harry Potter. They just added a few props here at there and I feel like you don't go through the castle as much as you used to?

 

[kip0992]

You take the same queue path you always did, but most of the scenery is gone (the charred walls in the fire room, the frozen Knights in the ice room, the skulls in the caves).

 

[damo]

And here is another rumour...

http://forums.orlandounited.com/threads/future-of-dragon-challenge.10118/page-34#post-487206