ChrisFL
Disney/Universal Fan and MALE
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2000
- Messages
- 9,235
PART I:
So I've noticed in recent weeks, how many people claim that Universal/IOA lack the "theming" of Disney parks...but the reason why I have to disagree is because theming is actually something you can base on fact in many ways.
I can in some ways understand the knock on Universal Studios supposed incomplete theming but it's actually intentional, you're on movie sets made to look like the real thing. Soundstages are supposed to be there, and the same "knock" could be made about Disney MGM studios
With that in mind, I want to focus more on the theming elements of IOA..which is a new standard in theme park design in many ways.
When you enter the park, you first see the massive lighthouse, then you see the port of entry, whose theming is already apparent, the port is themed to a place where you set off on your exploration to different lands. You'll also notice a very low, light sounding theme song in the background...and the amazing part is how this begins to transform around you as you walk through the Port of Entry, until you reach the end and the same theme song by this point has reached it's full sound, with an exciting crescendo as you start to see the different lands.
I love the uniqueness of the Port of Entry...it really is like a very familiar yet different type of theming, you can't just pin it on one story, picture, movie or anything
Seuss Landing is another place with great design...the goal for this section was like the Seuss books, you won't find a straight line in anything there. Universal brought palm trees bent from hurricanes to add to the theming...and the music isn't the run of the mill orchestral type...no, their composer looked through the Dr Seuss books to see what unique instruments they made out of parts you'd never use as instruments, and actually made them for the songs.
The Lost Continent has some very unique theming as well, as it combines several styles, arabian, meideval, greek, and combines them in a seamless way. This is my favorite of the themed lands in IOA, since it has some of the most incredible, ancient looking landmarks Ive ever seen in a theme park. Again, every single part of the Lost Continent has a fit and a theme, even the "carnival" style games are very customized to fit. The shops sell hand made gifts, swords and armor, sculpted dragons, custom coins, jewelry and many other things like that.
Again, the music is a blending of different cultural styles, and as you leave the Lost Continent toward Jurassic Park, you'll notice the music is getting less and less noticeable, until you barely hear one drum, then as you pass by the bridge to JP, you'll begin to slowly hear the memorable theme from the Jurassic Park movies.
The Jurassic Park island is the largest of all of the islands and there are a lot of details here as well, electric fences line the island, dinosaur sounds, and then there's the entire Discovery Center from the movie, you'll definitely feel like you're a part of the whole experience. Inside there are people tending to the eggs of dinosaurs that you can even see yourself and even occassional raptor hatchings take place. Other times you'll see a baby triceratops that truly does look real.
PART II Coming....
Pics from About.com, amusementpics.com, americanmidway.com, islandsofadventure.com, coastersandmore.de, coasterimage.com
So I've noticed in recent weeks, how many people claim that Universal/IOA lack the "theming" of Disney parks...but the reason why I have to disagree is because theming is actually something you can base on fact in many ways.
I can in some ways understand the knock on Universal Studios supposed incomplete theming but it's actually intentional, you're on movie sets made to look like the real thing. Soundstages are supposed to be there, and the same "knock" could be made about Disney MGM studios
With that in mind, I want to focus more on the theming elements of IOA..which is a new standard in theme park design in many ways.
When you enter the park, you first see the massive lighthouse, then you see the port of entry, whose theming is already apparent, the port is themed to a place where you set off on your exploration to different lands. You'll also notice a very low, light sounding theme song in the background...and the amazing part is how this begins to transform around you as you walk through the Port of Entry, until you reach the end and the same theme song by this point has reached it's full sound, with an exciting crescendo as you start to see the different lands.
I love the uniqueness of the Port of Entry...it really is like a very familiar yet different type of theming, you can't just pin it on one story, picture, movie or anything
Seuss Landing is another place with great design...the goal for this section was like the Seuss books, you won't find a straight line in anything there. Universal brought palm trees bent from hurricanes to add to the theming...and the music isn't the run of the mill orchestral type...no, their composer looked through the Dr Seuss books to see what unique instruments they made out of parts you'd never use as instruments, and actually made them for the songs.
The Lost Continent has some very unique theming as well, as it combines several styles, arabian, meideval, greek, and combines them in a seamless way. This is my favorite of the themed lands in IOA, since it has some of the most incredible, ancient looking landmarks Ive ever seen in a theme park. Again, every single part of the Lost Continent has a fit and a theme, even the "carnival" style games are very customized to fit. The shops sell hand made gifts, swords and armor, sculpted dragons, custom coins, jewelry and many other things like that.
Again, the music is a blending of different cultural styles, and as you leave the Lost Continent toward Jurassic Park, you'll notice the music is getting less and less noticeable, until you barely hear one drum, then as you pass by the bridge to JP, you'll begin to slowly hear the memorable theme from the Jurassic Park movies.
The Jurassic Park island is the largest of all of the islands and there are a lot of details here as well, electric fences line the island, dinosaur sounds, and then there's the entire Discovery Center from the movie, you'll definitely feel like you're a part of the whole experience. Inside there are people tending to the eggs of dinosaurs that you can even see yourself and even occassional raptor hatchings take place. Other times you'll see a baby triceratops that truly does look real.
PART II Coming....
Pics from About.com, amusementpics.com, americanmidway.com, islandsofadventure.com, coastersandmore.de, coasterimage.com
, but these pics have made me kinda excited to go to IOA! 
Keep 'em coming!
Now I'm even more excited about our return trip. 
