BensDaddy
Graduate of Goofy's Flight School
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2010
- Messages
- 755
We've been to IOA several times in the last ten years and always enjoyed the wonderful theming and great thrill rides. This year we visited and stayed at Portofino Bay Hotel (the same hotel where we were engaged). I reviewed the hotel under separate cover.
10 years ago when we first visited IOA I remember being astounded by the theming, cleanliness, and attention to detail at the park. I thought they were on their way to out-Disney... Disney. At least for the older kids and teens.
This year...
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey along with the village of Hogsmede and other attractions are phenomenal. Forbidden Journey is possibly the best attraction ever developed from the line/preshow to the ride itself. Amazing!
That said, if IOA isn't careful they will still be unable to compete with the Mouse down the street. Seuss Landing is a perfect example. Colors are faded. paint chipped, trash goes unnoticed by staff. Sounds like a small thing, but for the world of Seuss to come alive the colors need to be bright, clean, and larger than life.
In Jurassic Park the Triceratops Encounter is still closed - but the signage exists, covered by cheap fiberboard. On the river adventure ride, the Brachiosaur was covered by fence and a tarp throne over the animatronic with a sign that said he was under veterinary care. Talk about spoiling the illusion?!
In cartoon-island a Marmaduke photo op was removed but the mounting brackets remain. very unsightly.
Disney's project main street means that the park looks the same (brand new) for the millionth guest as it did for the hundredth guest. Universal needs to get with the program.
The ONLY area of the park that appears to be receiving that attention to detail is Harry Potter. It looks spectacular and is well worth the visit.
Making things look new for every guest is undoubtedly a challenge, but if you are going to compete in Orlando, you have to do it ... Or else, over time, all of Harry Potter's magic can't save you.
10 years ago when we first visited IOA I remember being astounded by the theming, cleanliness, and attention to detail at the park. I thought they were on their way to out-Disney... Disney. At least for the older kids and teens.
This year...
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey along with the village of Hogsmede and other attractions are phenomenal. Forbidden Journey is possibly the best attraction ever developed from the line/preshow to the ride itself. Amazing!
That said, if IOA isn't careful they will still be unable to compete with the Mouse down the street. Seuss Landing is a perfect example. Colors are faded. paint chipped, trash goes unnoticed by staff. Sounds like a small thing, but for the world of Seuss to come alive the colors need to be bright, clean, and larger than life.
In Jurassic Park the Triceratops Encounter is still closed - but the signage exists, covered by cheap fiberboard. On the river adventure ride, the Brachiosaur was covered by fence and a tarp throne over the animatronic with a sign that said he was under veterinary care. Talk about spoiling the illusion?!
In cartoon-island a Marmaduke photo op was removed but the mounting brackets remain. very unsightly.
Disney's project main street means that the park looks the same (brand new) for the millionth guest as it did for the hundredth guest. Universal needs to get with the program.
The ONLY area of the park that appears to be receiving that attention to detail is Harry Potter. It looks spectacular and is well worth the visit.
Making things look new for every guest is undoubtedly a challenge, but if you are going to compete in Orlando, you have to do it ... Or else, over time, all of Harry Potter's magic can't save you.
