One of our favorite things to do here at Theme Park University is to look at what could have been. So many great concepts end up getting cut for various reasons. Anything from budget to licensing to just being impractical, there are more unrealized concepts floating around out there than what actually gets built in
Congratulations to the Universal Orlando PR team. Your hands were tied, so you figured, why not? Just now, the VelociCoaster was formally announced to be opening in the summer of 2021. I hear upper management wasn’t too pleased with the leak that came from their own website on Friday. Thus, the VelociCoaster had to be
At some point you have to ask yourself: how does this keep happening? Earlier today, you may have heard that Universal Orlando “announced” the new VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure. Though they’ve hardly been keeping it a secret, the new Jurassic World coaster has been under construction under the public eye for quite some time.
Running a theme park during a pandemic is a challenge to say the least. Multiple operational adjustments have been made in order to keep guests as safe as possible. In addition, we are starting to see operational changes. Which could mean for Universal Orlando, closing two days a week in the near future. Keep in
When Orlando theme parks reopen (and they will), there will undoubtedly be some changes that will take the public by surprise. Sure, there will be things we expect like social distancing markers and tons of signage reminding everyone to wash their hands often. However, how will parks handle their performers? We actually think we may
You may have heard rumors of “Lord of The Rings” coming to Universal Orlando for literally decades now. For one reason or another, the trigger was never pulled to actually build a land or an attraction based on the popular film franchise and book series. However, it seems that Universal is once again kicking the
Before Islands of Adventure, guests could get a sneak peak at what was coming at Universal Studios Florida prior to the park opening. Located in the former Stat Trek Adventure space (now taken over by lockers for The Mummy and the Halloween Horror Nights tribute store). The Islands of Adventure Preview Center took guests through
One of my favorite things about running Theme Park University is showcasing extinct attractions or even better, ones that never existed. It’s not an easy task, but every once in a while we get thrown a nugget. Theme park design companies will go through old files and come across something they want to share. In
Ground clearing and excavation has been going at a rapid pace inside Islands of Adventure around Jurassic Park’s Discovery Center. Even though it hasn’t been announced, a pretty intense coaster is headed to the park soon. While you can’t see any track for the new ride within the park just yet, we managed to find
Theme Park University reader John writes in today’s question. “What information do you have about the Hagrid Coaster being delayed and perhaps needing (eventual) significant redesign? Orlando Weekly had a short article that test rides showed intolerable roughness. And, test rides causing premature track wear. They guessed that’s why soft openings have not occurred. I