List of former Universal Islands of Adventure attractions
This is a list of former attractions at
Rides and Attractions
Dragon Challenge
Dragon Challenge opened with the park in 1999 under the name Dueling Dragons at the Merlinwood section. Two inverted roller coasters named Fire and Ice would run together and meet up in three near-miss elements. After the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010, the ride was renamed and rethemed to Dragon Challenge; with the Fire and Ice dragons being changed to Chinese Fireball and Hungarian Horntail respectively. After an incident in 2011, the Universal announced the coasters would no longer duel.[1] Metal detectors were added to the entrance in 2015.[2] The ride closed on September 4, 2017, and demolition began less than a week later. It was replaced by Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in June 2019.
Island Skipper Tours
Island Skipper Tours opened with the park in 1999. Boats hosted by employee "skippers" traveled across the central lagoon of the park and were accessible from both the
Pandemonium Cartoon Circus
Pandemonium Cartoon Circus was a live stage show that was located at the now-vacant Toon Lagoon Amphitheater and opened with the park in 1999. It was formatted in a series of circus acts starring the various cartoon and comic strip characters of
. The show closed on February 29, 2000, and was replaced by Xtreme Xventure, which was later Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin' Stunt Show.Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin' Stunt Show
Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin' Stunt Show was a BMX themed stunt show in
Mat Hoffman's Aggro Circus
Mat Hoffman's Aggro Circus was a live seasonal BMX stunt show at the Toon Lagoon Amphitheater that generally operated from 2010 to 2011 during peak seasons, such as spring break and summer time. Hosted by Mat Hoffman, the show featured numerous BMX bike and skateboarding stunt tricks under a circus theme.[3] Today, the Toon Lagoon Amphitheater is left vacant.
Poseidon's Fury
In 2001, based on guest polling data, Universal decided to revise the attraction story. In the second version, guests would meet Taylor, a nerdy archaeologist, who guided them through the attraction, albeit slightly differently. Upon reaching the lost city, the party is captured by Darkenon, a new evil god-like being. Fortunately, Poseidon, a benevolent god in this version, comes to the guests' rescue, thanks to Taylor's assistance and defeats Darkenon. While the attraction's plot has changed, its arsenal of special effects had remained intact.
The attraction closed on May 10, 2023, and a replacement has not yet been announced.[5]
Triceratops Encounter
Triceratops Encounter was an attraction located in the Jurassic Park area where guests would confront an animatronic
The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad
The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad was a live-action stunt show located in the Arabian marketplace section of The Lost Continent. The show performed for the last time on September 15, 2018.[9] As of 2023, the stage has not been demolished, and part of the theatre is used as an extended queue area for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Revised attractions
Merlinwood
The Lost Continent once had a third section, known as Merlinwood, which held the Flying Unicorn and Dueling Dragons roller coasters. It also featured the Enchanted Oak Tavern, a restaurant located inside a giant tree-stump with a face of Merlin on it. This area has been demolished for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with its attractions incorporated into the Harry Potter universe as Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.
Altered concepts
Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machines
Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machines was an attraction due to open with Islands of Adventure on May 28, 1999. It was to be a twin-tracked monorail above
Events
A Celebration of Harry Potter
A Celebration of Harry Potter was an annual three-day weekend event held on the last weekend of January at both
Former services
- Enchanted Oak Tavern (1999–2008) – A restaurant that was located in the Merlinwood section of The Lost Continent area, this tavern was demolished for the construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.[12]
References
- ^ "Universal Orlando Changes Course Of Dueling Coaster".
- ^ "Metal detectors become permanent at 3 Universal rides".
- ^ "Mat Hoffman's Aggro Circus 2010". June 24, 2010. Florida Review & Travel Guide. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ Hettema, Philip D.; Mason, William D (January 12, 1999). "Patent for the "Set transformation effect" used in Poseidon's Fury". Universal City Studios, Inc. United States Patent Office. Retrieved October 3, 2006.
- ^ Alicia Stella (April 11, 2023). "Poseidon's Fury Will Permanently Close on May 10 at Islands of Adventure, (And What Could Replace It)". Orlando Park Stop. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "Ticeratops attraction at Islands of Adventure reopens after many years".
- ^ "Jurassic Park Roller Coaster Construction Update – Pilings and More Land Clearing".
- ^ "Meet Blue and Baby Sierra at the New Jurassic World Raptor Encounter Experience in Universal's Islands of Adventure". wdwnt.com. June 2020.
- ^ "One of Orlando's longest running shows is about to close, and that might mean big things for Universal".
- ^ Niles, Robert. "High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride". Retrieved 26 July 2010.
- ^ O'Brien, Tim (May 17, 1999). "New Family Rides Add Plenty Of Capacity". Amusement Business. 111 (20): 20.
- ^ "Enchanted Oak Tavern Restaurant Leveled at Islands of Adventure".