Could the Lost Continent rise again?
Universal Orlando: This 'Island' was once the hallmark of the park when it opened, how can we make it glorious again?
I remember when Islands of Adventure first opened in 2000, when I was about 9. The entire place blew my mind, especially a little area called The Lost Continent. A gorgeous sprawling environment of ruins and fantastical characters. Most mind-blowing was Poseidon's Fury. Not the current show running, but the original "Evil Poseidon defeated by Good guy Zeus" show. It became the highlight of my first visit. Then I returned a few years later and found the show, that now sits in it's place. Enough said. Its no Stitch's great escape by any means, but its not great either. Now Harry Potter has moved in. Now Lost continent is but a shell of what use to be the best area of the park, and it got me thinking; If Universal Creative has the potential to create something as wonderful as WWOHP (even if i;m not a huge hp fan) then they must have the potential to recreate one of their own. They've already done so with Spider-Man. Lost Continent is a realm that once played to History's greatest heroes, and now serves as an awkward path for people to skim through to get to Hogsmeade. I say this area is worth saving, worth making relevant again! Now I ask how would you save this 'island'? How can we restore it to it's former Glory?
From Rob P
Posted June 3, 2012 at 4:48 AM
I agree with your view, Ren, that this part of the IOA park had a real mystique to it when it first opened. It actually felt, unlike so many others , like you were entering a different world.
So what went wrong ? I think it's too simplistic to say that it had it's day and it was time for a change. How can anyone suggest that something so Classical in it's origin could ever be outdated ?
So I think it was things like, as you rightly commented, allowing Poseidon's Fury to mutate into a poorer show that started the rot. Then the advent of the new franchise on the block.
Harry Potter is like that weed in your garden that has nice flowers. It has a value so you you welcome it and allow it to grow and before you know it it's taken over the whole garden at the expense of every other plant.
This is what's happened to The Lost Continent..........it's been lost and , possibly, forever.
What can be done , if anything, to resurrect this Land and restore it to past glories ? Well returning the Oak Tree Tavern would be a start. Then return Poseidon's Adventure to it's original format complete with water vortex. It's lost Dueling Dragons to the new kid but maybe investing in another dark ride based on something like the Trojan Wars might be an idea worth exploring.
The thing about the Classics and history is that it's enduring and can't be ignored.
I love the Lost Continent even as it stands now. It is an area or welcome respite from the heavy crowds of WWOHP. We spent quite a bit of time here on our last trip and thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the Mystic Fountain and could have watched this for hours.....it got my hubby and said, "don't blame me, I was made this way!" I got quite the chuckle. This year I have reservations for Mythos since it gets such rave reviews....can't wait!
Too bad Universal didn't do the Percy Jackson movie....that would have tied in nicely to the current theme and mythology with Poseidon and Zeus. While the movie didn't perform all that well, the books have an avid fan-base.
I think what will always hurt Universal Studios is the fact that they pretty much have no extra room to grow as Disney does. I am a huge Universal fan and go there every time I visit Orlando but the reason why classic rides stay in Disney World but they are taken out of Universal is because if Disney wants to expand they just add on to the park they have into the thousands of acres they own. Universal must take something out something to have something new come in. There for if WWOHP comes in then something must be sacrificed and unfortunately Lost Continent was the sacrificial lamb. That being said they do need to bring people back to Lost Continent for more than just a path to WWOHP. If they are going to keep it (which I hope they do) then they need to make it worth keeping or do something else with it. Lost Continent already has one of the best theme park restaurants in the world and a decent show in Poseidon's Fury (although not as good as it used to be). So maybe if they took out the Sinbad show and made a great dark ride or something it would make Lost Continent viable continent in IOA again.
Loved the first PF. Disliked all other versions. After the change from the first version I thought it was a waste of space. I'm not going to miss what it became at all.
You're right, the Lost Continent has lost a lot of it's magic after WWHP. Every time I go to the park, I still enjoy the area, especially Poseidon's Fury, but it needs something new, like a new ride that will attract people to the area.
If I would retheme the Lost Continent, I would start by closing The Eigth Voyage of Sinbad. This should have been closed a while ago. I would then replace it with a thrill ride of some sort. Not a roller coaster, but maybe a high speed thrill ride like Test Track at Epcot. Something that Universal doesn't have at those parks. The Lost Continent has potential to still be amazing. It just needs an actual ride for the area.
I smell a complete revamp. Take everything down. Get to brainstorming on new ideas for a different theme.
I have honestly never rode or saw or even eating in lost continent. They should use the land for harry potter. Add another seen to the place another resternut and a bigger land it would be a lot funnier if they did so even with the expanison in universal studios
Obviously either a revamp of the Sinbad show or replacement with a family friendly dark ride...another area for expansion is behind mythos on the expansive walkways made for for viewing a long gone lagoon show. And from this area either launching a coaster over the lagoon or my preference a submerged sea monster style ride or jounrey to the lost city of atlantis via a 20k leagues under the sea stlye ride.
While on the subject isn't it time add Family style Lorax and Horton rides to complete the circle around One Fish Two Fish and also have seasonal shows in the soundstage: Grinch/Christmas, Spring/Lorax, Summer/Sneetches and Fall/Cat in the Hat
From N B
Posted June 9, 2012 at 7:02 AM
It's not as though the got rid of anything when HP went in. The two coasters were re-badged and are simply behind a different border designated as an "island".
Something will definitely go if they build the connecting train to the former Jaws area. It will more than likely be the live show IMO.
^^^ Right, cause I can still eat at the Enchanted Oak Tavern.
You know, I never understood why they decided to build it in that location. Its really cramped and was actually my favorite land in the entire park. It was well themed, attractions were some of the best in the parks or at least on the decent side.
In my option, they should have gotten rid of that Cartoon area. Bigger land area and the weakest area of the park.
Unfortunately I think it's best days are behind it. I think Universal will just use the space up to expand Harry Potter even more, the Sinbad stunt show area could be turned into Hogwarts Magic style stunt show and Poseidon's Fury will also get a similar style refit.
In fact I would've much preferred this option rather than see Jaws shut down to make way for Potter over at Studios.
From N B
Posted June 9, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Yes, the Enchanted Oak went away... but the Three Broomsticks replaced it....
In my opinion alls that needs to be done is replace the stunt show with a brand new ground breaking stunt show or some kind of show. And than reanhance posits end fury. Close a restaurant. All of them except mythos suck and build a winged or in my opinion a flying coaster. A roller coaster would bring new life to this island being something new a knowing universal impressive. Make the coaster the wrath of Zeus or something in honor of posidens fury's original protagonist. And make posidens into the a mix of the original and very little of the new. With a cgi ending and fire from the ceiling. And maybe for the stunt show Waterworld?
I wish universal could see this thread.
From Rob P
Posted June 11, 2012 at 3:54 AM
...and what makes you think that they aren't reading this thread ??
This is TPI after all. I think I'm correct in saying that TPI has had the nod of approval from the Disney Corps before now. So why not Universal too ?
Now tell me of any other site that gets that kind of respect from the industry ?
They're reading alright.
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