If this was to happen, would you want an "Islands of Adventure West," or a whole new theme park? If it was to be in the styles of Islands of Adventure, would we want a buch of clones? I personally would not, but I can bet on one franchise that won't be included if this was to become a reality: "Jurassic Park." [Especially since that attraction's already up the road at Universal Studios Hollywood.--Robert] So what could go in it's place?
I personally think a "Mummy" themed land would do wonders here. Or maybe even an island themed to the island that King Kong is from. That way Florida's animatronic could still be put to good use. Anyone else out there have ideas?
Say Disney hands out a list of what it would like to see on Harbor Blvd. Better theming. Better restaurants. A few interesting attractions (like Orlando's Wonder Works or some cool museums). Then they could promise to build on the 70 acres, which would be a perfect size for a water park. Then the larger plot, which is currently supposed to get a water park, could get a new theme park.
As much as I would love to see an IOA West, I don't want it to be shoved into a tiny area. The current IOA is too small. Plus, this is just too far away from the other park.
My dream, which will never come true, would be for Universal to build a new park somewhere else. Not too far from Disneyland or Knotts. Make it worthy of being far from USH. Then as the new park builds steam, slowly move USH to the new site also. Since USH has so many theaters, those could be built easily and the shows could transfer to the new park quickly. Then when it's time for the biggies to move, shut down USH and open the new USH as part of a one-day ticket with IOA. As the new USH gets its old rides back, it can go back to its own ticket.
This way, the park could actually be planned out and not thrown together like USH has been. We could have actual themed lands. And space!
The only problems are the Studio Tour and CityWalk. Sure, CityWalk could move fairly easily, but how many of those stores will move too close to existing stores in the area?
And the Tour would obviously have to stay. It could be its own attraction, and a small fee could be charged for it. Or it could be free with a multi-day ticket to the new Universal Anaheim (imagine what adding Anaheim to their name could do for business). Put a cool movie museum up there. Toss in props. Create a gorgeous theater for premieres. Then build some gift shops. It could be a pleasant non-theme-park way to spend a day.
Anyone that is interested can check out: (http://www.geocities.com/supaschauer/ioawest.html?1049837552910)
It contains a little drawing i did when i got bored of how i would imagine this particular park. 5 ride islands would be here. Counter-clockwise: Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Paradise, Kong Island, The Mystic Forest, and Suesslandings. SHI would have a coaster themed around spidey, an arcade, an alien-encounter type ride themed around Dr. Doom and the Fantastic Four, and the X-men attraction that Kevin mentioned in an USH article (this would be themed around the x-men t.v. series though, not live actors.) At TP, there would be a log flume themed around Hagrid the Horrible and one of his war ships, a playground themed around Beetle-Baily's traing camp, a toon beach show, and a coaster themed around Rocky the Flying Squirel. At KI, the signature attraction would be located. This being a rollercoaster themed around NYC with a giant Kong animatronic at certain points along the ride. Also here would be an attraction with interactive displays similar to the jp discovery center. This would be themed around NYC. In the far off corner of this island, a show involving aboriginies from the movie(don't think i speeld that right) and there entertainment, possibly with fire juggulars and etc. The MF would be themed around the one cartoon character everyone has there mind on, Shrek. Here would be a 3D show starring the dragon from the movie, and a rapid ride through shrek's forest. Also here would be a tea-cup ride themeed around the Donkey. Guest spin around in onions and the different Donkey animatronics pop-out throughout the ride. At SL, there would be a cat-a-suel. A merry-go-round themed around the cat in the hat, in which the support beam in the middle is shaped in his form as he holds up his umbrella which becomes the roof of the ride. The riders ride things such as airplanes and jetskis with thing 1 and thing 2. There would also be a lorax darkride. This areas signature ride would be the grinch rollercoaster, in which it stops at certain points to tell the story of the grinch.
Let me know what you all think!
The HULK is fully 3-D film except at the end which is an 11 ft. tall animatronic figure. One of the most satisfying moments is when HULK throws you into the air and several APACHE helicopters shoot missles which explode in your face.
I would like to add that I only thought of this last week.
THOMAS LANCASTER
