The IOA Discussion

This summer, thanks to excellent timing, I went to Orlando right between Charley and Danielle. While there visited all 5 parks, Wet n' Wild, IOA, Universal, Busch Gardens, and Sea World.

Now IOA. I Love that Park. The theming is freaking incredible. The rides are works of art.

Where are the new rides? It's been what, 3 years since we saw something new? Now, first I wonder...Where would they put a new ride? From what I could see, there wasn't much room for a new ride besides the lake...which would make an AWESOME water like coaster, and I'm sure IOA could make a great one. I feel as though the park has so much potential.

Then I questioned if the park needs a new coaster. A large percent of the GP at the park is made up of tourist....from foreign countries. So, for maybe 4-5 years, they'd get a steady rate of park goers because the tourist aren't looking for something new since they're new to the country...if you get what I mean.

SO what's going on with IOA? I would love to see them make a new ride. I went on the Mummy's Revenge at Universal and $%@! That was an amazing ride! Sea World just got Kraken, and Busch Gardens’ getting this big riddle coaster. Does this mean IOA may have to dust of the old designing boards? I sure hope so….

I suspect they'll add a new ride when they feel the park will be best-served. Many parks go a few years without new attractions.

I agree with you, tho...great park!

mOOSH

Well, I think IOA is doing just fine. There's no trouble at all attracting new guests and repeat guests with the lineup they currently have. The park isn't that old, and I'm sure eventually we'll see something new. What I'm really interested about is BGT's Stanleyville coaster.

The director of operations for Universal Orlando spoke at my class last week, and I wanted to ask the exact same question. I'll be going to the park for a behind the scenes Halloween Horror Nights thing, and might try to contact him again to get an answer to this question.

I've heard that there *is* room, but seems to me it'd be a pain, and semi-unrealistic to alter the layout of IOA and/or expand. Therefore, I assume new rides will be replacements of old ones.

Having driven around the perimeter of the park for the IAAPA buy-out back in '01, trust me when I say that there's plenty of room. A surprising amount even. It's more a question of whether or not they need something new. After three years of going I'm still content the way it is, but eventually they'll add something I'm sure.

I will be there this Saturday!

Just had to say it...

It also seems that Universal has to put a little more effort into designing any new attractions for IOA than most parks do, due to it's awesome level of themeing. Not only do they have to design some amazing new attraction but also have to make it logically fit into one of their themed areas. I would think that this would add to any development time.