Universal Studios Orlando To shutter Poseidon’s Fury

Well that sucks. I always kinda liked this attraction. Something different than a car moving in front of a screen.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifes...56535.html

The beloved attraction located at Islands of Adventure will close in May.

Universal Studios Orlando moved forward with big changes—including the closure of a classic attraction.

The park announced that Poseidon's Fury would give its last show at Islands of Adventure on Tuesday, May 9.

A statement given to Parade by a Universal Studios spokesperson reads, "Poseidon’s Fury at Universal Islands of Adventure will close as of Wednesday, May 10 as we prepare for exciting new experiences for our guests. Also beginning on this date, 'The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle' in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Hogsmeade will undergo an extended closure to make way for future show enhancements."

Poseidon's Fury is a walkthrough special effects show where guests visit the ancient Temple of Poseidon, the Greek God of the sea. The show is hosted by a kooky tour guide, who accidentally awakens villain Lord Darketon.

The guests and their tour guide must fulfill quests to get out unscathed, leading to a showdown between Poseidon and his nemesis.

I liked the first version more than the "kooky" tour guide with Darkanon (or whatever his name is) version. In the original, if I remember correctly, the old man who led you through the rooms ended up being Zeus and fighting Poseidon - although I'm not sure why. Sure, it was dumb. But I'll miss it.

Chaindog:

I liked the first version more than the "kooky" tour guide with Darkanon (or whatever his name is) version. In the original, if I remember correctly, the old man who led you through the rooms ended up being Zeus and fighting Poseidon - although I'm not sure why. Sure, it was dumb. But I'll miss it.

I guess it was always an oddball because wasn’t attached to any sort of modern IP like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park or Marvel.

wonder if they will use that large space for a new Potter attraction?

which makes me wonder to, if they will re theme the comic strip area of IoA soon? How many under 50 and under 40s know who Popeye, Wimpy and Dudley Do Right are?

Rumors point to this becoming the Kingdom of Hyrule. All praise to Hylia and the triforce, May they finally manifest on Earth.

Walt is rolling over in his grav...oops, wrong park.

A Legend of Zelda attraction would be epic. I'm really happy to see universal using Nintendo IP. Legend of Zelda is different enough from Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong that it would work really well at a seperate park than Epic Universe.

I know Universal came close to green lighting Hyrule as a lost continent replacement a few years ago because a concept art got released of the temple facade entrance modified to be a ruined temple of time with a ruined guardian replacing the spot where the trident sculpture is now. It only makes sense, that plot is bigger than it looks, as you have the Sinbad arena area to play with too and if you really needed it, a few soundstages you could destroy.

I don’t think the announcements timing is random, Nintendo made Comcast a lot of money this week. Splitting up the IP makes sense, and it just so happens that Nintendo has 3 main IPs, Mario, Zelda and Pokémon. Makes sense to split them up like Potter. If these lands do as well as I think they will, then I suspect one of Epic Universe’s expansion plot becomes an additional Nintendo area for franchises not quite big enough for their own land to have a ride based on them (ie your Splatoons, Metroids, Kirbys, etc.)

Nintendo is on a role, and I for one am very excited for their next offering, the long delayed Breath of the Wild Sequel coming out next month. It looks amazing.

Breath of the Wild is the greatest game I've ever played. It has practically ruined new games for me. Every game I've played since BotW has been a slight disappointment. Needless to say, I can not wait for Tears of the Kingdom. It looks to be its own animal, yet similar enough to appease me.

What kind of ride design ideas would work best for a Zelda theme in Poseidon's spot? As much as I love Poseidon's Fury, I don't think a Zelda attraction should just be an overlay. Fitting a water tunnel and having the room-moving gag just would not fit into a Zelda story, as far as I can imagine. The idea has had its run already.

There are some story elements in this new game that might work well for a Zelda attraction. An inverted or wing coaster themed to riding a giant bird? A flume ride themed to Zora's Domain?

What about some kind of smaller flat ride themed to Link's glider? Or themed to a Guardian, with wide vehicles at the end of each of its arms?

And then add new amusement ride technology. LOL

I don’t know, I think a stunt show with Link, Gannon, and Zelda seems like an easy replacement for Sinbad. I want a dark ride that allows us to follow Link through a dungeon somehow. Imagine them using the walk along T Rex from the Chinese Jurassic Park ride but this time it’s a Lynel. It would be so amazing.

Also BotW got me through the worst of Covid. I was fortunate to have picked up a switch the year prior and while I had beaten BotW before, when it sunk in that Covid wasn’t going to be a two week thing I deleted my save file. I 100% + DLC (except Koroks) over the next 9 months to replace my theme park trips. Can’t wait for the sequel.

"Hello, brave heroes! I'm Princess Zelda. We are all in great peril. The evil Ganondorf is attempting to take over Hyrule. If he makes it to the castle, we will not be able to stop him. And Link and I can only stop him with your help. Our friend, and creative inventor, Robbie, designed these special glasses that will allow you to see the Ganondorf's Guardians. Pick up a pair in the next room. Don't worry, the will fit over your prescription glasses. Link has created a ride vehicle with his newfound abilities so you can ride beside us throughout the battle. Use the Sheikah Slates in the ride vehicle to help destroy the enemies we encounter as we race Ganondorf to the center of the castle, where our final battle will commence.

Now hurry! Hyrule is depending on you. Good luck."

That was one of my favorite things when the park was new, along with the stunt show next door. I haven't been since it reopened half-assed.

I'm not sure why the parks feel they must lean on their IP at all times. For example, Epcot has not bested Illuminations. All of Lost Continent at IOA was fairly original. Animal Kingdom opened only with slight Disnification. These were all pretty solid achievements.

I loved Merlin’s Woods, was probably my favorite part of IOA. The rest of Lost Continent? The water tunnel is amazing but Fury is such a cheesy show, and Sinbad wasn’t all that great either. LC lost its soul a long time ago, I don’t mind having it put out of its misery.

Jeff:

I'm not sure why the parks feel they must lean on their IP at all times.

I wonder what the next big IP to get it’s own themed land will be after Nintendo World?

Fast and Furious Universe?

John Wick Land?

The worlds of Star Trek?

Rocky/Creed world?

Breaking Badville. Otherwise known as Albuquerque.

I do want to try some Los Pollos Herminos chicken…

Firefly!

"I aim to misbehave."

(More seriously: there doesn't seem to be much else left on this list.)

My introduction to Zelda is pretty embarrassing. I grew up spending hours upon hours playing all kinds of video games, but was just never interested in Zelda. Never pressed a single button with any Zelda iteration on my TV screen. We bought a Switch in 2020 and I really go into Luigi's Mansion 3, so when I finished up with that I went to a video game store and asked the guy working there what he would recommend. I said, "I really enjoyed Luigi's Mansion, and I'm looking for something similar, kind of an open-world format where you solve puzzles." He said, "Well, you might like Breath of the Wild." Zelda, huh? I mean sure, I've never been into Zelda but I'll give it a try.

Knowing what I know now, I always laugh when I think about that interaction and what it must've been like from his perspective. Like, dude...where have you been? Breath of the Wild might be my favorite game ever, which is saying something. I've played it virtually non-stop (in my free time) since December 2021, and I'm on lap three or four at this point. It's incredible. A Zelda attraction/world at Universal Orlando would be awesome.

I too was a Zelda denier, I had Links Awakening on my Game Boy and never even made it past the first dungeon as a kid and I decided Zelda was not for me. Despite everyone telling me I needed to try BotW my initial games for the Switch were Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2, Mariokart 8, Arms and Mario Rabbids. It took a $40 sale and hearing enough universal praise to get me to buy the game.

Brian Noble:

(More seriously: there doesn't seem to be much else left on this list.)

The most current/relevant option would appear to be an Illumination/Minions Land of some sort.

True, but that’s also essentially the front of USF once the new attraction and cafe open.