As Islands of Adventure is now under works for the awaited Harry Potter land, i thought it was a good time to look back to the original concept of the park, including some areas that will disappear forever.
When Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park opened, everybody was stunned: So, Universal was able to build a theme park with a theming as good and detailed as Disney?
Yes, and there were good reasons for that : some of the creators of the park were former Disney Imagineers, and they did a real good job on IOA.
Anyway, the park is indeed beautiful, and here is a "portfolio" of some of the art-work done for each land of the park. As always, click on each picture to see them in bigger size.
These two first renderings show an overview of the park and the entrance.
The artworks below is for Seuss Landing and the Cat with a Hat attraction.
At the entrance of Lost Continent, the giant arm of the broken statue.
The entrance of the Eight Voyages of Sindbad stunt show.
This next artwork was created for a scene of Dueling Dragons queue.
Below, two other renderings for Dueling Dragons, the second one show the queue decor. The coaster will be transformed in a Harry Potter coaster ride.
Three artwork for the Jurassic Park land, including the Jurassic Park attraction and the Pteranodon Flyers. A Disney and more reader who worked on the park's creation just left in the comments an interesting story about the first rendering below. Here it is: "Regarding the rendering you have featuring the overview of Jurassic Park, you can see an attraction in the background which was designed and put on hold, which still has not been realized in the park. It is the building with the helicopter perched on a rooftop landing pad. This attraction was to be called Helicoptours and was a simulator attraction, which flew visitors over the world of Jurassic Park ending in a crash landing in a dinosaur filled jungle. It was a great attraction, but one which is doubtful will ever be constructed now that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is encroaching on some of the real estate planned for the attractions footprint."
In Toon Lagoon, the Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls attraction.
An artwork for the Popeye and Bluto's Blige-Rat Barges raft ride.
A night overview of Marvel Super Hero Island.
A rare early concept for the Incredible Hulk coaster.
Without any doubt, one of the best ride in the world: The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman.
And, to do things perfectly, you'll find below you tube videos of the Cat in the hat attraction, as well as those of "Poseidon's fury " attraction - that probably will be removed for their future Harry Potter's land - , Jurassic park river adventure, and the not-to-be-missed Spiderman ride.
Thanks to leave a comment or discuss this article on D&M english forum on Mice Chat
Artwork: copyright Universal Studios
