Winter Garden Magazine September 2018 | Page 22

ATTRACTIONS UPDATE Rumors abound at UNIVERSAL ORLANDO T he rumors have been swirling for months now about what Universal Orlando has up it’s sleeve to announce over the next few years. Maintaining a certain veil of mystery, Universal isn’t answering any questions nor making any firm announcments. T2-3D: Battle Across Time, a fan favorite at the Studios since the attraction opened in 1996, closed in October with no word on it’s successor. The park has said only that it will be replaced by “an all- new live action experience based on a high-energy Universal franchise” that will open in 2019. Rumored is an action show based on the either the Jason Bourne film series, an existing Universal franchise, or possibly on the James Bond IP. Although the specifics are unknown at this time, either route provides plenty of material for Universal Creative to draw from to take guests through fighting sequences, car chases and the like. The show is imagined to be a mix of practical effects and screen- based ones, very similar to T2: 3D, but without the use of 3D glasses. The new 22  | WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2018 Brett Dault show would also feature live actors addition to Hogsmeade will include performing stunts inside the theater. a new adventure and story from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. Opening Over in the Wizarding World of is expected for the summer of 2019. Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure, a new roller coaster is currently going Next door, the Jurassic Park area up on the site of the former Dragon will be indeed seeing some sort of Challenge. Officials haven’t revealed upgrade, but likely not an overlay much else about the new coaster based on Jurassic World as is being other than it will be a family-friendly, done at the California park and as “highly-themed coaster experience” previously speculated here. Whispers featuring more Harry Potter hint at a new coaster similar to the characters and creatures. This new Flying Dinosaur at Universal Studios