As you enter SeaWorld Orlando, it’s really hard to miss the thing.
Photo by Robert Bish
That enormous construction wall that’s been erected around the front of this theme park.
Photo by Robert Bish
Not to mention the rumble of heavy equipment, as that behind-the-scenes construction team clears brush and continues site prep.
Photo by Robert Bish
” ‘Site prep’ ? Site prep for what?,” you ask. Why, for Central Florida’s worst kept secret. SeaWorld Orlando’s next coaster. As you can see by the size of the construction site …
Photo by Robert Bish
… we’re talking about a real behemoth here. a thrill ride that you’ll be able to spy just as soon as you enter this theme park.
“But … But … But …,” you sputter. “The Busch Entertainment Corporation has just spent millions on the construction of Aquatica. Why would SeaWorld Orlando need to build a new coaster now if they’ve literally just opened this brand-new water park?”
Photo by Robert Bish
The answer to that question is easy. Aquatica is meant to help drive attendance at SeaWorld Orlando during 2008. This new coaster is being built because Busch Entertainment is looking ahead to 2009, when “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be opening at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.
Make no mistake, folks. That upcoming addition to the Universal Orlando Resort has all of the other big theme parks in the Orlando area spooked. Hell, even Disney knows that it’s going to have to step up its game in order to compete with Potter. Which is why the Mouse is now reportedly revisiting its plans for revamping WDW‘s Space Mountain.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Where once this Magic Kingdom thrill ride was just supposed to receive some new cars and retheming during its upcoming redo … Now that this Space Mountain’s revamp is sure to be compared to what Universal plans to do with to Dueling Dragons (i.e. Fold all sorts of new story elements & effects into this IOA thrill ride so that this attraction will then themed around the Triwizard Tournament from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire“) … The Imagineers are now supposedly thinking about throwing a whole lot more money at this 33-year-old indoor coaster …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… Which — FYI — is currently slated to close in January 2009. So that Space Mountain can then undergo an 18-month-long transformation. After which this new-and-improved thrill ride will then be promoted as one of the centerpiece attractions for WDW’s 40th anniversary celebration.
So no matter how you look at it, the next three years or so are going to be a great time for all us thrill ride fans who live and/or visit in Central Florida.
Photo by Robert Bish
And I ain’t (sea) lyin’.
Your thoughts?