I’ll miss Universal’s Dragon Challenge
COMMENTARY
I’m trying to embrace change. So much of it is out of our control, despite what change.org might have us fantasize. It’s true in theme parking, with new attractions coming and, sometimes, bumping off the old.
Yet this week’s death-toDragon Challenge news stings a little. Universal Orlando is replacing the coaster formerly known as Dueling Dragons with another thrill ride set in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The last day to ride Dragon Challenge is Sept. 4. I had to sigh.
Maybe it’s not as gutpunching as ABC canceling “All My Children” or CBS rerunning that clip of a hated basketball player who shall not be named hitting a last-second shot. But, et tu, NBCUniversal?
The dragons and I go way back. Before Islands of Adventure opened, Universal allowed annual passholders — and only passholders — to attend multiple weeks of previews. It was genius and probably will never happen again. I went to OIA for eight consecutive weekends with no crowds and ample servings of green eggs and ham.
The first time I rode Dueling Dragons, it was the dark and winding queue that stood out. Skulls were embedded into the walls, mysterious sounds came from behind rocking doors and a scary Middle Ages vibe lurked in there. As we walked and walked and walked through, I thought I’d never wait in a line that started outside the castle door. (Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey proved that wrong.)
My best duel ever, though, was later in the soft opening. I rode in the front row of Fire, the red side later known as Chinese Fireball. Then I walked across the loading platform, straight onto the front row of Ice (aka Hungarian Horntail) for a ride in light rain.
Time goes by — holy cow, 18 years of it — and I don’t think I could ride back-to-back front rows anymore without a butterbeer break. Blast you, change. Go embrace someone else.
But not Spider-Man. My heart and stomach can’t take it.
I went to pay my respects to Great Movie Ride, which ends its 28-year run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Aug. 13.
I’m not torn up; I embrace the idea of a Mickey Mouse ride there. But here’s a list of five favorite GMR bits.
The five-layer “cake” of Busby Berkeley dancers. I have a vague recollection of seeing the formation rotate, and that was cool.
Mary Poppins and Bert. There will always be time for “Chim Chim Cheree.”
Spoiler alert: The Egyptian switcheroo. It’s cheesy or awesome, depending on how surprised your fellow riders are.
Alien in the ceiling. This used to wig me out. Now I’m more frightened by Ripley’s expression.
Munchkin mania. Now that’s one wicked animatronic, but the whole “Wizard of Oz” room rocks. I’m disappointed when we leave. Moving on isn’t easy, even with a yellow brick road.