let's try this one for past Universal rides - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Florida Destinations Beyond Walt Disney World > Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-29-2009, 12:37 PM   #16
WillCAD
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Trailblazer
 
WillCAD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 5,684

Post Thanks / Like
I remember the old Ghostbusters show, where Twister now stands. I liked it, though I wasn't terribly in love with it. I do wish there was some representation o Ghostbusters in the parks today, though.
WillCAD is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2009, 07:16 PM   #17
karadisney
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
karadisney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 3,150

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmymac View Post
I loved Kongfrontation. Back to the Future was one of the first of its kind
YES Kongfrontation!!! I will have to scan my picture from that ride!! Why did they take it away it was great!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsFirst time to meet Mickey @ Disney 1983 WDW March 1998 Coronado Springs WDW Sept. 2008 All-Star Music Resorts 2013 Nickelodeon Suites Orlando
karadisney is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2009, 07:17 PM   #18
karadisney
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
karadisney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 3,150

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by espnerica View Post
I gotta say the Simpsons Ride is great, really cute and the line is so well decorated. Its basically the same thing as Back to the Future with a Simpsons movie.

I think Disaster was better as Earthquake! Except of course with the addition of Christopher Walken to the pre-show.

Anyone remember the Wild West Stunt Show?
Yes I remember the Wild West Stunt Show what is it now?
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsFirst time to meet Mickey @ Disney 1983 WDW March 1998 Coronado Springs WDW Sept. 2008 All-Star Music Resorts 2013 Nickelodeon Suites Orlando
karadisney is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2009, 08:45 PM   #19
BarryH
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
BarryH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 639

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by karadisney View Post
Yes I remember the Wild West Stunt Show what is it now?
Fear Factor Live

Also how could you forget AT&T at the Movies?
__________________
Check out my videos at: www.youtube.com/barryh1972
BarryH is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2009, 01:31 PM   #20
Sue M.
Community Rank: Legend
 
Sue M.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 15,667

Post Thanks / Like
Earthquake! I liked Back to the Future, but love The Simpsons!!! Flying Unicorn Is the Animal Actors not there anymore? I thought I saw it last year, but maybe not!
__________________
My Countdown Counting down to: WDW WL
back to the lodge
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW Aug 2003 LBV Marriott Courtyard, Universal/Sea World/Busch Gardens Aug 2005 Hilton Garden Inn SeaWorld, WDW Aug. 2007 CBR, WDW Jan. 2008 POP & WL, Universal/SeaWorld/Aquatica Aug 2008 Hyatt Place,Sheraton 4 Points, Hard Rock Hotel & Doubletree Universal., St. Pete Beach Aug 2008, WDW Jan 2009 AKL, WDW Aug 2009 POR & WL, WDW Jan 2010 Poly, WDW Jan 2011 POR, WDW Aug 2011 POR & BC CL, WDW Jan 2012 WL, WDW Aug 2012 AKL CL, WDW Jan 2013 POFQ, WDW Aug 2013 Pop, GF, YC: WDW Jan 2014 POR, WDW & Universal August 2014 GF & Portofino Bay, WDW Jan 2015 POR, Aug 2015 Poly, Aug 2016 GF, Sept 2017 DL, Dec 2017 PoP, May 2018 DL, Sept 2018 WL, Nov. 2018 DL And too many trips to count to DL in the 80's.
Sue M. is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2009, 04:08 PM   #21
BostonTeaParty
Community Rank: Explorer
 
BostonTeaParty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,478

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by materstater View Post
It wasn't a ride but we loved the Hitchcock theater.
We loved that one, too! It had audience participation, with a volunteer to show how they did "The Hitchcock Zoom." And they had the entire setup of apartments from "Rear Window." It looked so real! As Hitchcock fans we really enjoyed the Hitchcock Theater.
__________________

Nancy
My Countdown Counting down to: Haunted Happenings PP Meet, Salem, MA
Boo!
BostonTeaParty is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2009, 07:11 PM   #22
karadisney
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
karadisney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 3,150

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by BostonTeaParty View Post
We loved that one, too! It had audience participation, with a volunteer to show how they did "The Hitchcock Zoom." And they had the entire setup of apartments from "Rear Window." It looked so real! As Hitchcock fans we really enjoyed the Hitchcock Theater.
Yeah, the Hitchcock theater was cool. What is Fear Factor Live like?
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsFirst time to meet Mickey @ Disney 1983 WDW March 1998 Coronado Springs WDW Sept. 2008 All-Star Music Resorts 2013 Nickelodeon Suites Orlando
karadisney is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2009, 08:39 PM   #23
disney
Community Rank: Explorer
 
disney's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: lynbrook , n.y.
Posts: 8,581

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by karadisney View Post
Yeah, the Hitchcock theater was cool. What is Fear Factor Live like?
if i remember they took 2 vacationers to try what they did on the tv show but a smaller version.
__________________


My Countdown Counting down to: Star Wars and a Dream
let the magic begin
My Previous Tripstooo many to write aug 2013 BlT May 2014 Dream cruise and SWW
disney is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2009, 09:07 PM   #24
judyjo
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
judyjo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 986

Post Thanks / Like
Kongfrontation for sure!!! I really miss that one.
__________________
Judy and Kenzie
My Countdown Counting down to: WDW Meet from Minnesota, New Zealand, North Dakota and Michigan
Yahoo!!!!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAZ, March 2015, WDW, October 2014, WDW May 2013, AZ Feb 2013, WDW December 2011, AZ Feb 2011, WDW Dec 2010, AZ Sept 2010, Vancouver July 2010, AZ March 2010, WDW August 2009, AZ January 2009, WDW August 2008, AZ April 2008, WDW Dec 2007, AZ Feb 2007, WDW Dec 2006, AZ March 2006, WDW Jan 2006, AZ March 2005, WDW Dec 2004, WDW June 2004, WDW Feb 2003, Seattle Aug 2001, WDW Feb 2000, WDW Feb 1998
judyjo is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2009, 07:17 PM   #25
Steph K
Community Rank: Wayfarer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: South Yorkshire, England
Posts: 193

Post Thanks / Like
the fear factor live show i cried the first time i saw it because i thought they were actually throwin a spider at me...that was in december and im 21 haha

i love the disaster ride, i prefer it much more how it is now to the earthquake ride, it really mades me giggle!
Steph K is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2009, 10:30 AM   #26
DVCBird941
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
DVCBird941's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 2,136

Post Thanks / Like
Last year was the first trip to US/IoA for the DW and I. I wish we had gone in the years past as some of the themed attractions you all have mentioned are things that I loved growing up. Cant wait to go again this year, nor for the new HP to open up
__________________

November 2011
My Previous TripsTrips: May 2002; November 2003; November 2005 (honeymoon); October 2006 (1st annv.); November/December 2007 (2nd annv.); November 2008 (3rd annv.); September/October 2009 (4th annv.); October/November 2010 (5th annv.); November 2011 (6th annv.); November 2012 (7th annv.)
DVCBird941 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 06:39 PM   #27
LuvMinnie
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
LuvMinnie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,451

Post Thanks / Like
Miss KONG the most. Back to the Future was great & the Hitchock show was very good.

*Why does Universal close such good rides, they have more space/land for new attractions....right?
__________________
DMMS
My Countdown Counting down to: Quickie surprise Christmas trip!!
Enjoying Olaf with Family!
LuvMinnie is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2009, 10:36 AM   #28
1stJawsLead
Community Rank: Visitor
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3

Post Thanks / Like
I think it's a combination of wear and tear on the rides, and trying to keep the park as up to date as possible. I started in '90, before the park opened, and besides training on the rides, we were constantly running them for the engineers so they could fine tune, repair, and maintain the rides.

Most of the originals were state-of-the-art rides that had never been done before, and Universal really wanted them to be something to blow visitor's socks off. I started on Jaws, and we were working on that ride through park opening and for months and months after. We had times where it worked great, but then it just had so many recurring problems they had to shut it down.

After Jaws closed for remodeling, I moved to Kong, and while that ride ran much better, it also had it's share of breakdowns. Lots of hydraulic leaks, and just stress on the parts, especially the two Kong structures. Nothing like the ride stopping cold when you're driving the tram 35 feet in the air.

When the park opened, these were the originals:
Rides:
Kong (opened a cpl months after park opening)
Jaws
Hanna Barbera
Earthquake
Back to the Future (opened a few months after the official park opening)
E.T.

Shows:
Hitchcock
Murder, She Wrote (this was similar to the sound effect show at MGM)
Horror Make Up
Animal Actors
Stunt Boat show in the lagoon
Ghostbusters (I think this opened just a bit later than the official opening, but can't remember - hey, it was almost 20 yrs ago!!)
Wild West Stunt Show (same for this one)
Nikelodeon Tour
Backstage Studio Tour

During the first few months, Jaws and Kong had major issues and were open sporadically. Jaws finally got going and then Kong opened a cpl months later. BttF took a little longer, but ran the best. Universal gave out free park tickets to everyone during those first few months to make up for it.
1stJawsLead is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2009, 07:55 PM   #29
janicelovesmickey
Community Rank: Explorer
 
janicelovesmickey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: w/future ex husbands tommy lee, robert downey jr, adam lambert in NJ planet poptart
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 10,563

Post Thanks / Like
i loved the backstage tour! I miss that
kongfrontation and hanna barberra was great too
__________________
My Countdown Counting down to: A really quick weekend trip
I need to just live here
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips1975, summer timeFirst family trip to WDW | 1983, May SR. HS Trip | 1999, November Off property | 2000, November Off property | 2004, June Off property | 2004, September Disneyland & hollywood | 2005 - July Hollywood | 2005, September All Star Music & November off property | 2006, April off property & Sept POP | 2006, July - Hollywood | 2007, March off property, July- Hollywood, Sept POP, Oct POP, Dec off property | 2008, January off property, April/May off property, July-HOLLYWOOD, September- All star Music PIN CODE! | 2009- feb, LAS VEGAS. APRIL-MAY Nashville June 2009 Nashville. JULY 2009 HOLLYWOOD, October 2009 WDW CSR pin code, DEC 2009/JAN 2010 OFF PROPERTY | April/May 2010-POP AP RATE | July 2010- Hollywood/Las Vegas | Sept 2010 CBR Pin Code!! | ANNUAL PASSHOLDER 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 | Universal Studios Orlando/Islands of Adventure Premium Annual Passholder 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 | Universal Studios Hollywood Annual Passholder 2008-2009
janicelovesmickey is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:38 AM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger