The Turbulent History of Universal's Dragon Challenge
From Dueling Dragons to an Orlando Icon
The Early Years
When Islands of Adventure first opened in the Universal Orlando Resort in 1999, the park's landscape looked vastly different than it does today. The Lost Continent, a sprawling land themed after ancient civilizations, was a much larger area, and one of its most prominent attractions was Dueling Dragons.
Dueling Dragons was a pair of inverted roller coasters that raced side by side, featuring three near-collisions where the trains passed within 18 inches of each other. The ride quickly became a signature attraction for Universal Orlando and was widely regarded as one of the most innovative roller coasters of its time.
The Wizarding World Expansion
In 2010, Universal Orlando underwent a major expansion with the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Dueling Dragons was rethemed to become Dragon Challenge, and its setting was moved to the new Hogsmeade area of the park.
Dragon Challenge continued to be a popular attraction for several years, but its future became uncertain in 2017. Rumors of its removal had been circulating for years, and in September 2017, Universal Orlando confirmed that Dragon Challenge would be closing.
A Legacy of Thrill
Dragon Challenge closed on September 4, 2017, after 18 years of operation. During its lifetime, the ride thrilled millions of guests and cemented its place in Orlando's theme park history.
Today, the Dragon Challenge site is occupied by Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, another innovative and thrilling attraction that continues to carry on the legacy of Dragon Challenge.
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