Roller Coaster Pictures | Amusement Park Photos - Visualizing The Amusement Park Experience

Dueling Dragons Queue Pictures

Amusement Park Pictures > Dueling Dragons Queue Pictures

After a bit of a walk we finally approach the castle, but there's still a little way to go.

Once inside, you soon find this series of stained glass windows which tell the story of the battling dragons. In reality these panels are amazingly animated - definitely worth a stop and a longer look.

This ancient book is also crucial in learning the story of the dragons.

The first of many long, dark and twisted corridors

It's not long before you begin seeing previous victims.

The corny little rhymes are the only thing about the entire queue that are even remotely questionable.

...and soon enough you see firsthand what the ice dragon is capable of in this long hall.

What's beyond this door?
And more importantly, is that an authentic medieval trash receptacle?

Isn't this a rather odd position for these skeletons? Maybe it's just me.

They're long deceased but at least they seem happy.

One of the best placed skull/spine combos ever.

It seems our friend in the back was rather surprised to see the small dragon in the foreground - then they became just 2 more casualties.

If you don't get the gist at this point, there may be no help for you.

We have a choice to make. Left for fire or right for ice.

We return from battle here, weary and lucky to be alive.

Finally some signs of civilization! It's just around this building and you're back on the main path.

Islands of Adventure is one of the most talked about theme parks. When it comes to themeing, few (if any) do it better. In fact I'm fairly confident in saying that the theme at IOA is as much of an attraction as the rides. No other section of the park exemplifies this quite as well as the queue for the Dueling Dragons roller coaster(s). The queue itself was originally very, very (did I mention very?) long. In fact it was almost 2 miles long and was capable of holding a 4 hour line for the ride. This may have been a bit of overkill. I'm sure lines get good and long on busy days, but in 5 visits to the park between 1999 and 2002, I've never waited more than 10 minutes for a ride. In June of 2000 the park opened their Flying Unicorn coaster which stood on the same ground much of the outside portion of the Dueling Dragons queue used to occupy. No need to despair, though. What's left is an efficient (as effecient as possible) outdoor walk to the castle and the entire theme indside still exists. Once inside you learn the story of the two dragons (Fire and Ice) and of their legendary battles. You see firsthand the destruction the beasts are capable of. You're warned to go back. You're told not to proceed. Finally as you make your way into the heart of the castle, you must make a choice. Which dragon do you ride into battle? "Choose thy fate" and get ready for one of the best and most unique roller coaster rides you'll ever experience.

I wanted to share this experience through photos and on my last visit to the park took my camera (just the little digital one) along for the hike through the eloborate catacombs that make up the Dueling Dragons queue. You find 30 photos here detailing much of that experience. If you start at the first photo and click your way through, you'll get what amounts to a "virtual tour" of the queue areas. If one of the photos to the right catches your eye, feel free to click it and check out the pics in any order you find entertaining - the castle is so well done that any single photo stands on it's own just fine.

One final note. I used my small digital camera with a flash to take these photos. The results, while totally acceptable, don't rival what these photos would look like if done with a better camera and technique. However, lugging a tripod into the castle is not advisable as you'd really be in the way of other guests. The main difference is that these photos turned out much brighter than the actual castle is on the inside. While this certainly helps with being able to see everything, much of the "ambience" of the castle is lost. The lighting is very dim (especially after the bright Florida sun has been attacking your eyes all day) and it really adds to the creepiness and vibe of the whole experience. But I digress, enjoy these photos from the Dueling Dragons queue area and castle.