Universal + Harry Potter...It's Official!

[Buzz Litebeer]

It sure isn't to give their CM's a big raise is it? I'm sorry, couldn't resist it Buzz.

And yet I still manage to act civil.

 

[calgarygary]

Buzz, that wasn't meant to insult, just a corporate shot (that is applicable to almost all corporations) that they don't share their revenues properly with the employees.

 

[muffyn]

They do need to do something at IOA as I have had no deire to go to that portion of Universal because it is 90 percent roller coasters and I HATE roller coasters.

someone might have already said something. but... please look at the rides list again it is not 90% coasters.
all of seuss land is really fun! (no coasters). spidy is not a coaster. you have the T-cup similar ride, the barge ride (similar to animal kingdom), jurassic park is a neat water ride, with one (I feel tame, drop at the end). Poisenden is a walk through big screen show , then you have sinbad show. I count 3 coasters in the park. I LOVE the themeing

& to get on topic. I can't wait to see what Universal does with this area. I think the hard part for them is what to choose to add & what to have to pass on! to bad Universal didn't pay attention to disney & buy a LOT of property.. seems like they don't have enough to expand ..

(btw I disney,, but differently)
(love the pugs......... )

 

[Theme Park Diva]

Originally Posted by damo
I think that the Hogwarts castle may be a dining hall. If you look in the picture, the castle is beside Flying Unicorn. The entrance to DD is through the tents. You can see the castle. I think that there may be only one new technology ride. However, since the parking lot area is to be used, there will be room for some expansion over there.


I went to vist IOA today to see just how your map works and it right on target. You can clearly see in the overview rendering the last two building in Sindbad Village just before the entrance to HP. On the right is a food shop with it dome like structure and on the left is a carnival game in the square building. As you walk into what is now Merlinwood you can clearlly see how it's all going to work out. To the left where now sits The Enchanted Oak will go all those shops pictured in the rendering. There is alot of space there. I am also sure that a restaurant will go into the Enchanted Oak area. To the right where now is the entrance to DD will go more shops. Once they level off this area including taking down the rock formations, steps and the two dragons it becomes a very large space. The triangle like structure in the rendering would sit right where there is currently a gift shop. Flying Unicorn is just past that as you can clearly see in the picture. The bridge into JP is also right were it appears in the rendering. Hogwarts will sit right where DAMO places it in the grassy area in the back.
Talking to some employees off the record they seem to think Hogwarts will be the new ride. If you look at the rendering you see it sitting on top of a very large rock like sculture. It is clearly a very large building. A dinning hall would be totally out of the question for such a large structure. Universal has never spent that kind of money on a dinning hall. The expense would never pay for itself. Hogwarts will be the new dark ride. Eventhough there will only be three rides in the new HP area you will be immersed in the World of Harry Potter. The streetscape,forest and other sites made famous in the books will take you there.
I also got to see the public contract that is posted online between Universal and Warner Brothers /JKR. It is very interesting. They can pull out at any time if they feel Universal is not doing it justice.This will put a lot of presure to do it right. I can't wait to see HP come to life. I will be visiting IOA often in the next two years. I love to see it all come together.

 

[ChrisFL]

I can't wait to see what Universal does with this area. I think the hard part for them is what to choose to add & what to have to pass on! to bad Universal didn't pay attention to disney & buy a LOT of property.. seems like they don't have enough to expand ..

Actually they DID buy a lot of property...they had bought 2,000 acres from Lockheed Martin, but after the tourism downturn post 9/11 they decided to sell it off.

 

[Notatourist]

Everyone please remember something important here....it's CONCEPT art. You guys are already placing attractions and retheming areas when it's just a concept.

No one will know exactly what is going where until it's built.

 

[damo]

Everyone please remember something important here....it's CONCEPT art. You guys are already placing attractions and retheming areas when it's just a concept.

No one will know exactly what is going where until it's built.

It is lots of fun to try and figure out where things will go. I really don't think anyone is going to be disappointed if what they think is going to happen, doesn't. Part of the fun of getting something new is the anticipation and discussion of how it all will come together. Everyone knows the picture is concept art and not a photograph but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be trying to figure it all out. I think Universal wants us to be intrigued by the art not just say, "Oh, my isn't that lovely". Interest is created by trying to imagine how that concept art will fit in with the rest of the park.

It is a big mystery given a few clues and everyone loves a mystery.

 

[macraven]

i read the blurb on screamscrapeboards and they claim mythos will be untouched when HP area is developed

that is a good thing, too many homies love that resturuant.
just hope what is said can stay true.

lots of things change once production begins

 

[damo]

Another little observation: notice the similarities between Hargrid's hut and the little building beside what we think is Flying Unicorn in the middle. Someone had said that they heard that the flying unicorn will be turned into a flying hippogriff ride that you ride after going through Hagrid's hut.

 

[damo]

Originally Posted by damo
I think that the Hogwarts castle may be a dining hall. If you look in the picture, the castle is beside Flying Unicorn. The entrance to DD is through the tents. You can see the castle. I think that there may be only one new technology ride. However, since the parking lot area is to be used, there will be room for some expansion over there.


I went to vist IOA today to see just how your map works and it right on target. You can clearly see in the overview rendering the last two building in Sindbad Village just before the entrance to HP. On the right is a food shop with it dome like structure and on the left is a carnival game in the square building. As you walk into what is now Merlinwood you can clearlly see how it's all going to work out. To the left where now sits The Enchanted Oak will go all those shops pictured in the rendering. There is alot of space there. I am also sure that a restaurant will go into the Enchanted Oak area. To the right where now is the entrance to DD will go more shops. Once they level off this area including taking down the rock formations, steps and the two dragons it becomes a very large space. The triangle like structure in the rendering would sit right where there is currently a gift shop. Flying Unicorn is just past that as you can clearly see in the picture. The bridge into JP is also right were it appears in the rendering. Hogwarts will sit right where DAMO places it in the grassy area in the back.
Talking to some employees off the record they seem to think Hogwarts will be the new ride. If you look at the rendering you see it sitting on top of a very large rock like sculture. It is clearly a very large building. A dinning hall would be totally out of the question for such a large structure. Universal has never spent that kind of money on a dinning hall. The expense would never pay for itself. Hogwarts will be the new dark ride. Eventhough there will only be three rides in the new HP area you will be immersed in the World of Harry Potter. The streetscape,forest and other sites made famous in the books will take you there.
I also got to see the public contract that is posted online between Universal and Warner Brothers /JKR. It is very interesting. They can pull out at any time if they feel Universal is not doing it justice.This will put a lot of presure to do it right. I can't wait to see HP come to life. I will be visiting IOA often in the next two years. I love to see it all come together.

Maybe they will leave the interior of Enchanted Oak as it is but just retheme the outside with Hogsmead. That would make a lot of sense. Then they wouldn't need another restaurant. It will be very interesting to see what happens with the castle. Do you think that area is large enough to house a ride the size of Spiderman?

 

[lindalinda]

I actually am hoping the castle isnt a ride, per se. I would like it to be a hands on type of touring experience. Lots of rooms to see, dorms, classrooms, etc. Maybe a "potions' class.

 

[damo]

I actually am hoping the castle isnt a ride, per se. I would like it to be a hands on type of touring experience. Lots of rooms to see, dorms, classrooms, etc. Maybe a "potions' class.

Me too. It would be very weird to have a flying car ride inside Hogwarts.

 

[lindalinda]

I think it (castle) could be kind of like one of the pavillions at epcot. Several smaller attractions inside, and these could change over time without changing the attraction itself.

 

[ncsastudent]

You know what would be HOT? If they modified the dueling dragon's ride somehow... so that instead of just dangling under the ride, you were "sitting" on a broomstick. That ride would be spectacular, you could look down and feel like you were actually flying a broom over hogwarts! Crazy.

Also, could someone post another link to the map that someone made. I couldn't find it.

Thanx so much!

 

[damo]

You know what would be HOT? If they modified the dueling dragon's ride somehow... so that instead of just dangling under the ride, you were "sitting" on a broomstick. That ride would be spectacular, you could look down and feel like you were actually flying a broom over hogwarts! Crazy.

Also, could someone post another link to the map that someone made. I couldn't find it.

Thanx so much!

this one that my son did? This is his interpretation of how things might be.

 

[tidefan]

(or maybe not; I'm told Lucas will sell Star Wars merchandising rights to anyone with a checkbook. JKR is, by all reports, much more selective).

Is this why we have video games with LEGO Star Wars characters?

 

[goofy!]

I will be visiting IOA often in the next two years. I love to see it all come together.

Pretty please...pictures, pictures for those of us stranded hundreds of miles away.

and great post. I am looking forward to the updates and how it comes together.

 

[goofy!]

I actually am hoping the castle isnt a ride, per se. I would like it to be a hands on type of touring experience. Lots of rooms to see, dorms, classrooms, etc. Maybe a "potions' class.

That is actually how it is described in the FAQ section of www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter

Question: Will I be able to go into Hogwarts Castle?
Answer: The new land will be anchored by the most recognizable landmark in Harry Potter's world: Hogwarts Castle. Fans will get to experience some of their favorite locations both within Hogwarts and around the castle grounds.

Of course, how fans will experience it is still up in the air. Will it be that you can visit classrooms or will you just pass by "windows" as you queue in line for the new ride? However, I can't imagine that the only way to experience Hogwarts would be to queue for a ride. Perhaps the ride is in the mountain and the dining hall and classrooms are in the castle above. Universal would only have to build one building but it would take care of 2 needs/attractions. Building up would be a great way to maximize what little space they have to fit everything in.

 

[Theme Park Diva]

Everyone please remember something important here....it's CONCEPT art. You guys are already placing attractions and retheming areas when it's just a concept.

No one will know exactly what is going where until it's built.

Concept art is pretty much on the money. Like I said I have been working in the idustry for far too long now and know how this works out. If you think that no one will know exactly what is going there until it's built your crazy.LOL I would say that we will not know what the shops will look like or the interiors but the buildings and rides are quite clear. You only have so much space.

 

[damo]

That is actually how it is described in the FAQ section of www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter

Question: Will I be able to go into Hogwarts Castle?
Answer: The new land will be anchored by the most recognizable landmark in Harry Potter's world: Hogwarts Castle. Fans will get to experience some of their favorite locations both within Hogwarts and around the castle grounds.

Of course, how fans will experience it is still up in the air. Will it be that you can visit classrooms or will you just pass by "windows" as you queue in line for the new ride? However, I can't imagine that the only way to experience Hogwarts would be to queue for a ride. Perhaps the ride is in the mountain and the dining hall and classrooms are in the castle above. Universal would only have to build one building but it would take care of 2 needs/attractions. Building up would be a great way to maximize what little space they have to fit everything in.

I think though, that if the ride is in the mountain part, there just isn't enough room for it to be a large capacity, mind blowing ride. I think it all comes down to space. It is very hard to tell, though, how much space is actually there. I would love for them to expand in other areas behind dueling dragons and then there would be room for more expansion over there.

The podcasts did specifically say that you would be able to go inside the castle and see such things as Dumbledore's office. I can't see how they can fit the immersive experience of the castle with a kuka arm ride as well.