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[LuvOrlando]

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[phamton]

It has not been put on the back burner. There is construction going on but most of it is still in the backstage area and very little is visible to the park guests. A few people here have mentioned seeing some construction while riding Dueling Dragons.

 

[spima3]

I'm glad you posted this, because I have been wondering the same thing. Lots of initial excitement and then nothing.
I and the kids plan on going when it's completed. I'm thinking it probably won't be finished until late 2009, early 2010.
Is there one good thread that explains the best way to attack Universal?
From the little I've read, it appears you really do need to stay at the expensive resort hotels to make it at all worth it. I would think the addition of HP will make this even more so.

 

[Metro West]

I'm glad you posted this, because I have been wondering the same thing. Lots of initial excitement and then nothing. I and the kids plan on going when it's completed. I'm thinking it probably won't be finished until late 2009, early 2010. Is there one good thread that explains the best way to attack Universal? From the little I've read, it appears you really do need to stay at the expensive resort hotels to make it at all worth it. I would think the addition of HP will make this even more so.

Your timeline is correct. It's supposed to be ready in LATE 2009 to mid 2010 and I would imagine they are trying hard to stay on schedule. Not much construction is going to be seen at IOA until later this year and early next year.

Depending on when you're going, it could very well be worth to stay onsite. When are you visiting and we can help you decide if it's worth it. If you stay onsite, you get FOTL access so the crowds won't be much of an issue...especially during a busy time...and you WILL get spoiled by FOTL. But if you're going off season, it may not be worth it as the crowds will be light.

The best way to attack Universal is the opposite of Disney. You don't need to make ADR's seven years in advance and it's a much more relaxing touring schedule. Most of us on this side of the boards know a lot about Universal and welcome all questions.

We will be glad to help you plan your trip.

 

[damo]

There is a lot of work going on beside Flying Unicorn where Hogwarts looks like it will be.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Lots of dirt is being moved. Yay, progress!

 

[ChrisFL]

Realize that so far this new area will have a LOT of top secret cutting edge technology, they don't want another theme park chain to get wind of it and build something similar faster

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[damo]

Pictures from my last trip in mid Feb.

 

[kellymonaghan]

I think the first sign we'll see of the Harry Potter section will be costumed characters from the books roaming about in front of the Enchanted Oak Tavern.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[the Dark Marauder]

The dirt mounds are bigger. That's about all that can be said.

 

[Timmy Boy]

I love the first pic of damo's. The set piece on Unicorn's lifthill. That's amazing! I never knew it.

Disney fans = "ew Disney would never have piles of dirt!!!"

 

[Metro West]

Disney fans = "ew Disney would never have piles of dirt!!!"

 

[ky07]

I love the first pic of damo's. The set piece on Unicorn's lifthill. That's amazing! I never knew it.

Disney fans = "ew Disney would never have piles of dirt!!!"

 

[BrownDalmatian]

Pictures from my last trip in mid Feb.

Great pics, thank you for posting them!

We were standing by that big wall just 24 hours ago trying to peek through the cracks to see if we could see anything!

Disney fans = "ew Disney would never have piles of dirt!!!"

 

[skircher]

So maybe I am overreacting here, but we really want to go see HP park within a year after it opens, but I HATE crowds. (I will only go to Disney in mid January.) My fear is that both Disney and Universal will be bombarded with crowds, even in the off season and both (along with every hotel around) will be justified in jacking prices way up.

Does anyone remember last time something big was added to Orlando or Aneheim? Was there a huge ripple effect, or just initially for the grand opening?

 

[JSThatcher]

Was there huge crowds for "Mission to Mars"? That was supposed to be the ride of all rides I heard.

 

[damo]

So maybe I am overreacting here, but we really want to go see HP park within a year after it opens, but I HATE crowds. (I will only go to Disney in mid January.) My fear is that both Disney and Universal will be bombarded with crowds, even in the off season and both (along with every hotel around) will be justified in jacking prices way up.

Does anyone remember last time something big was added to Orlando or Aneheim? Was there a huge ripple effect, or just initially for the grand opening?

I think crowds will be pretty big for the first year. Early December is a really good time to go.

 

[Metro West]

Was there huge crowds for "Mission to Mars"? That was supposed to be the ride of all rides I heard.

You mean Mission Space at Epcot? Yes...the lines were huge for that attraction when it first opened. Mission to Mars was at the MK and has been gone for years.