Jaws closing for good on Jan 2

[andyman8]

I thought the characters did? Unless something has changed since August. Spongebob has a new meet'n'greet in the KidZone and I'm pretty sure I saw Dora near the Universal Studios store. Not 100% on Dora though!

Yeah, Spongebob and Dora are still there. We were there in September and they were appearing regularly. I'm just thinking that Universal is lacking attractions for younger kids and Nickelodeon would be the perfect opportunity to provide entertainment for younger ones, but that's my opinion.

R.I.P. Jaws

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I thought the characters did? Unless something has changed since August. Spongebob has a new meet'n'greet in the KidZone and I'm pretty sure I saw Dora near the Universal Studios store. Not 100% on Dora though!

.

Nevermind!

 

[damo]

Yeah, Spongebob and Dora are still there. We were there in September and they were appearing regularly. I'm just thinking that Universal is lacking attractions for younger kids and Nickelodeon would be the perfect opportunity to provide entertainment for younger ones, but that's my opinion.

R.I.P. Jaws

It would be nice if one of the rides that goes into the new area is a family ride. I think the area where the Hard Rock Cafe was torn down would be a great place for another kiddie ride. I don't have any kiddies but I really think that both parks are lacking in family rides.

I've heard rumour about a Weasley's Wizard Wheezes ride. That would be an excellent family ride.

 

[ChrisFL]

I just do not see any expansion of HP being included into Amity. If you look at a satellite view of the parks on Mapquest or any other site, you'll see that there is a ton of "backstage" stuff between where HP currently resides and where Amity is. I really do not see any feasible way to tie in the two areas, even by a train ride. Plus, how would you handle the folks that only have a one-park pass?

I have heard from a few VERY reliable insider sources that it IS going to be HP...I don't have any further details than that...I think if true it will set a new (albeit odd) precedent for theme parks...and I really hope the Hogwarts Express does the transportation between parks.

I do think they could work in something of a deal with this.

If the rumors for this ARE true, I'd expect we might also be seeing the end of the Sinbad show, since if they do put transportation towards HP, it would make sense to clear that area.

 

[Victoria3]

I really hope that whatever it is that it's not some technology advanced motion simulator. UO needs a great classic attraction that everyone can ride.

 

[nytimez]

I have heard from a few VERY reliable insider sources that it IS going to be HP...I don't have any further details than that...I think if true it will set a new (albeit odd) precedent for theme parks...and I really hope the Hogwarts Express does the transportation between parks.

I do think they could work in something of a deal with this.

If the rumors for this ARE true, I'd expect we might also be seeing the end of the Sinbad show, since if they do put transportation towards HP, it would make sense to clear that area.

I still have a hard time seeing this. *IF* they did put Potter in Amity I don't see how they could possibly connect it to Potter-land in IOA -- it's just a logistical nightmare. Rearranging the backstage areas, tearing down buildings to do it, theming the areas so the people on the train or whatever feel like they're traveling through Potter world -- and all that would cut off one part of backstage from another. Not to mention ticketing issues. I have a hard time picturing this.

 

[andyman8]

Oh okay! I hadn't seen any of them in a while. I feel like such a bad TM now!

It's okay!! I could see how someone could think that for they were hard to find. By the way, does anybody know what TM stands for? It's not on the abbreviation list. Thanks!

I still have a hard time seeing this. *IF* they did put Potter in Amity I don't see how they could possibly connect it to Potter-land in IOA -- it's just a logistical nightmare. Rearranging the backstage areas, tearing down buildings to do it, theming the areas so the people on the train or whatever feel like they're traveling through Potter world -- and all that would cut off one part of backstage from another. Not to mention ticketing issues. I have a hard time picturing this.

I agree. I just find it hard to believe that any theme park company would do something like that. I think they will probably take a huge movie or brand and build it into that space to attract people to the Studios, instead of building more HP for they do not want to overdue it.

 

[macraven]

Team Member


what happened to my post........?

it was fine yesterday...


Team Member

 

[Quartermistress]

Does anyone know where to go or how to find the construction permits Universal will need? Not sure if they have filed them yet, but there could be some clues to the new project in those.

 

[Metro West]

Does anyone know where to go or how to find the construction permits Universal will need? Not sure if they have filed them yet, but there could be some clues to the new project in those.

I'm sure someone will post them once they've been filed. It's the same with the permits for HHN houses every year but I doubt anything has been filed yet.

 

[kenban]

Does anyone know where to go or how to find the construction permits Universal will need? Not sure if they have filed them yet, but there could be some clues to the new project in those.

Universal realized that fans of HHN were pulling the permits and started using code names for the houses. I am pretty sure once Universal gets the permits it will be a hint of some kind but not that useful.

 

[ChrisFL]

I still have a hard time seeing this. *IF* they did put Potter in Amity I don't see how they could possibly connect it to Potter-land in IOA -- it's just a logistical nightmare. Rearranging the backstage areas, tearing down buildings to do it, theming the areas so the people on the train or whatever feel like they're traveling through Potter world -- and all that would cut off one part of backstage from another. Not to mention ticketing issues. I have a hard time picturing this.

Well, I'm not going to argue because none of us really know 100% how they would do it, or if that's even the plan, just that my most trustworthy sources are talking about it

However, let's say that Universal was going to plan it...how would it work?

First, I don't think they'd have to tear down or re-arrange backstage areas...here's a pic I made of the 2 areas:

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu329/techno9991/jawshp.jpg

As you can see, there's a single road that links the two and it's nearly a straight shot...it also seems relatively feasible that they could add a track between this road and the buildings next to it.

What about traffic? Well, like any cross-street or train crossing, there would be times where it would have to wait for a train car to pass by. If it ran, say every 20 minutes, it might not be so bad.

As far as theming the train ride, that's easy, just have screens on the train instead of windows looking out, projecting the ride over....similar to what Disney had planned to do with a Japan ride back in the early 1980's.

Ticketing. This is one where I am curious about it. Perhaps you can only ride the Hogwarts Express if you have your valid 2-park ticket. That would minimize the issues with having separate gates, etc.

Obviously we're dealing with completely uncharted territory and none of this may be happening. Just thinking about the logistics, it might not be as difficult as it seems at first?

 

[Jordanblackpool]

Gutted RIP Jaws!

 

[damo]

Well, I'm not going to argue because none of us really know 100% how they would do it, or if that's even the plan, just that my most trustworthy sources are talking about it

However, let's say that Universal was going to plan it...how would it work?

First, I don't think they'd have to tear down or re-arrange backstage areas...here's a pic I made of the 2 areas:

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu329/techno9991/jawshp.jpg

As you can see, there's a single road that links the two and it's nearly a straight shot...it also seems relatively feasible that they could add a track between this road and the buildings next to it.

What about traffic? Well, like any cross-street or train crossing, there would be times where it would have to wait for a train car to pass by. If it ran, say every 20 minutes, it might not be so bad.

As far as theming the train ride, that's easy, just have screens on the train instead of windows looking out, projecting the ride over....similar to what Disney had planned to do with a Japan ride back in the early 1980's.

Ticketing. This is one where I am curious about it. Perhaps you can only ride the Hogwarts Express if you have your valid 2-park ticket. That would minimize the issues with having separate gates, etc.

Obviously we're dealing with completely uncharted territory and none of this may be happening. Just thinking about the logistics, it might not be as difficult as it seems at first?

Ya, I don't think the ticketing would be a big issue. Your two park pass would service as your Hogwarts Express ticket. I think it is a great way to get people to spend two days at USF/IOA instead of just one. I'm sure there will also be lots of people just buying a one day two park pass and only visiting the Harry Potter portions at both parks, but they still will be paying more to do so. From what I am reading all over the place, this additions sounds like the most plausible of all the ideas that I've been hearing. It is a huge footprint that needs to be filled. I don't know what else they would put in there. I am very curious to find out!!!

 

[XGrumpy1]

Last time we were there, the ride was closed. Just not operating. I was wondering if something like this was coming. Cutting costs no doubt.

 

[damo]

Last time we were there, the ride was closed. Just not operating. I was wondering if something like this was coming. Cutting costs no doubt.

I read that the gas alone for the explosions cost about $7000/hr.

 

[jimmytammy]

Stinks cause we are making our 1st trip there in Mar. Oh well, things change.

 

[nytimez]

Well, I'm not going to argue because none of us really know 100% how they would do it, or if that's even the plan, just that my most trustworthy sources are talking about it

However, let's say that Universal was going to plan it...how would it work?

First, I don't think they'd have to tear down or re-arrange backstage areas...here's a pic I made of the 2 areas:

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu329/techno9991/jawshp.jpg

As you can see, there's a single road that links the two and it's nearly a straight shot...it also seems relatively feasible that they could add a track between this road and the buildings next to it.

What about traffic? Well, like any cross-street or train crossing, there would be times where it would have to wait for a train car to pass by. If it ran, say every 20 minutes, it might not be so bad.

As far as theming the train ride, that's easy, just have screens on the train instead of windows looking out, projecting the ride over....similar to what Disney had planned to do with a Japan ride back in the early 1980's.

Ticketing. This is one where I am curious about it. Perhaps you can only ride the Hogwarts Express if you have your valid 2-park ticket. That would minimize the issues with having separate gates, etc.

Obviously we're dealing with completely uncharted territory and none of this may be happening. Just thinking about the logistics, it might not be as difficult as it seems at first?

I've thought of the screens as windows thing. I think there's a reason you don't see that technique used in too many rides -- and when it does it's a cheap-o simulator ride in a shopping mall: It doesn't work very well.

Ya, I don't think the ticketing would be a big issue. Your two park pass would service as your Hogwarts Express ticket. I think it is a great way to get people to spend two days at USF/IOA instead of just one.

I just have a hard time picturing this on a practical level.

 

[MrsSparrow..]

I don't see how the ticketing would be an issue

They could just use turnstiles at either end? They do that at train stations anyway! The only problem I could see is some unknowing guest buying a 1 day pass and is confused as to why he cannot ride the Hogwarts Express. As long as IOA make it clear when they advertise, I don't see any issues.

 

[damo]

How about a type of coaster connecting the two parks kinda like riding in a Ford Anglia? That way they don't have to worry about what you are seeing and it would be fun too.