Possible New Plans for the Harry Potter expansion!!!

[popsynic]

maybe. But perhaps they would still get the people buying two park / multi-day tickets without the transport by Hogwarts Express. I would.

Creating a realistic looking full size steam train ride (even with screens in windows) would just be too disruptive and expensive I'd have thought, and not sure it offers a return on investment. Looking at google maps, its a long way to run a train that you can't see out of?

I think they will still get the business to both parks without it.

Plus, Hogarts Express doesn't go into Diagon Alley, so they have a themeing problem too.

May be they should do what Disney did with Magical Express, and run it straight from Orlando International

 

[La2kw]

This is what I gather:
It'll be new technology combining a roller coaster and motion base- not a car like Spiderman and Transformers.
There will be a train ride possibly using similar technology as King Kong 360 in Hollywood.
Diagon Alley is in London, same city as King's Cross station (home of platform 9 3/4 where you board the Hogwart's Express) It makes perfect sense to add the train to the addition, thereby taking a train from London to Hogsmeade, just like in the books/movies.
The restaurant will be the Leaky Cauldron, there will be another Ollivander's (which is supposed to be in Diagon Alley, not Hogsmeade). You enter Diagon Alley from behind the Leaky Cauldron.

 

[HyperionDreamer]

Haveg re-read my post (a few up) and examining google earth pics. Having doubts about the Hogwarts express part of this expansion.

It would be too complicated and expensive.

for one they would need to re-theme the entire length of the track, so when you look out of windows you don't see Univeral Backstage buidlings, or worse the local high school and houses.

Plus - in terms of keeping to the story - Hogwarts is not in Diagon Alley, it starts from from Kings Cross, London (well a secret platform in Kings Cross) so that would have to be re-created?

They would also have to totally re-do the entrance to the exisiting WWOHP (and take out the static Hogwarts Express and build a station somehere) causing massive disruption to this exising land (and the revenue stream it currently is bringing them)

Plus, it would have such a limited capacity, it just wouldn't be worth the investment surely?

I think everything else detailed stands, but now very doubtful about the Hogwarts train ride.

Hi, I don't usually step out of the Disney Cruise Line forums much, but I thought I'd offer my thoughts. I think the Hogwarts Express might be much more easily feasible, without either building over backstage or embedding screens into the windows, if they simply created a kind of "themed tunnel" that the train passes through. Universal Hollywood's tram tour includes a scene where the tram is completely surrounded by a 3D projection of scenes from King Kong. I could easily see something similar working for Hogwarts Express - you would still get to look "out the window" at the Scottish countryside, but it would simply be a projection on the tunnel.

As for capacity - if they could find a way to make the train be round-trip, with a separate track for each way, then they would have the option of having several trains, WDW Railroad style. If they could run 3 trains loading 100 people each, with each making 3 trips an hour (10-minute rides each way, three times), then that's a respectable 900 guests/hour (nothing to write home about, but not terrible). If they are forced to use an alternating track system with only one train, they might have some capacity issues. Fortunately both the size of the train is variable, and of course the wait times will limited be limited by those that actually desire (or have the ticket necessary) to leave one park and enter the other.

I just hope they have the candy cart lady selling chocolate frogs.

Finally, I'll also throw my chips in on a bet of a Leaky Cauldron restaurant, and a "flagship Ollivanders" (with the Hogsmeade location becoming the outlet? ).

I would also love to see a Weasley Wizard Wheezes, the Fortescue Ice Cream Parlor, or maybe even a Magical Menagerie, where they could sell all of the Hogwarts animal plushes. I could also easily see Universal building a Madame Malkin's as the sort of end-all be-all destination for the popular Hogwarts robes. I'll keep my expectations tempered, though.

 

[keishashadow]

Hi from the hard rock hotel... Sigh.....I'm just reading that my AP rates will increase significantly and what's left of the hotel deals will be fewer and father between, lol.

im so jealous

 

[damo]

Hi, I don't usually step out of the Disney Cruise Line forums much, but I thought I'd offer my thoughts. I think the Hogwarts Express might be much more easily feasible, without either building over backstage or embedding screens into the windows, if they simply created a kind of "themed tunnel" that the train passes through. Universal Hollywood's tram tour includes a scene where the tram is completely surrounded by a 3D projection of scenes from King Kong. I could easily see something similar working for Hogwarts Express - you would still get to look "out the window" at the Scottish countryside, but it would simply be a projection on the tunnel.

As for capacity - if they could find a way to make the train be round-trip, with a separate track for each way, then they would have the option of having several trains, WDW Railroad style. If they could run 3 trains loading 100 people each, with each making 3 trips an hour (10-minute rides each way, three times), then that's a respectable 900 guests/hour (nothing to write home about, but not terrible). If they are forced to use an alternating track system with only one train, they might have some capacity issues. Fortunately both the size of the train is variable, and of course the wait times will limited be limited by those that actually desire (or have the ticket necessary) to leave one park and enter the other.

I just hope they have the candy cart lady selling chocolate frogs.

Finally, I'll also throw my chips in on a bet of a Leaky Cauldron restaurant, and a "flagship Ollivanders" (with the Hogsmeade location becoming the outlet? ).

I would also love to see a Weasley Wizard Wheezes, the Fortescue Ice Cream Parlor, or maybe even a Magical Menagerie, where they could sell all of the Hogwarts animal plushes. I could also easily see Universal building a Madame Malkin's as the sort of end-all be-all destination for the popular Hogwarts robes. I'll keep my expectations tempered, though.

Weasley Wizard Wheezes would make a great smaller, family, dark ride.

 

[nytimez]

Hi, I don't usually step out of the Disney Cruise Line forums much, but I thought I'd offer my thoughts. I think the Hogwarts Express might be much more easily feasible, without either building over backstage or embedding screens into the windows, if they simply created a kind of "themed tunnel" that the train passes through. Universal Hollywood's tram tour includes a scene where the tram is completely surrounded by a 3D projection of scenes from King Kong. I could easily see something similar working for Hogwarts Express - you would still get to look "out the window" at the Scottish countryside, but it would simply be a projection on the tunnel.

My understanding is the structure supporting the Kong screen is quite large -- you can see a couple of interior shots here.

Unless they're willing to knock down existing service buildings, it would have to fit within the confines of the existing service road, AND take that road entirely out of commission AND block one section of backstage off from another -- at least, that's how I see it, looking at the Kong images and the map of Universal.

Also, the Kong 360 screen is quite short compared to the distance they'll have to cover to go from Jaws to Sindbad. I don't know if extending it to that length would make it cost-prohibitive.

What I'm saying is, the Kong solution may not work here... but that's just my guess.

 

[AlexandNessa]

im so jealous

Dont be jealous!!! It's crazy busy with rude people, and we are actually missing our usual october crowds and are ready to come home!

 

[macraven]

Dont be jealous!!! It's crazy busy with rude people, and we are actually missing our usual october crowds and are ready to come home!

39 degrees tonight??

 

[AlexandNessa]

39 degrees tonight??

Yes, flipping cold!!!!! Felt so bad for security guard just standing there in cold (one who watches path from hrh/pbh to parks), bought him a hot cocoa to keep warm, but I'm sure hes still freezing!!! Wish I had gloves, hat, and winter coat with me!

 

[Snow8882]

I would also love to see a Weasley Wizard Wheezes, the Fortescue Ice Cream Parlor, or maybe even a Magical Menagerie, where they could sell all of the Hogwarts animal plushes. I could also easily see Universal building a Madame Malkin's as the sort of end-all be-all destination for the popular Hogwarts robes. I'll keep my expectations tempered, though.

I'd love to see them put a new Olliveranders in Diagon Alley and upgrade the existing one to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Its one thing that I think is really missing and would be great fun!

A Magical Menagerie is a good idea too - so many money-making ideas for Universal They'll need to get their spies watching these boards as they develop their ideas!

 

[keishashadow]

Dont be jealous!!! It's crazy busy with rude people, and we are actually missing our usual october crowds and are ready to come home!

it's cold here too

 

[mcjw2011]

More 3D and screens. Blech. Give me real scenes and real action instead of trying to simulate it.

I think Universal and WB are focusing on the 3D aspect for that specific expansion since the last film was released in 3D too.

 

[reelmom]

It sounds awesome to me. We are visiting the WWoHP in June for the first time and I can't wait. I guess I need to go ahead and buy our AP's since I'm sure ticket prices will continue to rise while they are building it.

 

[wendyt_ca]

I personally hope that this is all true it sounds incredibly cool. I love the idea of Hogwarts Express to WWoHP over in IOA!

 

[popsynic]

My understanding is the structure supporting the Kong screen is quite large -- you can see a couple of interior shots here.

Unless they're willing to knock down existing service buildings, it would have to fit within the confines of the existing service road, AND take that road entirely out of commission AND block one section of backstage off from another -- at least, that's how I see it, looking at the Kong images and the map of Universal.

Also, the Kong 360 screen is quite short compared to the distance they'll have to cover to go from Jaws to Sindbad. I don't know if extending it to that length would make it cost-prohibitive.

What I'm saying is, the Kong solution may not work here... but that's just my guess.

I think the idea of a tunnel the entire the length required with projection screens all around like the King King element of the current Hollywood Univeral tram tour, would be amazing, but alas I also think it would be impossible to pull off and afford.

However - this has got me thinking. And a 'tram tour' that took you around props, sets, and backstage peeks into the world of potter, and included a 'king kong' style section that 'transported you' at the very end into Hogsmeade, may be a feasable way to connect the two 'themed lands' - but again, unlikely i feel.

 

[pumpkin7]

.... However, I wonder if MIB could be rethemed to a Wizarding School where we use wands to hit targets? Maybe that would be too IOA Potter rather than USF Potter (I doubt there are Wizarding schools in London lol)....

jeeze, isn't there enough potter already? and taking out a classic attraction for even MORE potter?
please no, stop at the jaws area... don't spill out onto every other attraction. next, the simpsons will become a demetor fight, and terminator will be changed into a live action 3D quidditch match! enough is enough.
i'm already annoyed that they are letting it spill into US anyway. it's not needed in both parks. they already took over duelling dragons, and rumoured to be taking over poseidon adventure. overkill! they need to rename the parks soon, Harry Potter Studios and Island of Potter.

 

[damo]

jeeze, isn't there enough potter already? and taking out a classic attraction for even MORE potter?
please no, stop at the jaws area... don't spill out onto every other attraction. next, the simpsons will become a demetor fight, and terminator will be changed into a live action 3D quidditch match! enough is enough.
i'm already annoyed that they are letting it spill into US anyway. it's not needed in both parks. they already took over duelling dragons, and rumoured to be taking over poseidon adventure. overkill! they need to rename the parks soon, Harry Potter Studios and Island of Potter.

Ooooh Poseidon Adventure!!! Wasn't that the movie where the ship turned upside down and people had to swim their way out??? Now that would be a fun ride!

 

[RudeDogg1]

no its Poseidon furry (spelling?) as in the greek god

 

[macraven]

Ooooh Poseidon Adventure!!! Wasn't that the movie where the ship turned upside down and people had to swim their way out??? Now that would be a fun ride!

yea, that's the one that was made in 1972.
shelley winters was very interesting in that movie.
it was based off of a novel by Paul Gallico.


in 2005, there was a tv version of it.


the 1972 movie was the best of the two.

 

[damo]

yea, that's the one that was made in 1972.
rosemary clooney was very interesting in that movie.
it was based off of a novel by Paul Gallico.


in 2005, there was a tv version of it.


the 1972 movie was the best of the two.

I remember Shelley Winters and Ernest Borgnine and I remember the song. That's about it.