Wizarding World of Harry Potter to come to Universal Hollywood

[skiingfast]

And they also announced that the existing one would be expanded, but that was all they said about it.

Here is a link to the official press release.

http://media.universalorlando.com/PressRelease/detail.aspx?ID=1070

 

[Figment632]

I posted this a few weeks ago and you I'll flamed me for it. My UNI sources are not that good but I was flamed for it.

Looks like I could have been correct!

 

[nytimez]

I posted this a few weeks ago and you I'll flamed me for it. My UNI sources are not that good but I was flamed for it.

Looks like I could have been correct!

Yes... I was looking for that thread so I could feed myself a slice of humble pie, but it seems to have vanished. I apologize.

They didn't say the new HP zone will be where Jaws is, or that they will connect the two parks with a Hogwarts Express, but the timing of these announcements certainly makes all that a distinct possibility.

But you gotta admit -- you wrote that you didn't believe it yourself at the time!

 

[Figment632]

Yes... I was looking for that thread so I could feed myself a slice of humble pie, but it seems to have vanished. I apologize.

They didn't say the new HP zone will be wher Jaws is, or that they will connect the two parks with a Hogwarts Express, but the timing of these announcements certainly makes all that a distinct possibility.

But you gotta admit -- you wrote that you didn't believe it yourself at the time!

lol I still am not sure I beleive it? I don think something like the has ever been attempted. Still not quite sure how it will work but it will be interesting to say the least.

Even if it's not HP it will be Transformers a win win IMO.

 

[nytimez]

lol I still am not sure I beleive it? I don think something like the has ever been attempted. Still not quite sure how it will work but it will be interesting to say the least.

Even if it's not HP it will be Transformers a win win IMO.

I'd be curious to know the size of the footprint for Jaws + Amity and how it compares to WWoHP.

Since Screamscape says the Fear Factor area might also become part of the expansion, I'd also be curious to know what the size of Jaws + Amity + Fear Factor is.

Just looking at Google maps, it seems considerably smaller -- even with Fear Factor thrown into the mix.

Makes me wonder if the major expansion would involve both the Jaws area AND the Lost Continent... food for thought, anyway.

 

[DanBoris]

I'd be curious to know the size of the footprint for Jaws + Amity and how it compares to WWoHP.

Since Screamscape says the Fear Factor area might also become part of the expansion, I'd also be curious to know what the size of Jaws + Amity + Fear Factor is.

Just looking at Google maps, it seems considerably smaller -- even with Fear Factor thrown into the mix.

Makes me wonder if the major expansion would involve both the Jaws area AND the Lost Continent... food for thought, anyway.

Looking at Google maps I would say that the current WWoHP would just about fit in the combined Jaws+Amity+Fear Factor area, if you exclude Dragon Challenge which takes up a lot of groud.

Screamscape is the only place I have heard the Fear Factor rumor, and considering that the show is coming back on the air in a couple days they might not be so quick to get rid of it.

I've been reading a lot of discussions about WWoHP and Jaws and am having a real hard time believing that train connection idea. I will admit it would be a very cool idea, but it seams they would have to disrupt a lot of backstage infrastruture to do it.

Dan

 

[ChrisFL]

I'd be curious to know the size of the footprint for Jaws + Amity and how it compares to WWoHP.

Since Screamscape says the Fear Factor area might also become part of the expansion, I'd also be curious to know what the size of Jaws + Amity + Fear Factor is.

Just looking at Google maps, it seems considerably smaller -- even with Fear Factor thrown into the mix.

Makes me wonder if the major expansion would involve both the Jaws area AND the Lost Continent... food for thought, anyway.

If the train idea is happening, I'm 90% sure that the Sinbad area is going to be removed at least.

 

[nytimez]

Screamscape is the only place I have heard the Fear Factor rumor, and considering that the show is coming back on the air in a couple days they might not be so quick to get rid of it.

It's practically the "Sounds Dangerous" of Universal... the fact that it's coming back on the air won't change the fact that they would ditch the theater in a heartbeat if they needed the space for whatever they're working on.

That said, Screamscape does have a mixed record on these things... so who knows.

I've been reading a lot of discussions about WWoHP and Jaws and am having a real hard time believing that train connection idea. I will admit it would be a very cool idea, but it seams they would have to disrupt a lot of backstage infrastruture to do it.

I've been quite vocal here in saying I can't see it happening... but the rest of that rumor -- closure of Jaws, expansion of Potter -- seems to be (slowly) unfolding as predicted, I have to give it the benefit of the doubt at this point.

 

[skiingfast]

I've been reading a lot of discussions about WWoHP and Jaws and am having a real hard time believing that train connection idea. I will admit it would be a very cool idea, but it seams they would have to disrupt a lot of backstage infrastruture to do it.

Yeah there are some big negatives to the possiblity of WWoHP also bing in the studios and conneted to a train. Like you mention is would disrupt a lot of the backstage. It would need a big right of way and that would require a lot of land, or they could put it in a tunnel with pictures on the walls. The former would better match the 3D theming of Hogsmead. Also why put in in the studios if it can't be accessed from the studios, ruining the park hopping ability of the resort?

 

[ljandbucket]

While it's a very intriguing concept I think that will be a rather costly change for all of the reasons already mentioned. That's a long way to travel and they'd have to figure out how to not interrupt the "show" by traveling through or behind the support buildings.

With that said this could be an interesting way to add to the ability to park hop. Rather than needing to walk out and over to the other park, you get on the Express to take you then and now you in the other park without ever having to leave. They'd have to figure out the logistics regarding ticket stations, etc on either end but is certainly conceivable. Splitting Harry Potter would likely get people to buy both park experiences rather than just one today.

 

[smkohn]

This could be totally off base, but since its all speculation anyway, what the hey. Is it possible they could make it so that you can only access the portion of the Wizarding World for the park that you are in, and then if you want to board the train over to the other park you have to show your "train ticket" aka put your ticket through and have it verified as a hopper? That would solve the logistics of having the parks connected and still have it be somewhat in theme.
All that said, I would love this a lot more if I thought I could talk my Bf into going back. He doesn't do well in large crowds, so a lot of the shops were a no go and he just wanted out of the whole area. I doubt he'd want to experience a newer version that could very well be just as/more crowded since its new.

 

[nytimez]

Splitting Harry Potter would likely get people to buy both park experiences rather than just one today.

That's undoubtedly the goal -- IoA's attendance was up by something like 30 percent, while Universal got only the slightest of bumps. Clearly, many Potter fans came and bought one-day tickets and went to see IoA only. I'm sure many of them are people who spent five days at Disney and one at Universal (which, from Universal's POV, is still better than spending six days at Disney and none at Universal).

Now, they may still stay for just one day -- but they'll have to buy a two-park ticket to see it all.

 

[DanBoris]

This could be totally off base, but since its all speculation anyway, what the hey. Is it possible they could make it so that you can only access the portion of the Wizarding World for the park that you are in, and then if you want to board the train over to the other park you have to show your "train ticket" aka put your ticket through and have it verified as a hopper? That would solve the logistics of having the parks connected and still have it be somewhat in theme.
All that said, I would love this a lot more if I thought I could talk my Bf into going back. He doesn't do well in large crowds, so a lot of the shops were a no go and he just wanted out of the whole area. I doubt he'd want to experience a newer version that could very well be just as/more crowded since its new.

The problem I have with this is it's going to be a customer service nightmare. Imagine a family buying a single park ticket, going to IOA and spending some time in WWoHP there, and then waiting for an hour in line for the train only to find out they don't have the correct ticket to board the train. It's an extreme scenario but I could see it happening.

I also just noticed that Screamscape has retracted thier rumor about the Fear Factor stadium being closed, although it's still quite possible the show itself would be replaced.

 

[nytimez]

The problem I have with this is it's going to be a customer service nightmare. Imagine a family buying a single park ticket, going to IOA and spending some time in WWoHP there, and then waiting for an hour in line for the train only to find out they don't have the correct ticket to board the train. It's an extreme scenario but I could see it happening.

I also just noticed that Screamscape has retracted thier rumor about the Fear Factor stadium being closed, although it's still quite possible the show itself would be replaced.

The new Screamscape rumor mentions a coaster with a simulator. Blech.

NO MORE SIMULATORS!!!

 

[skiingfast]

The new Screamscape rumor mentions a coaster with a simulator. Blech.

It's a could be a step up from the simulator on an omnimover that FJ is.