Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[JungleSkip]

that track is high up...18 feet sounds like less than it actually is!

So how are they going to deal with visibility? There are plenty of spots from which the train will surely be seen (between Disaster and London, between Mummy and Beetlejuice, from HRRR)...are they just going to leave it and have people assume it's nothing? Are they going to plant trees? Are they going to block out those areas?

I'm guessing they'll just have it out in the open and hope people don't know what it is they're looking at, but I think that would be so weird looking.

I'm guessing it will be visible, but I think it could add to the "magic" of the Hogwarts Express. It pops up anywhere and anytime.

I know that's more similar to the Knight Bus's deal, but I think it will still work.

 

[Hockeyman55]

And wont you really have to go out of the way and looking for it in order to see if in between and behind everything?

 

[GGGhost]

that track is high up...18 feet sounds like less than it actually is!

So how are they going to deal with visibility? There are plenty of spots from which the train will surely be seen (between Disaster and London, between Mummy and Beetlejuice, from HRRR)...are they just going to leave it and have people assume it's nothing? Are they going to plant trees? Are they going to block out those areas?

I'm guessing they'll just have it out in the open and hope people don't know what it is they're looking at, but I think that would be so weird looking.

Not sure if TylerDurden was getting at whether the track and train will be visible from other parts of the park permanently, or whether it will be visible between now and whenever they decide to officially announce this thing.

Personally, I don't think it would be a problem for it to be seen incidentally from other parts of the park once it's open and into the future. But if they plan to have as much testing time as a lot of people on here have suggested, it'll be quite a leap for people not to notice a steam engine floating around behind the buildings. The general public might catch on to what's happening; not just us nerd-folk.

 

[IzzyB]

Not sure if TylerDurden was getting at whether the track and train will be visible from other parts of the park permanently, or whether it will be visible between now and whenever they decide to officially announce this thing.

Personally, I don't think it would be a problem for it to be seen incidentally from other parts of the park once it's open and into the future. But if they plan to have as much testing time as a lot of people on here have suggested, it'll be quite a leap for people not to notice a steam engine floating around behind the buildings. The general public might catch on to what's happening; not just us nerd-folk.

I expect an announcement before they start testing HE.

 

[universal_fanatic]

I was under the impression that it would look like we're boarding the HE, but really we'd just be boarding an average looking train via a train car facade.
HateToFly, didn't you mention something about this?

 

[Hatetofly]

No your boarding the Hogwarts Express, the train cars themselves are fully themed to the nth degree.

 

[GGGhost]

I expect an announcement before they start testing HE.

I suspect you are correct, so my point is moot.

I was under the impression that it would look like we're boarding the HE, but really we'd just be boarding an average looking train via a train car facade.
HateToFly, didn't you mention something about this?

I thought that was the original supposition, but I thought that it had been said since that both the inside and outside of the train will be themed. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit: HateToFly beat me to it.

 

[IzzyB]

I was under the impression that it would look like we're boarding the HE, but really we'd just be boarding an average looking train via a train car facade.
HateToFly, didn't you mention something about this?

I know this has been mentioned many times, but I just don't know how that would work on the Hogsmeade side since it is an open station that is visible from DC. But maybe i twill be like that and since it will look like a monorail people will just think it is a behind the scenes transportation system and not even pay attention to it.

 

[TylerDurden]

And wont you really have to go out of the way and looking for it in order to see if in between and behind everything?

I mean, all you have to do is look to the side to be able to see backstage as it is now...the gates through which parade floats come through are probably like seven feet tall if that--the track and train will be pretty noticeable. BUT I was under the impression (like someone else) that the Hogwarts Express train would just be a facade and the actual vehicle would be an unthemed monorail. I think it would actually be kinda cool to see the train from the park, even if it's technically out of theme...but a gray box-car, not so much.

 

[natespf]

Not sure if TylerDurden was getting at whether the track and train will be visible from other parts of the park permanently, or whether it will be visible between now and whenever they decide to officially announce this thing.

Personally, I don't think it would be a problem for it to be seen incidentally from other parts of the park once it's open and into the future. But if they plan to have as much testing time as a lot of people on here have suggested, it'll be quite a leap for people not to notice a steam engine floating around behind the buildings. The general public might catch on to what's happening; not just us nerd-folk.

I do not believe the train would be too noticeable within the park. It will be about a football fields length away from the guest areas. Basically between the Mummy and Bettlejuice is where the service road is but that road bends right outside of the park, so the sight-line is to the back of the Disaster building. You may be able to see the train there if your trying, but you would need to be looking for it.

What you see backstage on all of the roller coasters and Dr. Doom is unfortunate, but there is no real way around it.

 

[Disneyhead]

Guys, the train itself will be fully themed to be the Hogwarts Express complete with Engine, Coal Car, and 3 Carriages.

 

[badlactose]

It would be neat if they themed any portions of the track that are visible to the Roman aqueducts that the Express traverses a lot in the movies.

 

[natespf]

It would be neat if they themed any portions of the track that are visible to the Roman aqueducts that the Express traverses a lot in the movies.

IDK about that. It may be seen by riders of HRRR and DC, but it follows along a street in between parking lots and buildings.

 

[TylerDurden]

I do not believe the train would be too noticeable within the park. It will be about a football fields length away from the guest areas. Basically between the Mummy and Bettlejuice is where the service road is but that road bends right outside of the park, so the sight-line is to the back of the Disaster building. You may be able to see the train there if your trying, but you would need to be looking for it.

What you see backstage on all of the roller coasters and Dr. Doom is unfortunate, but there is no real way around it.

there's no denying it will be visible. All you have to be doing is looking around. Heck, people watching the lagoon show from the Simpsons/Makeup Show/Central Park side will be able to see it when facing the lagoon. As of right now you can clearly see backstage buildings--while those you do have to be looking for an 18-foot high train track....not so much. But since it's apparently themed as the actual train, that's a lot better than, well, an ugly gray box.

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

I really don't see the problem with anything Universal is doing. Call me crazy but all I see is great things coming to both parks. Most of the attractions being visible adds to it for me.

 

[natespf]

there's no denying it will be visible. All you have to be doing is looking around. Heck, people watching the lagoon show from the Simpsons/Makeup Show/Central Park side will be able to see it when facing the lagoon. As of right now you can clearly see backstage buildings--while those you do have to be looking for an 18-foot high train track....not so much. But since it's apparently themed as the actual train, that's a lot better than, well, an ugly gray box.

I don't think it would be as noticeable as your thinking. There are a few limited areas where you may see glimpses of the train, but not so much the track. I am not exactly sure of which backstage buildings your referring to, but the train would run behind those that are easily visible.

 

[Teebin]

^ The three service entrances, Mummy, Beetle, and Disaster are the only locations I can imagine seeing it from. I hope they have a fix for that.

 

[Bryce]

Wait... will the train be in a long showbuilding that goes between the parks? Or just out in the open?

 

[natespf]

I believe the tracks will be in the open, they are elevated to allow employee access to the park below.

Maybe the could put fake building in front, like those in the beginning of NY. But like I said it is about 100ft away in a direction most are not looking, and there happens to be a little "shielding" already too (trees, buildings, bend in access street). But the fake building look could add to these areas in general.

 

[JungleSkip]

^ The three service entrances, Mummy, Beetle, and Disaster are the only locations I can imagine seeing it from. I hope they have a fix for that.

Looking at the map, the only places you could possibly see it is by Beetlejuice and Mummy. But it will be almost a football field away from Beetlejuice's gate.

Wait... will the train be in a long showbuilding that goes between the parks? Or just out in the open?

Open.