Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Construction Discussion

[Mad Dog]

And as the trees mature, they'll be even more effective in blocking the view. These are all relatively new plantings and they grow pretty quick in the Florida climate. Just like the recent plantings in front of Hogwarts, adjacent to the bridge,that they replaced the removed foliage 18 months ago are already getting tall and dense. And the plantings that hide the back side of Diagon from the walkway going to MIB. And, as Joe Camel mentioned, the Hogsmeade Hogwarts station walkway that is now like a deep forest. Those trees & evergreens fill in quick. This is still early stages in the landscaping. The forest will grow.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Looks fantastic! Anybody know for sure if this will be open during Early Morning Entry this Summer?

Nothing yet and I don’t know if even Universal knows.

 

[P@n!K_Sw1tC#]

I'm a bit confused. To see most of the track is actually the intention, both for kinetic interest and to showcase exactly how intense it'll be. That's why it was all painted with an umber base, so that the vehicles would stand out most. I don't think it was ever truly planned to be mostly hidden, save for the ride scenes in which there is a figure of interest, which are all hidden. And as stated, the understory has yet to be planted in a lot of areas which will mask off even more of those scenes.

The barrier, however, is much taller than the planned berm towards the back will be able to hide. Thankfully, it seems primed for some sort of mural, obviously far less intricate than the one coming to the drop track show building.

I totally get what you mean about kinetic energy, it’s one of the big reasons I’m looking forward to JP launch coaster next year. I guess I’m just confused by what this coaster is supposed to be. I thought we were supposed to be traveling through dense forest up until a point where something goes wrong. Since the layout of the coaster isn’t an out and back design, we risk the feeling of circling back around show scenes without the benefit of dense foliage compartmentalizing the experience to make it seem like you’re not visiting/seeing the same thing twice. Alicia’s explanation makes a bit of sense but I’m having a hard time visualizing storyline to what is actually present.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I totally get what you mean about kinetic energy, it’s one of the big reasons I’m looking forward to JP launch coaster next year. I guess I’m just confused by what this coaster is supposed to be. I thought we were supposed to be traveling through dense forest up until a point where something goes wrong. Since the layout of the coaster isn’t an out and back design, we risk the feeling of circling back around show scenes without the benefit of dense foliage compartmentalizing the experience to make it seem like you’re not visiting/seeing the same thing twice. Alicia’s explanation makes a bit of sense but I’m having a hard time visualizing storyline to what is actually present.

I bet everything up till the backwards part is around the perimeter castle grounds where the creatures are. Then the bike stalls and we end up going to where Hagrid said we should totally avoid: the forbidden forest. After the backwards part we end up deep in the forest and stuck in devil snare. We drop, launch out, and escape the forest and come back to the Abbey to see a unicorn.

 

[violarum]

I totally get what you mean about kinetic energy, it’s one of the big reasons I’m looking forward to JP launch coaster next year. I guess I’m just confused by what this coaster is supposed to be. I thought we were supposed to be traveling through dense forest up until a point where something goes wrong. Since the layout of the coaster isn’t an out and back design, we risk the feeling of circling back around show scenes without the benefit of dense foliage compartmentalizing the experience to make it seem like you’re not visiting/seeing the same thing twice. Alicia’s explanation makes a bit of sense but I’m having a hard time visualizing storyline to what is actually present.

Like a lot of people have pointed out (edit: apparently minutes before I pressed submit lol), this isn't supposed to be a fully dense forest just yet. We're traveling on the outskirts of Hogsmeade towards a set of old ruins in which we encounter Hagrid and his creatures. The trees we see here begin more bare and less full, but it's only after we venture deeper and deeper into the forest because of some mishaps, that we find ourselves in the very dense Forbidden Forest, which is the indoor scene.

But you're right, it's not a perfect gradient into the Forbidden Forest. Rather, it's more of a chaotic trip on some very unsound motorbikes that have a mind of their own, despite Hagrid's loose control. There will be times in which you'll see some other scenes very quickly. But I'm sure than once you're on the attraction or in the queue itself, the storyline will make far more sense, and the most important scenes will be successfully vignetted by the trees, even in the first few months. These amazing aerials unfortunately don't give justice to the actual views on the ride, which have been meticulously planned for intimacy despite an open-air environment.

Also, sorry for double-posting, but I'm going to shamelessly re-plug in my concept art from last year, when we knew next to nothing except for Fluffy. I'm still kind of sad we won't get to ride thestral carriages because I like them more thematically, but I'm glad they've moved the one we had on display to the ride itself. :^)

 

[Bozobrain24]

Are these things wireless transmitters or what?

Maybe these are for on ride photos of the spike.

 

[Brian G.]

Are these things wireless transmitters or what?

Transmitters. Probably telling the system to switch tracks as you make your way up the spike.

 

[Riler]

"

Assuming the Anglia scene has been moved to the spike, this still looks like a mount for something of some kind to me on the first corner before heading into the main ride. Add the small berm and trees and it definitely looks like there'll be something for us to look at as we head into that corner. Any predictions?

 

[BBPH]

"

Assuming the Anglia scene has been moved to the spike, this still looks like a mount for something of some kind to me on the first corner before heading into the main ride. Add the small berm and trees and it definitely looks like there'll be something for us to look at as we head into that corner. Any predictions?

I would have like to have seen a fallen tree or something but I'd guess that is looking unlikely.

 

[Blaw923]

Love how much green is coming in !

 

[rhino4evr]

interesting that the backwards spiral is still completely bare. The attraction is getting there, but still needs a lot more trees to create the illusion of a forest.

 

[JungleSkip]

Oh my gosh Fluffy looks so good! And a Unicorn! I am so amped for this ride!

 

[jseal777]

I was worried about fluffy not having “fur” like the kong AA but after looking at it it makes sense. It looks really good!!! Now I’m confused about the middle head being the only one that moves. It seems cheesy in my head, but maybe it makes more sense in practice.

 

[Alicia]

I was worried about fluffy not having “fur” like the kong AA but after looking at it it makes sense. It looks really good!!! Now I’m confused about the middle head being the only one that moves. It seems cheesy in my head, but maybe it makes more sense in practice.

I'm hoping the entire figure raises up slowly as we pass, like he's waking up... but the middle head has additional movement. Then it will all look alive. That's my hope anyway.

 

[JungleSkip]

I was worried about fluffy not having “fur” like the kong AA but after looking at it it makes sense. It looks really good!!! Now I’m confused about the middle head being the only one that moves. It seems cheesy in my head, but maybe it makes more sense in practice.

If Fluffy is similar to Buckbeak at FotH, I think its movement will be relatively simple but effective. Buckbeak is probably one of the best looking outdoor figures I've ever seen.

 

[Alicia]

If Fluffy is similar to Buckbeak at FotH, I think its movement will be relatively simple but effective. Buckbeak is probably one of the best looking outdoor figures I've ever seen.

Same company too.

 

[Teebin]

Same company too.

Which company did buckbeak? I have never known.

 

[Alicia]

Which company did buckbeak? I have never known.

I could be wrong, but I had heard it was LifeFormations, Inc. They specialize in outdoor and durable animatronics. There was also talk of permits related to the Hargid coaster with their name on it, a long while ago.

Animatronic Figures | Services | LifeFormations

 

[Mad Dog]

I would imagine the movement will be fairly simple, short & sweet, since we won't be sitting in front of the AA for a real long time, like we do with Kong.

 

[Teebin]

I could be wrong, but I had heard it was LifeFormations, Inc. They specialize in outdoor and durable animatronics. There was also talk of permits related to the Hargid coaster with their name on it, a long while ago.

Animatronic Figures | Services | LifeFormations

It is interesting how Universal has gagged many of the Potter vendors. One would think they would love to have buckbeak featured in their project gallery.