The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade (Orlando): Part 2

[UniversalManiac]

It is perl. But the idea is the same for most languages. Most of them have if/else/elseif statements.

So, in a nutshell, 2-4 computers on each vehicle telling it what to do and reporting back to the main computer what it is doing and where it is. Main also send messages back to each vehicle that it either likes or dislikes what it is doing. So, in code talk: if (everything is fine with your vehicle and it is reporting well) keep going. if (something sucks with one vehicle and it has stopped even though all the others are still moving, please kill all vehicles)

If one of forty seven vehicles even hicups the whole ride system goes down? Wow... Universal are walking a serious tightrope here...

 

[VacationTalkRocks!]

Sold packages starting on 5/28 only guaranteed breakfast at Three Broomsticks. The packages sold never guaranteed FJ would be running. Not trying to spew negativity, just facts. I too can't wait until 8/17. I did not enter the castle the night of the POW WOW event as I want to experience it all at once. It will be awesome, no doubt.

No theme park could ever guarantee that any ride will be running. Stuff happens. With that said though, as a package holder I was told on the phone before I forked over my hard earned money that the product I was buying did in fact include full access to everything in WWoHP (and early access at that). They of course did cover their rears by saying the ride could break down but that it was their "full intention that everything would be up, fully functional, and accessible" to us for the vacation we were purchasing.

And for those of you who say that what we are told by the people on the front-line (the sales reps who are selling the product to the public) holds no water, well the fine print legal mumbo-jumbo on my package confirmation reads in part as follows:

"The theme park will open one (1) hour early each day so you can enjoy the Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM before the rest of the general public!"..."Early Park Admission begins one (1) hour prior to Islands of Adventure regular scheduled park opening. Valid only at Harry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyTM, Flight of the HippogriffTM, Dragon ChallengeTM and the Cat in the HatTM. If technical problems arise or the opening is delayed another Islands of Adventure attraction will open for Early Park Admission."

Everything about that tells me that pre-grand opening package holders ARE guaranteed much more than just breakfast at Three Broomsticks.

Yes the reality is FJ may very well breakdown and not be available to ride while I am there, and I'll be understanding of that (severely disappointed, but nonetheless understanding). However if the ride is functional but I'm not allowed to go on it just because they haven't had their grand opening yet, well then I would very much feel that I'm not getting everything I was guaranteed. And that's a fact.

 

[Shyft]

I spent an hour and a half wandering the park just before closing. Once all the field trip kids left most rides were walk on (I saw DD running w/ only half the seats full).

Most things I can report are the same: Harry Potter BGM in Hogsmeade, Hogwarts Express spewing steam, Dragon Challenge signage active in DD queue. The DD employees were pretty gung-ho about the spiels. I heard more "Congratulations on surviving..." and "Choose thy fate..." style stuff today than I have since the park first opened. I'm going to wear my DD t-shirt to the park tomorrow.

The place was crawling with official-looking people. Folks with lanyards and polo shirts were going in and out of the doors in the black walls that channel the DD line through Hogsmeade.

One new thing I noticed is that the yard next to the "temporary" bridge (on the lost continent side) is almost completely empty. I've always seen vehicles and such parked inside, but today it was deserted.

 

[theropod]

It looks like SAS must have emailed Attractions Magazine.

 

[gannonsmovieworld]

It looks like SAS must have emailed Attractions Magazine.

That's a good one!

 

[Teebin]

If one of forty seven vehicles even hicups the whole ride system goes down? Wow... Universal are walking a serious tightrope here...

Think about it. This is true of spidey, MIB etc. If one vehicle stops or is out of control, where are the others to go? Ram it out of the way? Me thinks not. It all shuts down. Evac.

 

[The_Bled]

Talking about PotterWatch live here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/behindthethrills/2010/05/28/episode-83-potterwatch

 

[UniversalManiac]

Think about it. This is true of spidey, MIB etc. If one vehicle stops or is out of control, where are the others to go? Ram it out of the way? Me thinks not. It all shuts down. Evac.

Yea but Universal hasn't worked with 47 vehicles at the same time, all cycling around screens and props having to get accuracy to the last millimetre or disaster could ensue (think of the loading system). I'm not trying to outsmart you in anyway Teebin because from the hostility on this forum most people would think i am.

 

[mebweb]

I'm trying to decide if I should show up at IoA first thing tomorrow morning. Hmmmm.....

 

[DisFreakBrent]

Teebin I agree with you but don't understand the tech. that's involved but glad I am at least on the same page

 

[Teebin]

Yea but Universal hasn't worked with 47 vehicles at the same time, all cycling around screens and props having to get accuracy to the last millimetre or disaster could ensue (think of the loading system). I'm not trying to outsmart you in anyway Teebin because from the hostility on this forum most people would think i am.

47 is a whole lot, I will agree. But they WILL figure it out. The code will get corrected and modified and modified and modified. The maintenance will know the idiosyncrasies of each vehicle and the general idiosyncrasies of every vehicle.

 

[UniversalManiac]

47 is a whole lot, I will agree. But they WILL figure it out. The code will get corrected and modified and modified and modified. The maintenance will know the idiosyncrasies of each vehicle and the general idiosyncrasies of every vehicle.

Its a jump forward for Universal, they probaly said the same with Spiderman when it opened but the future provides more. They will work it out and Universal will eventually run all vehicles perfectly, but it probaly won't be perfect for the grand opening and for a long time after it.

 

[ohhelloarthur]

all i know is, universal is about to bank with all the attention this is getting

 

[speckles]

Talking about being open 8-10 am for package holders only tomorrow & weekend and review soft status next week..per Potterwatch

 

[DisFreakBrent]

Really Speckles these guys are making about zero sense they even asked about a Hagrid walk around earlier this is only good for a decent laugh at best. The info is about as reliable as the ride report on Attractions

 

[speckles]

Did you hear the guy that called up? His rationale was as coherent to any thing else stated by anyone todate.

The source was referring to the planning meeting held tonight at Universal. People are big enough to assess for themselves and it has been proven before DFB you have been more wrong than right on here

 

[UniversalManiac]

Did you hear the guy that called up? His rationale was as coherent to any thing else stated by anyone todate.

I hope you aren't targetting that scottish guy, cause that just happens to be me if it is, try beating the accent barrier.

 

[DisFreakBrent]

Did you hear the guy that called up? His rationale was as coherent to any thing else stated by anyone todate.

Yes I heard about the closing at 10 biz but really is it possible yes but nobody really knows for sure & those in that supposed meeting I doubt would share it with anyone. So we shall see come tomorrow what happens for sure. I'm not killing the idea it will happen just keeping the idea open of how stupid Uni would be not to even just have the shops open with all of us there.

 

[frequency]

Just a little FYI for tickets. I have been getting mine from undercover tourist for years. Great company, and yu get hard copy park tickets, not vouchers, so you are good to go.

http://www.undercovertourist.com/un...ttractions/universal-studios-florida.html#214

There is also a link thru mousesavers, if you are in that. Some discounts available, but I really mostly like having the tickets in hand. Prices include shipping and taxes.

 

[DisFreakBrent]

I hope you aren't targetting that scottish guy, cause that just happens to be me if it is, try beating the accent barrier.

Nope not you buddy you did fine