Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[Henrick]

This is really exciting, guys.

 

[shiekra38]

You are welcome. Just figured I'd share the link here, real plans or not. And regardless if they are real or not, the fans are talking, it is generating buzz on other sites that have posted the link as well. So, the purpose has been fulfilled by whoever planted that leak, real or not.

Viral marketing at it's finest...anyone remember the soccer mom thing from HHN 18..I still think Universal was behind that..
Everyone knew Universal was going to expand Potter so a leak only builds anticipation...while Disney continues to make pointless announcements..

 

[Thor]

Viral marketing at it's finest...anyone remember the soccer mom thing from HHN 18..I still think Universal was behind that..
Everyone knew Universal was going to expand Potter so a leak only builds anticipation...while Disney continues to make pointless announcements..

Disney tried the viral marketing with D23 and it worked, right? People were talking for weeks about what D23 could be. Universal seems to be trying its hand at viral marketing regarding expansion plans in the theme park, using the most popular theme park addition of all time, Harry Potter. They know we all know that Potter 2.0 is coming. They know we are anticipating the announcement and new addition. They KNEW we were wondering what Disney's New Year's Eve announcement was going to be. Of course, we figured it out before hand. So, Universal plants these plans on a site that is read my just enough people to generate buzz but yet fly under the radar. Disney's BIG announcement is lackluster and practically a dud, and even though people are talking about it, the overall opinion is another Disney failure. Meanwhile, viral marketing planted plans are getting people excited and talking, wondering if these plans are real, fake, what will be coming, what else is included in these plans that WEREN'T leaked. Disney fail. Universal outdoes Disney again. I think this was purposeful, and has succeeded.

 

[Brian G.]

Viral Marketing? Hardly. Don't be surprised if this article gets cut soon.

 

[JungleSkip]

Yea, if this is legit, it wasn't done on purpose.

 

[slappybob]

So does anyone know when they'll officially announce anything ?

 

[Teebin]

Interesting find.

Robert Niles who owns themeparkinsider.com lives in Pasadena, CA., and says he has seen plans.

American Scenic, the company that created the unused concept work below, is also located in Pasadena, CA

I have no idea whether or not they got any of the final job on the project but I have not seen their name on 'anything' to do with FJ. I will tell you something a wee bit new that I have not spoken of prior. A big company in Los Angeles, CA named LEXINGTON is all over the master working documents for FJ. At least, that is what two Cranes told me.

 

[Jymmymack]

^ You're a springy little sprite, aren't you?

 

[Teebin]

^ You're a springy little sprite, aren't you?

Well, I am if being a springy sprite is a good thing... :stunned:

 

[Jymmymack]

When isn't it?

 

[jtsalien]

This is definitely not viral marketing. The leak has to much "detailed" information to be any kind of campaign by Universal.

 

[Teebin]

Possible correction (my bad): I have been told by both M. Tortois and Mr. Stephan Hardwick Crane that it is very possible that American Scenic engineered the Basilisk scene; neither have viewed the plans for that specific scene. The two A.S. engineering plans (upper left) in the graphic I posted may be accurate to what is present now. While this doesn't change the implication of what I posted, it does add a possible dimension to how a ride is scene-engineered; no one company gets every scene.

Final anecdote. Although the WWOHP was announced in June, 2007 and almost immediately everything was walled off and deconstruction began, the final engineering plans for FJ were not completed until June 2008. Even the more specific prop plans for Hogsmeade were not completed until mid-late 2009. Was it not late 2009 when the revised painting came out?

 

[batsmouth]

I'm amazed by this leak, seems a little too perfect. Anyone's guess on the opening year, it will obviously be spring again but I think judging by last time it was announced in 2007 and opened in 2010 so 2014/2015?? I would like another ride on top of the Hogswart's express?!? Hope they do London well (which i'm sure they will).

 

[jtsalien]

Final anecdote. Although the WWOHP was announced in June, 2007 and almost immediately everything was walled off and deconstruction began, the final engineering plans for FJ were not completed until June 2008. Even the more specific prop plans for Hogsmeade were not completed until mid-late 2009. Was it not late 2009 when the revised painting came out?

That's a very good point about the timelines. I remember a little while ago when you pointed out how late in the game the FJ patents were actually filed.

 

[Thor]

I'm amazed by this leak, seems a little too perfect. Anyone's guess on the opening year, it will obviously be spring again but I think judging by last time it was announced in 2007 and opened in 2010 so 2014/2015?? I would like another ride on top of the Hogswart's express?!? Hope they do London well (which i'm sure they will).

Someone on another site said Potter 2 will be open BEFORE avatar is even complete, and yet, I hear other places that Potter is meant to open around the same time as Avatar to steal Disney's thunder. I don't know which is true. My bet? Before Avatar is even remotely close to being built.

 

[Jymmymack]

If Avatar ever comes to fruition. Here's the thing I've been thinking about that project: Cameron is fueling up to film Avatar 2 & 3 back-to-back, which would limit his participation in the project... or delay it. Just something to consider.

 

[jtsalien]

Considering Disney only acquired the Avatar rights late this summer, it's ridiculous to think Potter shouldn't be finished before Avatar.

 

[Jymmymack]

Bingo.

 

[UNIrd]

I'm thinking 2014 for Potter.

 

[jtsalien]

I'm thinking 2014 for Potter.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was early 2015. Cleaning up Jaws won't be easy.