Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[jtsalien]

^ As I said the other day, more of this project is complete than the eye can see. Think Hogwarts, think Broomsticks interior. Also consider that there will not be ad nauseam custom stonework to sculpt and paint on site. The fact that props are being created right now syncs exactly with what I know from 2009-2010. So July 2014 sounds plausible to me!

I trust your knowledge way more than own Teebs, I just don't see this being a simple plug and play. This is the craziest project we've seen someone take on. Not saying it's impossible, just pumping the brakes a little bit.

 

[UK-Trigg]

^ As I said the other day, more of this project is complete than the eye can see. Think Hogwarts, think Broomsticks interior. Also consider that there will not be ad nauseam custom stonework to sculpt and paint on site. The fact that props are being created right now syncs exactly with what I know from 2009-2010. So July 2014 sounds plausible to me!

Sounds good to me :thumbs: how does it fit with the hotel opening? I know thats due in 2014 but not heard anymore than that.

 

[ReelJustice]

Sounds good to me :thumbs: how does it fit with the hotel opening? I know thats due in 2014 but not heard anymore than that.

First phase of CBBR opens next March.

 

[Nitro_230]

I'm not saying they won't be ready when the time comes. Just that Phase 2 is pushing it to the limit more than Phase 1 on its best day. It's not just new ground for Uni, this will turn the world on its head if it lives up to its potential. Don't forget the kinks of running a major attraction between two parks. There's just so much uncharted territory.

It's not pushing it as much as you would think. Olivanders is easy, they already have it. Gringots ride is easy. At it's base you have Mummy. Now we do still have rumored motion base sections of track and rumored drop track to work with, but at the same time that's the kind of stuff they test off site well before hand, then just bring over when they're ready for it. Show wise that stuff is all built, tested and waiting to be installed.

And then there is the HE. The only real kinks that come from running a major attraction between two parks is the guests. The rest of it is just running a major attraction, which they can do. Also the technology for HE has been testing on and off site for quite some time now.

 

[Mr.Auror]

I forgot about the possible drop section on Gringotts. If they make it anything like Th13teen then I'll be happy. As for these release dates, I trust Uni to secure it by at least the 2014 Holidays as someone mentioned before. They really did finally get a chance to rake in the dough with phase 1. That's ticket sales, HUGE merchandise sales, I have faith in the park to strongarm this (no pun intended.)

Also, is anybody else seeing a bunch of pictures of some guy in a Joker costume below the "Minion" "Clownfish" banners? I'm seeing him on every post, sometimes in a line of several of these thumbnails.

 

[batsmouth]

I'll believe July 2014 when I see it. No way they're in a rush to get this thing open. It's going to be running like clockwork before they even soft it, and with the leaps and bounds we expect this to be making, I don't see that being the case by next summer. Throwing these buildings up will be different then testing the HE, cycling Gringotts, and working out all the bugs from the effects they'll be hiding everywhere. Holiday 2014 would be lucky.

I think Summer 2014 is likely, for my two cents I think Universal are holding off announcing it until as late as possible (phase one was announced way earlier in comparison). I just don't think they want to announce it to early due to a lot of tourists/visitors will delay their holidays until it is open, so they don't want the dip in attendance. I think once it has been announced some mental progress will happen on the visible side of things.

 

[the last chronicler]

Personally, if I where Universal, I'd announce it just before this summer. Frankly, the TPI post suggests they're ready to do so, and there would be a lot of benefits to it. As Teebin said in relation to the TPI post, any announcement this late won't effect anyone's plans, plus it would allow Universal to advertise the crap out of the Phase 2 on-site, building anticipation. They could have an pre-Spring Break 2014 announcement, but that might be too late at this construction speed. I think I'd rather loose some numbers over a one-week-ish period to benefit from a massive summer opening.

 

[TomTheRiddle]

It will affect a large amount of plans. People can reschedule tickets and hotel rooms. When its the only big vacation they make in 5 years, you think they want to go if they'll miss Potter 2.0? Not a chance.

You also discount the amount of HP superfans that are college kids and poor.

Universal at this point has proven they know what they're doing; have faith.

 

[Felipe]

They won't officially announce anything until after Transformers grand opens (and maybe even Simpsons). Transformers is their focus right now, and they don't want to take any of the spotlight away from it.

 

[the last chronicler]

Oh, it's not a question of faith. I'm just saying the impression seems to be that a fall announcement is ideal and what's going to happen. But leaks are going to turn that into a joke, and if they announce it next year before or after April your rushing people's plans too, so if they announce this summer at least they get to advertise for all the visitors who can plan for next year.


But I guess a late 2013 announcement has Christmas, which I forgot about, so maybe that is the most logical time.

 

[Teebin]

They won't officially announce anything until after Transformers grand opens (and maybe even Simpsons). Transformers is their focus right now, and they don't want to take any of the spotlight away from it.

Yeah, I would look for a late August announcement... after everything slows down. By then, they will have most of the xmas holiday booked and might only have to eat spring break... but that is doubtful because Transformers will still be a pull.

 

[JungleSkip]

But leaks are going to turn that into a joke

To us, maybe. But we've known what was coming basically since Jaws closed. 99% of the people that go to Universal have no clue what's going on in the park when they aren't there, and leaks from OU, TPI, or any other site aren't going to change that

 

[BJCool]

From @OrlandoInformer

 

[Hatetofly]

Well there is the station folks!

 

[Felipe]

Awesome, OrlandoInformer! Thanks! :thumbs:

 

[Teebin]

^ Well that ain't Leicester Station. And that is where Leicester Station should be relative to the theater. What station are you speaking of? Are you suggesting that they are going to put Kings Cross Station next to Leicester Station??? If so, that is baffling.

 

[Sideshow Mike]

Awesome aerial photos from TPI:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201303/3422/

 

[Felipe]

Awesome aerial photos from TPI:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201303/3422/

Thanks for the heads-up, Mike!! :thumbs:

It's just pouring on us today! Pun totally intended

 

[twebber55]

Awesome aerial photos from TPI:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201303/3422/

waiting to hear from teebin felipe and the rest of you experts on these photos

 

[BJCool]

Awesome aerial photos from TPI:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201303/3422/

And people think that Hogsmeade's main pathway is small!