Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[USO92]

When we go through the main entrance, we will be in the streets of Diagon Alley, and Leaky will be to our left.

:idea2: Oh! I get it now thanks!

 

[Jakester]

Got off Rip Ride Rockit, and at the 1st brake hill, I can see Hogwarts Express Track. Sorry, no on-ride photos permitted.

 

[frenzy88]

Got off Rip Ride Rockit, and at the 1st brake hill, I can see Hogwarts Express Track. Sorry, no on-ride photos permitted.

I was wondering when somebody was going to notice that

 

[Nitro_230]

What I'm gonna say is a cop-out, but anyways, here I go
Muggles don't see how these places really look to those in the wizarding world, due to enchantments and protections put on said places so that the Muggles will walk right by them, not notice anything special or interesting, and keep on going on their merry way. This way witches and wizards keep their world in secret. So, that could be a reasoning *cough*excuse*cough* to put whatever they want in the London front :shrug:

You think they should force the thousands of people going in to walk through a restaurant and make it so no one can enjoy just eating there?

 

[Teebin]

You think they should force the thousands of people going in to walk through a restaurant and make it so no one can enjoy just eating there?

They will have come up with something far more clever than that. Probably a "hint-o-leaky" entrance into Diagon.

 

[Felipe]

You think they should force the thousands of people going in to walk through a restaurant and make it so no one can enjoy just eating there?

I wasn't really talking about the inside; I was referring to the facade. I was hoping for something similar to the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron seen in the movies, but instead it looks like we're getting something completely different.

The layout has the entrance further in and slanted (green line on the right), but the steel up front is all in a straight line, hence why I put the dashed purple line to represent the continuation of the steel, and possibly continuation of the Leicester Sq. Station facade. I was kind of hoping that the actual entrance would have the iconic door from the movies, but maybe they will put it on that other left spot (left green line), to be the entrance to the actual restaurant :shrug:

 

[Teebin]

While I believe the mockups posted on here are quite accurate, I am finding the look to be very incongruous and patchworkey. The Wyndham next to Grimmauld looks like absolute hell to me. Georgian row houses next to a honky-tonk theater... yeesh.

 

[Andy]

While I believe the mockups posted on here are quite accurate, I am finding the look to be very incongruous and patchworkey. The Wyndham next to Grimmauld looks like absolute hell to me. Georgian row houses next to a honky-tonk theater... yeesh.

Its drastic but not as drastic as what Gambit posted. Picture some of the buildings in the NY area of the park. At first it might shock some of us here and of course we will have the complaining crew but I think its gonna look like it fits especially with the waterfront area. Of course just my opinion.

 

[JungleSkip]

Its drastic but not as drastic as what Gambit posted. Picture some of the buildings in the NY area of the park. At first it might shock some of us here and of course we will have the complaining crew but I think its gonna look like it fits especially with the waterfront area. Of course just my opinion.

It's not going to look any different than a World Showcase pavilion, which is freaking awesome. The only thing I'd prefer is the more whimsical entrance to Leaky from Philosopher's Stone, but with Craig leading the design I know that won't happen.

 

[ReelJustice]

It blows my mind that they're needlessly tackling Wyndham's Theatre as it wasn't in the books or films (someone was feeling super ambitious at UC or really mean at WB!)

 

[Felipe]

I have to agree that so many iconic landmarks mashed together is not the best, most fluid visual. That's why I wanted some more "normal," yet authentic and detailed buildings in there, too. I was/(am?) hoping the whole front of The Leaky Cauldron on the London side was gonna be a more "plain" London building, not the red (flashy) Leicester Square Station. :look:

 

[ReelJustice]

I have to agree that so many iconic landmarks mashed together is not the best, most fluid visual. That's why I wanted some more "normal," yet authentic and detailed buildings in there, too. I was/(am?) hoping the whole front of The Leaky Cauldron on the London side was gonna be a more "plain" London building, not the red (flashy) Leicester Square Station. :look:

Well, this one is less flashy and is actually right next to the theatre in real life:

And even better, it has the Charing Cross sign..


I'm just curious how Leaky fits into all of this.

- - - Updated - - -

Would be a nice touch to put Philosophers Stone Leaky entrance on the corner between Kings Cross and mystery land, and have the other Leaky entrance by the real entrance.

 

[Felipe]

Well, this one is less flashy and is actually right next to the theatre in real life:

And even better, it has the Charing Cross sign..

And even better, that is closer to the height that we're getting with this build. This is encouraging!

Would be a nice touch to put Philosophers Stone Leaky entrance on the corner between Kings Cross and mystery land, and have the other Leaky entrance by the real entrance.

Maybe we will get that as the entrance from within Diagon Alley?

 

[Nitro_230]

I wasn't really talking about the inside; I was referring to the facade. I was hoping for something similar to the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron seen in the movies, but instead it looks like we're getting something completely different.

But in the world of things need to make sense you (especially to the every day guest looking for the Leaky Cauldron) you can't have a facade in London and then another one inside.

It blows my mind that they're needlessly tackling Wyndham's Theatre as it wasn't in the books or films (someone was feeling super ambitious at UC or really mean at WB!)

I look at the London waterfront as fitting well in a studio theme park, and a nice bridge from the studio feel to the potter feel.

A "Best of" London selection fits the studio backlot end.

 

[Felipe]

But in the world of things need to make sense you (especially to the every day guest looking for the Leaky Cauldron) you can't have a facade in London and then another one inside.

Sorry, I don't think I understand what you mean. If you're saying there needs to be the same looking entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in London and also in Diagon Alley, I disagree. I think it's fine for them to have different looking entrances because each one is in a different location, with its own style of theming.

 

[badlactose]

I think what's a bit jarring about these building facades (as depicted in Gambit's mock-up), is the lack of alleyways or spaces between buildings of such differing architectural styles. It makes the area look less like a real street and more like a themepark mash-up. But I know that spaces between the buildings would not at all be practical in this instance.

Still, I have complete faith that Universal will know how to a make the transitions between buildings smoother through colour choice and architectural details. I'd bargain that it will look great in the end.

 

[ReelJustice]

There are spaces, different angles, and depth differences. 3 dimension facades will help. That's what the mock up doesn't show.

 

[Teebin]

Perhaps a large oak tree between the Wyndham and Grim would solve the problem. I don't have the image that Reel posted of the curved wall and what looked like large planting areas between the wall and building fronts.

 

[Felipe]

Perhaps a large oak tree between the Wyndham and Grim would solve the problem. I don't have the image that Reel posted of the curved wall and what looked like large planting areas between the wall and building fronts.

Oh yes, trees and the like should definitely help. Also, remember we're supposed to have the fountain in front of Wyndham's Theatre, and the Knight Bus right around there as well :wave:

 

[Disneyhead]

I think it is going to be King's Cross>????>Leaky Cauldron (with a sign on the door saying "To enter restaurant, go through Underground Station")>Leicester Square (the grayish tan one with the Charring Cross sign.)>Museum>Grimmauld Place.