Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[Frogki]

Now I see the Weasleys' shop near the bottom of the artwork. It's the prominent storefront facing away from us and jutting out into Diagon Alley. You can just make out the arm holding a top hat.

Yeah, that was pointed out in the Inside the Magic article as well. I really like looking at some of the Easter eggs in this concept art, like the fountain and the Knight Bus. But I'm trying to avoid the 'this this and this will be there too!' because it's typical concept art, and there's going to be some embellishment.
All that aside, seeing official artwork makes me so much more excited for all this. I love seeing the Hogwarts Express moving along towards Hogwarts, it looks really pretty.

 

[Disneyhead]

This:

 

[Themeparkvigilante]

2014 is still kind of vague, plus nothing on new rides, as I was kind of hoping for a spectacular announcement like Transformers, so maybe that is still to come.

 

[Frogki]

2014 is still kind of vague, plus nothing on new rides, as I was kind of hoping for a spectacular announcement like Transformers, so maybe that is still to come.

Welcome to the 2007 announcement. Only this time you only have to wait a year

All jokes aside, this announcement is not really a big deal for us because we've already (pretty much) figured out what's going where, so all they are doing is building GP anticipation. People are going to start planning vacations again for this.

 

[Nitro_230]

It seems to me, that Uni is trying to get out in front of the leaks, worried what might be leaking next. I am not convinced this was in the long term marketing plans originally. I am also not sure if this is what I told you (4-6 weeks ago) that which was approved, but I assume it is. Has the hi-res version shown up on their site yet?

They already announced the expansion when they announced HP out in Hollywood. The only thing this release adds is that it's going where Jaws was, concept art, opening year, and general theme.

As far as getting in front of the leaks, they didn't confirm any of the ride info which has already been leaked, so no.

Also have seen people complaining that no media is picking this up outside of Orlando. That's because it was already announced and that was covered on national media.

 

[TheLastAshen]

That dragon doesn't look albino...

 

[DK745]

Now that this is finally announced those annoying fake tourists can have something new to talk about.

 

[Disneyhead]

This is an official announcement complete with press release and concept art. There wasn't even a one page (press release) with the acknowledgement at the Hollywood press event. It was a toss off comment.

That said, it is a pretty lame official announcement, but at least we got a (as in 1) piece of concept art.

 

[Enbee]

Welcome to the 2007 announcement. Only this time you only have to wait a year

All jokes aside, this announcement is not really a big deal for us because we've already (pretty much) figured out what's going where, so all they are doing is building GP anticipation. People are going to start planning vacations again for this.

Exactly. I love seeing the concept art, but friends of my mine who didn't know about much (or anything) about this expansion are freaking out on Facebook.

 

[Teebin]

What is the name of the statue that you posted DH? Also, where is it located in London?

 

[Nitro_230]

This is an official announcement complete with press release and concept art. There wasn't even a one page (press release) with the acknowledgement at the Hollywood press event. It was a toss off comment.

That said, it is a pretty lame official announcement, but at least we got a (as in 1) piece of concept art.

I'm not really going to get into the back and fourth with you on this again. They announced it there, it was covered by the media when they did. And the PR guy for Universal Orlando has since referred to it as announced. I proved all of those but you don't want to admit you might be wrong about that. They issued a press release and art because they are looking to give more information. And shockingly when they are ready to give information on the attractions there will be another press release and more concept art. Are we going to consider that the official announcement too? It hits the bar you set.

Tom Schroder was asked about what Buddy Dyer's state of the city address refered to potter phase two as an "already previously-announced expansion."

Tom Williams (Chairmen and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts) sits on a stage with Harry Potter talent, Ron Meyer (President and COO of Universal Studios) and Barry Meyer (Chairmen and CEO of Warner Brothers) and tells the media "And speaking of Universal Orlando Resort, now is the perfect time to tell you that the wizarding world at the Universal Orlando Resort will be greatly expanded" that not an announcement.

Bottom line, it really doesn't matter if what you personally consider it an announcement or not, the FACT is Universal Orlando considered it announced, and it's kinda their park.

Also for fun:

Regardless of what we call it, there will be an "Official Announcement" media event in Orlando.

Hell of a media event that you insisted they would make to announce it. That media event must be why all the bloggers are complaining about how they didn't even get invited out.... and neither did the media.

 

[Disneyhead]

What is the name of the statue that you posted DH? Also, where is it located in London?

Anteros (often mistaken for his brother Eros) and it is in Piccadilly Circus.

 

[JungleSkip]

Two-park tickets required for Hogwarts Express voyages confirmed through an email from Universal.

 

[Disneyhead]

I'm not really going to get into the back and fourth with you on this again. They announced it there, it was covered by the media when they did. And the PR guy for Universal Orlando has since referred to it as announced. I proved all of those but you don't want to admit you might be wrong about that. They issued a press release and art because they are looking to give more information. And shockingly when they are ready to give information on the attractions there will be another press release and more concept art. Are we going to consider that the official announcement too? It hits the bar you set.

Tom Schroder was asked about what Buddy Dyer's state of the city address refered to potter phase two as an "already previously-announced expansion."

Tom Williams (Chairmen and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts) sits on a stage with Harry Potter talent, Ron Meyer (President and COO of Universal Studios) and Barry Meyer (Chairmen and CEO of Warner Brothers) and tells the media "And speaking of Universal Orlando Resort, now is the perfect time to tell you that the wizarding world at the Universal Orlando Resort will be greatly expanded" that not an announcement.



Bottom line, it really doesn't matter if what you personally consider it an announcement or not, the FACT is Universal Orlando considered it announced, and it's kinda their park.

Also for fun:

Hell of a media event that you insisted they would make to announce it. That media event must be why all the bloggers are complaining about how they didn't even get invited out.... and neither did the media.

Actually the "legitimate" media was invited to Universal. Universal doesn't mess with wannabe journalists "Mommy Bloggers" like Ricky Brigante. And I don't believe that UOR cares that the like got their panties in a bunch. But it is true that they didn't hold a media "event" like I thought they would. So I was wrong on that. But I was close enough to Mark Woodbury that I could have touched him not 3 hours ago. Like it or not, this IS the "official announcement" complete with press release and concept art.

 

[cameronw99]

Looks amazing but that dragon better not really be up there...

 

[ReelJustice]

 

[TheLastAshen]

With the first WW we decided that the story line was some where in Harry's 4th year at Hogwarts, correct? When did the Weasley's shop open and what if the events that take place in Gringots are events that happen in the later books, does this mean that the train ride from Hogsmead to Diagon will have to involve Hermiony's Time Turner?

- - - Updated - - -

Looks amazing but that dragon better not really be up there...

From a maintenance standpoint alone, having a huge annimatronic dragon at the top of Gringots tower would be nothing short of a mistake. Not to mention weather and sun dammage..

 

[1.21Gigawatts]

Two-park tickets required for Hogwarts Express voyages confirmed through an email from Universal.

Well bring on the cluster**** of clueless tourists with one park tickets scratching their heads at the entrance to Hogwarts Express :huh:. ...........:doh:

 

[General Specific]

With the first WW we decided that the story line was some where in Harry's 4th year at Hogwarts, correct? When did the Weasley's shop open and what if the events that take place in Gringots are events that happen in the later books, does this mean that the train ride from Hogsmead to Diagon will have to involve Hermiony's Time Turner?

Nope, because of conflicting items within the park we decided that The Wizarding World has never existed on one place on the timeline.

 

[Nitro_230]

--- nm, I'm not continuing this ---

Anyway, yea the two park ticket thing wasn't always the plan (As HTF said) but I've been hearing more and more about it recently