Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[bobwadd]

Because OI doesn't have the wicked leaks that this site has. They aren't upset with the pics, they are upset with the leaks. Hopefully the next illicitly taken fabrication pictures are placed on servers in Tunisia, Bhutan, and Argentina. That would give Uni legal a bit of a fox-hunt. :wave:

:thumbs: :wave:

 

[UNIrd]

Thrilled that we got this announcement and concept art today. People outside of these boards are now really talking about it and excited about it.

Not sure why they would wait for D23 to announce this. Whatever Disney announces then likely won't see the light of day for YEARS.

 

[JungleSkip]

Not sure why they would wait for D23 to announce this. Whatever Disney announces then likely won't see the light of day for YEARS.

Many people don't plan yearly vacations to Orlando. Universal needs to convince them to go NOW. That's why you put it up against Disney's future offerings.

 

[IzzyB]

Thrilled that we got this announcement and concept art today. People outside of these boards are now really talking about it and excited about it.

Not sure why they would wait for D23 to announce this. Whatever Disney announces then likely won't see the light of day for YEARS.

Because whether it sees the light of day or not, it still has media buzzing about Disney and any competitor would want to stop that buzz as quickly as possible. What better way than to announce your major project and not just any major project, but HP. Oh, and not just a pie in the sky idea with no dates attached to it, a project that will be completed the year after it is announced. Easy way to have anyone stop talking about Disney and start talking about Uni very quickly.

 

[badlactose]

Is it just me or does the mystery area in the right portion of the concept art look like those covered shopping arcades they have in London?
[video=youtube;vEzP3PcHvSg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEzP3PcHvSg[/video]

 

[ReelJustice]

We can probably expect an in-depth announcement in August like the one we get September 2009 for Phase 1 where they release a video and concept for each shop and attraction. IMO, it will eventually work out better this way, but by no means should something like this ever drop on Facebook first.

And again, Universal really should start their own parks blog where they can release stuff like this and provide official construction updates. It is time.

 

[rhino4evr]

two-park tickets required for hogwarts express voyages confirmed through an email from universal.

i knew it!!!!!!!

 

[TheBlackMamba]

It looks great, the only thing I don't like is how open the alley looks. I thought that there would be different alley ways.

 

[ReelJustice]

It looks great, the only thing I don't like is how open the alley looks. I thought that there would be different alley ways.

It's concept art that has been very exaggerated to put the emphasis on Gringotts tower.

 

[batsmouth]

I think it looks great so surprised they announced it out of the blue. Great art work and can't believe how accurate that picture was of the front facade. Roll on 2014 cannot wait guess it will be spring early summer.

 

[JungleSkip]

Soooooo....

@ThemePark Just confirmed: The dragon atop Gringotts in the art is not an embellishment. It will be real. And will breathe fire.

 

[Disneyhead]

Given the current development I would guess that right after D23 the "New" WWOHP website will go live with a CGI fly-thru and details on attractions, shops, and the Leaky Cauldron.

 

[novawildcat18]

Soooooo....

I saw that. Not too happy about it, unless they find some "magical" way to make it look realistic and keep it maintained extremely well.

Also, not happy about it because it totally takes away from the realism of this (fictional) land. If I were a wizard doing my shopping at Diagon Alley, I'd be freaking out and running away from a dragon, not admiring it and taking pictures of it.

 

[Disneyhead]

CFNEWS13 will have interviews with Universal at 5p.

 

[JungleSkip]

I saw that. Not too happy about it, unless they find some "magical" way to make it look realistic and keep it maintained extremely well.

Also, not happy about it because it totally takes away from the realism of this (fictional) land. If I were a wizard doing my shopping at Diagon Alley, I'd be freaking out and running away from a dragon, not admiring it and taking pictures of it.

We're already riding dragons in Phase I. Dragon realism is out the window at this point.

If they can pull this off well, I'm totally fine with it.

Also, I'm thinking the Optimus AA coming to Transformers is a test run for something like this.

 

[novawildcat18]

We're already riding dragons in Phase I. Dragon realism is out the window at this point.

If they can pull this off well, I'm totally fine with it.

Also, I'm thinking the Optimus AA coming to Transformers is a test run for something like this.

Fair point. So then, do you think they will still have a dragon AA inside the Gringotts ride? There shouldn't be two dragons at Gringotts (one inside and one outside) but the ride might not be as thrilling without an awesome dragon AA guarding the vault.

 

[Frogki]

We're already riding dragons in Phase I. Dragon realism is out the window at this point.

If they can pull this off well, I'm totally fine with it.

Also, I'm thinking the Optimus AA coming to Transformers is a test run for something like this.

While I mostly agree with you, I can see the other side. It's honestly a tad bit strange to think about seeing a dragon on top of Gringotts without imagining the terror it would cause Diagon Alley shoppers - but maybe that's the point? Maybe it's to pump us up for an adventure at Gringotts, we're supposed to help?
Just thinking. I think the dragon could be hit or miss depending on how awesome it looks...

- - - Updated - - -

Fair point. So then, do you think they will still have a dragon AA inside the Gringotts ride? There shouldn't be two dragons at Gringotts (one inside and one outside) but the ride might not be as thrilling without an awesome dragon AA guarding the vault.

Actually, it was mentioned a few times in the book that there were dragons, so it's actually possible to involve multiple dragons in the story. However, what I think will realistically happen is we will encounter the dragon on top of Gringotts in a scene on the ride to explain it...

 

[Vyrus]

Wow...now I'm even HAPPIER that I still have my old 2 park prefferred pass and with the OOLLD monthly price I still pay...longevity is certainly paying off :thumbs:

 

[badlactose]

We're already riding dragons in Phase I. Dragon realism is out the window at this point.

If they can pull this off well, I'm totally fine with it.

Also, I'm thinking the Optimus AA coming to Transformers is a test run for something like this.

Holy Crap! I'm astonished that it's not an embellishment. At first I thought it might be a bad idea in terms of theming (for the same reasons pointed out by novawildcat18). But the more I think about it, the more exciting it sounds. If done correctly, it's going to be spectacular and something I don't think has ever been done on a weenie.

But I admit the idea of such a prominent animatronic makes me nervous. They must have some interesting contingency plans for when it inevitably breaks down or needs maintenance. Between this and the rumoured advanced AA goblins in Gringotts, it sounds like Universal is trying to outdo Disney in the animatronics department this time around.

 

[ReelJustice]

1) The dragon could explain why Teebin is always mentioning how peculiar it is that they're making the Gringotts facade so strong.
2) The dragon will probably appear and disappear throughout the day at different intervals as if its the dragon escaping from the dungeons.