Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[rhino4evr]

My thoughts on why the dragon is there....People will want some sort of icon to walk towards. the Dragon in this case is a giant billboard for the ride..just as Hogwarts Castle is a billboard for the FJ.

The majority of guests have no idea what Gringotts bank looks like..as it's not nearly as iconic as the school is.

I think the dragon is there for non-Potter fans, as opposed to people that will be upset with it.

If they can pull it off, it will be AMAZING....although I would imagine costly..wasnt the cost of the fire effects one of the reasons Jaws closed? LOL..

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ALSO...almost guanranteed there will be dragons in the ride itself...would you promote a ride using a giant dragon, when there are no actual dragons inside?

 

[badlactose]

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.

Good points. And the idea of the dragon emerging out of and disappearing inside the dome makes sense from a maintenance point of view. If the dragon is malfunctioning, they just pull her back in.

 

[Vyrus]

But then again..JPRA has quite a few outdoor AAs and some even underwater..that won't be much of an issue IMHO.

 

[Teebin]

But what kicked this into a rush were the powers that be wanted to do a presentation now due to the massive amount of leaks. What I'm saying is the content of the announcement isn't rushed just the timing. We shouldn't of seen this until after July.

Well then, I ain't as stupid as I look.

 

[Nick]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but from UOteam.com:

'London’ and Diagon Alley Will Come to Life at Universal Orlando in 2014 • World’s First Centrally Themed, Multi-Park Experience

Building on the global phenomenon that is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced an expansion of historic proportion with the entirely new themed environment, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Scheduled to open in 2014, the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience expands The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both Universal Orlando theme parks and allows Universal’s creative team to bring an unparalleled vision to this unique project. The new area will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films, offering brand-new adventures for fans and theme park guests from around the world.

Diagon Alley and ‘London’ will be located within the Universal Studios Florida theme park, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, where guests now experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. The new area within Universal Studios will be just as expansive, immersive and authentic as the existing themed environment.

And – just like in the books and films – guests will be able to travel between ‘London’ and Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Express.

Work on the new area is already underway. When complete, it will feature shops, a restaurant and an innovative, marquee attraction based on Gringotts bank – all directly inspired by the fiction and films.

More details on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be released over time.

 

[Vyrus]

You look stupid? :stunned:

I thought you looked like a sand crane? ound:

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Not sure if this has been posted yet, but from UOteam.com:

A few pages late :thumbs:

 

[JungleSkip]

From Ricky Brigante:

I heard it straight from Thierry Coup. The dragon will indeed be there. It's not just artwork.

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But then again..JPRA has quite a few outdoor AAs and some even underwater..that won't be much of an issue IMHO.

JPRA's AAs won't cut it for Potter. This thing needs to move and look a lot more real than they do.

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More from Ricky on Coup calling Gringotts a "family friendly" attraction:

He was driving that kids and adults will be able to ride it together. It's not Dragon Challenge. But no height details yet.

 

[hpartist97]

Happy B'day.

Thanks!

 

[badlactose]

From Ricky Brigante:



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JPRA's AAs won't cut it for Potter. This thing needs to move and look a lot more real than they do.

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More from Ricky on Coup calling Gringotts a "family friendly" attraction:

Do we know what company is making the animatronics for the expansion? Is it the same one that worked on Phase 1? I'm curious to see if their website has any examples of large scale AAs

 

[IzzyB]

More from Ricky on Coup calling Gringotts a "family friendly" attraction:

I would have thought it would be similar to mummy in being 48", but that does not promote family coaster height. Maybe 44 inches? I can't see much lower than than, because then we are into thunder mountain territory and I thought it would be more action packed than that.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I would have thought it would be similar to mummy in being 48", but that does not promote family coaster height. Maybe 44 inches? I can't see much lower than than, because then we are into thunder mountain territory and I thought it would be more action packed than that.

HTF and the other insiders have said all along that this will be more dark ride than coaster

 

[Teebin]

1) The dragon could explain why Teebin is always mentioning how peculiar it is that they're making the Gringotts facade so strong.

I received an email today from the original sand hill crane today. He knew my curiosity re: the solid concrete, and wondered the exact same thing.

I hope this not what they have planned for for focal point that is Gringott's Bank. In the books, everyone but Hagrid is terrified by Dragons. It doesn't fit the locale.

 

[IzzyB]

HTF and the other insiders have said all along that this will be more dark ride than coaster

Yes, but I thought there would be some coaster parts, considering the track shown. Enough to make a higher height restriction. Especially since Uni always seems to have higher height restrictions than Disney. We will see when more details comes out.

 

[rinacee]

I've been lurking for a while, but today's excitement has brought me back into the light. So hello! Been a while. It's been fun reading everyone's reactions

 

[bobwadd]

It was nice of OUR to announce this on my birthday. :thumbs: Too bad I may never get to go. :down:

A few of us on this forum may have been inadvertently instrumental on pushing the announcement date up. :wave:

 

[UNIrd]

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.

Uni can get people talking on their own. They don't have to ride the coattails of a Disney announcement. The only thing this will be up against next year is the Snow White Mine Train.

 

[WolfmanJ]

It was nice of OUR to announce this on my birthday. :thumbs: Too bad I may never get to go. :down:

A few of us on this forum may have been inadvertently instrumental on pushing the announcement date up. :wave:

Happy Birthday Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[natespf]

Wow this forum blew up today. :thumbs:

Uni can get people talking on their own. They don't have to ride the coattails of a Disney announcement. The only thing this will be up against next year is the Snow White Mine Train.

It is not just to get them talking about Uni, it is to get them to stop talking about Disney. You know it's like let's see what card Disney throws, cause Uni got the Ace of Spades.

 

[STL]

It was nice of OUR to announce this on my birthday. :thumbs: Too bad I may never get to go. :down:

A few of us on this forum may have been inadvertently instrumental on pushing the announcement date up. :wave:

Happy Birthday, Bobwadd. Did you get banned or something? Your Limp Bizkit video was somewhat baffling.

 

[KRAKENvsMANTA]

If Universal is wise, Gringotts height requirement will be 42-44". Anything higher will be just another dumb move to push away families with younger kids.

My Potter knowledge is pretty much nonexistent, so pardon my ignorance; but is true that some of the popular shops Universal built into Hogsmeade at IOA are actually supposed to be in Diagon Alley? If so, how is that going to affect some this new area, if at all?