Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion - Part 2

[UNIrd]

It's not just a transportation ride. A transportation ride's primary motive is to take guests from point A to point B, with guests losing nothing if they choose to walk between the two points. Choosing to walk to IOA instead of riding the train means missing out on a major attraction, and one of the few in either park that people or all heights can ride. It will be an experience in itself, with very much the same demand as a traditional E-ticket, if not moreso because of its lack of restrictions. It's not about how many guests will want to change over parks, it's about how many will want to ride the train. This isn't just a monorail, this is a full-blown attraction, and I could see it attracting more people than FJ, simply due to its lack of height requirement and motion aspect.

I think the lack of height requirement/lack of intensity is the big thing here. It might become the most popular ride in both parks for that very reason.

 

[Hatetofly]

Had they already planned for the disabled access/seats?

Yes ADA access and seating was always planned

- - - Updated - - -

Just a thought. Last week HTF told us that the capacity of the trains has been lessened, but could not say why. I am wondering if the simple reason for the lessening is because they had to bevel the projection jut-outs so they could not be seen at an angle from the loading platforms. The bevels are eating up a ton of end space on each carriage which would have likely limited the number of internal cabins.

Please recall that the numbers we had been working for the with for the past year were based on clear evidence of no jut-outs and the necessary bevel at all at the time of initial bid.

:wave:

 

[ralphoutloud]

Universal should just do away with the 1-park ticket. Make every ticket a "passport" and that's the only option. Lower the price of a 2-park, force everyone to get a 2-park, but increase the value you get when you buy a ticket. Easy for everyone to ride the Hogwarts Express.

 

[Hedwig201]

Universal should just do away with the 1-park ticket. Make every ticket a "passport" and that's the only option. Lower the price of a 2-park, force everyone to get a 2-park, but increase the value you get when you buy a ticket. Easy for everyone to ride the Hogwarts Express.

That would seem like a smart thing to do but I don't know about people wanting to spend that kind of money when they probably won't have enough time in a day to experience most of what Uni has to offer. 2-park tickets, IMO, always seemed to attract those who have already been to Uni, have done basically all their rides, and just plan on hitting the rides they want to do the most. With Diagon Alley opening, and with the hype of Transformers that will probably carry over into next summer, that will probably bring in alot (and I mean ALOT) of first-time visitors. The idea of having all of both Uni and Islands in one day may seem a bit overwhelming to some...

 

[Teebin]

:wave:

Danke. I feel like the only person on here that ever wonders "why" and "what". Count your blessings that I only post 1 of 10 questions and answers on this site for every picture/statement that I see.

 

[brianlo]

I figure they'll keep the one park ticket (for one day.... maybe two), but really not promote it or list it in very fine print on their sin-age.

They'll make it very clear that it does not include the Hogwarts Express, it'll probably say so with directions on how to upgrade to experience it right on the ticket.

 

[TylerDurden]

I figure they'll keep the one park ticket (for one day.... maybe two), but really not promote it or list it in very fine print on their sin-age.

They'll make it very clear that it does not include the Hogwarts Express, it'll probably say so with directions on how to upgrade to experience it right on the ticket.

This is what I think will happen. I don't think doing away with the 1-park ticket entirely helps Universal at all in that it de-values the idea that it's a multi-park resort. But realistically, USF and IOA aren't full-day parks on their own (although incoming crowds could sure change that), and it makes sense to market the 2-park deal heavily. That's pretty much what they do anyway. The only difference is now there's a major ride incentivizing people to purchase the 2-park option.

 

[DufflesMcGee]

This is what I think will happen. I don't think doing away with the 1-park ticket entirely helps Universal at all in that it de-values the idea that it's a multi-park resort. But realistically, USF and IOA aren't full-day parks on their own (although incoming crowds could sure change that), and it makes sense to market the 2-park deal heavily. That's pretty much what they do anyway. The only difference is now there's a major ride incentivizing people to purchase the 2-park option.

Funny that you say they aren't 1 day parks on their own, I was thinking the same thing, it has to do with crowds. Im sure when its all said and done, they will both be 2 day parks. the addition of new lands, night time lagoon show, new shows in general and better restaurants - By then comcast will wonder how they are going to spend their money and finally decide to spent it on new land. Kind of weird to say, but its they're a little fortunate they sold the land since now they are optimizing their current space and attractions instead of leaving it how it is pre comcast era.

It will always be 2 parks tho, they wouldn't dare consider it to be 1 park. although it doesnt seem like it would damage them, they dont want to hear that they have 1 park while disney has 4. there will be signs everywhere about the hogwarts express and how to ride it tho, they'll ensure you have your 2 park ticket :thumbs:

 

[hidepak]

What ever happend to the interactive wands that HTF talked about? Are those still happening? Or did they get cut like they did during phase 1.

 

[DufflesMcGee]

I'm sure they are happening and you will see improvements at hogsmeade for the use of the wands

 

[GAcoaster]

Interactive wands are something that will easily (and quickly) pay for themselves, just like Disney's Glow with the Show ears are. There would be no reason to cut a new revenue stream unless they can't make the technology work.

 

[Teebin]

are the glow ears used at WDW? If so, during what show?

 

[GAcoaster]

They have them in use with Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic and Osborne Lights. I'm surprised it took them soo long to roll them out since DL has had them for quite a while now and they sells tons of them (@ $25 a pop!) Think of how much Universal could sell a wand for that really activates features around the Wizarding World...

 

[Jwhee]

Not at Illuminations, hopefully they will NEVER be used at Illuminations.

 

[GAcoaster]

If they can make money selling them at Illuminations, they will. I'm sure it's in the pipeline...

 

[MrRoamer]

I don't think that it would be a good idea for Uni to stop the single park ticket. The Hogwarts Express will be a money printing machine and convert plenty into two-day park passes.

Imagine that you are a family visiting Uni for one day with most of your intention being at WDW. You get the single park ticket to IOA or USF, and one of your children wants to do Hogwarts Express. You wait in line for it, go across to the other loading area and then you have to tell said children no we can't stay here because we didn't want to buy a two-park ticket. We have to wait in line and go back?
Those ticket booths are going to be packed with people upgrading their passes!

 

[RickyinFL]

Teebin, thanks for connecting the dots on the beveling thing. I don't have enough energy to do things like that lol. I mostly passively read the comments here.

Universal's least favorite ticket to sell is the 1-day base. I think they might try to close the price gap a bit between the base ticket and PTP. Right now, Universals biggest priority is multi-day ticketing. After multi-day they want park-to-park. The price difference between the 1-day base and the PTP is $36. I think that's a lot for just the train. I think closing that gap will make it easier to see the value.

Also, I'm really curious about this whole 'upgrade' booth at each HE station. I'm wondering if they will fully upgrade the ticket? Everyone's ticket will be "used" since they have already entered the park. Upgrading a used ticket is very complicated and generally involves a trip to guest services and a managers approval. I'm wondering if they are going to 'punish' you for not buying it in advance. So for example the price difference is $36 for 1 day to add PTP, but at the booths at each station, they will sell you a $40/person HE pass. That way the ticket isn't affected, you just have a separate ticket (like express) to use for the train. Sort of like a pre-sale vs day-of-event door pricing.

The problem with my theory is that the upgrade difference is only $20 for multi-day tickets. So would they sell a multi-day train pass? or fully upgrade the ticket? Re-issuing every single ticket and voiding their previous tickets sounds complicated and an inefficient use of time. Especially since most of these guests are only visitng for 1 day. Waiting hours to upgrade tickets then waiting hours for the train... not ideal.

 

[Teebin]

And on another note, while looking for the car protrusions pictures yesterday, I happened upon this already seen picture and, duh, noticed that it appears the train will be sitting on its wheels on rails. For some reason, I had gotten it in my head that the wheels would float and the central carriage would be supported more like a monorail. See the pic below.

 

[Shucker]

I have to disagree about both parks not being full day parks. If you have been there and are being selective then yes you can do everything you want done in less than a day. But for most of the year, if you were not staying in a onsite resort, it would be hard to get through all both parks have to offer. Especially if you have children. I will say though that the issue for IOA is three of their main rides are soakers. So if you don't want to get wet, then you essentially remove 15% of the rides. For Universal, I think not having Jaws hurts, but again if you have children there is still plenty to do. But once Diagon Alley opens, it is easily a full day park.

 

[TomTheRiddle]

And on another note, while looking for the car protrusions pictures yesterday, I happened upon this already seen picture and, duh, noticed that it appears the train will be sitting on its wheels on rails. For some reason, I had gotten it in my head that the wheels would float and the central carriage would be supported more like a monorail. See the pic below.

Clarification.

The train sits on a bogie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogie) like any other train, but on the locomotive section of the HE, the wheels float and will spin while in station.

In order words, it has functional wheels and show wheels.