Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion - Part 3

[cheeseheadwi]

That was the first one.

Diagon and the Hogwarts Express is somewhere between 400-500 million

When Fallon was at UOR, they did a segment one of the nights which said "It's estimated that the Diagon Alley expansion cost 256 million ...."

I think it was either the 2nd or 3rd night he was there, done while he was sitting down at his desk doing a segment. I remember being surprised because I thought it was in the 400-500 million range as well.

 

[HalfGlass]

When Fallon was at UOR, they did a segment one of the nights which said "It's estimated that the Diagon Alley expansion cost 256 million ...."

I think it was either the 2nd or 3rd night he was there, done while he was sitting down at his desk doing a segment. I remember being surprised because I thought it was in the 400-500 million range as well.

Probably 400-500 million after their intense marketing campaign! eace:

 

[Frogki]

Can someone tell me if meet an greets are typically listed as shows? I was just looking at the UO app map and they have the Knight Bus conductor listed as a show along with the Celstina Warbeck and Tales of Beadle the Bard show... Just wondering why it would be considered that...

 

[JungleSkip]

When Fallon was at UOR, they did a segment one of the nights which said "It's estimated that the Diagon Alley expansion cost 256 million ...."

I think it was either the 2nd or 3rd night he was there, done while he was sitting down at his desk doing a segment. I remember being surprised because I thought it was in the 400-500 million range as well.

I know that's what he said, but it's not right. Maybe for just Diagon alone and not attractions. But it's certainly not the full project cost that's been reported.

- - - Updated - - -

Can someone tell me if meet an greets are typically listed as shows? I was just looking at the ap map and they have the Knight Bus conductor listed as a show along with the Celstina Warbeck and Tales of Beadle the Bard show... Just wondering why it would be considered that...

Because it's a show-ish with him interacting with the shrunken head

 

[Frogki]

Okay, so kind of like the Mystic Fountain. Makes sense - really love all the interactive elements coming with this, it all sounds amazing...
Oh, and has anyone gotten a chance to figure out what the photography studio is about? Is it really a green screen video or are they just another section to get pictures from the park done? I'd assume it's a little more than that simply because it's inside Diagon Alley but I figured I'd ask if anyone knows more about it at this point.

 

[retroeric]

The Hedwig owl at Kings Cross is already broken. Not moving, at all.

 

[rhino4evr]

someone probably poured beer on it.

 

[April]

So for those there right now in line for Gringotts, what time did they let normal guests in? I know they had the hotel people from 7-8am. I'm trying to figure out how early I need to go to not have to wait as many hours.

 

[freediverdude]

The Hedwig owl at Kings Cross is already broken. Not moving, at all.

Wow, that's odd. The owl is really out of reach of the guests, and inside a cage, so I wouldn't think guests would be able to damage it. Maybe it just had a malfunction today. Let's not lose hope yet, it's such a nice surprise for people waiting in the queue.

 

[chev]

I'm trying to figure out how early I need to go to not have to wait as many hours.

I was there yesterday for the grand opening.. If I were you, I'd go and enjoy the land at your leisure and then come back later after one of the afternoon showers thin the crowd out a little. I remember only having to wait an hour for Forbidden Journey a couple days after Hogsmeade opened by walking into the park around 7p after a fresh rain.

It could work here.. maybe.

 

[sjago13]

I was there yesterday for the grand opening.. If I were you, I'd go and enjoy the land at your leisure and then come back later after one of the afternoon showers thin the crowd out a little. I remember only having to wait an hour for Forbidden Journey a couple days after Hogsmeade opened by walking into the park around 7p after a fresh rain.

It could work here.. maybe.

IDK... I don't think anything can be said for certain until they sort out the ride. Yesterday it seemed to start out fine but broke more and more as the day went on. I'm really curious what is causing the breakdowns, weather it be the software, the vehicles or show elements. I do gotta say that it does make some interesting movements and they are really big vehicles on a huge track. I really wonder what kind of stresses and forces are being on it all.

 

[JungleSkip]

It's software/sensor issues

 

[Milla4Prez66]

I was hoping to go and try Gringotts on Friday (already done everything else in softs), but I really don't want to wait 2 hours just to get into Diagon. Seeing these lines made me so happy to go during softs when hardly anybody was there.

 

[sjago13]

So I guess that's why they just reboot and its usually back up quickly. Last night it went down around 9ish for the night so I wonder if that was something more sever or they just wanted to boot the line so they could tinker with it overnight without having to run through a 4 hour line.

 

[JungleSkip]

So I guess that's why they just reboot and its usually back up quickly. Last night it went down around 9ish for the night so I wonder if that was something more sever or they just wanted to boot the line so they could tinker with it overnight without having to run through a 4 hour line.

Yea, that's my guess. They're running more trains from the looks of things today. Line is "only" 270 minutes.

Also, I've been told today is more crowded in both parks than yesterday, overall.

 

[Mad Dog]

The Hedwig owl at Kings Cross is already broken. Not moving, at all.

That's the problem with AA's. Seems like they're always breaking down. 7DMC has already had issues with their AA's. Carsland AA's had major malfunctions.WDW stuff is always breaking down. I can understand why Universal concentrates on screens & sets instead of AA's. Seems like the only AA's that hold up are the old time ones. Seems like they just don't build them as well anymore.

 

[adjjb]

So for those there right now in line for Gringotts, what time did they let normal guests in? I know they had the hotel people from 7-8am. I'm trying to figure out how early I need to go to not have to wait as many hours.

The hotel guests themselves waited in line to get into DA until close to normal guest opening if they didn't get there at the gate really early. The Gringotts line was already over 200 at 8am.

I'm not sure if they'll allow you to line up with them but worth a shot. If they're not getting in until 8-ish you should be allowed to line up with them. So go as early as possible and be first of the normal guests.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Anyone want to guess how many Gringotts dragon pics that HTF will have posted on twitter by the end of this week?

I guess 30, only 3 less than the amount of dragon Scale beers drunk :rofl:

 

[illumination]

Article posted today with 75 new pics of DA. Good shots of merch in several stores!
http://www.jaunted.com/story/2014/7/8/102432/3648/travel/75+Original+Photos+of+Diagon+Alley+and+the+Hogwarts+Express,+at+Universal+Orlando

 

[DanB89]

Thanks to everyone for all of the updates! It's really helping me stay sane until my visit this weekend.

If anyone has used the return ticket system, how useful have you found it to be? I'm just curious to see what feedback there is regarding how quickly they run out and how much they actually shorten the wait once you reach the return time.