The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade (Orlando): Part 2

[Eckert]

Just rode FJ. The overall "idea" of the profile is intact , but certain motions have been smoothed out as already noted. I noticed it mostly in moments where the RV would "hoist" riders until they are nearly up on their backs, such as just before the dragon AA, the transition into the second dementor AA, and the transition into the second floo network screen. Basically, in spots where the RV would move riders mainly vertically, those motions are generally more diagonal - moving riders up and in a lateral direction. Of course, this could all be placebo, but it instantly stuck out to me.

That's a great way of describing it. It's a real thing, and those little moments were some of the last remaining small thrills on the ride. With the level of intensity that its at now, I don't see why they can't lower the height requirement down a few inches.

 

[Teebin]

With the level of intensity that its at now, I don't see why they can't lower the height requirement down a few inches.

So, it has gone from a mediocre ride with incredible ride vehicles to drivel with incredible ride vehicles that are ashamed of themselves. Great.

 

[boomerthom]

So, it has gone from a mediocre ride with incredible ride vehicles to drivel with incredible ride vehicles that are ashamed of themselves. Great.

Eh. Even without the (assumed) 3D upgrade, I still think it's pretty enjoyable. I didn't notice much of a difference in the Whomping Willow scene (probably because the tilting here was already pretty gradual), "rolling over" transition into the second dome, or the (imo) relatively extreme tilt when passing by the basilisk skeleton (probably my favorite moment in the ride when sitting in the far right seat), for example. It mainly seemed to be those quick vertical hoisting motions that were affected.

Lighting looked pretty much the same to me. Though, I noticed a minor static fog effect in the forest scene (just before Aragog) for the first time. Aragog also seemed a bit darker than usual - I normally don't have trouble spotting him before the lighting effect, but today he was pretty obscured. Maybe placebo.

Also, I could be going crazy, but I swear I've never seen the first floo network animation fully complete before today. Just as we left the scene, the green floo effect came to an end with a fizzing-out animation, leaving a black screen as we transitioned into the observatory. Has it always been this way? :look:

edit - I will say that I would very much like to see a pure-physical KUKA-based dark ride that really unleashes the potential of those vehicles.

 

[DragonSlayer]

I found back in 2010 that it was the little details of the profiling which really made this ride feel so authentic; particularly when leaving load and going through the astronomy tower the vehicles did an incredible job of recreating the precarious, unpredictable animation of objects which had been enchanted in the films. It wasn't so much the extents of pitch, roll and yaw which made the ride so exciting to me, but these very subtle touches which really made the 'enchanted bench' thing work. It must have taken forever to create that profile.

It's felt to me since then that with each slight reprogramming, a little bit of this has been lost; the reprogramming has seemed so focussed on the extent and intensity of the motion range that the way the vehicle gets into these positions has been largely ignored. Is this the case with the latest incarnation as well, for those who have experienced it?

 

[awhen]

I found back in 2010 that it was the little details of the profiling which really made this ride feel so authentic; particularly when leaving load and going through the astronomy tower the vehicles did an incredible job of recreating the precarious, unpredictable animation of objects which had been enchanted in the films. It wasn't so much the extents of pitch, roll and yaw which made the ride so exciting to me, but these very subtle touches which really made the 'enchanted bench' thing work. It must have taken forever to create that profile.

It's felt to me since then that with each slight reprogramming, a little bit of this has been lost; the reprogramming has seemed so focussed on the extent and intensity of the motion range that the way the vehicle gets into these positions has been largely ignored. Is this the case with the latest incarnation as well, for those who have experienced it?

I rode yesterday. Boomerthom describes the changes very well. What seems to be most noticeable is those three points where you're sort of hoisted nearly onto your back, then transitioned from one side to the other. I can't describe it exactly, especially with only one ride, but I don't get the kind of lurching feeling I used to get. The maneuver was my least favorite motion in the ride, so I'm not sad to see it "improved." I may actually be able to ride it twice in a row now.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Add me to the camp that rode yesterday. Boomerthom's description is accurate. I didn't notice many changes, but it felt smoother.

 

[keeper]

So, it has gone from a mediocre ride with incredible ride vehicles to drivel with incredible ride vehicles that are ashamed of themselves. Great.

So Empire of the Penguins then....now my fat ass has zero motivation to see it.

 

[shiekra38]

So Empire of the Penguins then....now my fat ass has zero motivation to see it.

It's a great ride still, tamer, but nowhere near the disaster of Empire of the Penguin

 

[Frank Drackman]

:saywhat:

Or listen to every song Danny Elfman ever made...they all sound the same

The few times I've seen Oingo Boingo, I could tell all the songs apart.

 

[Talking Head]

A mediocre ride? Joking, right?

I rode last week and the changes weren't dramatic or, frankly, noticeable.

To most parkgoers, I'd be willing to guess it's the same exhilarating ride. And still capable of making people sick. Just ask the guy who was throwing up at the exit.

 

[Teebin]

How tight is Universal's contract with KUKA Robotics opposed to use as a ride vehicle in other non-Uni parks the world over? Anyone know? I am asking for a really good reason. :blank:

 

[quinnmac000]

How tight is Universal's contract with KUKA Robotics opposed to use as a ride vehicle in other non-Uni parks the world over? Anyone know? I am asking for a really good reason. :blank:

10 years however all parks who had a Kuka arm already can continue using them. The contract though is about to be up in a few months I believe as the contract details came out in 2007 but development for Forbidden Journey already started in 2005.

 

[kingcooger]

10 years however all parks who had a Kuka arm already can continue using them. The contract though is about to be up in a few months I believe as the contract details came out in 2007 but development for Forbidden Journey already started in 2005.

If it makes any difference, that was my understanding of the contract as well. Hence why some of the Disney using a Kuka arm rumors have piqued my interest.

 

[sjago13]

Went on FJ sunday and the first dementor has a blue water reflection light on it and the rocks to the right of it. It completely removes the surprise of it and was curious of why they did it?

 

[Teebin]

If it makes any difference, that was my understanding of the contract as well. Hence why some of the Disney using a Kuka arm rumors have piqued my interest.

Why would they have signed a contract that didn't specify "from attraction opening"?

 

[Blue]

Why would they have signed a contract that didn't specify "from attraction opening"?

I've been thinking the same thing.

 

[Disneyhead]

Anyone remember that flying Ford Anglia Kuka attraction rumored way back when?

 

[boomerthom]

Just rode FJ and in the soul sucking scene there were four dark mark skulls projected instead of our faces (or simply nothing). Same skulls as the projected dark mark before that scene. New effect?

 

[anihilnation]

I heard Efteling wants to build a FJ-type attraction, though I think they want every RV to old 16 people or something like that.

 

[Skubersky]

Just rode FJ and in the soul sucking scene there were four dark mark skulls projected instead of our faces (or simply nothing). Same skulls as the projected dark mark before that scene. New effect?

Old effect for when the camera doesn't work.