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

  • Thread starter Thread starter Drew
  • Start date Start date Mar 25, 2010
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rhino4evr

rhino4evr

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  • May 18, 2010
  • #5,861
Claire-Bear said:
It is strange that TMs don't seem to be getting a preview, but I would have thought that since these are customers who paid specifically (and several hundred dollars) for the Grand Opening package Uni would put a priority on having FJ open to them.
Click to expand...

I agree, I really do think they should be able to experience everything for all the money they are paying. I guess we will see..only a little over a week to go. It's crazy to me that the first ride reports will come from regular people instead of media professionals. Something is just odd about the whole thing.
 
honeybee8200

honeybee8200

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  • May 18, 2010
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50+ pages later and I'm here!!!

I'm so excited! The pics, the updates, the TM preview happening, packages, wands, prices... Who knew I would get so excited about dust?!
 
O

oneluckyguy

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  • May 18, 2010
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Wizarding World Re-cap

So last night I was fortunate enough to be amongst the first muggles to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and before I go any further I must say that overall its Awesome and fully exceeded my expectations. This is a re-cap of the things I experienced whilst there and my thoughts and opinions on the experiences offered. No cameras were allowed, but I did manage to sneak a few pictures on my phone.



First and foremost the large gate is back up on the main entrance from the Lost Continent they had security posted here checking for cameras on the way in. Once you get through the gate and see Hogsmeade stretched out in front of you with the Harry Potter score playing and the Hogwarts Express blowing steam it truly is a tug at your heartstrings moment, I can really only compare it to walking through the tunnel onto Main Street at the Magic Kingdom, it just overwhelms you. The speaker system throughout the entire area is incredible as is the music it is pumping out, it really completes the feeling of immersion better than any park I have ever been too.


As you walk through the entrance arch the Hogwarts Express is on your right and there is a conductor streetmosphere character there greeting all of the muggles to Hogsmeade. The building directly behind the train houses the new lockers for the Dragons Challenge (former Dueling Dragons) and the new entrance for the coasters is just beyond that which is a big change, but more on that later. First lets talk about Hogsmeade itself. To say that its perfect really doesn’t do it justice. Everything from the snow on the rooftops to the cobblestone streets to the various witches and wizards interacting with the guests just works so well, it truly feels like you walked into the movies. There seems to be no set time period within the books that the new land is based on. Case and point there are multiple Wanted Posters for Serious Black around Hogsmeade all of which move, just like in the movie which is awesome, but at the same time there is a stack of new Gilderoy Lockhart books in one of the shop windows which also all move and have him striking poses on the covers. Every single shop window has some sort of automation to it, whether it be instruments that move and play in the music shop, plants that move in the herbology shop or the little clown at Zonko’s everything seems alive!


The shops themselves are very tiny, but incredibly immersive. Inside Dervish and Bangs you will find broomsticks flying above you, the monster book of monsters in a cage snapping at you and more. Over in the Owl Post there is a one of the talking letter in the window describing how Owl Post Works. HoneyDukes has just about every kind of candy you can imagine including acid pops, bertie bots every flavor beans, Honeydukes best chocolate and more. Zonkos is pretty much the same with extendable ears, fanged frisbees and more. I didn’t make it into Olivanders because there was a line down the street, but it looked amazing and everyone who did said it was a really interactive experience.


The three broomsticks looks perfect and there are multiple levels if they need overflow seating. As previously discussed there is no Coke products at all, not even to mix drinks with at the Hogs Head. The hog animatronic is pretty cool, but not mind blowing. The Hogs Head will have the largest selection of beers in Islands of Adventure including many imports. They will mix all the drinks with juices and tonic, and they are not allowed to mix any alcohol with either Pumpkin Juice or Butter Beer period end of story, they were very adamant about that actually. Now if you were to say take a tall glass of ice cold pumpkin juice over to the Watering Hole in Jurassic Parklace, that’s another story I guess. While on that, Pumkin Juice is very sweet and taste similar to a spiced cider, and butter beer is extremely rich with a caramel apple spice type flavor and a foam that never seems to go away. The only thing I didn’t really love in Hogsmeade is a large snowman that’s in the back facing the castle, its just seemed fake looking and out of place for some reason. But honestly that’s my only complaint, the area with the castle in the background is as close to theme park perfection I have ever seen and really takes the bar to the next level. Now onto the attractions!



Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

So its obvious where the lions share of the budget went! The Castle looks incredible especially all lit up at night. There are two banners hanging under the hog statues that serve as signage for the attraction. The test seats out front are most similar to the Hulk I would say, very deep bucket seats with an over the shoulder restraint. The ride itself was not open and no-one would say anything about it, which I found very odd since there were Universal Creative Team Members everywhere else describing things. The queue however was open so I can describe that! You enter into the Caves under the castle and as you wind through down there you will see the statue of the one eyed witch and the Mirror of Erised. You will then wind your way out into the green house and slowly go up the ramp into the castle itself. Once back inside you see the containers that hold the gems keeping the points for the different houses and statues of what I believe are the four founders. Then you will enter the portrait gallery which is breathtaking as pretty much everything moves and the portraits of the 4 founders are actually talking to each other and to the guests in the queue. Then you go into Dumbledores office where he appears above the on the staircase and interacts with you and welcomes you to Hogwarts. Then you go into the Defense against the Dark Arts Classroom where as you wind through the door to the teachers office actually opens and you hear whispering and out of nowhere Harry, Ron and Hermione appear and tell you that you do not want to sit through Professor Bins lecture because its way too boring and you should follow them to the Quidditch match instead. They say to get you there they will need to use a bit of magic and then Ron waives his wand and it actually starts snowing which was sooooo cool. Hermione goes “Ronald you are making it Snow” to which he makes a smart ______ comment back and Harry laughs. Then they tell us to meet them in the Room of Requirement and they get back under the invisibility cloak and you see the door open and close again as if they left. You then pass the portrait of the fat lady and enter the Gryffindor common room, that’s as far as we got before we were ushered back out of the castle through the express queue which is the staircase with the portraits that people have been seeing. We then went into Filch’s Store at the exit and the merchandise in there is amazing. Everything from shirts and mugs to exact replicas of the Marauders Map and the Wizard Chess. There was only a small crowd in the park last night and the line for the registers wrapped around the entire store, they are going to make a small fortune once this place is open. You exit the shop right next to the entrance and across from Hagrids Hippogriff coaster.




Flight of the Hippogriff

It’s the same coaster it used to be, but it does feel a lot smoother and its still a fun ride. The new themeing really works well. You pass through the gardens from around Hagrids Hut and see giant pumpkins, scarecrows etc, then you pass Hagrids Hut, which has smoke coming from the chimney and you can hear Fang barking inside. You board the coaster and then slow down by an animatronic Buckbeak which you must bow too before the coaster will begin its ascent up the lift hill. Buckbeak Bows back at you and up you go, the views of Hogsmeade and the Castle from this ride are fantastic as it is tame enough to really take in your surroundings.



Dragon Challenge

If they took the cheap way out anywhere in Wizarding World it would be here and this is the only area that left me disappointed. The new entrance is up near the front of Hogsmeade just past the Hogwarts Express, you pass under a stone archway with a very cool Fiber Optic display serving as the marquee. You wind up a pathway behind the village passing banners saying support Potter, Krum, Diggory etc etc. As you are about to enter the castle you will see the car from the second movie all bashed up in the bushes, it honks its horn at you and the lights flash on and off. In the first room ( where the stained glass mirrors used to be) you will find the goblet of fire with a very cool blue flame effect, that whole room has been made to look like the tent where the champions waited their turn to fight the dragons and is the best themed room in the queue. In the next room you will find the triwizard cup lit up in all its glory. Beyond that the themeing though really seems lacking. The old fire dragon room is still in tact basically with minor to no changes except the removal of the knights. The old Ice Dragon room now has the very cool floating candles effect, but for no real reason. Then you enter the old dungeons where they did nothing but remove the bones and skeletons and added some English style lanterns, there is not any additional themeing until you reach the final room where you choose your dragon. The have wooden signs for both that breath fiber optic fire. The old Fire Dragon is the Chinese Firebolt and the old Ice Dragon is the Hungarian Horntail which is still blue for whatever reason. They do have a cool dragon projection on the ceiling above the load station and very cool immersive sound effects, but that’s about it. The ride is the same as always, which isn’t a bad thing as it’s a great coaster.



Well that about does it, I was told the walls are all going back up today and that they will be running the coaster as Dueling Dragons again for at least a couple weeks, so soft openings are still a bit away. The new island is by far the best in immersiveness that Universal has ever done, and I can’t think of anything Disney has done either that’s better. I am looking forward to the official opening next month, but good lord its going to be ridiculously crazy.
 
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Claire-Bear

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  • May 18, 2010
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" didn’t make it into Olivanders because there was a line down the street" ..and that's during a relatively quiet media event, when compared to the actual crowds that will be there from Grand Opening.. I do find that worrying..at least hopefully it will be open all day so we can go back there last thing at night if need be!!

"they will be running the coaster as Dueling Dragons again for at least a couple weeks, so soft openings are still a bit away"..but that would make it after the soft openings for the package holders..

Still all seems awesome though :)
 
Vyrus

Vyrus

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  • May 18, 2010
  • #5,865
oneluckyguy said:
Well that about does it, I was told the walls are all going back up today and that they will be running the coaster as Dueling Dragons again for at least a couple weeks, so soft openings are still a bit away. The new island is by far the best in immersiveness that Universal has ever done, and I can’t think of anything Disney has done either that’s better. I am looking forward to the official opening next month, but good lord its going to be ridiculously crazy.
Click to expand...

A couple of weeks? Whoever told you that I think was way mis-informed, because I doubt the TM preview will be Hogsmeade and DC only. They won't even let them go into the FJ queue or ride FOTH, which the pathway would block getting to. I don't get all the secrecy UO is trying for here.
 
rhino4evr

rhino4evr

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  • May 18, 2010
  • #5,866
wow..thanks for the detailed analysis Lucky Guy!!

I have to say I am disappointed they took out the skeletons and bones out of the DC line, I always thought it made the line much scarier, and it was a good way to start the line.

The detail you describe is really incredible, and more and more Im thinking that the wand shop is going to have just as long of a wait as the FJ!.

So no mention of why the ride was closed? So strange. You were so close too!! What a tease.
 
B

BBPH

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  • May 18, 2010
  • #5,867
AHHHHHHHHHHHH *runs out of house screaming*.......................... Wow loving this information everything really does sound great this is making me so jealous of the people that get too go there before i can!
 
DisFreakBrent

DisFreakBrent

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  • May 18, 2010
  • #5,868
Thanks oneluckyguy great info now for a few things before I get back to getting those pics ready

rhino one of your guesses is a good chunk of what you need to know. Do I believe they may wait until the package people arrive to open it my personal thought is yes just to be super sure everything is set for them. But if things are moving along good pass holders may get lucky & get on it. Again just guessing a bit from what I know I'm sure they would love to have it open for a pass holder preview but their #1 priority is just making sure it's ready (even if it may have major down time ect) for the package people. They are working on it now & really taking it just day by day to see when this thing can let us get on.
 
C

cronixx

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  • May 18, 2010
  • #5,869
okay something completely different... wel not completely..
we know the height requirement for FJ is 48' but what about chest dimensions?

Anything known about that? Cause the only thing that sucks, with over the shoulder restraints is that if your a big guy/gal (and i'm a big guy...) you might not be lucky enough to ride :|
The thing that that usually screws it up for me is the little clicky-strap-thingy that goes between yours legs...

aw well, if anyone knows, please enlighten me!
if not, I guess i'll have to wait and find out!
 
F

freediverdude

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  • May 18, 2010
  • #5,870
This is really worrying me- 10 days before the package people arrive, and the ride isn't working? And I arrive in 16 days, so it isn't looking good for me either.
 
Vyrus

Vyrus

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  • May 18, 2010
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freediverdude said:
This is really worrying me- 10 days before the package people arrive, and the ride isn't working? And I arrive in 16 days, so it isn't looking good for me either.
Click to expand...

No one said the ride isn't working, which I suspect the ride is actually running fine and I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't even cycling last night.

UO doesn't want to F this up whatsoever, so they are making sure the ride is as perfect as can be for the people who actually paid to see the new area. The travel agents there last night are going to sell the crap out of this area with or without riding the new ride, that is for sure.
 
DisFreakBrent

DisFreakBrent

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  • May 18, 2010
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cronixx said:
okay something completely different... wel not completely..
we know the height requirement for FJ is 48' but what about chest dimensions?

Anything known about that? Cause the only thing that sucks, with over the shoulder restraints is that if your a big guy/gal (and i'm a big guy...) you might not be lucky enough to ride :|
The thing that that usually screws it up for me is the little clicky-strap-thingy that goes between yours legs...

aw well, if anyone knows, please enlighten me!
if not, I guess i'll have to wait and find out!
Click to expand...

I have asked & was unable to get a for sure answer yet. I was told it's a bit larger than usual but I am still trying to get word if they have the extenders or special seats. I have a friend with the same issue so I want it to be ready for everyone as much as you do.

--- Update ---

Vyrus said:
No one said the ride isn't working, which I suspect the ride is actually running fine and I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't even cycling last night.

UO doesn't want to F this up whatsoever, so they are making sure the ride is as perfect as can be for the people who actually paid to see the new area. The travel agents there last night are going to sell the crap out of this area with or without riding the new ride, that is for sure.
Click to expand...

Exactly it will be open just expect the down time & long waits you would in the summer & with a new ride. Of coarse this is unless some major earthquake of doom ect. happens to it from here until than but it's being put through it's paces so hoping for no problems expect that killer line it will have to get on it.
 
easy/lucky/free

easy/lucky/free

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  • May 18, 2010
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cronixx said:
okay something completely different... wel not completely..
we know the height requirement for FJ is 48' but what about chest dimensions?
Click to expand...

Here's a write up from thedisneyblog
http://thedisneyblog.com/2010/05/18...-potter-preview-for-pow-wow-attendees-part-1/

The writer says he's overweight and his chest is 52 in and he couldn't really fit into the seat that well.
 
T

ThemeParkFan

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As far as the "no photography" signs go, this was not a major "media" event. This was a gathering of travel buyers. The difference between travel agents and travel buyers is that these are the people who buy up large quantities of travel packages to sell to the individual agents, who then book them. The result of a party like the one held last night at Universal is usually fairly immediate. They see the event, get a feel for whether their clients will buy packages, and then buy what they think they can sell. While UO would have loved for them to be able to get on the ride I'm sure, they most likely lost nothing not having it open. The preview of what they've built was more than enough to convince the buyers that people will purchase UO packages!

The sights (and sounds) of the area are impressive, and I don't blame UO for wanting to protect the integrity of the area for the time being from being posted all over the internet and YouTube. That will happen soon enough. For now, keeping the number of images down to a few well-placed ones allows them to really take your breath away when you walk through the gates for the first time. It will, I assure you!
 
DisFreakBrent

DisFreakBrent

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  • May 18, 2010
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I wanted to add one more note I know one TM said when they picked up their ticket nothing was said about no cameras. Basically there is still talk going on what they will allow even deciding as we speak what to do tonight for sure. After all they do have those nice signs & it would be nice if they had another reason to use them. *rolls eyes* So we'll find out from those going tonight if they decided to allow pictures or not.
 
Bryan

Bryan

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Team Members are never allowed to post pictures or discuss universal events period. It's in their handbook
 
B

BBPH

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I cant see much of a difference between seeing pictures today or tomorrow so the pictures ban will be today as welll and plus what bryan said!
 
Atticus

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Nobody said FJ wasn't working -- let's try to stop saying this, because then we fill a page of forum with "OMG itz not working oh no i bought passes will it be open by such-and-such a date lolz!?".

TM previews openly stated that the FJ ride experience would not be included. But I believe it will run selectively -- TMs are fantastic guineau pigs. The likely days for this "testing" are Thursday and Friday. That's from a speculative little bird.
 
giant4203

giant4203

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  • May 18, 2010
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Atticus said:
Nobody said FJ wasn't working -- let's try to stop saying this, because then we fill a page of forum with "OMG itz not working oh no i bought passes will it be open by such-and-such a date lolz!?".

TM previews openly stated that the FJ ride experience would not be included. But I believe it will run selectively -- TMs are fantastic guineau pigs. The likely days for this "testing" are Thursday and Friday. That's from a speculative little bird.
Click to expand...

unfortunately I doubt it :( we were all told explicitly multiple times that FJ would not be included...just the queue
 
DisFreakBrent

DisFreakBrent

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Bryan that does make perfect sense & is more than likely the case for the previews but there was talk back & forth since really people will sneak pictures with their cell & in just over a week package people will be camera crazy anyways. So there still was a bit of talk both ways but I fully expect to see those same signs there tonight & the next few for TM previews.

Atticus from what I know what they are doing well be for the entire week that is the current plan. But if they are done early you are right they very well could decide for the last preview day to open it up for them but that is still up to them & how fast their work goes. As far as experiencing FJ I do understand TMs should be able to see the queue in a similar way the party folks got to last night.

--- Update ---

@UORnews:
When visiting the public coveniences at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you may hear the voice of Moaning Myrtle [HASHTAG]#wwohp[/HASHTAG] (creepy!)
 
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