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

[dreamcat]

Danielle, Im pretty sure after your training, part of your checkout will be to try one of everything on the menu at Broomsticks, and if you hold it all down you get to keep the job!



Just kidding, but congrats again on your new status!

wow could you imagine that as a requirement? haha! It also kind of sounds like Fear Factor or something but instead of money you get to keep the job.

 

[WTRiker]

wow could you imagine that as a requirement? haha! It also kind of sounds like Fear Factor or something but instead of money you get to keep the job.

Yeah, lol, a requirement like that to work WWoHP and none of the TMs would fit in the FJ seats!

LMAO!

 

[Teebin]

I know what I would like to make of it, but no sense getting my hopes up until I see some evidence of Trikes being hauled back in. I know how both my older girl and her cousin LOVED this attraction, and my 5 year old loves the JP movies: I would love her to be able to experience it.

But I keep fearing that its just going to end up being extended queue for the summer crowds being so near to the edge of the greenhouse...a holding paddock for humans - lol.

It would take quite a little commitment of both money and manpower to get the Trikes up and running again, for something UO didnt consider worth maintaining.

Any insight on the boats? I also heard a lot of rumors about those...of course we still hear rumors about the DAK boats too, and we know theres almost no chance of them coming back for guest cruises either unless DAK can figure out how to make money serving food on the boats or something.

No comptroller about any boats anywhere. However that might mean nothing as they may be covered by other ordinances. But trike has been worked on, as recently as February. Some on here have claimed that it is only a backup plan... not permanent. I so dislike what they have done to JP at this point, who cares. Visiting HP at this point has become morbid curiosity at best, the destruction of JP has left me colder than hell. So yeah, that is a contradiction, I talk about HP... but I am a JP guy for more reasons than you know. I am vexed like you would not believe.

 

[Brian G.]

So short review, Hogsmeade and Hogwarts look amazing in person. I ended up getting evaced and really got to enjoy 45 seconds of the ride. I ended up waiting, in total, 2 hours to get off the ride.

 

[dreamcat]

morbid curiousity?

 

[WTRiker]

No comptroller about any boats anywhere. However that might mean nothing as they may be covered by other ordinances. But trike has been worked on, as recently as February. Some on here have claimed that it is only a backup plan... not permanent. I so dislike what they have done to JP at this point, who cares. Visiting HP at this point has become morbid curiosity at best, the destruction of JP has left me colder than hell. So yeah, that is a contradiction, I talk about HP... but I am a JP guy for more reasons than you know. I am vexed like you would not believe.

Thanks for sharing that, a lot of your postings make a lot more sense to me now, on a more personal level.
My own personal baby has always been Epcot, and some of the things Ive seen them do/change there....well, it just makes me sick. At least we got some of Figment back, although bastardized badly. Guys- Lasseter wanted a shot at Figment: let him have it! And at least I get Cptn Eo back for a bit instead of that HISTA travesty (I mean, do any of the kids born in the last 10 years even know what in the hell HISTKids even IS? - at least Eo is music and spaceships: even the kids who have no idea about MJ will enjoy it for a bit). And the last 1/2 of Spaceship Earth? dont get me started...imagineers even changed the backstory (timeline/history) for some of the standing sets without changing them (the scenes) at all - they now make no sense! Great research, guys!
Bring back the quality ideas - oh yeah, they let them go after the studio opened and bought fair rides to expand Dinoland! LOL!

I say it again, at least with what Ive seen already of potter anyway: "It may have all started with a mouse, but it may end with the Sorcerers Apprentice being dethroned by a Wizard".

AND, I heard through a friend the "inside nickname" for the new revamp of the Carousel in Fantasyland today: (rethemed from Cinderella to Prince Charming on June 1st): I wont post it here because its neither family friendly or politically correct, but
I havent laughed so hard in a LOOONNGGG time!

--- Update ---

So short review, Hogsmeade and Hogwarts look amazing in person. I ended up getting evaced and really got to enjoy 45 seconds of the ride. I ended up waiting, in total, 2 hours to get off the ride.

Wow BriMan, remind me not to travel with you...youre cursed or something! LOL.

3 trips out there, 5 rides on FJ, breakdown today only affected me for 15 minutes (and I was still in the queue), and even was a member of the "4-minute entry club" on Wed.

I feel for ya, man. But, wasnt Hogsmeade something else? Definately a step up in the theming game for UO. No wonder WDW decided to push Fantasyland to new heights.

 

[psion]

tell me, someone here is recording the NBC special.

While youtube would be great. I would love if someone can upload a good quality file somwhere for download.

dying to watch this special, half way across the world!!!
Thanks!

 

[Nightmare]

Thanks for sharing that, a lot of your postings make a lot more sense to me now, on a more personal level.
My own personal baby has always been Epcot, and some of the things Ive seen them do/change there....well, it just makes me sick. At least we got some of Figment back, although bastardized badly. Guys- Lasseter wanted a shot at Figment: let him have it! And at least I get Cptn Eo back for a bit instead of that HISTA travesty (I mean, do any of the kids born in the last 10 years even know what in the hell HISTKids even IS? - at least Eo is music and spaceships: even the kids who have no idea about MJ will enjoy it for a bit). And the last 1/2 of Spaceship Earth? dont get me started...imagineers even changed the backstory (timeline/history) for some of the standing sets without changing them (the scenes) at all - they now make no sense! Great research, guys!
Bring back the quality ideas - oh yeah, they let them go after the studio opened and bought fair rides to expand Dinoland! LOL!

I say it again, at least with what Ive seen already of potter anyway: "It may have all started with a mouse, but it may end with the Sorcerers Apprentice being dethroned by a Wizard".

I don't overall see WWOHP affecting Disney's business. It may affect the attendence a little at Studois , Epcot or Animal Kingdom but not much. It is the new thing to see in town when you visit but that will wear off after awhile. Disney is just too big to ever conquer. Don't get me wrong, the WWOHP is a great addition to IOA. There are also a few negatives which will affect tourist's. The shops are way too small. I know, authenticity. I think fire hazard. Family's being seperated because one member is too big to ride FJ. I don't know if I want to really be in WWOHP during the summer when it is packed, 100 degree heat, etc. The shops today were body to body inside and this is a preview. I just can't imagine it when your normal family gets tired, hot and jammed into such a small area. I will enjoy it much more in the cool fall. I haven't been on the ride yet to say overall how much I like the area. Potter fans will love it and Disney die hards will say it's ok or worse. Will it affect Disney, somewhat. But in the long run it will not matter. I'm very glad that Universal has finally gone back to the great theming they are capable of. That will only make all the parks better in the future.

 

[mantaguy]

Does anyone think that there will be any special Christmas or Halloween celebrations on the island? Has J.K. approved this?

 

[WTRiker]

I don't overall see WWOHP affecting Disney's business. It may affect the attendence a little at Studois , Epcot or Animal Kingdom but not much. It is the new thing to see in town when you visit but that will wear off after awhile. Disney is just too big to ever conquer. Don't get me wrong, the WWOHP is a great addition to IOA. There are also a few negatives which will affect tourist's. The shops are way too small. I know, authenticity. I think fire hazard. Family's being seperated because one member is too big to ride FJ. I don't know if I want to really be in WWOHP during the summer when it is packed, 100 degree heat, etc. The shops today were body to body inside and this is a preview. I just can't imagine it when your normal family gets tired, hot and jammed into such a small area. I will enjoy it much more in the cool fall. I haven't been on the ride yet to say overall how much I like the area. Potter fans will love it and Disney die hards will say it's ok or worse. Will it affect Disney, somewhat. But in the long run it will not matter. I'm very glad that Universal has finally gone back to the great theming they are capable of. That will only make all the parks better in the future.

Exactly - well said. The "Game Changer" everybody is missing in this whole conversation is that Disney (in my opinion) dropped the ball (being to high and mighty?) by passing on Potter. UO picked up the ball, ran with it, and has brought real competition back in the Theming area. So much that Disney is finally stepping up its game with Fantasylands rehab. Its almost like the old days again - the battles for the first and best Studio park. No more Chester and Hesters schlock, no more poor theming executions like HRNRC (my opinion): the game is back on. Heck, even Sea World really stepped up in the last year wit h Manta! Never ridden it cause Im not much of a coaster guy (still never ridden DD/DC), but Excellent theming!

Whos the real winner here? We are - the guests. We are reaping the benefit of the battle royal going on in the mainstream press over all of this - I say, bring it on! So gain IMHO, even with its shortcomings, Potter is a home-run for Universal, and for all of us in the long run! It may or may not be an out-of-the-park home run, but time will tell.

 

[mantaguy]

Also, does the wandkeeper actually choose the wand that matches your birthday if you get chosen? In the videos I've seen he asks for your birthday.

 

[WTRiker]

Also, does the wandkeeper actually choose the wand that matches your birthday if you get chosen? In the videos I've seen he asks for your birthday.

Yes, thats how the script is written, but they have not yet received all 13 wood types yet, (they are still missing 3 or 4 wand designs) so they are doing the best they can for now.

(being careful how I worded it, I said "faking" it before and a couple of folks actually got defensive about it...like the whole show and the wands are real anyway!):bang:

Like Shatner said "Its only a TV show... get a life!"

(meant all in good fun btw).eace:

 

[mantaguy]

Yes, thats how the script is written, but they have not yet received all 13 wood types yet, (they are still missing 3 or 4 wand designs) so they are doing the best they can for now.

Do they have Ash?

 

[WTRiker]

Do they have Ash?

The three types I am sure they have not received yet are Holly, Vine, and Ash. Sorry.

But I was lucky enough to be talking with one of the higher-up merch folks on Wed while they were stocking and dressing the main IOA shop's displays, and they are on their way in, as well as a lot of new merch that hasnt made it in yet. Manufacturing and design hold-ups is what I was told.

Just today I saw at least 2 or 3 new items, so new stuff is definately on its way.

Heck, I was told that even they were suprised that the high end stuff (like the 300-400 dollar brooms) flew out the door in the first couple of days! They hadnt stocked for that kind of suprise! At least short term this thing (WWoHP) is a CASH COW!

BTW: a little OT, but did anyone else notice that they had a nice size display of the "hero" wands (minus sirius and ginny) in the main IOA shop on Wed, but it was gone today? (replaced with other merch?) Guess they either had to pull back the wand stock, or decided wands in IOA would only be available in WWoHP after all. As of today UnivStudios (other park) still had the wands displayed in their main shop....hmmmm.

(man, Ive spent WAYYY too much time tracking merch this week!) and Ill say it again, Ive still never made it through a HP movie, nor read one of the books! Wow, depressing! LOL!.

 

[SleepyBeagle]

tell me, someone here is recording the NBC special.

While youtube would be great. I would love if someone can upload a good quality file somwhere for download.

dying to watch this special, half way across the world!!!
Thanks!

I got an email from Universal about the special. It will be available to view on NBC.com starting June 7.

 

[mantaguy]

The three types I am sure they have not received yet are Holly, Vine, and Ash. Sorry.

But I was lucky enough to be talking with one of the higher-up merch folks on Wed while they were stocking and dressing the main IOA shop's displays, and they are on their way in, as well as a lot of new merch that hasnt made it in yet. Manufacturing and design hold-ups is what I was told.

Just today I saw at least 2 or 3 new items, so new stuff is definately on its way.

Heck, I was told that even they were suprised that the high end stuff (like the 300-400 dollar brooms) flew out the door in the first couple of days! They hadnt stocked for that kind of suprise! At least short term this thing (WWoHP) is a CASH COW!

BTW: a little OT, but did anyone else notice that they had a nice size display of the "hero" wands (minus sirius and ginny) in the main IOA shop on Wed, but it was gone today? (replaced with other merch?) Guess they either had to pull back the wand stock, or decided wands in IOA would only be available in WWoHP after all. As of today UnivStudios (other park) still had the wands displayed in their main shop....hmmmm.

(man, Ive spent WAYYY too much time tracking merch this week!) and Ill say it again, Ive still never made it through a HP movie, nor read one of the books! Wow, depressing! LOL!.

Thanks for the info! :rep: Hopefully by the time I take my first trip the Ash wands will be in. If not I'll wait to get mine.

 

[Mookie]

...

 

[floridianer]

Exactly - well said. The "Game Changer" everybody is missing in this whole conversation is that Disney (in my opinion) dropped the ball (being to high and mighty?) by passing on Potter. UO picked up the ball, ran with it, and has brought real competition back in the Theming area. So much that Disney is finally stepping up its game with Fantasylands rehab. Its almost like the old days again - the battles for the first and best Studio park. No more Chester and Hesters schlock, no more poor theming executions like HRNRC (my opinion): the game is back on. Heck, even Sea World really stepped up in the last year wit h Manta! Never ridden it cause Im not much of a coaster guy (still never ridden DD/DC), but Excellent theming!

Whos the real winner here? We are - the guests. We are reaping the benefit of the battle royal going on in the mainstream press over all of this - I say, bring it on! So gain IMHO, even with its shortcomings, Potter is a home-run for Universal, and for all of us in the long run! It may or may not be an out-of-the-park home run, but time will tell.

Whow, well said and I couldn´t agree more!!! :thumbs:
It is awesome that Seaworld and Disney HAVE to improve now and that is good for the whole region!

I agree that this world is a HUGE step for Universal! I LOVE Disney and I always went to Universal for a night at Hard Rock (using the 2 days then). Never felt like staying there for a couple of days because it felt (for me!!) like a Day-Attraction... Not like a whole Themed vacation...
Actually I feel a bit different NOW and I really look forward to experience the WW in July. And I really could think about staying a bit longer now. I doubt that I am the only one and this is good for UO because they really need the pennies now!

OH, BTW... UO did a fab job with the WW (although not seen in real) but I don´t think that Disney failed with their plans... They simply had a wrong idea of how many fans Harry and the gang would gain over the years. So if Disney would have had a second chance this year to rethink their concept, I am pretty sure they would offer a whole LAND now too!
Disney always has been a liitle more detailed and a little more magical and I truelly think that they would have done an exellent job with the WW too but hey, now Disney has to come up with another idea (not just the expansion)

I actually made it today... (no, haven´t been in the World but I catched up with the threat!!! )

I REALLY thank you guys for being so informative!! There is a lot of background here (that is obvious) and I really appreaciate that!
Teebin, Brent, WTRiker, Chris,Soyouthinkyouknow,Felipe,Latveria,Brian, Clair, Vyrus,Psion, Mantaguy, Disneyhead (BTW, you cracked me up with your comment on Floo Powder yesterday!!!) and many many others (sorry if I couldn´t racall all of you guys :look, are you SURE that noone from you is MARK W.??
Anyway, does anyone here really think, that these guys are NOT READING here??? They would be dump not to take this oportunity! It is a great source and it is always exellent to know what´s being said in the forums because here are the people, the parks a designed for!

Please excuse my bad english... :look: Being from germany I have to improve a lot

OH, Mookie (SP?), you really know how to take pictures!!! Great job!

I JUST DIED :dance:

 

[honeybee8200]

It's scary to think that I may not be able to fit on FJ. I'm just a tad overweight, having birthed 2 children. Hey, I can claim "baby fat" until they are 18. But that's not what I'm worried about. Due to genetics, I've very well endowed. I measured myself and if I did it correctly, I'm at like 42". That's close for my book.

And I had to comment, The Mysterious Ticking Noise is my ringtone on my phone. Along with the regular Hedwig's Theme and a rocked out Trans Siberian Orchestra type Hedwig's Theme. The wallpaper is the pic Uni released many moons ago of the Hogwarts Express.

 

[soyouthinkyouknow]

You're so welcome Floridiane. WWoHP has been an amazing journey. There are so many things to be seen and so many experiences that have been beyond words. When you visit, look in every corner and every inch of the land. Even if you don't like the rides, you will enjoy the theming.

The top recomendation I'm proposing to people visiting is riding the Hippogriff, TWICE. It's amazing to look at the ride vehicle as it look exactly like wicker, but it's fake. When you ride it the first time you can look down in the village for the best view you will ever see...better than a helicopter The second time, look at the castle the whole time you're riding through. It looks like it's moving. PLUS,