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

[Disneyhead]

Yeah, I am familiar with his track record. And I also trust his belief in his sources since I know the folks he keeps company with.

 

[JungleSkip]

Yeah, I am familiar with his track record. And I also trust his belief in his sources since I know the folks he keeps company with.

Oh, well that's easy.

 

[Felipe]

OMG, I just realized that.

Can you imagine? The WWoHP which is the reason WHY Disney is doing the FLE gets bigger and better and everything Disney went to try and do to trump WWoHP goes out the windows because now its "bigger and better" woooooow.

We FINALLY are going to have a TRUE theme park competition in Orlando. All UO needs to do now is build a value priced hotel on site and they are in business.

or.... build a Hogwarts themed resort! That would be EPIC! and extremely expensive... but I'm sure that would attrack as much business as the theme park! It could be amazing and they do have the space for another hotel.

Question for those familiar with Universal's lot: I know there's some empty space on site, just not by IoA. Do you guys think it'd be possible to have a "Hogwarts Express" that takes us to this now-empty space where the expansion could be, maybe a Diagon Alley with a Gringotts bank roller coaster?

 

[Disneyhead]

Is it too early to start speculating on TWWOHP II?

My first question is will all of the LC go, or will they start it at the Arch just past Fire Eater's Grill?

Will it be Diagon Ally? What will the signature attraction be (Gringott's Bank?)?

 

[rinacee]

Seeing things a lot quieter now, I'm looking forward to going back in 2012. It was so packed when we went just after opening, it made appreciating and enjoying it very difficult. Are breakfasts open to all now? Or still package guests?

Half way through reading Half Blood Prince now; amazing how increasingly different the books are from the film, moreso as the series progresses. Whilst I really enjoy the films, in a way its a shame, especially with the more recent one, what they left out (mainly regarding more about Tom Riddle and the other nitty gritty) in favour of increased romantic scenes, some of which didn't happen. I'm addicted to the books now though. Looking forward to Deathly Hallows!

HBP is and always will be my favorite of the books...I was disappointed in the movie as an adaptation, but when I separated it from the series, I thought it was a good film.

--- Update ---

Is it too early to start speculating on TWWOHP II?

My first question is will all of the LC go, or will they start it at the Arch just past Fire Eater's Grill?

Will it be Diagon Ally? What will the signature attraction be (Gringott's Bank?)?

I'd bet on Diagon Alley...although, that could be weird with Ollivander's now in Hogsmeade...I think another one would help with traffic flow, but would be redundant. I think Gringott's would be really cool...probably a roller coaster!

 

[JungleSkip]

Is it too early to start speculating on TWWOHP II?

My first question is will all of the LC go, or will they start it at the Arch just past Fire Eater's Grill?

Will it be Diagon Ally? What will the signature attraction be (Gringott's Bank?)?

Personally, I just don't see Diagon Alley being a suitable option. It's just too similar to Hogsmede, IMO. But, with that being said, I'm really not sure what else it can be. Personally, I'd love to see a Ministry of Magic area, along with Gringott's.

And I would hate to lose Poseidon's Fury and Mythos, but I'm not sure where else an expansion can go other than the rest of LC.

 

[Disneyhead]

I believe it will just take over most if not all of the remaining LC. But there was some talk several years ago that the expansion would be where Jaws is.

 

[FloRida848]

I knew that they were going to start construction on phase II of the WWOHP even before phase 1 ended. I said it on here multiple times but no one believed me and many still dont...

 

[JungleSkip]

I believe it will just take over most if not all of the remaining LC. But there was some talk several years ago that the expansion would be where Jaws is.

Well, if it's a choice between those two, I'll offer up LC for slaughter. I love me some Jaws!

 

[universal chris]

That would be awsome if they expanded harrypotter i would love to see it.

 

[ReelJustice]

Well, if it's a choice between those two, I'll offer up LC for slaughter. I love me some Jaws!

But you cannot deny, that the more impressive/intriguing idea is to build the expansion, likely Diagon Alley (complete with Gringotts and Leaky Cauldron), at Universal Studios and have a train connecting the two. The scope of that would be incredible, and it would make so much more thematic sense than trying to cram anything logically in the remaining Lost Continent.

In hindsight, both Disney and Universal should have gone for the boutique, smaller, exclusive Harry Potter park that JKR allegedly wanted.

I just hope that whatever they do, they continue to build and offer the same quality found in phase 1.

 

[Obi Ubamba]

If phase 2 is as good as phase 1, I will be amazed.

 

[JungleSkip]

But you cannot deny, that the more impressive/intriguing idea is to build the expansion, likely Diagon Alley (complete with Gringotts and Leaky Cauldron), at Universal Studios and have a train connecting the two. The scope of that would be incredible, and it would make so much more thematic sense than trying to cram anything logically in the remaining Lost Continent.

I can't agree. Potter doesn't belong at the Studios. It does not mesh with the feel of the park at all, and would feel very, very out of place.

If phase 2 is as good as phase 1, I will be amazed.

The fact that there will most likely will be a phase II has me amazed. Plus I doubt JK would let them slack on a Phase II.

 

[Vyrus]

Personally I would love them to build a Grongotts indoor coaster, which would be spectacular and possibly the only other idea they could go for. The upside and downside to HPotFJ is that it covers so many different types of rides in one that if they built anything specific to one of the technologies it would feel redundant. Such as:

A simulator ride in the Weasley's car
A ride on a broomstick during a quidditch match

 

[Obi Ubamba]

Gringotts coaster would be my pick, there's som much they can do with it.

 

[rewster]

I believe it will just take over most if not all of the remaining LC. But there was some talk several years ago that the expansion would be where Jaws is.

If this were to happen, would that mean there would be a WWoHP at both parks? Or would it take over JAWS and leave a chunk missing from USF?

 

[Felipe]

Personally, I just don't see Diagon Alley being a suitable option. It's just too similar to Hogsmede, IMO. But, with that being said, I'm really not sure what else it can be. Personally, I'd love to see a Ministry of Magic area, along with Gringott's.

Yeah, they shot themselves on their creative foot by "Diagon Alley-ing" Hogsmead Village. It shouldn't be so colorful and it should not have the stores from Diagon Alley, but that's there already, so they'll have to deal with it as best they can and come up with the best Diagon Alley possible, if that's even their plan. I personally hope it will be a Diagon Alley because, as mentioned, we have The Leaky Cauldron for a food and beverage venue, Gringotts Bank for an amazing rollercoaster (especially after DH :smiley, more store options for merch, even Knockturn Alley for a creepy walk-through. Many things could still be done with Diagon Alley.

Potter doesn't belong at the Studios. It does not mesh with the feel of the park at all, and would feel very, very out of place.

Completely agree here. The Universal Studios is a "studio lot," where the charm with Potter is being in the world, not being in the sets and the movies. Also HP movies are not Universal Studios productions, so it would be out of place in that regard too

If this were to happen, would that mean there would be a WWoHP at both parks? Or would it take over JAWS and leave a chunk missing from USF?

Jaws is a classic and too big of a part and legacy of the Studios. Although it's not the best ride ever, it's a staple and I don't see it going anywhere.

So, doesn't anyone have any more info on where that empty part of the Universal lot is? and is it close enough or situated in a good place (like without crossing any roads) so that a train could be set up to transport us there to the expansion?

 

[FutureFairygodmother]

We filled out our survey two days ago. One of the questions wanted to know if we wanted another park or expand WWOHP, of course we said WWOHP. They even wanted to know how obsessed we are about Harry Potter and how many times we have read the books. Some of our ideas were a Gringotts coaster ( I think every one wants this one) and Madam Paddifoot's for more food options.

 

[White Rabbit]

So, doesn't anyone have any more info on where that empty part of the Universal lot is? and is it close enough or situated in a good place (like without crossing any roads) so that a train could be set up to transport us there to the expansion?

Haha, if you're talking about behind the current WWOHP, then no. Behind Dragons is the green houses for the plants on property, behind Hogwarts is a service road, behind that is Turkey Lake. If you're talking about a train between Jaws and WWOHP?! No way. Behind Jaws is Team Member Parking, Team Member Entrance, HR, Wardrobe, and a lot of other service buildings. I think a ride-able train is out of the question.

 

[Hatetofly]

A phase 2 expansion would require a major reworking of the back house of Universal Orlando or the demolition of most of the remaining lost continent. If its the second of the two I think they could do it and still leave PF and Mythos.My guess is that Gringotts goes where Sinbad stands now and Diagon alley along with the Leaky Cauldron goes where the games of skill are now, but IDK just guessing.