The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[raven24]

I am also hearing that employees aren't getting discounts on Potter merchandise...yikes!

This is true. Employees won't be getting discounts on Potter merchandise until one year after WWoHP opens, so in 2017.

 

[William]

This is true. Employees won't be getting discounts on Potter merchandise until one year after WWoHP opens, so in 2017.

Well, now I'm not so sure if I wanna hear what the story is for annual passholder discounts..!

 

[Allen The Actor]

We probably won't get discounts on Potter merchandise until all the projector bulbs burn out for the 5th time.

Is Orlando like this as well? Like, really, does Universal really have to be THIS obvious about milking Potter for every penny? Like, the merchandise is gonna sell like hot cakes anyway, it's like Frozen. But you don't see Disney removing AP discounts on Frozen merchandise, even when the merchandise was scarce a few times.

 

[Park Man]

This brings up a question I had about the interactive wands. These things are battery powered. Batteries have a limited life. If someone were to buy a wand next week, would it still work in a year's time when Wizarding World opens?

I bought one in Florida last year while visiting Diagon Alley. I'm wondering if it will work at Hollywood's Wizarding World or if the batteries will go dead long before the area opens. Or maybe if the wands will be configured so that a Florida wand won't work in California... <sigh> so many questions...

 

[Ryan]

We probably won't get discounts on Potter merchandise until all the projector bulbs burn out for the 5th time.

Is Orlando like this as well? Like, really, does Universal really have to be THIS obvious about milking Potter for every penny? Like, the merchandise is gonna sell like hot cakes anyway, it's like Frozen. But you don't see Disney removing AP discounts on Frozen merchandise, even when the merchandise was scarce a few times.

This sounds callous, but it's true: in Orlando they don't care because the local fanbase is not NEARLY as huge. They are far more vocal (since they're so narrowed), but far smaller. So it pays off better in the long run.

 

[Alexshow.]

Osaka apparently celebrated the first 3D potter attraction last night which..makes me curious. It seems 3D has been added to FJ over there and this seems interesting..as if someone said this would happen a while back.

 

[Ryan]

It would seem as if USH may get Forbidden Journey in 3D after all. Certainly would warrant a press conference. Obviously it won't debut in IOA until Wizarding World West opens.

 

[12th Man]

Yup it is in 3D according to Universal Japan's website.

https://www.usj.co.jp/e/attraction/att_detail/the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter.html

If it is 3D, they might have to tone down the movements so your glasses don't fly off. Also if they did fly off or someone threw them off and the glasses landed in the track, the whole ride would have to shut down, right.

 

[Alexshow.]

I have just the hope of Hate from OU being right a long time ago on the FJ upgrades for Hollywood now with this..

 

[techmaniac16]

3D is a bad idea in my opinion. The kuka arms already throw you around like craz. You'll have guests complaining left and right about losing their glasses.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Can't say I'm surprised, I've heard that the ride was mastered and filmed in 3D to begin with. I'm curious why make it 3D now? There was obviously a reason Orlando didn't use it. One obvious reason probably being that 3D would affect motion sickness even more, not to mention the ride whips you around.

Idk....part of me is intrigued, and part of me is disappointed. Gonna be yet another attraction to put 3D glasses on at USH. I'll be interested to see if they implement this first in Orlando in the coming months or wait to make it exclusive in the US in Hollywood for a while.

 

[Rox]

We probably won't get discounts on Potter merchandise until all the projector bulbs burn out for the 5th time.

Is Orlando like this as well? Like, really, does Universal really have to be THIS obvious about milking Potter for every penny? Like, the merchandise is gonna sell like hot cakes anyway, it's like Frozen. But you don't see Disney removing AP discounts on Frozen merchandise, even when the merchandise was scarce a few times.

I was at Wizarding World Orlando last summer, and I'm 99% sure that there were no discounts on the HP merch then either. When I was planning my trip, I seem to remember lots of disclaimers excluding HP stuff.

This brings up a question I had about the interactive wands. These things are battery powered. Batteries have a limited life. If someone were to buy a wand next week, would it still work in a year's time when Wizarding World opens?

I bought one in Florida last year while visiting Diagon Alley. I'm wondering if it will work at Hollywood's Wizarding World or if the batteries will go dead long before the area opens. Or maybe if the wands will be configured so that a Florida wand won't work in California... <sigh> so many questions...

From what I understand, they don't have batteries - the wands work by just reflecting a signal off of the bead tips. So it should always work when you go back to Orlando, but I suppose they could still configure the ones in Hollywood with a different signal that might not reflect correctly? But I've been assuming that if we get interactive wands, they'd work the same in both places.

 

[techmaniac16]

It's possible that maybe they will have the 3D glasses mounted on the seats and are adjustable.

I found this on google. Kinda represents what im talking about.



http://hackedgadgets.com/2010/08/12/kuka-robot-arm-turned-into-f1-ferrari-simulator/

 

[Red Carpet]

If our Forbidden Journey is in 3D. Then there is less of a reason for us to have Gringotts. 3D was one of the main advantages Gringotts had over Forbidden Journey.

 

[William]

Well, I'll be the first to admit that I was dead wrong about this..!

From the article that USJ posted on their website, it looks like the 3D glasses are made to look like Quidditch goggles. Maybe they'll actually come with a strap to go around your head so they don't fly off..? 

From what I understand, they don't have batteries - the wands work by just reflecting a signal off of the bead tips. So it should always work when you go back to Orlando, but I suppose they could still configure the ones in Hollywood with a different signal that might not reflect correctly? But I've been assuming that if we get interactive wands, they'd work the same in both places.

I think you're right on this one. Also, welcome to the forums!

 

[Rox]

I think you're right on this one. Also, welcome to the forums!

Thanks! I've been lurking a bit to check in on the HP updates, so I figured I might as well make an account.

 

[RyanTTD]

If our Forbidden Journey is in 3D. Then there is less of a reason for us to have Gringotts. 3D was one of the main advantages Gringotts had over Forbidden Journey.

Apples and oranges.

The two rides have completely different ride systems, stories, and are in two completely different themed lands.  Just because they both share 3D projections does not mean one ride will get built over the other.

If and when Diagon Alley comes to Hollywood, the fact that FJ is in 3D will have zero impact on the decision to build Gringotts or its success/popularity.

 

[Freak]

Have to say I'm very surprised about the decision to make it 3D. I really hope they're strap ons because I would hate for the ride to get toned down even more to have 3D glasses on.

Now if we could just do something about those wind effects for the screens...

 

[Allen The Actor]

My biggest hope with the 3D is that the footage will be bright enough. 3D can be a bit dim, depending on the technology, and I've heard complaints that FJ is a bit dim as-is.

I've been thinking about it, and this might be a great decision afterall. With the intimate nature of the FJ dome screens, the 3D effects would be pretty intense and very immersive, so that'd be cool. Would also create a better blur between the physical sets and animatronics, and the domes.

 

[Red Carpet]

This video shows what the 3D glasses look like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16nOWyXjUao&feature=youtu.be