The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[Aaron]

As many of you are now aware, the area in front of Production Central has been completely walled off. In fact, the construction walls are placed so far out that the walkway between Production Central and Potter is quite narrow.

While at the park yesterday, I noticed something very interesting. Just behind the walls in front of Production Central (to the right of its entrance, to be specific) are a few newly planted fir trees that are extremely similar to the ones found in the entry plazas to the WWoHP in both Orlando and Japan. They happen to be placed conveniently across from the future entrance of Hogsmeade...

Just a highly interesting and exciting tidbit I thought I'd post!

This, the Berm, and the Palm Trees by the Studio Tour entrance? 

 

[William]

Our park needs foliage! Aside from Jurassic Park, our park is nearly just buildings and construction sites. If these trees really are for Potter and make for better photos, I'll be bouncing off the walls.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Don't think for a minute that I was calm about this. I frightened the guests next to me upon first glance of those trees.

I wonder why they've placed them so early on, though. Are they going to be used to hide the view of Production Central when exiting Hogsmeade through the main arch, or do they have something bigger planned behind those walls?

What I wouldn't give to have seen that!!! The visual in my head is glorious aha.

I don't know why they put the trees up so early and why there, but I'm not complaining even one second, I absolutely love it. Most of the park had been concrete or bland buildings. Foliage does so much!

 

[Aaron]

Our park needs foliage! Aside from Jurassic Park, our park is nearly just buildings and construction sites. If these trees really are for Potter and make for better photos, I'll be bouncing off the walls.

Oh I know haha. It's just funny seeing it all being planted at once. That was my biggest fear (and my biggest complaint when I went to the original in 2010), being able to easly see the outside where the Hogwart Express Locomotive/ Zonkos area was. It was a minor problem but glad to see they're acknowledging it in our version.

 

[...]

They're only putting trees in early because they're repaving that entire area with whatever planters and nice paving are going to be there in 2016 and they're getting it done now before the temporary path in front of the arch needs to leave again. Nothing more.

 

[William]

I also must say, it was a brilliant move to place ads for the land along the walls that enclose it. I always see guests pointing to it and talking about returning when it opens.

They're only putting trees in early because they're repaving that entire area with whatever planters and nice paving are going to be there in 2016 and they're getting it done now before the temporary path in front of the arch needs to leave again. Nothing more.

Glad to know this really is for Potter, then! So for clarification, are you saying that the re-pavement taking place behind the walls will stay beyond 2016 or just until?

 

[...]

I have no insider knowledge but why repave this now? They're getting the biggest artery in the park and finishing it before crowds get bad for 2015. That includes planters and repairing all the junk left behind from demolition that couldn't get fixed before. They would've done it earlier but Flintstones was in the way for that alternative path. Once the walls come down, expect themed paving, some nice Potter planters and the "newer" path that is open right now to go back behind walls until the land opens.

 

[Aaron]

A photo from Instagram. User says it was taken on Sunday, so much excitement! 

 

[b4ben24]

I saw on Inside Universal Facebook that they are putting the castle up and trees! I need a photo now! I will go to the park on Saturday for the new Shrek and this!

 

[JaySalahi]

A photo from Instagram. User says it was taken on Sunday, so much excitement! 

AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bonkers]

A photo from Instagram. User says it was taken on Sunday, so much excitement! 

I'm dreaming right?

 

[Allen The Actor]

I'm not exaggerating even one percent when I say:

My stomach just dropped and I got teary eyed when I saw that picture after the page loaded. It's honestly a huge understatement when I say I'm unbelievably excited for this.

SO...in other words....

OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODDDDDDDDDDDDDD*breathe*AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

 

[Alexshow.]

i'm wondering here...they wouldn't be done with scaffolding that building earlier right? what if some of the pine trees come up soon on that side..for the new shrek line and a taste of the Potter.

 

[jay]

Oh I would've loved to see where progress is at, in person. I was at Citywalk today and while I wasn't there to go renew/purchase a pass, I walked to the ticketbooths. but then walked away. Next year.

 

[William]

I am not well.

 

[Imdbman]

I'm dreaming right?

A photo from Instagram. User says it was taken on Sunday, so much excitement! 

Wow, this is amazing!  I'll be in the park tomorrow, so I'll take more awesome pictures of this for you guys!  However, I did go up to Mulholland Drive and attempted to take good aerial shots of the park on my iPhone.  Sorry if they're a bit blurry, though I tried to edit them on Photoshop.

 

[Aaron]

They moved the frames for the top of the Grand Staircase Tower in front of the FJ Building. Hogwarts is going to go up soon... it's all happening so fast.  :wacko:

 

[Imdbman]

They moved the frames for the top of the Grand Staircase Tower in front of the FJ Building. Hogwarts is going to go up soon... it's all happening so fast.  :wacko:

I know!  It's insane!  I certainly did not expect the snow to already be appearing on the roofs of Hogsmeade this week!  Do you all think that maybe Harry Potter could potentially open somewhat ahead of schedule?

In fact, I was literally just driving around the studios down Barham Boulevard and saw one of the Hogsmeade buildings under construction just driving.  I'll also be at the park tomorrow and will have more to take for you guys!

 

[...]

It's not gonna open early. Potter doesn't open without Forbidden Journey or Hippogriff so expect Spring 2016 like Despicable Me.

 

[Imdbman]

It's not gonna open early. Potter doesn't open without Forbidden Journey or Hippogriff so expect Spring 2016 like Despicable Me.

You may be right about that.  Although at this rate, they could easily be done with construction by the end of next year.