The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[Aaron]

Well done, you basically 100% confirmed Hippogriff for us

Interesting...this still looks like part of Hogsmeade to me, how do you know it will be part of the Great Hall!?  But that does confirm the "magic touch" for our Wizarding World

It's been confirmed for over a year now. And he's talking about the Hogwarts Façade, not the rumored dining venue.

 

[...]

To clarify, that pic is just to illustrate the material being used. The framing is actually the outside walls of the Great Hall and its sitting between the show building for FJ and Hogsmeade.

 

[William]

Here are some progress shots I took yesterday:

This Springfield/Hogsmeade painting transition on the side of the future Barney's Bowlarama façade suggests, and possibly confirms, that this could be the site for The Three Broomsticks patio seating.

The view from the Studio Tour bridge on an overcast day.

Miscellaneous machinery, supports, and slightly recognizable set pieces.

Another look at the newly installed HVAC ducts and the stonework mural on the side of the building (it's quite evident now that this will only cover half of the building's height).

A closer look at the new skeletal framing for the surrounding embellishments around the Great Hall.

The current progress of Hogwarts Castle, as seen from the last portion of the Shrek queue.

 

[Imdbman]

To clarify, that pic is just to illustrate the material being used. The framing is actually the outside walls of the Great Hall and its sitting between the show building for FJ and Hogsmeade.

So to be totally clear, will that actually be a dining venue or simply part of the castle walkthrough?

 

[William]

Okay, time for the Potter dweeb to clarify.

Generally speaking, The Great Hall is a portion of Hogwarts Castle in the books and films, and is a very pivotal location of the castle. Ever since our WWoHP was confirmed (and probably even before then), rumors were swirling around that we would be receiving an exclusive dining experience themed to the Great Hall. Many different ideas and propositions have gone around for years, but nothing has been confirmed to this date. By looking at the progress and location of our Wizarding World, it doesn't appear as though any experience of the sort is coming. As for the queue for Forbidden Journey, the Great Hall is not a part of the walkthrough whatsoever. While the location does appear once on the ride itself (spoiler alert?), guests do not have the ability to physically walk through the set. When the members above mentioned the Great Hall, they simply referred to this portion of the show building façade:

The photo posted by "..." that displays the house-like metal forms was taken back during the construction of the façade for Minion Mayhem. Those three structures are the houses of Gru's neighbors that cover up the queue for the ride. He simply posted the photo to give an idea of what metal forms he saw on the site of WWoHP.

 

[Imdbman]

Oh, I see what you're saying now...forgot that was part of the castle too.  Thanks for the clarification, William! 

 

[Allen The Actor]

It's kind of surreal looking at the skeletal structure of Hogwarts, especially at this point in construction. Almost looks like a CGI model being constructed.

 

[William]

The structural framing for the Great Hall is up!! Photo taken from Westcoaster's Instagram page:

 

[Allen The Actor]

I know we're not getting a Great Hall restaurant obviously, but it IS a missed opportunity. I would've paid so much money to eat in it, and see some occasional shows inside (wand dueling) or experience the Sorting Hat. Oh well!

 

[Imdbman]

Woah, that was really fast!!  And it looks like they started scaffolding too!

The structural framing for the Great Hall is up!! Photo taken from Westcoaster's Instagram page:

 

[William]

That scaffolding is a sign that the castle will finally be getting covered up soon by sheathing, probably the Great Hall to begin with.

Can't remember exact details, but one of the recent IU podcasts entailed a bet made among the hosts about when all the steelwork for the castle would be up completely. Looks like we may find out the answer any day now..!

 

[Allen The Actor]

I actually love that we get to see Hogwarts being built. In Orlando, didn't they basically piece it together on site? It was constructed off site in pieces.

 

[William]

We also have the luxury of multiple unobstructed viewing angles. Gotta love having it on the top of a hill!

 

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[William]

Look at all of the snow in that first photo!

Also, it looks like the main path in our rendition of Hogsmeade is drastically narrower than its predecessors.. Maybe my eyes are tricking me, but everything seems more compact, right down to the Hogwarts Express platform and the locker station beside it.

 

[12th Man]

Look at all of the snow in that first photo!

Also, it looks like the main path in our rendition of Hogsmeade is drastically narrower than its predecessors.. Maybe my eyes are tricking me, but everything seems more compact, right down to the Hogwarts Express platform and the locker station beside it.

Yeah it looks much more narrow. It might just be the angle of the camrea. I hope it isn't even narrower than orlandos because it is a nightmare when it is busy there.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Look at all of the snow in that first photo!

Also, it looks like the main path in our rendition of Hogsmeade is drastically narrower than its predecessors.. Maybe my eyes are tricking me, but everything seems more compact, right down to the Hogwarts Express platform and the locker station beside it.

I think it's an illusion. It might be more compact or not, but I think it's because all of the buildings have scaffolding up, which adds a layer on to the already tight Hogsmeade. I think it's the scaffolding.

 

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https://www.youtube.com/embed/HXzM11MlmRg?feature=oembed     Big differences in Wizarding World Japan that I believe have not been mentioned, especially the third video

 

[Allen The Actor]

Definitely looks like a major improvement. Would be interesting to see if ours is even more of an improvement in anyway with the layout or anything.

I'd love that Hogwarts Express cabin photo opp!

 

[b4ben24]

We better get that wand shop...