I was just alerted to it today and hadn’t seen it before. The overlay maps are my own work. So I’m not sure which “various forums” you’re referring to. While I do watch a variety of news sites, I don’t frequent any theme park forums.
bob you are a bad person who is ignorant. You are just jealous because you are not a great writer like Ricky. You should be ashamed of yourself for being so negative and nasty!
I still haven’t had the chance to visit the Wizarding World. I wonder how much of an impact this construction will have on the area that’s already built.
If all the rumors are true, the new construction will have little impact on the existing area. The entrance will be changed the most, but the rest of land should remain as is. And that could be a whole other reason for Universal placing the expansion in an entirely different area. If the existing area was surrounded by construction, it would be less enjoyable and with that area the big money-maker for them right now, they wouldn’t want to hurt it in any way.
From what I’ve been hearing the initial idea was to expand the park throughout the rest of the old are of the park, getting rid of the Sinbad show and the walk thru show, Poseidons Fury. However, since the HP park was too successful for the other park (universal studios). Right now the difference in people that go to IOA compared to Studios is too great. People are not even buying multipark passes now.
As of right now they are building the new Transformer ride in Studios at record speed just to help with the above problem.
So anyways, someone at Universal thought of a geniuos idea. Why not expand HP into Studios. And what even a better idea then that? Giving something to fans of HP what they always wanted to do. Take a train from London to Hogwarts in the Hogwarts express. But here’s the kicker, you need a multipark pass in order to do it. Brilliant I tell you.
Jet, I actually assumed that they figured most people who were visiting the parks were buying multipark passes anyways so did it really matter which park they put it in.
I wonder how this would affect park hopper vs 1 park per day passes…
It seems like they’d have to do something with the Sinbad attraction (stunt show) as well, wouldn’t they? Unless they went underground that building as part of the connection/ride. Great job on the overlay!
Ricky great article- this is fantastic! I know ITM is Disney focused, but thanks so much for covering the Wizarding World stories too. When I visited it last year I was very impressed- I truly think Wizarding World takes theming to a whole new level, and I can’t wait to see more of it. I hope they have a snack cart on the train selling chocolate frogs and caldron cakes! (and butter beer!)
I wonder what US is waiting for? Are they waiting for maybe closer to Disney’s Fantasyland stuff opening, to then announce it to try an steal some of that thunder from them? Also still waiting for news on the other blanks spot where the rumored Transformers may go….
As a train enthusiast I really hope the rumors are true!! However I’m afraid the WDW Limited is still my favorite train with the Knott’s Calico and Ghost Town second.
I don´t think this is going to be just a train ride. The track is going trough the backlot and there is no way Universal is going to theme it all the way. I think they use the Kong tech from USH for this ride and you meet dementors, travel trough the countrieside and see Ron and Harry in the car. Sound this awesome or what.
I agree completely. You definitely won’t have views of the backstage areas. They’ll either wrap the route in screens (like KIng Kong, as you suggested) or the “windows” will be screens. Either way, virtual scenery is a must for this attraction.
I think they are going to build a tunnel and inside the tunnel will be scenery to make it look like the train is moving faster than it really is, like you are speeding to Hogwarts castle to go to wizarding school like a wizard from the books.
I’m very excited to see this all fall in place! It’s all but obvious! They just need to make that darn official announcement (with a date/season of opening preferably) so my family and I can start planning our next visit! 🙂
We visited WWOHP in June and were so impressed! Its like stepping into the movie/book. Looking forward to the expansion. Hoping that it will be done by June of 2014 (our next trip)….but not counting on it. PS-going in the begining of June was rainy but awesome for short lines! Rode FJ 4x’s in a row!
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Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a
sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her
ear aand screamed. Thewre was a hermit crab inside
and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Greetings I am so thrilled I found your website, I really found you by error, while
I was researching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and
would just like to say many thanks for a remarkable
post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your
RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please
do keep up the excellent work.
Hey just wanted to give you a brief heads up and
let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.
Comments for Harry Potter expansion rumors build steam as Universal Orlando reveals backstage work, Hogwarts Express to follow?
bob
wow, found all this on your own, did you? this stuff has been out for days on various forums; way to source.
Ricky Brigante
I was just alerted to it today and hadn’t seen it before. The overlay maps are my own work. So I’m not sure which “various forums” you’re referring to. While I do watch a variety of news sites, I don’t frequent any theme park forums.
Doug
Haters gonna hate… Don’t sweat it Ricky..
Chris C.
Seriously; Bob is a word I word I won’t use on Ricky’s great website.
Jeff Lynch
bob you are a bad person who is ignorant. You are just jealous because you are not a great writer like Ricky. You should be ashamed of yourself for being so negative and nasty!
Brian
I still haven’t had the chance to visit the Wizarding World. I wonder how much of an impact this construction will have on the area that’s already built.
Ricky Brigante
If all the rumors are true, the new construction will have little impact on the existing area. The entrance will be changed the most, but the rest of land should remain as is. And that could be a whole other reason for Universal placing the expansion in an entirely different area. If the existing area was surrounded by construction, it would be less enjoyable and with that area the big money-maker for them right now, they wouldn’t want to hurt it in any way.
Jet
From what I’ve been hearing the initial idea was to expand the park throughout the rest of the old are of the park, getting rid of the Sinbad show and the walk thru show, Poseidons Fury. However, since the HP park was too successful for the other park (universal studios). Right now the difference in people that go to IOA compared to Studios is too great. People are not even buying multipark passes now.
As of right now they are building the new Transformer ride in Studios at record speed just to help with the above problem.
So anyways, someone at Universal thought of a geniuos idea. Why not expand HP into Studios. And what even a better idea then that? Giving something to fans of HP what they always wanted to do. Take a train from London to Hogwarts in the Hogwarts express. But here’s the kicker, you need a multipark pass in order to do it. Brilliant I tell you.
Alex
Jet, I actually assumed that they figured most people who were visiting the parks were buying multipark passes anyways so did it really matter which park they put it in.
I wonder how this would affect park hopper vs 1 park per day passes…
EricJ
And remember, “Falls short of” and “All but confirms”…DOESN’T. That’s why the “but”‘s in there.
Ricky Brigante
Correct. Not confirmed. Not announced. But… highly likely at this point. If it’s something completely different, many will be quite surprised.
Keith Shaw
It seems like they’d have to do something with the Sinbad attraction (stunt show) as well, wouldn’t they? Unless they went underground that building as part of the connection/ride. Great job on the overlay!
Ricky Brigante
Not necessarily. The train could be routed around it. Some rumors suggest it will travel underneath the existing Dragon Challenge coaster track.
Amy-Elizabeth (@brervixen)
This is quite exciting, but I do wish they could have kept Jaws! Can’t wait for more info, thanks for supplying though 🙂
Brandy
Ricky great article- this is fantastic! I know ITM is Disney focused, but thanks so much for covering the Wizarding World stories too. When I visited it last year I was very impressed- I truly think Wizarding World takes theming to a whole new level, and I can’t wait to see more of it. I hope they have a snack cart on the train selling chocolate frogs and caldron cakes! (and butter beer!)
Sherri Connelly
I wonder what US is waiting for? Are they waiting for maybe closer to Disney’s Fantasyland stuff opening, to then announce it to try an steal some of that thunder from them? Also still waiting for news on the other blanks spot where the rumored Transformers may go….
Andy from Disney Parks Planning
Very interesting! Well written, so great job, Ricky.
Nicky
As a train enthusiast I really hope the rumors are true!! However I’m afraid the WDW Limited is still my favorite train with the Knott’s Calico and Ghost Town second.
OT
I don´t think this is going to be just a train ride. The track is going trough the backlot and there is no way Universal is going to theme it all the way. I think they use the Kong tech from USH for this ride and you meet dementors, travel trough the countrieside and see Ron and Harry in the car. Sound this awesome or what.
Ricky Brigante
I agree completely. You definitely won’t have views of the backstage areas. They’ll either wrap the route in screens (like KIng Kong, as you suggested) or the “windows” will be screens. Either way, virtual scenery is a must for this attraction.
Jeff Lynch
I think they are going to build a tunnel and inside the tunnel will be scenery to make it look like the train is moving faster than it really is, like you are speeding to Hogwarts castle to go to wizarding school like a wizard from the books.
Anne
Any ideas when this will open? What year?
Nicole
I’m very excited to see this all fall in place! It’s all but obvious! They just need to make that darn official announcement (with a date/season of opening preferably) so my family and I can start planning our next visit! 🙂
Ron K
Love the hidden Mickey in the first pic.
Brian J.
Hi any ideas how long this will take to build ? We are visting September next year 🙂
April V
We visited WWOHP in June and were so impressed! Its like stepping into the movie/book. Looking forward to the expansion. Hoping that it will be done by June of 2014 (our next trip)….but not counting on it. PS-going in the begining of June was rainy but awesome for short lines! Rode FJ 4x’s in a row!
Shasta
I enjoy reading through a post that can make men andd women think.
Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
Teena
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you
continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
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Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a
sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her
ear aand screamed. Thewre was a hermit crab inside
and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
www.wer-baut-was.ch
Greetings I am so thrilled I found your website, I really found you by error, while
I was researching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and
would just like to say many thanks for a remarkable
post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your
RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please
do keep up the excellent work.
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Hey just wanted to give you a brief heads up and
let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.
Comments are closed.