Hogwarts Express
Universal Orlando: Screamscape is reporting that the Hogwarts Train will travel on an elevated roadway between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
From Rob Pastor
Posted February 13, 2012 at 6:33 PM
Two trains will travel on an elevated roadway on the streets behind Mummy & Disaster. Train stations will reportedly be on the second level at the Jaws Amity area and near the Sinbad theatre on Islands.
From Rob Pastor
Posted February 13, 2012 at 8:56 PM
Dom: That was just a typo, similar to your "spelt".
From N B
Posted February 14, 2012 at 12:39 AM
Dom, stick to Disney and your Fast Passes. You have posted twice that you are done with Universal.... if the Potter rumors are true, it will be amazing.
Potter phase 2 will complete the USF expansion once and for all, I would think. Having the parks linked together via Hogwarts Express is genius. I am convinced the Jaws / Amity area will be exaclty what we all suspected this whole time. The timing on Roberts post of the leaked plans to overshadow Disnney's one more day" (Feb 29th) anouncement seems to be a hot topic on some of the Disney forums.
One thing is clear, even the Disney die-hards dislike the Avatar idea (at least from the 100 or so posts I read).
I have to admit, I'm kind of in Dom's camp this time around and I never thought I'd have to say that. All I could do was **FacePalm** when I read this one. I could go into Logistics but no one tends to listen to me when I do, so I'll just be content to roll my eyes tonight.
That I swear I'm going to laugh long and hard, with much finger pointing, if it isn't a WWoHP expansion. Oh yes, lots and LOTS of finger pointing and giggling shall be had.
Back to fence sitting on this matter.
Carrie - your response is exactly the same as mine.
I have this belief deep down that they just wouldnt do it. Get rid of Sinbad (please!) and expand Potter that way...
But I'll join you on the fence. (and then perhaps in the finger pointing!) :-)
N B, 'twice" is a pretty conservative number for Dom's posts about his Universal "boycott."
Dom, there's no such word as "spelt." And you put a capital "A" in YOUR Hogwarts. Let he who is perfect cast the first stone. Something about pots and kettles, anyone?
From Rob Pastor
Posted February 14, 2012 at 8:05 AM
The bottom line on all of this is probably simple economics. USF is sure to lag behind Islands without a Potter expansion into USF. Plus, the Potter brand is so strong that Universal will probably ultimately expand into the Lost Continent area of Islands. Whatever you think of Potter, Universal's Potter theming to date has been brilliant. Not only does it bring the Potter "minions" into the equation, but it also attracts the non Potter crowd. As an example, my girlfriend and I never had the least interest in the Harry Potter phenomena. Before we visited Islands, we watched part of one of the movies to get the background. But once we visited Islands last May we were completely blown away with the attractions & theming. I'm sure that happens with countless others. A successful Potter area in USF is a win win situation. The more profit Universal makes, the more they can upgrade their existing attractions and bring in new unique attractions. Before Potter, Universal was in a slump. Their infrastructure was deteriorating and attendance had fallen. Now, they're converting those profits into improved parks. And the more they improve their parks, the more Disney will answer in kind. Whether you like Potter or not, we should all be happy for the outcomes resulting from the Potter economic machine..
Regarding the capitalized "A"..D-OH! I should have realized that, Dom. Sorry.
Now get your you-know-what over to the main page and vote for your namesake coaster..DOM-inator!
*EDIT* I see you already voted, Dom. :(
We all know this is a money scam from Universal.
"Sorry, but you can't see the WHOLE WWOHP, unless you buy a TWO PARK pass. That will be 35 more dollars, please!"
Trolls?
Love you too, Dom. You're not one to call others trolls (someone who intentionally annoys someone, Mike), Mr. I Can't Post Without Saying Universal Sucks Or Posting A South Park Video. Goodness, you really are a large pain in the butt. Always. Not sometimes: ALWAYS.
And thus, my rant is complete. For the record, I love the Hogwarts Express idea, if they expand WWOHP to USF.
i think this is very cool. :).
Dom i think it The other way around
Amen, brotha!
Andy, I know what trolls are. It's just that it's hard to communicate sarcasm and disbelief on a message board. My intent was more, "Hey, Dom..trolls? Not sure who you're referring to there, buddy..."
From N B
Posted February 14, 2012 at 8:21 PM
I should write a thesis on the Disney vs Universal rivalry..... I could go on for pages and pages. USF is and will always be the underdog when it comes to attendance. Does anyone who is spending a week in Disney actually purchase tickets for one park only?
I keep reading about how people see the possible expansion of Potter into the sister park as a money grab to sell 2 park tickets. Anyone who is planning a week long on-site stay at Universal automatically receives 14 day park hoppers as part of a vacation package, at least we always have.
If I remember correctly, Disney was the first on the list to be offered a deal for a Harry Potter themed area. They passed on the idea because of the creative control JK Rowling insisted on having and the money she was asking for.
Something tells me if WDW was planning the same move by linking two parks with a shared / themed area and the transportation system was an immersive ride itself, it would be a stroke of genius.
From Fred Koury
Posted February 14, 2012 at 9:33 PM
Encouraging a "park hopper" kind of deal to experience the whole potter deal is right out of Disney's playbook. What's the big deal business is business. Besides there's plenty to do at both IOA and USF. Not for 7the to 10the days but maybe 3 to 4.
From Tim Odom
Posted February 15, 2012 at 9:27 AM
The entire idea of theme parks is not 'omg awesome rides!!!!!' but it's to get your money. The more time you spend there, the more money you will spend. The more walking you do, the more of the park(s) you will see, the more money you will potentially spend. Every new big ride is not there for the 'omg it's awesome'-ness of it, but for your money. Those that complain about Universal wanting you to hit both of their parks might be wise to remember Disney wants you in all 4 of their parks, and does stuff to make it easier to spend 4 days in the parks (instead of park hopping.)
Would a Potter expansion in USF be a money grab? Oh yeah, completely. As is every expansion in every park ever. This is, quite honestly, a well thought out money grab, that goes with the space restrictions they have.
Like i have said before this is a genius idea. Oh
and shut the f%#ck up dom. There i said what everyone has always wanted to say. You are an annoying brat who knows nothing. Universal and everyone here doesnt really give a crap about you boycott or that u are having a bad day. Jimmy was awful and jaws was old and corny.
Javi, I guess you missed James Koehl's speech :)
From Tony Duda
Posted February 15, 2012 at 2:19 PM
Carrie, if by Logistics you mean how to go between UFS and IOA via the train, it seems easy to me. Every train station has a ticket booth, the traveler has to go there to get the train ticket. Instead of forking over money, they just show the 2-park day or annual pass and get a train ticket. They then just go to the platform and wait for the train. The capacity of each train determines how many tickets the booth issues for each trip. If you don't have the right ticket, you don't get to go into the train station. And I'm sure off to one side is an actual ticket booth that would be happy to upgrade your 1-park pass for a nominal fee.
I've never wanted to say that.
Javi that was was not um kind maybe you should be banned, only a few days on TPI and he has already gone bat crap crazy
Dom, your embedded video is also uncalled for as it is irrelevant to the topic of Hogwarts Express.
Adding a way to connect both parks is brilliant. As a guest you will get express entrance into the WWoHP faster and get a ride instead of a walk, and as a park they will greatly increase the sale of 2-park tickets and annual passes. Also with the addition of the express should come the entire London area, which will give us a new dark ride/indoor coaster in the Gringotts bank ride. It should be a thrilling ride that everyone will enjoy. And if people are really this stressed about new potter despicable me will open soon and the construction going on between the Simpsons and MIB is looking like its going to be transformers. So UO will not be Potter Studios. It will just be an updated better park. Old rides have to leave for new ones to come in. That's life.
sorry if i insulted u but i don't feel bad u are too annoying.Ur comments and immaturity have pushed me over the edge.
Manny, I won't defend Javi because I believe his comment was out of line. But he's been here longer than you have, so your comment is out of line too.
From N B
Posted February 15, 2012 at 7:31 PM
I can't believe he did it again..... Dom, what is wrong with you?
Well doesn't seen that way doesn't post much and look at his text above really???
Dom, Javi, Manny,
You all need to settle down. If you want to insult each other and act like middle schoolers then you need to do it with a private message. The rest of us don't need to see your juvenile antics. Okay?
I'm waiting for Universal to announce that the attraction replacing 'Jaws' is a ride based on 'Jersey Shore' ... bringing all this speculation to a crashing end.
From Rob Pastor
Posted February 16, 2012 at 7:59 AM
Getting back on topic. The Hogwarts Express will also probably be an added attraction. The info, through leaked sources, indicates it might be similar to the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride in that Harry Potter landscapes will be imagined on the journey, but of course with present day higher technology...To those doubting these leaks. This is one of the ways promotions are marketed in the movie business. Purposeful leaks are a marketing tool used to pique interest and make it more of an event. Anyone that has been a part of the business is quite aware of official leaking of information prior to official media statements. Its a great way to create a buzz...Also the hard evidence is backing up all of this info that Mr. Niles originally brought up and is being re-iterated by most of the major web sites. Universal has requested permits to tear down the Lost Continent buildings leading to the train station adjacent to Sinbad Theatre & the back of Dragon Challenge. Also, survey markers have been posted along the proposed express route. There is very little doubt that the scenario Mr. Niles presented for New Years is what the end product will be.
TH, I like that idea..but only if we keep the shark for the cast to interact with..a real shark, that is.
Has anybody heard whether or not the expansion is going to take up any more of the Lost Continent or is it only going to be the Jaws area and the backstage area needed for the Hogwarts Express?
From Rob Pastor
Posted February 16, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Mike: Good point. The cast of Jersey Shore deserves to be shark food. But, would they give the Great White indigestion?
Tim I am a middle schooler homeschooled in fact Yessss!!!!
From Rob Pastor
Posted February 16, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Tim: I haven't heard anything substantial concerning that area. I'd like to see Universal replace Sinbad, its a really lame show. I read a few accounts in the past that said Rowlings contract had certain restrictions on using live actors to portray the main characters in a live show. But they could probably do something recreating the atmosphere of the books. They do have those live shows in Hogsmeade, but they don't have major characters. Of course, Rowling could always change her mind. She has to be very pleased with the outcome thus far.
From Rob Pastor
Posted February 16, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Dom: Snooki's over abundance of make-up would surely cause Jaws to throw up profusely.
Wow, this has gotten out of hand pretty quickly.
Rob:
Probably. I'm from Jersey, and they make ME sick..so why not Bruce?
From Tony Duda
Posted February 16, 2012 at 6:52 PM
IICR, only one cast member of Jersey Shore is actually from New Jersey. You can blame New York and New England for the rest.
Okay, we are NOT going to start mocking Snookie.
From Rob Pastor
Posted February 16, 2012 at 7:49 PM
Snookie is a mock of Snookie...I saw a picture of her last week sans make-up & you would never know it was the same person.
Anthony since when there is construction between the Simpson and men in black?
From N B
Posted February 17, 2012 at 1:15 PM
I have a hunch the "leaked" plans for the Gringott's coaster / simulated 3D dark ride came directly from Univeral PR. A few hours before the "major Disney announcement" on New Years Eve.....
Then there is "Hey, we are tearing down Jaws and Amity" which is a huge area perfect for HP 2.0, but we are not saying anything about what is going there.
Lastly, someone reported there are markers all along the path from Amity to the back of IOA near Sinbad that would suggest something is going there.
IOA: hugely popular due to HP
UO: Well, it doesn't have HP.... but let's double up the HP area at IOA... I think maybe not....
This is a quick mockup I did in Photoshop. I think it would work out perfectly, except Sinbad has to go.
By the way, none of the formats posted on here work for inserting images into posts. I had to trial and error this until I got it right.
From Rob Pastor
Posted February 17, 2012 at 7:42 AM
NB:I agree with you. All indications are that the leaks were sanctioned & planned, especially that there was so much detail & the timing, as you said. By the way, some of the Lost Continent village buildings adjacent to Sinbad are going to be demolished (permits have been applied for), so that will probably be the location of the qeue & train express building. Nice design mock-up. That's the kind of embedding that is positive to the site.
NB, In one fell swoop you have just eliminated both stunt shows in Universal Orlando. That means that during Halloween Horror Nights, Bill and Ted would have to move into the Beetlejuice venue which I belive is smaller than the Fear Factor stadium. The Fear Factor stadium was already crowded, so that may mean that Bill and Ted will have to do more shows each night in order to handle the crowds.
If both stunt shows are eliminated, would Universal build a new venue for a new stunt show? There is room between MIB and the Simpsons. They could build a new venue there that could be used for a stunt show as well as HHN. Then there is that stadium in Toon Lagoon (has it ever been used?). Maybe they have plans for that.
If they did away with Sinbad, they really need to rename the Lost Continent. Maybe they could start calling it Atlantis and claim that part of it sunk under the sea (of money they will make with the Potter expansion). It sure would work with the theming of Poseidon's Fury.
From N B
Posted February 17, 2012 at 1:13 PM
Hi Tim,
The white building to the lower right of the former Jaws area is Fear Factor live. I believe I only blacked out the Jaws and Amity area.
Over in IOA, there are other possibilities for an unloading dock / queue for train platform, but they would have to "Rip Ride Rockit" that thing into place between other attractions.
All of this is speculation of course, but it sure makes a lot of sense.
I like the live shows at USF / Disney, but do guests really see a show more than once during thier vacations? We typically only see the makeup show, T2 3D etc... only one time each on our week long stays. I don't think it would be that bad to eliminate Sinbad. I would hate to see any of the Lost Continent go, but Sinbad is the one I think people would be willing to trade for an expansion.
I saw some pictures of kiosks behind the Lost continent a while ago, I still don't know what they are for unless IOA has put them to use.
I'm like a kid with a new toy at TPI with the ability to embed (topic relevant) pictures...
I am also wondering how they would handle the loading areas in each park so only people with park hoppers could get in the queues.
From N B
Posted February 17, 2012 at 1:17 PM
My HTML tag for embedding images allows for custom image sizes, I changed the width to 450....
I had never really looked in to the purpose of the kiosks back there, but a cool find. Thanks for posting.
N B said: "I'm like a kid with a new toy at TPI with the ability to embed
(topic relevant) pictures..."
Love that :P
Gee,Todd, it sounds just like the replacement for Disaster Transport at Cedar Point for 2013. You'd think that Universal could come up with something original.
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