Universal Orlando Resort (USF, IOA, Epic) Discussion Thread

[BeemerBoy]

^ I agree. I believe we need to get back to serious, informative posts. HRRRRRRR's construction is no laughing matter.

[alpengeist04]

The scaffolding has nothing to do with the lift delay.

 

Yea, I've heard many rumors over the last couple of weeks. I guess I'm just hoping it was something simple like the scaffolding rumor.

[hammersfan357]

Is the ANY chance this is going to be open between 5th June and 19th June?

[cfc]

^Universal hasn't announced any specific date--their Web site still says "Spring 2009." So, technically, they have until June 21 to make that deadline.

[rawrtotheargh]

^ But it may still go beyond the that deadline as well. *knocks on wood* They just hope it will be ready by said time.

[King_K.]

The construction wall in front of the fire station is now down. The landscaping is done, the street sealed and painted and touchup work is being done to the supports and track. The firehouse facade is nearly complete. As for the lift tower, they are running conduit up it, so don't expect the lift tower to be coming down as once rumored.

 

 

 

[CD]

Thanks for the great news King_K!

 

 

I'm glad they finally finished the epic fail... lol. I'm also glad to hear that the paint is being touched up after seeing how horrible it looked.

 

Hopefully they'll be able to install the lift (fixing whatever may be wrong with it) and begin testing before too long. Spring opening anyone? lol

[alpengeist04]

The construction wall in front of the fire station is now down. The landscaping is done, the street sealed and painted and touchup work is being done to the supports and track. The firehouse facade is nearly complete. As for the lift tower, they are running conduit up it, so don't expect the lift tower to be coming down as once rumored.

 

 

 

 

Where have I read that update before.

 

...It's good news though.

[hammersfan357]

Any photo's KK?

[Shellemonster]

Sounds like Universal got a fresh load of rock in. That's great news about the firehouse.

[Shellemonster]

When it comes to this forum, any news is good news. I know I get very happy when there is a message in my email saying that there is a new post on the Harry Potter page, so let's do some speculation study to liven up your Sunday...

 

In this picture, provided by the kind King_K. who does a wonderful job of keeping us updated, it appears that work has begun on the Hogwarts Express foundation.

 

 

According to the owl's eye view, that is almost exactly where the train should be popping out of a tunnel.

 

Continuing the speculation, you should check out the illustration below. I thought that bright spot in the middle was a Lava Monster, but unfortunately it seems to only be another archway. The importance of this is that this indicates there will be a defined line between Hogwarts grounds and Hogsmeade.

 

To the left of the demised lava beast, there is an obnoxiously bright spot. We're in Hogwarts by that time, in fact we're right next to the lake, so how does that fit in thematically? Because it a ride. There is a large mountain next to that bright spot that hides the lake and the giant squid (see illustration for an artist interpretation). There is no overriding reason for a mountain to be there (that is unless it forms the quidditch pitch backdrop like in the movies, but that leads to a whole bunch more speculation kids) so it could be a ride or show building. Heck, I used the concept of a mountain concealing a ride building in a competition and it worked out quite well for me, so it could work Universal just as well.

 

Now it's your turn...

Harry Potter and the Restless Fans

[Erik Johnson]

Some type of crane looks to be back.

 

 

I stole this photo from Screamscape, just to give it due credit.

[CoasterEricHP]

There's definately some signs of hope! Maybe there was never a major problem to begin with! Maybe there are only 5 construction guys working on the coaster to save money! haha.

 

Well, if they can somehow get the lift up in the next week or two and assuming the trains are on site somewhere or are delivered shortly.. we could see this testing by early May!

[TheHulk]

Never been so glad to see a crane. Hopefully things pick back up on the lift and the entire thing can get moving forward once again.

[Worra315]

Some type of crane looks to be back.

 

 

I stole this photo from Screamscape, just to give it due credit.

 

Sorry but it seems those pics are dated for March 16th....

[netdvn]

^ Are you sure its not pic #316 on the guy's camera?

[Homeboy23]

db_2009_0316_rockit11_1__185.jpg

 

2009_0316 looks like a date to me.

[justint87]

Yeah, that picture was from an March 16th update.

 

There was an update today (April 20th) as well but if you read the update, he said:

Meanwhile another reader snapped up a couple of new pictures of the track where it blasts through the building near Twister.

If you look at those pictures, the date on it says April 20th or "2009_0420_Rockit2"

 

Here is that picture if you all are interested:

*From screamscape.com

[Hockeyman55]

^ I took those pics Saturday afternoon on my phone and sent them to Screamscape then. I didn't really take any on Sunday so I'm not sure if much work was done then.

[hammersfan357]

I may be wrong here, but Ive just had a look at some pictures from the Harry Potter construction in IOA, and there seems to be a large blue crane there. Is it not just a possibility that Universal wanted to keep costs down, so sent the crane to IOA whilst they finished the remainder - and then bring the crane back once thats done? Just a thought......

[jmicha]

^If there is indeed a blue crane over at IoA, then that is a very possible explanation as to why it has gone missing from HRRR. Technically, there is no real argument for there being a problem other than the weird change of pace of construction. This, however, really doesn't mean that there is a problem. It is possible that the plan was to finish most of the trackwork quickly so that the crane could indeed be sent elsewhere while the smaller details could be worked on, then sent back to finish any remaining trackwork. I'm thinking they are right no schedule and that the strange change of pace was planned and, although not typical, will turn out just fine.

[King_K.]

There is a huge crane at IOA. Saw it when I was there on the 10th, but it's not the same one they were using for Rockit, this crane is Red..

 

Here's a picture of it I was able to snap.

 

[hammersfan357]

This is the photo I found on the Briandom website, If its not "the" crane, it certainly looks like it!

[rydrmr9]

Yes it does^! hopefully thats whats going on with the weird construction.

[JT3000]

That isn't Rockit's crane. They wouldn't use a crane that tall to put up a relatively short building.