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

[gotdane]

I really wish someone could have made it out to the park today to get some pictures.

[expeditioneverestfan]

I haven't read a lot of this thread, only seen the pictures on page 99. Is this coaster launched or is there a lift hill. If there is a lift is it vertical or what?

[wados]

damn shame about the delay, i will be in the park in 2 weeks. i guess i will just take some shots of it,

[jjune4991]

nice updates! i got photos yesterday from grad bash, so i'll try and get them up soon!

[Shellemonster]

Picture bonanza indeed.

 

The back brake run and connecting track pieces have unused connector locations sticking out of the sides. Are those for hoops like the ones eventually going up on the lift hill?

[HatetoFLY]

Track is being installed on the lift now...Pictures soon

[sam06pr]

Track is being installed on the lift now...Pictures soon

 

YES GOOD NEWS! Bring the pictures soon!

[Guest]

Well this is a good sign

This in from Themeparkinsider.com

The top of the lift

[sam06pr]

^^^ WOOT WOOT!

[CD]

^yes!

 

I'm so glad construction is finally resuming...

[jarmor]

C'mon guys we knew it had to be complete eventually...lol

[Homeboy23]

This is great news to hear the lift is about to go up.

[jedimaster1227]

As of yesterday there was only one piece of track left in the storage lot. Work is resuming on track installation this week.

[musicmand]

Does anybody else suspect that they are hideously behind schedule for a 2010 opening? At best, 15 months from where they are now to finished product on an entire land? I was hoping that they might have it open by the time my wife and I go to Florida on Spring Break 2010, but I think that's out of the question.

 

15 months before Disney opened Expedition Everest, the 3 structures involved were about halfway done. The foundations were complete 2 years before opening. And that was all for one ride (and the associated theming, of course). Even the prep work started 3 years before opening!

 

Universal definitely has their job cut out for them to build a dozen or more buildings and theme it all. I'm just worried that the tight schedule might lead to a substandard product. I'd almost prefer that they push the opening date back to 2011 and get it done right.

 

I'm looking back on past information, and Universal thought they'd have Hogwarts DONE by late 2008/early 2009. We haven't even seen one structure begin to go up on top of the box.

 

The box itself has only been completed (and by that, I mean enclosed) for a few months now. Assuming the interior was empty until the exterior was completed, the super-mega-robot-arm-ride only has about 18 months to be constructed, themed, and tested. When you're competing with Disney quality theming on such a popular intellectual property, 18 months may not cut it (again, compare that timeline with Expedition Everest). This also means that other high-quality attractions may not find their way into Potter-ville, at least not by opening day.

[netdvn]

^ My guess is that Potter is behind schedule because of HRRR's lift issues on top of the fact that the resort is currently working on two major construction projects at the moment.

 

The opening probably will be delayed, but that gives Universal extra time to perfect the theming.

[Fork]

Universal's license agreement with Warner Brothers states that the themed area must be open by June 30th, 2010, so I wouldn't worry about it being behind schedule.

 

“Grand Openingâ€

[Daytona'95]

Sorry to bring back a pretty much dead topic, but today I received another free ticket from Universal that also came with 1-day 2park admission coupon.(and in no way am I complaining )

I was wondering if anyone else has either received one or know why they might of sent this one on top of the 7 day one.

[Usf geek]

Plus all the facades for Hogsmeade and such are being built off-site, and when Universal is ready for them.. they will all be put In place like a giant jigsaw I imagine. I can't say this for the castle exterior for sure.. but i guess it would most likely be the same method.

[Usf geek]

Looks like about 2 more pieces are needed to be put in..

 

http://www.boards.ioacentral.com/index.php?showtopic=11441&pid=235761&st=2660entry235761

[jkwan]

Man, I'm surprised how fast they put up that lift hill.

[Shellemonster]

I think the speed at which Hagrid's hut was finished off should indicate how this project will go. The structure takes the longest to build, but finishing work is done very fast. If they're behind schedule, they can hire many artisans to come in and work on finishing simultaneously and not worry about much conflict, while the same is not true about building structures as well as the infrastructure within (internet, electricity, etc.).

 

The finishing is what makes the land look remarkable and engrossing.

[musicmand]

Plus all the facades for Hogsmeade and such are being built off-site, and when Universal is ready for them.. they will all be put In place like a giant jigsaw I imagine. I can't say this for the castle exterior for sure.. but i guess it would most likely be the same method.

 

Ah... so maybe they're not as behind as it looks. Where are the insider pics from the offsite building location?

[Shavethewhales]

Heh heh, a month of frantic speculation about what could be going wrong, endless rumors, crying fanboys... and then the lift suddenly springs up as planned all along.

 

I hope we learned something.

[HatetoFLY]

Pics over at Orlando United

 

Lift track installed, only two more pieces and the track will be complete.

I'm going out tomorrow to get some pics...

 

http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10&page=52

[dj snow]

See, what did I tell you? Shamu stopped hogging all the rock, and now the track is nearly complete, lickety-split. There was never any need for worry!