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

[alpengeist04]

If I had to take a guess, a March 1st opening is doubtful at this stage of construction. I would think sometime in April would be more likely.

[musicmand]

If I had to take a guess, a March 1st opening is doubtful at this stage of construction. I would think sometime in April would be more likely.

 

Exactly what I was thinking, as well... but Universal has managed to get facades up far faster than I had expected, so I figure anything is possible.

[Chroniq]

We were at IOA today... Although my management experience tells me a March 1st soft opening is impossible, we counted nearly a hundred workers on site today...

 

Banisters were added to the castle, the reworked rock facade had a worker in a cherry picker throwing dirt colored cement at it to add to the realism. Hogsmeade sign was fully covered with black trash bags. The amount of progress in the past two days has been incredible from a project management angle.

 

I'l take a bunch of photos tomorrow. Anyone think bringing a DSLR on Dueling Dragons is a bad idea(Ride ops today didn't mind me taping with my iphone and I asked ahead of time)? The view of progress from that angle of Hogsmeade is incredible..

[drewelap]

I heard from a very reliable source that Hogsmeade with open in late February and the ride (Forbidden Journey) won't be ready until June... however construction is behind schedule and workers are pulling overtime so it will most likely be delayed until late July. Hopefully it all goes smoothly!

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.blooloop.com/PressReleases/Augmented-Reality-Experience-Lets-Millions-Embark-on-a-Three-Dimensional-Look-at-The-Wizarding-World-of-Harry-Potter-with-Universal-Orlando/2003

 

Explore the World’s Most Anticipated Theme Park Environment Prior to its Spring 2010 Opening

 

WHAT:

 

On January 28, Universal Orlando Resort and USA TODAY, the nation’s top-selling print newspaper, will partner to provide the first-ever augmented reality map of the world’s most highly anticipated theme park experience - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. With just a computer, webcam and the newspaper, you can make this one-of-a-kind theme park experience appear before your eyes.

 

Augmented Reality blends real-life environments with computer animation allowing you to explore things in a completely new way. For the first time, guests can explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in a unique way – before experiencing it firsthand.

 

By rotating the map, you can take a closer look at this 20-acre magnificently themed environment from all sides and angles. Hogwarts castle will appear before your eyes. Hold the map closer to your webcam and explore Hogsmeade and see the Hogwarts Express. Blow on your computer’s microphone and the banners on the map will wave.

 

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience complete with multiple themed attractions, shops and a restaurant.

 

WHEN:

 

Thursday, January 28 – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Augmented Reality map appears in USA TODAY

[Chroniq]

Here are two construction videos I took yesterday.

 

Disclaimers.

1. Taken with an Iphone so the video is mediocre

2. Video Displays sideways- Someone please help me straighten it

3. I have many additional videos if someone is looking for a specific shot

4. Due to the way this was converted from *.mov to *.wmv to a flash player it lost a good amount of sharpness, so if anyone with more experience editing videos than myself would like the original files you will be able to see things much MUCH clearer.

 

 

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=hogwart1_qlj3[/coastertube]

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=onride_c7bu[/coastertube][/coastertube]

[cgodsey]

Media days are still being reported as April 1st and 2nd but as you know that could change. I wouldn't think they would open the area without the signature attraction though.

[technfxrick]

Does anyone know the current status on this coaster, I'm going to Orlando next week and just wondered if this coaster was still running sporadically

[SharkTums]

From what I understand it's running 'slightly' better, but still has major downtime and issues. If it's a priority for you to get on, keep an eye on it and try to just wait it out each morning you're there.

[technfxrick]

Yeah, Unfortunatly im going for work, so i have very limited windows on when i can get to it, basically Tuesday evening or saturday Morning. Hopefully i can get to it on one of those 2 days. Is it still opening at 11, and if i call ahead is Universal good about telling you when and if it will open?

[SharkTums]

^No, you really can't trust anything that whoever you call at Universal is telling you. The people on the phones are pretty far removed from what's going on with the actual ride.

 

The best thing you can do is go whenever you have free time and be nice, and honest with a cast member at HRRRRRRR and see what they think.

[Chrissie]

They are advertising WoHP on British Tv. There is no opening date given but it can't be too far off as they are looking for bookings! Exciting!

[technfxrick]

Yeah seeing both times i'll only have like 3-4 hours, i dont really want to pay 80 bucks to look at the coaster. Oh well hopefully i can get the credit while im there.

[coastermoosh]

2. Video Displays sideways- Someone please help me straighten it

 

Wouldn't it be easier just turn your phone 90-degrees when shooting video?

[Jew]

Media days are still being reported as April 1st and 2nd but as you know that could change. I wouldn't think they would open the area without the signature attraction though.

 

Could just be a preview/construction tour.

[Jew]

^Luckily for you, you can see the coaster from Citywalk. Of course, there is also no guarantees it will stay running after you buy your ticket to get into the park.

[Chroniq]

Wouldn't it be easier just turn your phone 90-degrees when shooting video?

 

 

Well of course I realize that now.. but thanks!

 

The iphone senses which direction it is being held in so I assumed it would recalulate that direction for video as well... I was wrong.. oh well.. Anyways... If I can get a trial version of quick time pro.. I'll fix everything and clean it up and make it look respectable

[rosscoe]

WHEN:

Thursday, January 28 – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Augmented Reality map appears in USA TODAY

 

 

 

I hope this also come's in the International print edtion

[CD]

Does anyone know the current status on this coaster, I'm going to Orlando next week and just wondered if this coaster was still running sporadically

 

 

Over the past three weeks I have only seen the ride down once, and that was due to the cold weather we experienced earlier in the month, which shouldn't be coming back anytime soon. I think that you should be safe, but as Jew said make sure the ride's running while you're at city walk before you buy your ticket.

[Chroniq]

Cliff notes on this post

 

January 20 and 21st Waits

5 Minutes Single Rider

20-30 Regular Line

 

We were at the park on January 20 and January 21st. I was able to ride at least 6 times each day with only 5 minute waits by using single rider.

 

The regular que was showing wait times of 20 and 30 minutes depending on the time of day. I didn't notice any difference between "good trains" and "rough trains", but seriously, all those brake runs...

 

From a General Public perspective, my wife will ride hulk and dueling dragons because she feels comfortable on B&M's but wouldn't ride HRRR because of the vertical lift hill. Even after I explained to her the coaster was fairly forceless. So their whole angle of marketing this as more of a family coaster was lost on her...

 

I saw no down time and cast members were trying really hard to load quickly.One of the problems that slows down loading (other than the magic carpet which I doubt will ever work) is that most guests can't pull down the side lapbar on their own or don't know how to, so it slows down the load that much more.. If you have the strength to move your own lapbar after sitting or you are likely to get stapled in. Also you are helping do your part moving the que along.

 

THey were dispatching trains at twice the speed at dueling dragons even with the additional capicity of each train simply since the average guest can pull down on their own restraint.

 

Oh one more thing.. They had the LED's on the trains running all day so you'll at least see some lights if you have my luck.

[jedimaster1227]

Univeral Orlando has sent us a great new photo of Hogwarts to promote the impending opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

The magical transformation continues. Although still very much a work in progress, the magnificence of Hogwarts castle is beginning to take shape above Hogsmeade as work continues on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hogwarts will be the home of a thrilling, new, state-of-the-art attraction - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - that uses ground-breaking technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced. Set to open in Spring 2010 only at Universal Orlando Resort, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature multiple themed attractions, shops and a restaurant.

 

Photo Credit: Kevin Kolczynski, Universal Orlando Resort

[Chrissie]

Wow!! It looks amazing! Hope the ride lives up to the exterior.

[traincrossin]

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is actually using the moving platform for loading! Here are two crappy YouTube videos of it.

 

[Homeboy23]

Was it just me or the video or did the train still stop? Doesn't look like a moving platform is needed if it still stops.

[Moose]

To me, it didn't seem like the trains stopped, it looks like they keep moving right along the platform.

 

It's great that it looks like the peoplemover system is finally working. Hope it doesn't have too many gremlins still in the system.