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

[cfc]

^^I believe that's "Hungarian Horntail," although "Hornball" would be more amusing.

[SharkTums]

^I know, but I'm going to call it Hornball!!! It's just so terrible!!

[Electerik]

Well, Harry Potter is a series of novels. ("Young adult" novels, but still.) Toon Lagoon and Marvel still seem more objectionable, in terms of height requirements.

[ginzo]

The 48'' does seem a bit high for the Harry Potter ride, but perhaps the ride will be better than any of us gave it credit for being!!!

 

I really hope it is. Raising prices this much for just a new themed area is lame-o.

[cfc]

^I know, but I'm going to call it Hornball!!! It's just so terrible!!

 

Then "Hornball" it shall be.

 

Beware the Hungarian Hornball,

A dragon as broad as it's tall.

For when he flys by,

He might poke out your eye,

Which wouldn't be any fun a'tall.

[nursemelis374]

I think it is cool they named them that, I figured they would choose those two since Harry battled the HornTAIL in the 1st task of the Triwizard Tournament. I can't remember who chose the other one.

 

I can't wait for this! Unfortunately, I may not make it out there until 2011 since so many other tempting trips (Australia, Japan)are sucking up my funds and time off!

 

Thanks for posting these!

[freekeee]

Haven't we known what the dragons are going to be called for ages? They were the 2 that came top of the poll on the website anyway, but I'm sure its been mentioned somewhere else.

[alpengeist04]

So basically it's now DC:Horntail and DC:Fireball, instead of DD:Fire and DD:Ice.

 

 

 

...or Hornball for short.

 

 

 

Perhaps I'll just call it Dueling Dragons.

[jedimaster1227]

^I know, but I'm going to call it Hornball!!! It's just so terrible!!

 

Then "Hornball" it shall be.

 

Beware the Hungarian Hornball,

A dragon as broad as it's tall.

For when he flys by,

He might poke out your eye,

Which wouldn't be any fun a'tall.

 

You are my idol Chuck... Just wanted to let you know!

[dandaman]

Universal Orlando just posted a nice picture of the Hogwarts Express' steam effects.

 

ADMIN EDIT: I have added the official caption the Universal Orlando attached to the photo.

 

DAN EDIT: Thanks.

The Hogwarts Express arrives at Hogsmeade Station as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter continues to develop at Universal Orlando Resort. As guests enter Hogsmeade, they will be greeted by the iconic, smoke-billowing steam engine, made famous in the Harry Potter books and films for transporting students to a world of magic and wonder. Opening 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

Edited March 5, 2010 by dandaman

[Swiminn6]

The 48'' does seem a bit high for the Harry Potter ride, but perhaps the ride will be better than any of us gave it credit for being!!!

 

I really hope it is. Raising prices this much for just a new themed area is lame-o.

 

48" is NOT high at all IMO!!!! This is supposed to be a thrill ride and that seems very reasonable besides the fact that DD or DC is 54". Also they didn't raise that much now did they? Think about it as Universal is, Many many many people will be coming to this park when TWWOHP opens and wouldn't you want to raise the price to earn even more money too?

[drewelap]

That photo released by Universal must have been doctored because I just visited IOA today and peeked through the fence. The end of the rail blocker thing (don't know what it's called) wasn't there and the suitcases were missing. Obviously they would save the suitcases until the land is closer to opening since it's a prop.

 

Also, I noticed that the entrance to the Forbidden Journey has gone vertical, complete with the winged hogs. Forgot to bring my camera though so no pics, sorry.

[alpengeist04]

48" is NOT high at all IMO!!!! This is supposed to be a thrill ride and that seems very reasonable besides the fact that DD or DC is 54". Also they didn't raise that much now did they? Think about it as Universal is, Many many many people will be coming to this park when TWWOHP opens and wouldn't you want to raise the price to earn even more money too?

 

Not to mention, some of the scenes in the ride may be a little scary for the little ones.

[BrownStreak]

Do "we" know yet if this is going to be a "tracked" ride or if it is going to be some sort of film? I know that the robo-arm is supposedly going to be a component, but other than that...

[Jew]

That photo released by Universal must have been doctored because I just visited IOA today and peeked through the fence. The end of the rail blocker thing (don't know what it's called) wasn't there and the suitcases were missing. Obviously they would save the suitcases until the land is closer to opening since it's a prop.

 

Also, I noticed that the entrance to the Forbidden Journey has gone vertical, complete with the winged hogs. Forgot to bring my camera though so no pics, sorry.

 

Well, the area is still a construction zone.

 

Those set pieces probably just weren't ready for installation, but were brought out and placed in their eventual location for the photo shoot

[drewelap]

I can't wait to hear all the ridiculous guest complaints when they find out there is no "Harry Potter Theme Park". Universal is about to get major backlash when thousands of people discover that it's all just a themed land inside a pre-existing park. Especially when the only ride built specifically for the land isn't even open yet.

 

What I find even more ridiculous is that Disney is actually sprucing up the magic kingdom, something they never do (Disneyland is 16 years older and looks better). Does it really take the investments of a competitor to make them reinvest in their own image when they should be doing that anyways? I want to move to California!

[Squid]

The Hogwarts Express photo doesn't have to be doctored... the luggage and the end of the tracks are probably portable props at the moment. When they're finishing construction, I'm sure they'll be cemented/bolted into place.

 

HPatFJ is a tracked ride in the same way that Spiderman is a tracked ride. The robocoaster arms will be following a set path in the show building. What exactly is inside the box? Well, we know that the que is almost completely in the box, which means that several "rooms" are in the building... Potions Lab, Dark Arts Lab, Great Hall, Gryffendor House Room, the Greenhouse are all in the que. From what has leaked out we'll see The Dark Forest, The Chamber of Secrets, and the Chess Room from HPatSStone on the ride itself, along with several other things. Rumor has Dementors and possibly Slytherin himself being on the ride. We also know that there will be several different screens on the ride... various actors have confirmed that they shot scenes exclusively for the ride. (One of the scenes is the longest broomstick scene filmed to date.)

 

Squid

[beyondthepalace]

 

What exactly is inside the box? Well, we know that the que is almost completely in the box, which means that several "rooms" are in the building... Potions Lab, Dark Arts Lab, Great Hall, Gryffendor House Room, the Greenhouse are all in the que. From what has leaked out we'll see The Dark Forest, The Chamber of Secrets, and the Chess Room from HPatSStone on the ride itself, along with several other things. Rumor has Dementors and possibly Slytherin himself being on the ride. We also know that there will be several different screens on the ride... various actors have confirmed that they shot scenes exclusively for the ride. (One of the scenes is the longest broomstick scene filmed to date.)

 

Squid

 

I am quite worried about the queue having too many themed rooms. Sure for quite a while when the line is long, you will go through each room but what happens when it dies down? Will they still force everyone through the entire queue or do shortcuts? Universal is known to do this quite often (ex. Dueling Dragons)

 

I can't wait to hear all the ridiculous guest complaints when they find out there is no "Harry Potter Theme Park". Universal is about to get major backlash when thousands of people discover that it's all just a themed land inside a pre-existing park. Especially when the only ride built specifically for the land isn't even open yet.

 

quote]

 

Universal has never marketed WWOHP as "Harry Potter Theme Park", that was the fault of the unknowing media.

[Jew]

I can't wait to hear all the ridiculous guest complaints when they find out there is no "Harry Potter Theme Park". Universal is about to get major backlash when thousands of people discover that it's all just a themed land inside a pre-existing park. Especially when the only ride built specifically for the land isn't even open yet.

 

What I find even more ridiculous is that Disney is actually sprucing up the magic kingdom, something they never do (Disneyland is 16 years older and looks better). Does it really take the investments of a competitor to make them reinvest in their own image when they should be doing that anyways? I want to move to California!

 

There's not going to be any major backlash.

[testtrack321]

I can't wait to hear all the ridiculous guest complaints when they find out there is no "Harry Potter Theme Park". Universal is about to get major backlash when thousands of people discover that it's all just a themed land inside a pre-existing park. Especially when the only ride built specifically for the land isn't even open yet.

 

What I find even more ridiculous is that Disney is actually sprucing up the magic kingdom, something they never do (Disneyland is 16 years older and looks better). Does it really take the investments of a competitor to make them reinvest in their own image when they should be doing that anyways? I want to move to California!

 

There's not going to be any major backlash.

 

I wouldn't say backlash, just confusion, then people going to Sea World/Disney. I know lots of people who are expecting a full park.

[WFChris]

Any member of the GP that plans a trip to Florida around an alleged park without researching it deserves to be disappointed.

 

Chris.

[beyondthepalace]

Any member of the GP that plans a trip to Florida around an alleged park without researching it deserves to be disappointed.

 

Chris.

 

agreed...it it still surprising how many people go on vacation without researching where they are going. There are still tons of people out there who think Universal and Disney are the same.

[BrownStreak]

^Yeah, I remember when I was working in Disney Transportation- talking to a guest on Earth Day was said that EPCOT was holding a special event that day- but was complaining that "Disney" wasn't doing anything special that day.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Does it really take the investments of a competitor to make them reinvest in their own image when they should be doing that anyways? I want to move to California!

 

Uhm, do you REALLY think we'd have DHS without USF? OR DAK without BGA/SWO?

 

Do you think Disney wants to include Magical Express (and the cost associated with it) when you book an on-site hotel? Absolutely not. It's all to keep you on Disney property. Why go to Universal Studios when you have Disney studios. Why go to Busch Gardens Africa when you can go to Africa at Disney. Why go to Harry Potter Land when you can go visit lands for 5 Disney princesses at Disney?

 

Remember, not everybody thinks like us and Disney knows this.

[WFChris]

NEWS: Man Leaves Child in Bushes at Universal Orlando to look for his wife

 

http://www.970wfla.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=124415&article=6879762

 

He May Not Win Father Of The Year

 

Dad charged for leaving baby in amusement park

By The Associated Press

Monday, March 15, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - The father of a 4-month-old girl was charged with child neglect after police say he left the infant for two hours in bushes near Universal Studios in Orlando while he searched for the baby's mother.

 

Charles Gohde, 29, was charged with child neglect without great bodily harm Sunday. He has since bonded out of jail.

 

Police reports say a Universal Studios employee found the crying child in her stroller in the bushes late Saturday. The infant was examined and appeared to be healthy, but was taken to a nearby hospital for an evaluation.

 

The child is now in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

 

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Edited August 17, 2011 by Moose