Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

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

P. 625: Harry Potter Ministry of Magic revealed!

Recommended Posts

I just got back from a quick trip to IOA to see Grinchmas.

One of the cooler things I noticed was a wait time board in Lost Continent with very up to date times. And the best part is that it is on the opposite side from the main wait time board. This is such a no-brainer that I don't understand why other parks don't do this.

 

Anyway, on to the pics!

1643782690_IOAGrinchmas009.thumb.JPG.12df9cbc02b7aa5e9a83e5a06b218d3c.JPG

The main wait time board at the front of IOA

421107023_IOAGrinchmas228.thumb.JPG.f1ae4d7bc86e854f2c1d8aae704f101d.JPG

And the new boards in Lost Continent

272722456_IOAGrinchmas229.thumb.JPG.ea7e313abb4dcef8162286160f56b7da.JPG

Check out those wait times!

90936557_IOAGrinchmas002.thumb.JPG.9544e6e3d0651f75a3b5023b977356ba.JPG

The miniature golf course construction

1718109103_IOAGrinchmas003.thumb.JPG.3e2f9a583ce60fe76d45cf8c1632ab24.JPG

IOA Holiday Decor

871155320_IOAGrinchmas005.thumb.JPG.5812c29af04d3a3cf67f47ebb2723f0a.JPG

IOA Holiday Decor

671019110_IOAGrinchmas006.thumb.JPG.4843c0859ceb3157129320dfa49e4ce1.JPG

IOA Holiday Decor

851118576_IOAGrinchmas035.thumb.JPG.87029a0a8404cbc199e2d1143af62e59.JPG

Having fun with my new Canon camera and multi picture shooting

1842597058_IOAGrinchmas080.thumb.JPG.41eaf5cd27838b1bf2106552c1178a71.JPG

Empty Spiderman queue

1567563665_IOAGrinchmas081.thumb.JPG.48a66deebade921e91097c1cd7d323ab.JPG

Empty Spiderman queue

1961242117_IOAGrinchmas094.thumb.JPG.d58ab1d1e5f7d02f4e076bc259da59c8.JPG

The Hulk

675003451_IOAGrinchmas106.thumb.JPG.b33d558bd9a606ba1da9d3ccea99807d.JPG

Seuss Landing Grinchmas Decor

1897212555_IOAGrinchmas107.thumb.JPG.2ae0a146db98d5710be8c675a065df47.JPG

Seuss Landing Grinchmas Decor

680353417_IOAGrinchmas109.thumb.JPG.964418fb78abc19cc2828411254e442d.JPG

Seuss Landing Grinchmas Decor

559984582_IOAGrinchmas193.thumb.JPG.936e14adb286c1efbc7d6f99647b10d1.JPG

Grinchmas...the show

1474025053_IOAGrinchmas231.thumb.JPG.fddfa3c9398578d18df88e104c9a1fad.JPG

Beautiful day at WWoHP

1324182198_IOAGrinchmas235.thumb.JPG.80e8f20498a9d0a9b898a8c7e4098f44.JPG

And a walk on for FJ!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

May I just question... is there any firm evidence so far that it IS expanding to Universal Studios instead of just an IOA extension??

 

I mean, it does make sense for it to with the London - Hogwarts connection but, surely they could just expand into Lost Continent which is pretty much defunct anyway? I've been reading the thread and yes, while it does make sense for park hopper tickets and getting more people in the Studios, it seems maybe a bit too much faff?

 

I've just still got a slight niggle about calling it for sure until Universal does confirm anything...

 

Everything is 100% rumor at this point. As far as why they would expand to the studios instead of the rest of Lost Continent - I'd say that has a lot to do with JK Rowling's involvement and sayso in the expansion planning.

Edited by ernierocker
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What if the Harry Potter expansion was going into the area directly north and east (the "not used to it's potential" horitculture area and sinbad) and the jaws pad was for something else?

 

That's the most logical thing to do IMO.

 

I don't think we'll be waiting too long for an official announcement, either. I'm guessing they

will release the details and artwork in January to celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Universal Pictures.

 

As for Sinbad -- I'm pretty sure he's gone and Potter will own that real estate along with the rest

of Lost Continent.

 

The Disney Unplugged web site is now reporting that the Potter expansion is indeed

intended for IOA:

http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/12/06/update-on-happenings-at-universal-orlando/

 

That web site is still reporting that the future use of Jaws is still unknown. My gut feeling

is that Amity will be turned into some sort of Alien themed section -- so a Transformers

attraction can be added beside the existing Men In Black. Spielberg did let it slip that a

Transformers ride was being considered for Florida in an interview last year.

 

I'm just guessing right now.....

 

And yes, that mini golf course looks epic.

Edited by O-Town77
Link to comment
Share on other sites

^From that article:

 

Universal Orlando has just announced an expansion to the existing Wizarding World of Harry Potter section at Islands of Adventure. No details about new attractions, size of the expansion, or where the expansion will occupy have been released at this time. The company revealed the information during a Tuesday announcement.

 

What I have in bold DID NOT happen yesterday at the press conference. All that was announced was that an expansion was taken place in Orlando.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^From that article:

 

Universal Orlando has just announced an expansion to the existing Wizarding World of Harry Potter section at Islands of Adventure. No details about new attractions, size of the expansion, or where the expansion will occupy have been released at this time. The company revealed the information during a Tuesday announcement.

 

What I have in bold DID NOT happen yesterday at the press conference. All that was announced was that an expansion was taken place in Orlando.

 

Great, so the Media is messing up the details some more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, I need to go to theme parks in December more often. Those wait times were breath-taking!

 

Early January usually rocks, too. I remember going to Disney last year and everything was a walk-on.... including the big rides that normally take 45-90 minutes for the line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The last 15 or so pages has made my head hurt.

 

I do like the speculation here about about HP expanding into USO. Dollar wise, make it while you can!

 

Do I like HP? HELL FRICKIN' NO!! NEVER WILL!

 

Actually spent thanksgiving with my parents, and they wanted to watch the last HP movie. I would have preferred food poisoning again and gone to the emergency room. At least there I know things would've gotten better.

 

But I do find the 2 park tie in theory really cool.

 

I do like the suggestion by Larry(?) that a monorail linked the two parks. It could be themed to the steam engine and use the technology like they did at Ocean Park for their funicular (enclosed windows, tunnel, whatever) to bypass all the backlot stuff, that would really be cool.

 

Hell, if Disney can theme an elevator going down 1000's of feet below the surface of the earth, when it actually goes up about 20-25 ft, why can't Universal do some trickery??

 

 

I still like MY idea of Mega-Piranha replacing Jaws best though!

 

JJ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I do like the suggestion by Larry(?) that a monorail linked the two parks. It could be themed to the steam engine and use the technology like they did at Ocean Park for their funicular (enclosed windows, tunnel, whatever) to bypass all the backlot stuff, that would really be cool.

 

Hell, if Disney can theme an elevator going down 1000's of feet below the surface of the earth, when it actually goes up about 20-25 ft, why can't Universal do some trickery??

 

 

I still like MY idea of Mega-Piranha replacing Jaws best though!

 

JJ

 

The only Potential problem I see with using a monorail is that I am guessing Rowling would want guests to ride in an actual steam train or some equally asinine requirement.

 

And of course Mega-Pitanaha would be better.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, I need to go to theme parks in December more often. Those wait times were breath-taking!

 

I went to Universal Orlando for my first time in 10 years last Wednesday and I picked a perfect day. The longest line I waited in all day was 20 minutes for MIB. I walked on Potter multiple times - it was a great day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also took my first trip to USO in a while this past week. Went to the Studios last Wednesday. The only lines the entire day were a 10 minute wait for ET and HRRR with a 5 minute wait. IOA this Monday was something else. Early showers and lingering sprinkles literally left the park dead. There were absolutely no lines at all. We walked onto every ride, except the Seuss Trolley which seemed to have half the park in its queue. Even Pteradon's were a walk-on. Potter had zero line later in the day, and our last ride even broke down for around 10 minutes before we continued for 30 seconds with the lights on. Greeat trip, and we made sure to get a half dozen Jaws rides in. RIP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^Just goes to show you that even a fairly cheesy ride like Jaws (which I love, by the way) can still scare the crap out of somebody.

 

That kid has a "Count Floyd" haircut.

 

 

I very much approve of this!

 

Is the Psycho House still at Universal Orlando? I remember that being really creepy as a kid but didn't notice it this past month.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Potter expansion is slated for both parks, but not as extensive to IOA as

I had thought it would be. We are basically getting a recycled Mummy ride

for Universal Studios themed to Harry Potter.

 

I was totally wrong about the train, though -- they are indeed planning a park hopping

train using a ride system similar to Disaster! I guess I underestimated the scale of their

expansion.

 

Edited by O-Town77
Link to comment
Share on other sites

^^There won't be any proof yet, but this is exactly what we've been talking about for way too many pages now. He's just chosen to now believe us.

 

Big Potter in Jaws area, small expansion in IOA, train connecting them.

 

Now can we go back to discussing...oh wait, this is pretty much the only thing to discuss at Universal Orlando for the next who knows how many years now!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/