pianojohn Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 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! The main wait time board at the front of IOA And the new boards in Lost Continent Check out those wait times! The miniature golf course construction IOA Holiday Decor IOA Holiday Decor IOA Holiday Decor Having fun with my new Canon camera and multi picture shooting Empty Spiderman queue Empty Spiderman queue The Hulk Seuss Landing Grinchmas Decor Seuss Landing Grinchmas Decor Seuss Landing Grinchmas Decor Grinchmas...the show Beautiful day at WWoHP And a walk on for FJ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce232 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Wow, I need to go to theme parks in December more often. Those wait times were breath-taking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterfreak101 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Here's to hoping that's what I'll be seeing mid-January! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traincrossin Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 The miniature golf course construction Screw, Potter, bring on the mini-golf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernierocker Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) 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 December 8, 2011 by ernierocker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O-Town77 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) 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 December 8, 2011 by O-Town77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernierocker Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 ^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 More sharing options...
O-Town77 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 ^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 More sharing options...
O-Town77 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 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 More sharing options...
OldJJman Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 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 More sharing options...
cfc Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 The miniature golf course construction Screw, Potter, bring on the mini-golf! I second this! Looks like Norman Bates is building a vacation home in Florida. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 ^ Nice! Merely speculation, but it beats the hell out of discussing Harry Potter to death.... Thoughts on a possible "Wondersea Island" water park in the future? And before anyone points out that it's registered to Universal City Studios LLC, Universal City, CA.......so is this, and this, and all the rest too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moose Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 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 More sharing options...
esvadj Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 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 More sharing options...
triggernel Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 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 More sharing options...
E1ticket5 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 I'm gonna burn in hell for this one, but it's funny. HMMM... I wonder why he's crying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 ^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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollin_n_coastin Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 ^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 More sharing options...
ernierocker Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Nope, its gone. Wasn't it where the Parade Building is now? Or in the general area of the Kid's area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 The new mini-golf course has a "Psycho House"--at least it looks like one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollin_n_coastin Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 ^haha that's exactly what jogged my memory about it. I think the actual Hitchcock Experience was in the Shrek 3D building. I loved that show. It was sort of like Disaster with the audience participation. Well, at least we can putt to it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O-Town77 Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 (edited) 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 December 19, 2011 by O-Town77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce232 Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 ^ Proof? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpengeist04 Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 What I'm most interested in is how much of a price hike we'll see from this. ...I'm talking single day/multi park tickets and season passes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 ^^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 More sharing options...
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