Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[jjune4991]

yay! some improvement on this ride! can't wait to see some close up shots of the trains!

[King_K.]

 

Taken by PosterX at UO.

[Duke]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this:

 

What about the rings that light up that are going around the lift hill? It seems like that would be a MAJOR project that might take some time. And there is no sight of them, and no mention of them???

[Shellemonster]

I chose the whomping willow because I would love to see that in real life!

 

On another note, I was at the park today (it's been a long while!), and I have lots of pictures to share, and some interesting information that I hope my pictures will back up when I look at them in detail! I'll have a good post tomorrow once I've rested up from my awesome day.

[vekoma_fan]

we got train, now I'm happy!!!

[JT3000]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this:

 

What about the rings that light up that are going around the lift hill? It seems like that would be a MAJOR project that might take some time. And there is no sight of them, and no mention of them???

 

I don't know what sort of rings they are, but I doubt they'd take long to install, assuming they haven't been cut altogether. The ride doesn't open until July, so they have time.

[JT3000]

Not that I'm a big Potter fan, but I'd hope the Wizarding World includes all of those things in some shape or form. If the leaked concept art is any indication, at least three of them should appear in the new ride.

[PaulMartz37]

This pictures are about 2 weeks old now. I took them during Grad Bash. It looked amazing right above the walkway.

The supports needed some painting

Shone's track: very interesting

They still had the car clearance

The stage looked even better at night

Notice how the MCBS isnt anywhere near the stairs! o.0

[Lenaapple1974]

Totally love that first pic! Beautiful angles. Even if it is a little old... it is greatly appreciated! Thanks for sharing!!!

[PaulMartz37]

^ No problemo

The pictures do not do it justice though. This thing is MASSIVE.

[Hand 0f Time]

They might as well move the 2d building picture sitting alone in that coaster flooded area. Kind of looks tacky.

 

Although I am very excited to see that the 1st train has been set up at the station.

[Kennyweird]

Nice. I especially like the non-inverting loop.

 

I was tentatively planning on going to Orlando in summer 2010, maybe I can ride it then.

[PaulMartz37]

Nice. I especially like the non-inverting loop.

 

I was tentatively planning on going to Orlando in summer 2010, maybe I can ride it then.

 

Good idea. That'll be an amazing time to go because Harry Potter(land?) will be opening up. And if any problems are to arise with Rockit, they'll be fixed by then.

[Shellemonster]

Hey everyone! I was at the park on Tuesday for a wonderfully uncrowded day. Pictures will come tomorrow, too tired to finish editing. Trains were in the transfer station, probably because of the impending rain. The biggest thing I saw going on was that landscaping has begun with a passion on the Citywalk side. Sod was going down, large palm trees had been planted, and lots of medium sized trees also had been planted. The trees seem really close to the track already, so they may be placeholders until later because when they grow, some will be IN the track. Although, that's what Universal has gardeners for.

[jelledg]

Just wan't to share with you guys, this is a photo from the architect of the wizarding world how he want to look Hogwarts!

 

enjoy

 

here's is the site to with some more photo's!

 

picasaweb.google.com/danswingler/Portfolio#

 

 

gr

 

Jelle

[aldredd]

interesting models.

 

Do note the following though...

 

1)If this guy did indeed create these models for WWHP, I'm surprised he was allowed to simply post the images up in such a public place as Picasa, especially when you consider...

2)The photos where added - or at least taken - in 2007. The last one, of the picnic table, is April 2007 - 2 years ago.

[PCW_Nut]

True...but the model does match the concept art pretty well....When did the concept art come out? I am pretty sure that it's no surprise how it's going to look, I think we all know that...I think still the ride itself is the bigger mystery.

 

Other then the leaked blue print a long time ago, we have no idea if this will be Spiderman like, Roboarm, or something new we've never heard of. The shell of the ride building is pretty much already been released...

 

I am liking this model so far and I honestly cannot wait till this place comes together. Hell at this point I wouldn't even care if the ride itself is a walkthrough just as long as the experience around it (themes, characters, shows, stores, etc) make me feel like I am in the Harry Potter universe...and so far they are doing a great job...

[Lenaapple1974]

That model dropped my jaw to the ground. Amazing, just amazing. Hopefully it is the real thing. I love the benches too. It could be real. I am sure they have these things planned years before official announcements. For Islands of adventure the concept art was shown in US three years before it was done, so I am sure it is possible, although putting it on Picasa I am sure violates some sort of agreement. Maybe that is something that is allowed to be leaked though, who knows.

[BeemerBoy]

Anyone know currently how tall that huge box is in HarryPotterburg? Just curious.

[Lenaapple1974]

I think that that big box will have the lower portion be the ride, then everything else will sit on top of it, probably just for viewing I'd imagine. It is pretty big... It will tower over everything for sure once complete. I definitely would love to see size statistics as well.

 

Let's see if I can upload a single picture here... (since I have been having trouble with multiples.)

This is where I imagine that big box ending up. Of course, all around the ground "floor" as well.

[ghost007jas]

Note: Take the following with a grain of salt.

 

According to a Universal Orlando operated MySpace page (A Halloween Horror Nights Page, actually) claims that this ride will be opening July 3rd.

 

I looked on the ride's page, and didn't see anything that could confirm this, but I thought it was worth throwing out there.

[King_K.]

Yes, it's been posted on a local S. Fla. Radio Station's website as July 3rd being the grand opening media day. I guess that's how everyone's found out.

 

The website has since taken down the announcement.

[Shellemonster]

Hi Everyone! This is my first real construction update of any sort so I hope I do well.

 

Update from May 12, 2009

 

Lots of cool stuff going on. I used panoramas to give better views of many of the construction areas where sticking cameras up, over, and around can't capture the whole view, so those pictures will look pretty jagged for the most part. Okay, coolest part first. I went to my favorite spot at the great black hole on the back side of Potterville and was able to actually see something of significance and get some grainy photos. In the blackness I could see some supervisors discussing this big grey object. Later I realized there were two, but peering through the fence cracks makes viewing difficult. At first I thought they were some wonked out reach envelopes but that wouldn't make too much sense this early on, but the more I looked at it, the more three dimensional these objects looked. I believe they are actually tunnels that the ride moves through and they angle DOWN towards underground sections. Perhaps someone else can verify this on a trip because it really was tough to see.

 

The line area is coming along well, and I am happy to post a world's first! Below is an exclusive up close look at the Harry Potter water fountain drain and water line alcove thingy! Remember you saw it here first folks.

 

Something that's actually worth mentioning though, the big box walls are mostly finished, and they include an emergency exit stair/ramp that is very high up on the walls. As in, high up enough to be for a courtyard and definitely above where the line should go.

 

The area where the beloved dueling dragons statue formerly stood is now, and has been for a while under major construction. There is a cinder block building with harry potter archways that is receiving a finishing coat like the big building box got. It's quite low to the ground, almost inset, but it's hard to tell and the one picture I got was from far away. I would guess it's for the new line leading to DD.

 

The main building has lots of short metal posts sticking out at different location and heights along the surface. They look almost like tables and could hypothetically be used to attach decorative towers on the sides. Most were inline with a row on top and row on bottom except for one set where the middle two were higher.

 

Of course, steel work on all the Hogsmeade buildings has continued at a rapid pace. Lots of cranes and welders working through the hot days to keep this project on track. On to the pictures...

Final look...

Another view

A little more work on the entrance. Wooden caps and some coverings. There was a lot of repainting in the area as well, new colors in some places, but most was just sun fading work.

I thought this was interesting, there's a steel frame for some sort of walkway going through this building.

This bridge connects the two work areas. It was being heavily used as not illustrated here.

Hogsmeade work in W I D E angle.

I got excited because I saw a ladder by the Flying Unicorn.... and that ladder is in the middle of nothing. I can't upload a good enough of this, but that ride also had a red height marker on one of it's concrete support bases. I know no more, but it was interesting.

Specifically, these are the posts I am referencing in case you were still wondering.

This building is generally where the Dragons statue once stood, looks cool, what is it?

A view of the whole site.

On the left of the building, you can see the emergency exit stair/ramp structure directly behind that lighting rig. Along with that, the reddish metal posts are clearly visible in this shot.

Panoramic view of the future line. You can see into the building somewhat here. Notice the sweet fountains? Also it appears like there are electrical lines already run for lamp posts that will fit on those little cutouts on the walls.

The awesome lower fountain holder! (There is another one up higher that HATETOFLY photographed earlier actually, but didn't point out.)

See the tunnel like thing? It has reflectors on the upper edges, and the supervisors are the short things with reflectors on their helmets. The cherry picker was slightly in the way for this one. Edit: looking at the picture again, what I thought was a reflector is actually just the flange sticking out.

The first attempted Harry Potter picture of the day. Under a fence, fail.

[HatetoFLY]

Great Update, glad to see your having a great time. Truly cant wait for this entire land to open. Were about a year away

 

Also a lot has changed in Hogsmeade since my last visit. Steel city has risen!

[Shellemonster]

The rain stopped me from taking more pictures, so I don't have much variety here. I got to Citywalk waaaay early, we were the second car at the gates, so I had plenty of time to find creative angles. Palm trees, sod, and medium woody trees are the stars of this report.

 

There was also a worker painting some unattached metal supports behind the new stage that I couldn't figure a location for.

 

On the way out, I peaked into the station and the lower line area looks finished with fans and all, but I didn't see any special music selection screens which are most likely upstairs.

 

Pictures...

 

Okay, I was confused. I loaded THESE pictures in reverse on accident. I was doing a Wizarding World of Harry Potter update and i thought I had to load pics in reverse... point being these are actually in reverse order. Turn your computer upside down and try again.

Great view...

Not a soul around.

This element is going to be tight and intense.

Look at that green!

They leashed the tree to the fence so it wouldn't run away.

Standard landscaping so far, nothing inspired, but it fits in the area.

This picture hole is super sketchy.

Can you spot all four people painting in this picture?

I had to add my picture at this place...

This ride is crazy curvy.

I'm going to vote that the fail has yet to be fully fixed... unless losing your left arm is now acceptable practice.

This was in the morning, but it foreshadowed what came later.