Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "BUT it is a less realism based and a more impressionistic artistic approach to theme park design than Disney takes." That may have been true, but it appears that Universal is taking a decidedly Disney turn with the new addition: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1248864/Revealed-Inside-Universals-magical-Wizarding-World-Harry-Potter-theme-park.html" target="_blank">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs...ark.html</a> Those concept drawings give the impression that the new area will be very detailed with a strong sense of place in the best Disney tradition. Even with a new paint scheme the industrial looking coasters are incongruous with the heavy themed fantasy realm that they tower over.
Originally Posted By dshyates They ARE going for a thickly themed environment, but since IOA opened they have been trying to mesh Disney level themeing and state of the art thrill rides. They aren't afraid to actually have a coaster seen. As long as it is accompanied with thick high quality themeing. People are fully aware that they are going to a theme park. That is why they paid the $75 to get in. Universal unapologetically DOESN'T play by Disney's rules. And I think the number of folks that can enjoy the park without the coaster ruining their day is higher than those that will walk out because they won't be riding an actual dragon.
Originally Posted By dshyates Btw, those coasters aren't very tall, and won't be seen from most parts of TWWOHP.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<They aren't afraid to actually have a coaster seen...Universal unapologetically DOESN'T play by Disney's rules.>> Those sound like excuses made up by fans rather than actual design goals. At Disney, of course no one actually thinks they are riding a runaway mine train, a bobsled down a Swiss mountain, or rocketing through outer space. That entirely misses the point. The point is Disney has done the theming and taken mere roller coasters (and rather tame ones at that) and turned them into something more.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Those sound like excuses made up by fans rather than actual design goals." Pretty much. No matter how you look at it that thing is totally out of place with the surrounding architecture. As fabulous as Harry Potter's new realm may be, USF gets low marks for design consistency. "And I think the number of folks that can enjoy the park without the coaster ruining their day is higher than those that will walk out because they won't be riding an actual dragon." Maybe you're right, but obviously something is missing, otherwise USF wouldn't be going through such lengths with this new addition. We know that they were struggling financially long before the economic meltdown began, so perhaps their customers DO care more about their surrounding environment than you think. I get the sense that they are banking a lot on this Harry Potter thing and are attempting to raise the bar for themselves and I wish them well.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I love Harry Potter. I'm a big fan of the movies and a huge fan of the books. A Harry Potter land is such a great idea, and I'm disappointed that this isn't going to be in the Hollywood Universal. Maybe if it's successful in Orlando, it will come to Hollywood? I use to wish that Disney would do something with Harry Potter, but I guess we can count that out now. They play the movies a lot on ABCFamily so I hoped maybe they would make some kind of deal with the parks, but I guess we can forget about that. And I think Disney could do it better if they chose. I think it could be better if it was at Disney and they put forth the proper effort, however, that being said, this is really the first attraction outside of a Disney park, that has made me want to visit a park other than Disney. So, I guess that says something. And anyone that hasn't read the books, you simply must read them! If you're a Disney fan I think you'll appreciate that theme and attention to detail. They will always be my favorite books in the world.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I also think that Mousermerf is becoming more and more negative and disrespectful in his posts. I've noticed an increased amount of negativity in his posts the last couple of weeks, and it just seems to be increasing. You sound like an extremist buddy! Chill bro, chill!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Imagine that castle at night *sigh*" It's funny you say that because I considered how that might look after dark with the surrounding village. It really seems like a very well done addition to that park. I'm curious to know what the ride inside is going to be.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I tried to read about it on the website but it doesn't say much at all about it. I'm thinking of taking a trip to WDW sometime in the next year or so, I'll definitely check it out if we go. They seem to have a lot of work to go for opening in March.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt There are areas in the Magic Kingdom that are very much like Disneyland. I get a déjà vu feeling whenever I'm in Town Square on Main Street in that park. It's also odd to stand in front of the castle, look to the right and not see the Matterhorn. I always have a momentary bit of confusion when I don't see it!
Originally Posted By dshyates Dr. Hans, concerning the ride inside of Hogwarts, it is going to be a mega E-Ticket Dark Ride. It is utilizing a ride system featuring a first of its kind Robocoaster system. They are taking 50 of the robot arms mounting them on a track so they can move through the show building and featuring fully realized movie-like set with a few GIANT AAs like a 60' scary snake-like Basalisk ( <a href="http://www.3dawards.org/2003/report/film/Basilisk.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.3dawards.org/2003/r...lisk.jpg</a> ) be attacked by a Whomping Willow ( <a href="http://www.wizardsharry.com/whomping%20willow.bmp" target="_blank">http://www.wizardsharry.com/wh...llow.bmp</a> ) and get up close and personal with Aragog ( <a href="http://nekromah.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/aragog1.jpg" target="_blank">http://nekromah.files.wordpres...gog1.jpg</a> ) aside from the AAs there will be lots of special FX like the Musion effect. Which is a modern version of the Peppers Ghost effect.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Maybe you're right, but obviously something is missing, otherwise USF wouldn't be going through such lengths with this new addition. We know that they were struggling financially long before the economic meltdown began, so perhaps their customers DO care more about their surrounding environment than you think. I get the sense that they are banking a lot on this Harry Potter thing and are attempting to raise the bar for themselves and I wish them well.> Me too. IOA really needs this - AFAIK, it's the only really major addition they've had since they opened. I enjoyed IOA - it's certainly better than its sister Uni park next door - but IMO it was a bit overrated when it opened, mostly because I think people were impressed that a non-Disney company would open a park with some areas that were so heavily themed... along with some areas that weren't. (Not unlike, dare I say it, DCA - which caught more flack I think because it WAS Disney.) The ground-level stuff I've seen of the new area looks excellent, and let's hope the coaster isn't visible from most of it. If the ride is as good as advertised (sometimes the case at Uni - i.e. Spiderman, and sometimes not - Mummy coaster anyone? Anyone?), it should give IOA a boost. And apparently it does need it, as Hans points out.
Originally Posted By Ohana i hate to further get off topic, but i will anyway. That Harry Potter castle looks amazing!! Universal Hollywood is a dump compared to this!
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA At least Universal Studios Hollywood has some real history -- ie: it's an actual studio where actual movies and television shows were and are made. The tram ride in Hollywood takes you around to see actual sets on the backlot. It always cracked me up when Disney-MGM Studios had a tram tour -- for what?
Originally Posted By Ohana You may be right Jim that MGM's tram was "made up", but in reality the USH tram is mostly "made up" too. the best parts - Jaws, King Kong (RIP) earthquake and War of the Worlds are all "made up" not actual sets.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA The point is that the tram tour was originally designed to carry people through a working movie studio -- to see the back lot sets, and various offices where Alfred Hitchcock worked etc... And to possibly see a real movie star.
