Universal Orlando (Studios/IOA/Epic Universe) : General Discussion

[CoasterCrazyChris]

The attention to detail and scale of this project is amazing, but this London recreation doesn't half look silly in the middle of an Orlando theme park!

 

[James]

It does look great. A big shame something like this couldn't have been created in the UK though. It does look a little odd at Orlando.

 

[Danny]

The Today Show are giving away chances for people to attend to the opening day of Diagon Alley, and there's a very brief glimpse at the interior of Gringotts at the very start of the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv0ecJOT3pc#ws

 

[Kimberley]

Universal have uploaded this video giving a glimpse at the goblins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tz4xNRRR4M#ws

They look pretty good to me

 

[Sam]

The animatronics look OK. Pretty good, even. But they're still about ten years behind Disney, unfortunately. If there's one thing that Disney still hands-down unquestionably rule the world with, it's their top-tier animatronics.

 

[jon81uk]

The animatronics look OK. Pretty good, even. But they're still about ten years behind Disney, unfortunately. If there's one thing that Disney still hands-down unquestionably rule the world with, it's their top-tier animatronics.

Yep Universal is great at video screen based rides (Spiderman, Transformers, Forbiddon Journey) but Disney wins every time at animatronics.

 

[James]

Yeah they look decent enough although look a bit stiff! Looks real enough for kids I guess and not shoddy at all so will do just fine.

 

[Rob]

Universal have started a new blog which can be seen here. They will be releasing more details of Gringotts on Tuesday May 13th but for now here is a new concept image:

Doesn't give too much away but looks good. I reckon those ride cars are more than likely to be from Premier.

 

[Alastair]

Look similar to the bulky Revenge of the Mummy trains from that picture.

 

[Sam]

I'm sure the station will be just like that, guests casually wandering around without a care in the world...

 

[EuroSatch]

It's difficult to believe that the sparse construction site I saw only 16 months ago is nearly ready to open as this comprehensive area. 2015 cannot come soon enough!

 

[Rob]

WARNING: SLIGHT SPOILERS REGARDING POTENTIAL RIDE SCENES AHEAD!!

Universal have today revealed the first details about the Gringotts ride:

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT REVEALS FIRST-EVER DETAILS ABOUT HARRY POTTER AND THE ESCAPE FROM GRINGOTTS – THE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED ATTRACTION IN THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER – DIAGON ALLEY

Grand Opening Date for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley to be Announced at a Later Date

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 13, 2014) – Today, Universal Orlando Resort revealed details about Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – the revolutionary attraction found in the heart of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. The Grand Opening date for the spectacularly themed environment will be announced at a later date.

Imagine being part of the iconic moment from the Harry Potter film series where Harry, Ron and Hermione break into one of the most guarded places in the wizarding world – Gringotts bank – to retrieve a magical object that will help defeat Lord Voldemort. You’ve seen the action on-screen, and now you get to be part of it.

Universal’s creative team worked hand-in-hand with Stuart Craig and his production team from the Harry Potter films to immerse guests in this pivotal scene from the final Harry Potter book and film.

During an action-packed, fully-immersive journey on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, you will:
- Marvel at the 60-foot, fire-breathing Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon atop Gringotts Wizarding Bank
- Tour Gringotts bank and pass through the marble hall where you’ll see goblins hard at work
- Race through a labyrinth of underground Gringotts vaults
- Encounter the villainous Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange, as she attempts to send you to your doom
- Come face to face with He Who Must Not Be Named
- Experience even more mind-blowing moments

The multi-dimensional, multi-sensory attraction, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, will revolutionize theme park entertainment. This next generation thrill ride seamlessly integrates a compilation of the most innovative technology ever created, 360-degree themed sets, 4K digital high-definition animation, state-of-the-art 3-D Infitec projection systems and live special effects with beloved characters and breathtaking moments from the Harry Potter books and films.

“Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts will change the way you think about theme park attractions,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “We’ve created an entirely new type of ride that propels guests into the story like never before, and guests will remember it long after their visit to Diagon Alley.”

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. The new area will double the size of the sweeping land already found at Universal Orlando, expanding the spectacularly themed environment across both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Inside the land, guests will enjoy themed shops, dining experiences and the groundbreaking thrill ride – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

http://youtu.be/17ySA77iRyI

Still not many details, I'd imagine it's going to be a case of wait until it opens to find out any more now. I'm intrigued to ride this next year all being well to see how they're going to pull it all off.

 

[jon81uk]

I was hoping for nicer looking "mine cart" style trains rather than these huge great ones (look very similar to The Mummy).

But overall I think it will be a great ride, something like The Mummy combined with HP & Forbidden Journey

 

[Jem8472]

Does anyone want to buy a kidney or two so I can go to Florida next year?

 

[Danny]

Considering I've seen the full plans and am aware of what exactly this ride is going to contain, they've manage to reveal enough yet keep so much of it under wraps. I really can't wait to see if they'll give everything away in due course or leave it for the riders to experience

 

[Dar]

This looks amazing, I do wonder how much will be screens and how much will sets, but I'm sure it'll all be blended into a seamless experience.

Considering I've seen the full plans and am aware of what exactly this ride is going to contain, they've manage to reveal enough yet keep so much of it under wraps. I really can't wait to see if they'll give everything away in due course or leave it for the riders to experience

Fancy sharing them plans?

 

[Danny]

This looks amazing, I do wonder how much will be screens and how much will sets, but I'm sure it'll all be blended into a seamless experience.

Considering I've seen the full plans and am aware of what exactly this ride is going to contain, they've manage to reveal enough yet keep so much of it under wraps. I really can't wait to see if they'll give everything away in due course or leave it for the riders to experience

Fancy sharing them plans?

Stick around for Skype later, it's going to get interesting There's too much to type without doing it justice.

 

[EuroSatch]

This looks amazing, I do wonder how much will be screens and how much will sets, but I'm sure it'll all be blended into a seamless experience.

Considering I've seen the full plans and am aware of what exactly this ride is going to contain, they've manage to reveal enough yet keep so much of it under wraps. I really can't wait to see if they'll give everything away in due course or leave it for the riders to experience

Fancy sharing them plans?

Forbidden Journey is almost perfectly seemless so I can only imagine Gringotts will be more so

 

[Harv]

Considering I've seen the full plans and am aware of what exactly this ride is going to contain, they've manage to reveal enough yet keep so much of it under wraps. I really can't wait to see if they'll give everything away in due course or leave it for the riders to experience

Anything you can DM me? Really interested in this.

 

[Joseph]

Considering I've seen the full plans and am aware of what exactly this ride is going to contain, they've manage to reveal enough yet keep so much of it under wraps. I really can't wait to see if they'll give everything away in due course or leave it for the riders to experience

Anything you can DM me? Really interested in this.

Same, I wanna know too. as i'm really contemplating going to Japan or Orlando next year.