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Universal Orlando (Studios/IOA/Epic Universe) : General Discussion
- Thread starter Alastair
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Laura
TS Member
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I agree with Dave (the minion, not the dragon), the dragon does look cool but it should be hidden somewhere. It somehow creates escapism (dragon attack!) inside escapism (I'm a wizard in Diagon Alley!) Now it's, I'm a wizard in Diagon Alley but OMG DRAGON let's buy some ice cream.
It's all too much for our simple British minds, clearly. Does the American audience need to be stimulated to this level in order to go 'wow!' at an area? To a Potter fan the addition of the dragon to the 'peaceful' Diagon Alley setpiece is detrimental. To a non-Potter fan it just looks really cool and AWESOME because they don't understand the context.
Anyway it all looks great and at the end of the day the adverts they've started playing in the cinema are making me cry because no one will go with me.
It's all too much for our simple British minds, clearly. Does the American audience need to be stimulated to this level in order to go 'wow!' at an area? To a Potter fan the addition of the dragon to the 'peaceful' Diagon Alley setpiece is detrimental. To a non-Potter fan it just looks really cool and AWESOME because they don't understand the context.
Anyway it all looks great and at the end of the day the adverts they've started playing in the cinema are making me cry because no one will go with me.
James
TS Founding Member
Laura said:
That's actually a good point. Maybe this is designed more around an American audience (of course HP is British, but the theme park definition can be different for them), or maybe it's designed to cover all aspects of HP and act as something jaw-dropping for non-Potter fans (most likely reason).
Either way, as a HP fan myself I'm not keen on the dragon overshadowing the area. It does look great and amazingly detailed. Although for something that only plays a role for one book/film for a limited amount of time it is an odd feature to have permanently dominating the area. It almost changes the theme itself implying that this Diagon Alley is meant to be the pre-Battle of Hogwarts Diagon Alley, a time where you would not see wizards calmy browsing the shops!
Of course it doesn't impact on the ride itself (and this is Universal, it'll be amazing) so I'm just being cynical. If I were designing this attraction though I would have ditched the dragon or brought in an effect like IanB mentioned on the previous page, something that could make the dragon appear and disappear from sight.
Rob
TS Team
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I like Harry Potter but wouldn't class myself as a massive fan like some. So I think the dragon looks amazing although I do understand why some feel it takes something away from the area. I'm guessing that they wanted something visually stunning with a "WOW" effect and a fire breathing dragon on top of a building does just that. I'd also imagine it's partly there to tie in with the attraction inside, it will give a small hint of what is to come and make people more intrigued. That's my guess anyway.
Danny
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A new video posted by Universal that shows off Diagon Alley in the flesh, as well as several scenes from Gringotts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEWmGL4txcI#ws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEWmGL4txcI#ws
Danny
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Not a Potter update for once, huzzah! But still very exciting.
With the recent addition of the new Cabana Bay hotel, it's been noted that Universal basically have access to an empty plot of land just south of this area. On top of that, construction has begun on a walkway that will span the roadway inbetween the hotel and this plot of land:
Image from HateToFly on Twitter
So what could this development be? A third park themed around LOTR like many rumours have suggested? Well, not exactly. Highly regarded sources in the Orlando enthusiast fan base are suggesting this is the answer:
Image posted by Teebin on Orlando United.
WonderSea. A brand new waterpark. To top it all off? The pièce de résistance will be a 160-200ft tall "active" volcano.
2017 has been sniffed as the opening date for this project, but that's most likely a very long way off being confirmed at present.
With the recent addition of the new Cabana Bay hotel, it's been noted that Universal basically have access to an empty plot of land just south of this area. On top of that, construction has begun on a walkway that will span the roadway inbetween the hotel and this plot of land:
Image from HateToFly on Twitter
So what could this development be? A third park themed around LOTR like many rumours have suggested? Well, not exactly. Highly regarded sources in the Orlando enthusiast fan base are suggesting this is the answer:
Image posted by Teebin on Orlando United.
WonderSea. A brand new waterpark. To top it all off? The pièce de résistance will be a 160-200ft tall "active" volcano.
2017 has been sniffed as the opening date for this project, but that's most likely a very long way off being confirmed at present.
jon81uk
TS Member
I have used FloridaTix.co.uk before.But also check the official Disney (disneyworld.co.uk) and Universal Website (universalorlando.co.uk) as they sometimes have good offers too.
If you want to do Busch Gardens & Seaworld as well then you can get a 5/6 park ticket, but for us it worked out buying a Universal ticket and then a seperate Seaworld/Busch ticket with Aquatica free.
If you want to do Busch Gardens & Seaworld as well then you can get a 5/6 park ticket, but for us it worked out buying a Universal ticket and then a seperate Seaworld/Busch ticket with Aquatica free.
TheMan
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Pixie-Ro said:I use floridaescapes.co.uk, have found them the cheapest and the tickets come ready to use. They also do lots of combination packages. Have fun!
£110 for 14 days consecutive access to all 3 Universal Studios parks? (Some catwalk thing I've never heard of included).
That is absolutely unbelievable value.
Amy
TS Contributor
TheMan said:Pixie-Ro said:I use floridaescapes.co.uk, have found them the cheapest and the tickets come ready to use. They also do lots of combination packages. Have fun!
£110 for 14 days consecutive access to all 3 Universal Studios parks? (Some catwalk thing I've never heard of included).
That is absolutely unbelievable value.
Universal Citywalk? It's kind of like Downtown Disney. It's an area at Universal (just inside the entrance, before you get to either of the parks themselves), full of bars, restaurants and some shops.
Danny
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None of this is new news to me, however Universal have now posted about some of the interactive elements that you'll be able to see in Diagon Alley, and the currency that you'll be able to spend in Hogsmede and Diagon Alley
Imagine catching a live performance by a popular singing sorceress; seeing The Tales of Beedle the Bard come to life with a goose bump-inducing show performed by a troupe of four from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts; seeing the banter between the Knight Bus Conductor and a shrunken head; and exchanging your Muggle currency for Wizarding Bank Notes while meeting a Gringotts goblin. If all of that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will!
It begins when you step through the archway in the brick wall into Diagon Alley, take a right at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and enter the bustling shopping area called Carkitt Market. That’s where you’ll find two live shows performed daily that will captivate fans of all ages.
The first show will bring to life two fables from The Tales of Beedle the Bard – “The Fountain of Fair Fortune” and “The Tale of the Three Brothers” (which was featured in the seventh film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1”). Performed by a troupe of four from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts, this trunk show uses scenic pieces, props and puppetry fabricated by Emmy-award-winning designer Michael Curry.
The second show features a musical performance by the ever-popular singing sensation of the wizarding world and one of Molly Weasley’s personal favorites, The Singing Sorceress: Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. With a whole lot of soul, this swinging show will feature never-before heard songs including “A Cauldron Full Of Hot, Strong Love,” “You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart” and “You Charmed The Heart Right Out Of Me” – all titles created by J.K. Rowling. The lyrics also contain never-before-revealed information about Celestina’s wand – written by J.K. Rowling for Pottermore.
And that’s not all! You can also check out a variety of cool, interactive experiences during your visit to London and Diagon Alley.
In London, you’ll happen upon the Knight Bus and its two permanent occupants: a shrunken head and the Knight Bus Conductor, who will be more than happy to chat, joke around and take photos with you before you begin your journey into Diagon Alley.
Before you do your shopping for all the wizarding essentials in Diagon Alley, make sure to stop by Gringotts Money Exchange. Here you’ll be able to exchange your Muggle currency for Wizarding Bank Notes, which can be used within both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade (as well as the rest of our two theme parks) to purchase snacks and items from the shops. And there will be a Gringotts goblin who will be overseeing your transaction…
And, of course, Diagon Alley wouldn’t be complete without Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, where you can step inside the small, dusty shop to experience firsthand the magical moment when a wand chooses a wizard, reminiscent of one of the most iconic scenes from the Harry Potter books and films. You can also experience this awe-inspiring moment at Ollivanders in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure.
Imagine catching a live performance by a popular singing sorceress; seeing The Tales of Beedle the Bard come to life with a goose bump-inducing show performed by a troupe of four from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts; seeing the banter between the Knight Bus Conductor and a shrunken head; and exchanging your Muggle currency for Wizarding Bank Notes while meeting a Gringotts goblin. If all of that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will!
It begins when you step through the archway in the brick wall into Diagon Alley, take a right at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and enter the bustling shopping area called Carkitt Market. That’s where you’ll find two live shows performed daily that will captivate fans of all ages.
The first show will bring to life two fables from The Tales of Beedle the Bard – “The Fountain of Fair Fortune” and “The Tale of the Three Brothers” (which was featured in the seventh film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1”). Performed by a troupe of four from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts, this trunk show uses scenic pieces, props and puppetry fabricated by Emmy-award-winning designer Michael Curry.
The second show features a musical performance by the ever-popular singing sensation of the wizarding world and one of Molly Weasley’s personal favorites, The Singing Sorceress: Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. With a whole lot of soul, this swinging show will feature never-before heard songs including “A Cauldron Full Of Hot, Strong Love,” “You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart” and “You Charmed The Heart Right Out Of Me” – all titles created by J.K. Rowling. The lyrics also contain never-before-revealed information about Celestina’s wand – written by J.K. Rowling for Pottermore.
And that’s not all! You can also check out a variety of cool, interactive experiences during your visit to London and Diagon Alley.
In London, you’ll happen upon the Knight Bus and its two permanent occupants: a shrunken head and the Knight Bus Conductor, who will be more than happy to chat, joke around and take photos with you before you begin your journey into Diagon Alley.
Before you do your shopping for all the wizarding essentials in Diagon Alley, make sure to stop by Gringotts Money Exchange. Here you’ll be able to exchange your Muggle currency for Wizarding Bank Notes, which can be used within both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade (as well as the rest of our two theme parks) to purchase snacks and items from the shops. And there will be a Gringotts goblin who will be overseeing your transaction…
And, of course, Diagon Alley wouldn’t be complete without Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, where you can step inside the small, dusty shop to experience firsthand the magical moment when a wand chooses a wizard, reminiscent of one of the most iconic scenes from the Harry Potter books and films. You can also experience this awe-inspiring moment at Ollivanders in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure.
Danny
TS Contributor
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Pixie-Ro said:
I believe they intend to tone the one down in Hogsmede and direct the attention towards the new one in Diagon Alley. The only reason it was originally installed in Hogsmede is because it would have been a shame not to apply the concept since day one [it's also proven immensely popular].