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

Hmmm...it seems a shame that they've already used the "Flight of the Hippogriff" idea. If they did go ahead with a third area, and it was Ministry of Magic, then they could have it linked to the original area by some kind of Hippogriff flight suspended ride (that's how they originally got there in the Order of the Phoenix). And of course, it wouldn't need to be explicitly linked to Diagon Alley because they're both meant to be in London anyway.
 
As much as I love Harry Potter, and feel the current and new areas are fantastic... would a third area ever be needed? I'd be worried it's a bit overkill and would turn Universal into Harry Potter and The Supporting Attractions
 
There are apparently 4 phases planned all together, the final two stages expected to take the fear factor location and the remaining section of lost continent.

However Universal have and will continue to build lots of non potter stuff, and the fact it's split across the parks helps I think makes it not feel like it's all Harry potter. At IOA 3 Harry potter rides and about 15 non potter rides/attractions and at studios 2 Harry potter rides and about 16 non. Plus you have all the Harry potter shops etc but don't take up massive amounts of land in the parks. I think they could had a few more Harry potter bits as long as they keep adding/refreshing the rest of the parks.
 
As long as people keep coming for the Harry Potter area Universal would be slightly silly not to keep making Potter additions. It will be interesting though to see if subsequent Potter areas have the same impact though. For example Hogwarts is well known by even though who don't know much about Harry Potter so something like that is going to be attractive to a very wide audience. Diagon Alley is probably relatively well known as is Gringotts so people will know what they're visiting. Is the Ministry of Magic quite as well known or iconic though? I'm not so sure; I've seen all the films but don't know much about it and how it could translate to a theme park area. It is possible that you can have too much of a good thing.

I have no doubts that they will do a third area though as long as Diagon Alley proves to be successful, which it looks like it will.

:)
 
The Ministry of Magic is pretty iconic. It's the political arm of the HP world. Very, very important to the books and films. I think it would be a wise step forwards as a new area, it seems the most obvious thing to create next. They'll have the major areas of HP covered by then.

They could create a ride that involves you escaping from Dementors in the Ministry of Magic, which is in the 7th film so will be quite well-known by casual viewers as well as fans.
 
Alastair said:
Hmmm...it seems a shame that they've already used the "Flight of the Hippogriff" idea. If they did go ahead with a third area, and it was Ministry of Magic, then they could have it linked to the original area by some kind of Hippogriff flight suspended ride (that's how they originally got there in the Order of the Phoenix). And of course, it wouldn't need to be explicitly linked to Diagon Alley because they're both meant to be in London anyway.
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I thought it was thestrals...? /nerd
 
Laura said:
I thought it was thestrals...? /nerd
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Yes, yes it was Thestrals. Why I was thinking Hippogriffs I have no idea. That simplifies things though, there isn't any kind of Thestral reference anywhere so that idea is freed up for the 3rd phase :p
 
IanB said:
Or complicates it massively because they are only visible to those who have witnessed death at least once

Ian
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Have a preshow where you see Cedric's death or something, would make sense in context with the films also.
 
There is a thestral reference in the new area! If you google for the animated thestral carriage at Universal Orlando, you should be able to find the video. I can't access it at the moment so I'll find it later if no one else does :)

I think the whole thestral thing is open to some debate as to its ethics in a theme park setting.
 
The Jurassic Park entrance arch has been partially removed:

Before:
1596px-Jurassic_Park_Entrance_Arch_at_the_Universal_Islands_of_Adventure.JPG


Now: (Thanks to @DrewOfOU on Twitter)

BshHJjRIYAALE9O.jpg
 
I imagine it'll be an adjustment or even maintenance to the sign. It certainly won't be a permanent loss.
 
Dar said:
Maybe they're changing it ready for the new film?
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It has been rumoured the area will change to Jurassic World to match the new film.

Additionally if Kong is going in behind the river adventure there may be a rethem of the whole island.
 
I heard that they were possibly planning on moving the arch further back along the path into the Jurassic Park area. That would enable Kong to have an entrance before Jurassic park creating its own one attraction standalone area.

Plus it is expected that the area will change to Jurassic world before the film opens next June.
 
The transitions from screen to physical are seamless. I guarantee, without even riding, THAT is the best dark ride in the world.
 
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