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

[BigAl]

Sorry for the double posting (which annoys some people on the Internet for some unknown reason... even if there's a reason for it ), but Screamscape has pointed us in the direction of TRACK!

2014/2015 - PotterVerse: London / Project 722 - (11/16/12) The first piece of track on the Gringotts Bank coaster (or first visible one at least) has been spotted and photographed by the team at OrlandoUnited a few hours ago. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page.) While the angle isn’t the best and much of the ends are covered in plastic, it does appear to match up with the latest Intamin track designs. In fact, it looks rather similar to the track Intamin used on SkyRush at Hersheypark, with a single spine instead of a double.
If Intamin does prove to be the company behind the coaster, then the rumors about using a bigger and improved version of the Freefall Drop Track gimmick are also very likely to be true as well. It certainly would fit in well into a Harry Potter themed coaster at the very least.

Ohai, Gringotts Coaster!


Thanks to the Orlando United Forum for the images!

 

[Tim]

Or, just throwing it out there, first of the new S&S FreeFly? Their track looks like that to and the ride matches the film better. A week ago I'd have said not but now we know they do a high capacity version...

...it's possible

 

[Rocket]

Hmm
Looks like skyrush track, maybe intamin have redesigned the drop ride for US as its a much higher budget?

 

[Sam]

It amazes me that Universal would trust the decade's biggest coaster project to Intamin. If that's hard to believe, the idea of them leaving it in the hands of S&S is unthinkable.

 

[Rob]

Or, just throwing it out there, first of the new S&S FreeFly? Their track looks like that to and the ride matches the film better. A week ago I'd have said not but now we know they do a high capacity version...

...it's possible

Ooh good shout there, that's definitely possible and it could work really well! I'm not totally convinced it looks exactly like S&S track after having a little look of RCDB but there are similarities so it could be!

It's definitely not Intamin track. Their new track has a double spine yet there is only one spine on that track, and Intamin don't do track with one cylindrical spine.

 

[Nick]

It's nothing like the Skyrush track, at all- as Skyrush has the double spine (as shown below):

Or even like the Intamin tri-rail (this track is thinner from top to bottom).

It could be the S&S, although I doubt it- considering it's an inside coaster- but definitely a possibility.

It could also be a Premier- considering the relationship with Universal in the past with Revenge of the Mummy- and looking at the track:

Doesn't look like Intamin or Gerstlauer to me.

 

[Rob]

My money would indeed be on Premier. It will be either Premier, S&S, Maurer or Vekoma. They're the main manufacturers that I can think of the produce track similar to that seen in the photo.

 

[Sam]

Vekoma would be the obvious choice for a project like this. Disney always use them for big coaster projects like BTM and Expedition Everest. You can never predict what their track looks like, it often changes with every project.

 

[Tim]

While I wouldn't rule out Intamin I can't imagine they would use anything but Bi-Rail for a Th13teen style drop ride. There’s no reason for them to use a reinforced track type when they are limited to trains that have to be lightweight for the drop to work.

Also this is a straight section of track and so likely to be a block break or station section that’ll be under less stress than most. So having track like this either suggests the trains on this ride will be quite heavy or the manufacturer in question only produces track like this (like in the case of B&M that only ever use box track, even in the station).

 

[Benzin]

Blates gonna be a Zierer... Just to troll everyone again...

 

[spike1911]

Looks like the SW7 track? Eurofighter?

 

[SLC]

I'm sure that whatever the ride manufacturer, the ride will be more focused on theming and little gimmicky tricks such as RotM, meaning reliability and willingness to experiment with new ideas will be the most important factors.

 

[Rob]

Looks like the SW7 track? Eurofighter?

SW7 has tri-track and that definitely isn't tri-track. It definitely won't be a Gerstlauer.

As SLC has said, elements other than the manufacturer are probably more important when it comes to a coaster like this. Saying that I do think a new design S&S FreeFly would work really well, though it is probably unlikely.

 

[Rupert]

This is entirely indoors right? I find the idea that you could squeeze a good, high-capacity S&S Freefly inside a building to be ludicrous. They need so much clearance.

 

[Rob]

^ Which is why I say it's unlikely. It's just an interesting concept, I highly doubt it will happen however.

 

[BigAl]

Yesterday, Orlando Theme Park News has uploaded a nice collection of photos taken in the evenings at IoA and Studios which can all be viewed at the following links:


Part 1

This bike is parked at the Port of Entry and is covered in Jaws references (see full album).

A photo showing where the Hogwarts Express will arrive at IoA.



Part 2

Time for the biggest and most important updates! I'll start with this photo of a new sticker that has been put on the sign at the Coca Cola Freestyle booth in the Lost Continent!

There's also a new divider between the Jurassic Park River Adventure lockers and the gift shop.



Part 3

It seems that Pharos Lighthouse hasn't been lighting up recently.

I hope that gets sorted soon!

 

[Sam]

Construction update on Transformers from Orlando Theme Park News.

 

[Sam]

2014/2015 - PotterVerse: London / Project 722 - (11/30/12) Who’s up for a visit to Borgin & Burkes? According to the latest update at Spins The World, one of the most fascinating new additions that will be part of the new London expansion project will be a visit to the infamous Borgin & Burkes, hidden in Knockturn Alley. Guess will be brought into the store and encouraged to explore the shop and interact with numerous items, including the “Hand of Glory”. The shop, as seen in the film series, was a dark creepy shop filled with the magical artifacts of evil dark magic. Sounds like a perfect place for theme park guests to explore.

http://spinstheworld.com/2012/11/28/project-722-the-borgin-and-burkes-experience/

 

[BigAl]

Harry Potter update, anyone?

And also two of the Transformers building as well:

Source.









Edit: Screamscape has also found out a little more about the rumours regarding the Simpsons expansion...

Spring 2013 - Project 971 / Simpsons - (12/4/12) The latest word on the new flat ride being added to the new Simpsons themed area is that it does indeed appear, on the surface at least, to most likely be another Dumbo style fly-in-a-circle ride. Still no solid leads on what the theme may be just yet…

 

[Danny]

Orlando United have created a timeline that will remain up to date of all updates to the second phase of WWOHP:

Potter Phase 2 Rumor/News Recap: What We Know

Nickname: Project 722
Rumored Opening Date: Late 2014/Early-Summer 2015

Rumored Attractions:
Gringotts Bank roller coaster – Intamin coaster. Strong rumors include drop track, dual-load station (E-Ticket)
Hogwarts Express – Transferring guests from IoA to Universal Studios. It is currently unknown how they will deal with the ticketing situation. It will be run similar to monorails used at airports. (E-Ticket)
Diagon Alley


Rough Timeline:

09/25/10 – Rumors on a Potter Expansion begin to pick up
10/03/10 – Universal releases a survey asking about a Potter Expansion
01/02/12 – Jaws closes & walls go up around Amity the next day
05/30/12 – A permit labeled Project 7542 is filed. Strongly rumored to be Gringotts fire.
06/01/12 - 3 New permits filed for what is most likely Hogwarts Express: Project 7717, 3641, and 4691.
06/13/12 – Permits filed for the staging ground of the expansion (dubbed Project 722).
07/04/12 – Walls begin going up surrounding Dragon Challenge on the West side of Sinbad
07/08/12 – Landscaping begins to be removed behind the walls next to Sinbad
07/09/12 – Set pieces are spotted and photographed at Nassal Co.
07/12/12 – First section of sea wall is poured; sea wall is set to look like Victoria Embankment
07/13/12 – Nassal is possibly prepping molds for the giant statue that’s part of the Weasley Wizard Wheezes’ façade
07/16/12- Reports of digging behind Mummy for Hogwarts Express
07/18/12 – Large trees taken out behind Mummy overnight; confirm reports of work going on behind Mummy
07/18/12 – Permit filed for show building
07/19/12 – A source describes “environmental effects, 3-D sets and next generation projection effects.” for Gringotts attraction
07/20/12 – Permit is filled with a description of a glass canopy which seems to hint at King’s Cross
07/22/12 – First crane appears on site
07/26/12 – Hatetofly hints at Gringotts being an Intamin coaster
07/27/12 – Crane appears behind Mummy
08/04/12 – Underground markers spotted throughout the main backstage road
08/08/12 – Backlot road behind Mummy is closed “until further notice”
08/09/12 – Theming begins on sea wall/Victoria Embankment
08/11/12 – First OU Aerial photo update of Phase 2
08/16/12 - Notice of Commencement was filed on Friday with BlueScope Construction for a Metal Building; company is known for large warehouses
08/18/12 – Construction walls go up around Lost Continent games
08/22/12 – Construction for Gringotts goes vertical
08/24/12 – Balloon height markers are spotted
08/29/12 – Group of creative members and contractors are spotted in the WWoHP with construction vests on
08/30/12 – Spirit from WDWMagic hints at a big change mentioning a visit to WDW by Uni execs
08/31/12 – Scaffolding on the sea wall/Victoria Embankment begins to go down
09/05/12 – Permits filed for Hogsmeade Station (Building 235), 9 3/4 (Building 64 E) and the building between Gringotts and Platform 9 3/4 (Building 64D)
09/07/12 – Lost Continent palm reading is moved to make way for Hogwarts Express
09/10/12 – Tower crane arrives on site and the remaining scaffolding at Victoria Embankment is removed
09/12/12 – Portion of the Gringotts roof frame goes up
09/13/12 – Water returns to the area in front of Victoria Embankment
09/14/12 – “Ticketing building” mentioned again in a Hogsmeade Station permit
09/14/12 – Frozen Treats building in Lost Continent is demolished
09/16/12 – Dam in front of the Victoria Embankment is being removed
09/17/12 – New information involving Hogsmeade Station, pedestrian tunnels & walkways, and a “steeple connection to a roof” is found in permits
09/17/12 – Plants added to the Embankment area; opening appears to be soon
09/19/12 – Brief aerial footage from Click Orlando
09/23/12 – Work is being done on the old Amity restrooms; appears they are staying
09/25/12 – Victoria Embankment opens to the public
09/26/12 – Building permits filed for 66B and 66C
10/08/12 – Roof installation begins at Gringotts
10/11/12 – Work begins on the front side of Gringotts
10/15/12 – New aerial photos courtesy of WESH
10/17/12 – Second tower crane goes up
10/23/12 – A tower crane is added to the Lost Continent construction site; there are also 2 boom cranes located in Amity and by Dragon Challenge
10/25/12 – Another permit is filed for Gringotts, this time for the roof
10/25/12 – Source “WhyLightbulb” posts about Hogwarts Express features such as steam, scenery, and effects
10/26/12 – Permits reveal that building 66B in the bottom right corner of Gringotts will be a shop
10/27/12 – Backlot construction work for Hogwarts Express is visible in the line for a Halloween Horror Nights house
10/30/12 – Building permit filed for Building 65 (possibly Ollivanders)
11/02/12 – Disneyhead reveals that Hogwarts Express will be made by Doppelmayr and semi-generic teaser signs have gone up on the IoA construction walls
11/04/12 – Gringotts is beginning to get enclosed
11/13/12 – A lot of construction pieces are spotted in the Lost Continent construction area
11/15/12 – King’s Cross goes vertical
11/15/12 – First piece of Gringotts track is installed
11/16/12 – New notice of commencement for Coastal Steel for steel installation
11/20/12 – New permit mentioning “actor stairs” seems to back Ollivanders being in Building 65
11/22/12 – More track spotted for Gringotts
11/25/12 – Disneyhead reveals rumor that Weasley Wizard Wheezes will feature AAs, special effects, easter eggs, and possibly a little pyro. Also mentions the inclusion of Borgin and Burkes in the project.
11/30/12 – Several permits filed for Hogsmeade Station, Platform 9 ¾, and Building 64D (Borgin & Burkes?)
12/01/12 – Second OU Aerial Photo Update of Phase 2
12/03/12 – Hatetofly mentions steam being used as a station effect for the Hogwarts Express


Building Numbers with their rumored attractions:

- 64A - Shop
- 64B – Shop
- 64C - Shop
- 64D – Borgin & Burkes
- 64E – Platform 9 ¾
- 64F – Leaky Cauldron
- 64G – King’s Cross
- 65 – Ollivanders (or similar wand shop)
- 65A - Weasley Wizard Wheezes
- 66 – Gringotts Ride
- 66A – Gringotts queue
- 66B – Gringotts shop
- 235 – Hogsmeade Station

Helpful Pictures:

Layout w/ size measurements (from Teebin):

3D Rendering (from Teebin):

Layout of the area:

Gringotts ride layout (from Lee at WDWMagic):

Layout w/ building numbers (from ReelJustice):