Diagon Alley reviews thread

[Disneyhead'71]

The book is considerably darker than either movie.

Therefore, perfect fodder for Universal.

Dorothy: "I don't then we are in Kansas anymore."

 

[StageFrenzy]

The book is considerably darker than either movie.

Therefore, perfect fodder for Universal.

Dorothy: "I don't then we are in Kansas anymore."

Every Dahl book is pretty dark, strangely I was never bothered by it when I was in the 3rd grade.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Honestly, as someone that is going to Universal for 4 days in a week, if the crowds are down, I'm not complaining. But that's just me.

But also as overall fan of theme parks, I really want Diagon Alley to be a smashing success for Universal. And I think it is and will be.

Lol.

Typical New Wait times now.
DM - 85 Minutes +
Rockit - 65 Minutes +
Transformers - 70 Minutes +
Gringotts - 150 Minutes +
Mummy - 30 Minutes - 55 Minutes
MIB - 25 Minutes to 55 Minutes

Everything else is usually 30 Minutes or less give or take a few minutes

MY point is, two years ago, 3 of these rides weren't here and wait times would never exceed 65 minutes for the most popular ride in the park at the time (Rockit). DIagon Alley has changed that!

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

So at Disney you can buy a park Hooper and hop between parks on a bus, a monorail or a boat.

At uni you can buy a park Hooper and hop between parks on the Hogwarts express.

Where is the difference? Other than Uni's mode of transport in a tad more elaborate.

Oh huge difference. Main difference is time. I Can probably go park to park in Uni on the Hogwarts express in about 5-6 minutes (Not including a line) as opposed to 30-45 minutes on an over crowded bus.

By the time that bus from Animal Kingdom gets to Magic Kingdom, I've got on the Hogwarts, Watched a short movie on the train Leaving UNI, Went to Islands, Boarded Dueling Dragons TWICE, picked up something to drink, and got in line for Forbidden Journey.

NO there is no difference.

 

[SJN1279]

Oh huge difference. Main difference is time. I Can probably go park to park in Uni on the Hogwarts express in about 5-6 minutes (Not including a line) as opposed to 30-45 minutes on an over crowded bus.

By the time that bus from Animal Kingdom gets to Magic Kingdom, I've got on the Hogwarts, Watched a short movie on the train Leaving UNI, Went to Islands, Boarded Dueling Dragons TWICE, picked up something to drink, and got in line for Forbidden Journey.

NO there is no difference.

Or take a 5 minute walk, since IOA is right there.

Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom is much further apart. You really can't compare the sizes of WDW to UOR.

 

[71jason]

Just out of interest, once all the hype has dissipated and everything's calmed down, how long do people think Diagon Alley will take to 'do'? I.e. a few hours, half a day, a whole day?

Casual fan, probably 2 hours, plus whatever Gringotts ends up taking. If you're a huge Potter fan, easily half a day (includes a meal at Leaky, seeing all the shows, extra time in shops).

 

[Timekeeper]

Casual fan, probably 2 hours, plus whatever Gringotts ends up taking. If you're a huge Potter fan, easily half a day (includes a meal at Leaky, seeing all the shows, extra time in shops).

I completely agree with this estimate.

A huge HP fan, who has never experienced IOA or USF before could probably spend the majority of the day just between the two HP areas.

 

[RobUK]

Casual fan, probably 2 hours, plus whatever Gringotts ends up taking. If you're a huge Potter fan, easily half a day (includes a meal at Leaky, seeing all the shows, extra time in shops).

Definitely planning on eating at Leaky. Is it truly as detailed as people say then? I'm a bit worried that I've read so much about it, and seen so many video reviews, that there won't be anything left to discover (well, aside from the rides obviously).

 

[Tony Perkis]

Or take a 5 minute walk, since IOA is right there.

Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom is much further apart. You really can't compare the sizes of WDW to UOR.

Exactly. A park hopper at Disney is necessary because 2 of the 4 parks aren't full day experiences.

 

[Timekeeper]

Is it truly as detailed as people say then? I'm a bit worried that I've read so much about it, and seen so many video reviews, that there won't be anything left to discover (well, aside from the rides obviously).

Yes, it is. Nothing in the reviews or videos takes away from the enjoyment of being there in person. You will surely discover lots of things that would take hours to cover in a video format, not to mention plenty of interactive elements.

 

[HTF]

The ride apparently isn't just a copy of King Kong 360 3D. Here's a quote from the Kong Skull Island thread.

@HTF can you confirm if this is still the plan?

I'm not at liberty to discuss what and what hasn't changed... Sorry

 

[HTF]

Regardless of any changes made or not made, this ride is gonna be bonkers!

 

[Mike S]

I'm not at liberty to discuss what and what hasn't changed... Sorry

No problem, gotta protect your sources. Thanks for that info anyway. The ride sounds amazing

 

[seahawk7]

Regardless of any changes made or not made, this ride is gonna be bonkers!

When is due to come out?

 

[Tom Morrow]

When is due to come out?

let's go with "before Avatarland"

 

[Timekeeper]

let's go with "before Avatarland"

All theme park-related events will now adhere to the reference dating system of "B.A." and "A.A."

 

[Disneyhead'71]

All theme park-related events will now adhere to the reference dating system of "B.A." and "A.A."

I believe the chronological designations should be BP and AP. Potter caused a paradigm shift.

 

[seahawk7]

Ok so I wanted to ask this hear to get your points of view: how did Universal end up with HP over Disney? I read that JK Rowling was the deciding factor, that she believed Disney would Disnify (I made this word up I think) HP and would ruin it. Judging from what they did this last year with Star Wars I think she had a point? Is there more to the story or another story?

 

[Tom Morrow]

Okay, so, 2nd ride on Gringotts:

I pretty much stand by my initial reactions in my original post in this thread. The ride is very good, no question... but it's no game changer and is underwhelming / too similar to what already exists at Universal despite being a new ride system. When the hype dies down, I think more people will reflect on this.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

Ok so I wanted to ask this hear to get your points of view: how did Universal end up with HP over Disney? I read that JK Rowling was the deciding factor, that she believed Disney would Disnify (I made this word up I think) HP and would ruin it. Judging from what they did this last year with Star Wars I think she had a point? Is there more to the story or another story?

I don't know why we assume Disney was ever in on Potter. It isn't like JK Rowling was just doing a public bidding auction for the theme park rights. I'm guessing Universal talked to her and convinced her they could do this properly and they did.