Diagon Alley details revealed - spoiler alert

PrincessNelly_NJ

Well-Known Member
Wow - that herminie voice is pretty aweful sounding in the HE videos. Wish the train had the jerky start stop that real trains did. I like the reveal of the train at kings cross but it didn't seem to have the dynamic life of a real steam engine.

That queue is quite crazy how huge it is. That long staircase is quite unusual too!
That is the only complaint I heard from anyone at DA last night. That the voice of Hermione wasn't good.:(
 

Mike S

Well-Known Member
I have to say, I often hate 3D screens myself but I have found that at Universal on Spiderman, Forbidden Journey, & Transformers, that the screens are such good quality that I have no issue with them. They appear so life like that the 3d effect isn't too bad.
FB does have physical interactions... as someone who is terrified of spiders... I had a mild panic attack on FB... the employee who pull up our picture was in tears that how funny I looked. :oops::D
I think that as long as I feel truly immersed and that it is well executed that screens are okay with me.
Soarin is 100% screens LOL... Okay not the same..:rolleyes:;)
I also think that screens extend the life of an attraction... just a bit... animatronics do eventually get dated..
while imagine being able to add new scenes to current rides. I can appreciate your desire for the physical... at least the rock work inside Gringotts is pretty impressive.

I think your safe here, in the Universal forum section... most pixie dusters don't even come here LOL
When it comes to Transformers I remember reading long before it opened first in Singapore that the ride was supposed to have full size animatronics in addition to the screens. Now, I don't know if this is true or not since I didn't read it here but maybe one of our insiders could clarify. Man it would've been incredible to have a real full size Optimus Prime.
 

PrincessNelly_NJ

Well-Known Member
When it comes to Transformers I remember reading long before it opened first in Singapore that the ride was supposed to have full size animatronics in addition to the screens. Now, I don't know if this is true or not since I didn't read it here but maybe one of our insiders could clarify. Man it would've been incredible to have a real full size Optimus Prime.
That would have been amazing... probably a bit hard to maintain though.
I would be impressed with even a stationary Optimus Prime somewhere around the ride or something! It would have been massive.
Then again, I was ridiculously excited to see the M&G with them! I'm easily entertained :D
 

SJN1279

Well-Known Member
The first drop in Gringotts sounds fun. The fact that it is 95 percent screens in 3d and spins a lot sounds much less so. Spinning and 3D do not mix!

Like Forbidden Journey, the queue sounds better than the actual ride.
 

pumpkin7

Well-Known Member
As much as I dislike Potter, I think they've done a really good job here, even if I think they've gone into overkill putting Potter into both parks. I can see why they've done it, as it should increase attendance in the Studios.
The screens work very, very well in the Hogwarts Express. Do they just have the one train running backward and forward? Those are going to be some killer queues.
I'm looking forward to visiting.
 

danlb_2000

Premium Member
As much as I dislike Potter, I think they've done a really good job here, even if I think they've gone into overkill putting Potter into both parks. I can see why they've done it, as it should increase attendance in the Studios.
The screens work very, very well in the Hogwarts Express. Do they just have the one train running backward and forward? Those are going to be some killer queues.
I'm looking forward to visiting.

There are two trains, each going opposite direction of the other.
 

flynnibus

Premium Member
Original Poster
Having lived in the direct neighbourhood of The real King's Cross for a year while at university, I have to say I am more impressed by it than I thought I would be. In real life it is not one of those grand train stations. It is rather small and utilitarian.

Still has that tall arch and open expanse up high though. I know it's the "mini" version, but the grandeur feels a bit lost.

My point of reference..
kings_cross_station_s150912_s3.jpg


For a theme park setting it's incredible dedication... but it's like the Effiel Tower in France in World Showcase... neat idea, impressive they did it, but lacks the same punch :)
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
Gonna have to agree with some others and say the over-reliance on screens in Escape from Gringotts is hugely disappointing. I have yet to experience the ride and look forward to doing so - I'm sure it is still going to be quite excellent and great fun, and the ride system looks to be a marvel - but the lack of practical effects is something that I think is really hurting Universal. Before everyone goes off on me claiming I should be used to this or whatever, keep in mind that the "3D screens everywhere" craze didn't start until relatively recently in the resort's history with the introduction of Transformers and Despicable Me, and now Gringotts... while Forbidden Journey featured screens, it also had tons of practical sets and animatronics... (yes I know Gringotts has some practical sets, not my point). Before all these additions, you just had Spider-Man as the 3D screen ride, and it had so many practical elements seamlessly integrated into the experience (and the idea was just so NEW and impossible) that it shattered our expectations for what a theme park ride could do.

After seeing this trick done for the third time, it's just not as exciting.
 

LithiumBill

Well-Known Member
I love these pictures and videos, DA looks amazing! The Que at Gringotts is stunning, and the ride sounds fun.

I was a bit underwhelmed with the Hogwarts express video / trip... It seemed a bit boring. I am sure it's is much more immersive BEING there, but I had hoped for more excitement or action. The dementor bit, while cool, is followed by chocolate frogs escaping - talk about just dismissing the bad guys... lol. And the other way the most exciting thing is a spider on the window and fireworks from the twins outside?

Just seems they could have done better with the story there.

AGAIN, that is MY opinion from watching Mrs. Ricky's videos, and not BEING THERE... I'll surely change my mind once actually riding.
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
The first drop in Gringotts sounds fun. The fact that it is 95 percent screens in 3d and spins a lot sounds much less so. Spinning and 3D do not mix!
I wouldn't say spins a lot but I'll let you judge for yourself. Personally I don't do spinning more than TSMM. Which I believe this motion is comparable to.

Again I'll let others judge too, but it isn't just screens. There are a lot of physical sets too. This will be an occasion, like TF and FJ, where a physical built environment just couldn't pull off the experience.
 

PrincessNelly_NJ

Well-Known Member
I love these pictures and videos, DA looks amazing! The Que at Gringotts is stunning, and the ride sounds fun.

I was a bit underwhelmed with the Hogwarts express video / trip... It seemed a bit boring. I am sure it's is much more immersive BEING there, but I had hoped for more excitement or action. The dementor bit, while cool, is followed by chocolate frogs escaping - talk about just dismissing the bad guys... lol. And the other way the most exciting thing is a spider on the window and fireworks from the twins outside?

Just seems they could have done better with the story there.

AGAIN, that is MY opinion from watching Mrs. Ricky's videos, and not BEING THERE... I'll surely change my mind once actually riding.
I actually read that depending on where you sit, you have different visuals on the train... the same scene but it is a continuous visual... like when passing the cars on the London streets... the front of the train is seeing cars that the back of the train hasn't passed yet. It was said that the middle of the train offers the best views of each scene.... I forgot which blogger posted that...
 

coogsrockets

New Member
I actually read that depending on where you sit, you have different visuals on the train... the same scene but it is a continuous visual... like when passing the cars on the London streets... the front of the train is seeing cars that the back of the train hasn't passed yet. It was said that the middle of the train offers the best views of each scene.... I forgot which blogger posted that...
If this is true, this takes the detail to a whole new level. I'd imagine that having a perspective based ride would be incredibly difficult to pull off.
 

PrincessNelly_NJ

Well-Known Member
Gonna have to agree with some others and say the over-reliance on screens in Escape from Gringotts is hugely disappointing. I have yet to experience the ride and look forward to doing so - I'm sure it is still going to be quite excellent and great fun, and the ride system looks to be a marvel - but the lack of practical effects is something that I think is really hurting Universal. Before everyone goes off on me claiming I should be used to this or whatever, keep in mind that the "3D screens everywhere" craze didn't start until relatively recently in the resort's history with the introduction of Transformers and Despicable Me, and now Gringotts... while Forbidden Journey featured screens, it also had tons of practical sets and animatronics... (yes I know Gringotts has some practical sets, not my point). Before all these additions, you just had Spider-Man as the 3D screen ride, and it had so many practical elements seamlessly integrated into the experience (and the idea was just so NEW and impossible) that it shattered our expectations for what a theme park ride could do.

After seeing this trick done for the third time, it's just not as exciting.
I don't mind the screens but I could see how repeating rides gets old... I was really disappointed that HM, Nemo, and Little Mermaid were really similar. :(
I feel like theme parks are kind of out of ideas as far as family rides go... either people will say they are boring or too scary or too thrilling. They can't win.
 

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