New Aerials: Courtesy of Scuttle

[disney fan 13]

Universal is indeed improving.

When I look at the aerials of Hogsmeade, I think that area is gorgeous...but then I see the junky buildings that comprise that Sinbad/Atlantis area. They are so ugly and cheap looking.

You are so right. Look at this...despicable...

Pick it up UNI!

 

[phi2134]

I am really curious as to how the hogwart's express will look and work once its completed. If I were to do it, I would somehow use video screens in place of windows so that you werent looking out on to the parking lots or show buildings, but instead it looked like your were traveling through the british countryside. Has anyone heard anything as to how they will do it or what the experience will be?

 

[TalkingHead]

The size is pretty amazing. I can't get over that show building and how far along it is. If they keep this pace up I seriously wouldn't be shocked if they beat 7DMT to open.

Thanks for the pictures -- those Potter pics are very interesting. I think I've read some predictions that Potter could open sometime in 2014, so maybe a few months after 7DMT? Even if it's 12 months after the mine train opens, how sad is that?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I am really curious as to how the hogwart's express will look and work once its completed. If I were to do it, I would somehow use video screens in place of windows so that you werent looking out on to the parking lots or show buildings, but instead it looked like your were traveling through the british countryside. Has anyone heard anything as to how they will do it or what the experience will be?

Advanced screens that will convincingly create layers of depth.

 

[disney fan 13]

Thanks for the pictures -- those Potter pics are very interesting. I think I've read some predictions that Potter could open sometime in 2014, so maybe a few months after 7DMT? Even if it's 12 months after the mine train opens, how sad is that?

From what i've gathered, I'm hearing opening could be anywhere from Winter 2014-June 2015.

 

[NormC]

The yellow fabric is the base layer (perhaps a wire mesh, or possibly a fiberglass or poly mesh) that keeps the rock material from just falling through as they're installing it. The darker grid is the rebar. They will apply a thick coat of the faux rock material that will bind with the yellow fabric and encapsulate the rebar.

Edward is correct. You cannot spray on concrete without a backer.

 

[danlb_2000]

I am really curious as to how the hogwart's express will look and work once its completed. If I were to do it, I would somehow use video screens in place of windows so that you werent looking out on to the parking lots or show buildings, but instead it looked like your were traveling through the british countryside. Has anyone heard anything as to how they will do it or what the experience will be?

This is exactly what is planned.

 

[ChrisM]

Advanced screens that will convincingly create layers of depth.

It's parallax, you dig?

 

[saxamoophone]

Thanks for the pictures -- those Potter pics are very interesting. I think I've read some predictions that Potter could open sometime in 2014, so maybe a few months after 7DMT? Even if it's 12 months after the mine train opens, how sad is that?

The cool thing is that Comcast didn't want to wait that long for a new major attraction to open, so they fast tracked Transformers to open summer 2013.

So if we're keeping score, I think the Major (E-Ticket) Attractions opening between 2010-2015 are:
IOA: Potter ( 1 E Ticket + Land )
IOA: HD Spiderman ( Upgrade )
Universal: Transformers ( E Ticket )
Universal: Potter ( 1 E Ticket + Land )
DHS: Star Wars ( Upgrade )
Epcot: Test Track ( Upgrade )
Animal Kingdom: Avatar (Maybe in 2015...)

Universal Orlando: 3 new E Tickets
Disney World: 0 new E Tickets.

Would you count the SWa7D coaster as an E-Ticket?

 

[TalkingHead]

The cool thing is that Comcast didn't want to wait that long for a new major attraction to open, so they fast tracked Transformers to open summer 2013.

So if we're keeping score, I think the Major (E-Ticket) Attractions opening between 2010-2015 are:
IOA: Potter
IOA: HD Spiderman
Universal: Transformers
Universal: Potter
DHS: Star Wars
Epcot: Test Track
Animal Kingdom: Avatar (Maybe in 2015...)

Would you count the SWa7D coaster as an E-Ticket?

I wouldn't consider it an E.

And I'd also amend that list to take away Spidey, Star Wars, and TT -- all were upgrades, but not brand-spanking new.

Which means Forbidden Journey, Transformers, Gringott's and maybe Avatar are the only ones we're looking at for 2010-2015. And for the sound of things 2015 might be unlikely for Avatar.

(To put it in perspective Everest was the last new Disney E...)

 

[saxamoophone]

I wouldn't consider it an E.

(To put it in perspective Everest was the last new Disney E...)

Good points.

It's also kind of sad to note that two of the newest things in DHS are closing already. LMA will likely close in 2013 (if Cars Land is approved of course) , and Idol is closing in 2014 ( the contract with 19 entertainment terminates in 2014, and Disney will not renew from what i understand ).

If all this occurs, the last standing major attraction for DHS would be what, Rockin' Rollar Coaster?[/quote]

 

[lazyboy97o]

Good points.

It's also kind of sad to note that two of the newest things in DHS are closing already. LMA will likely close in 2013 (if Cars Land is approved of course) , and Idol is closing in 2014 ( the contract with 19 entertainment terminates in 2014, and Disney will not renew from what i understand ).

If all this occurs, the last standing major attraction for DHS would be what, Rockin' Rollar Coaster?

Toy Story Midway Mania!

 

[BigThunderMatt]

I am really curious as to how the hogwart's express will look and work once its completed. If I were to do it, I would somehow use video screens in place of windows so that you werent looking out on to the parking lots or show buildings, but instead it looked like your were traveling through the british countryside. Has anyone heard anything as to how they will do it or what the experience will be?

That's pretty much EXACTLY how they're doing it.

 

[Timothy_Q]

The cool thing is that Comcast didn't want to wait that long for a new major attraction to open, so they fast tracked Transformers to open summer 2013.

So if we're keeping score, I think the Major (E-Ticket) Attractions opening between 2010-2015 are:
IOA: Potter ( 1 E Ticket + Land )
IOA: HD Spiderman ( Upgrade )
Universal: Transformers ( E Ticket )
Universal: Potter ( 1 E Ticket + Land )
DHS: Star Wars ( Upgrade )
Epcot: Test Track ( Upgrade )
Animal Kingdom: Avatar (Maybe in 2015...)

Universal Orlando: 3 new E Tickets
Disney World: 0 new E Tickets.

Would you count the SWa7D coaster as an E-Ticket?

They're saying the Hogwarts Express will be an E as well. In terms of imersiveness and unique technology

 

[BryceM]

I wouldn't consider it an E.

And I'd also amend that list to take away Spidey, Star Wars, and TT -- all were upgrades, but not brand-spanking new.

Which means Forbidden Journey, Transformers, Gringott's and maybe Avatar are the only ones we're looking at for 2010-2015. And for the sound of things 2015 might be unlikely for Avatar.

(To put it in perspective Everest was the last new Disney E...)

And the Simpsons expansion.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

And I'd also amend that list to take away Spidey, Star Wars, and TT -- all were upgrades, but not brand-spanking new.

I'll give you Test Track, but Spider-Man and Star Tours came out of it a helluva lot better than they were before.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I'll give you Test Track, but Spider-Man and Star Tours came out of it a helluva lot better than they were before.

Is Spider-Man the same scenes just higher definition?
...Or are they completely different visuals?

 

[saxamoophone]

Toy Story Midway Mania!

Ah, DUH! That's right!

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Is Spider-Man the same scenes just higher definition?
...Or are they completely different visuals?

They completely re-animated them from the ground up. The actions that take place are mostly the same (there's a few slight differences) but the updated CGI makes them look much much more realistic. They didn't just take the 1999 CGI and upgrade it to 4k high def, they completely re-animated it. You also remain at each sequence just slightly longer.

That's not even taking into effect the fact that sound system was completely upgraded and is like night and day compared to the previous incarnation of the ride.

 

[TalkingHead]

I'll give you Test Track, but Spider-Man and Star Tours came out of it a helluva lot better than they were before.

They're both good upgrades. I liked Spidey before and I like it now. It's been a candidate for best ride in Orlando ever since it opened. So is it a "helluva lot better" now? I dunno, it was already excellent and it looks better now.

Star Tours was well done, but it's still the same ride system, the same basic idea. Fun, but still a flight simulator. Meaning I'll go see it if I'm at DHS, but by itself it's not enough to get me through the gate.