The Universal Rumors thread

[HTF]

Universal Creative has its share of corner cutters and always will in some aspects of design, development, and construction. While they indeed have learned so much in the past decade the one area you won't see corners cut is Potter Phase 2. I can promise you they have tried to cut in several areas of the expansion but WB's and JK will not allow it. There were several areas of Hogsmeade in phase 1 that had to be redone as well as the horrid rock work of Hogwarts which cost a huge amount of money. This resulting in budget cuts else where, namely within the FJ attraction. Static figures anyone?

Anywho expect WB's to be even more nitpicky during the last 12 months of construction of Phase 2, but lets just hope ride effects don't pay the price.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Universal Creative has its share of corner cutters and always will in some aspects of design, development, and construction. While they indeed have learned so much in the past decade the one area you won't see corners cut is Potter Phase 2. I can promise you they have tried to cut in several areas of the expansion but WB's and JK will not allow it. There were several areas of Hogsmeade in phase 1 that had to be redone as well as the horrid rock work of Hogwarts which cost a huge amount of money. This resulting in budget cuts else where, namely within the FJ attraction. Static figures anyone?

Anywho expect WB's to be even more nitpicky during the last 12 months of construction of Phase 2, but lets just hope ride effects don't pay the price.

I know you've probably been asked this a million times, but are there plans down the pipeline now that they have a constant revenue stream to go back and plus the things in phase 1 that could have been done better? Maybe go back into FJ and animate some of those static figures? Add some additional rockwork to improve sightlines around Hogwarts?

I'm sure there's some trouble areas that even JKR and WB would like addressed sooner rather than later.

 

[HTF]

I know you've probably been asked this a million times, but are there plans down the pipeline now that they have a constant revenue stream to go back and plus the things in phase 1 that could have been done better? Maybe go back into FJ and animate some of those static figures? Add some additional rockwork to improve sightlines around Hogwarts?

I'm sure there's some trouble areas that even JKR and WB would like addressed sooner rather than later.

Well yes and no. Take for instance the unused Dementors scene within the FJ. That will most likely never be used as WB's deemed it too frightening. But then you look at the other upgrades we've seen within the FJ, like the addition of a fog screen 6 months after opening or just this past years upgrade to the Flu scene. So while upgrades are going to be made over time, they most likely won't be to big ticket items.

If JP gets the overhaul that I think it will as some of you may have read elsewhere. We may see rock work added to cover the show building but I honestly believe we will never see any rock work added to the FJ show building. If anything I think we could see the wrap technique added similar to what were going to see added to Transformers soon. While that may not be the best way of doing it, it couldn't hurt.

In Hogsmeade however is where you will see the biggest changes. Mainly due to a realigning of the entry to Hogsmeade but that's a whole different conversation. Also many may not realize but the reason the stage was built in Hogsmeade for the performers was due to guest and employee safety. The rock and concrete they previously performed on was deemed dangerous and they decided to build a small stage with a slip resistant flooring to be able to resume shows. Heck from May through December there were no shows other than the Frog Choir. The other groups came out and did more of a meet and greet but no live action shows fo 7 months while a fix got the approval of WB's and crowds to subside.

 

[Matt7187]

So, @HTF I'm not a huge universal follower, but I really want to go and ride fj. I saw you said that the dementia scene was shut off. That is terrible! Are there any other major changes to it that I may not know of?

 

[BigThunderMatt]

So, @HTF I'm not a huge universal follower, but I really want to go and ride fj. I saw you said that the dementia scene was shut off. That is terrible! Are there any other major changes to it that I may not know of?

The dementor scene is not shut off. There are just dementors that are in the attraction that have always been there, in a certain scene, that have never had their show lighting turned on because WB deemed them to be too frightening in the location they were in. This was most likely due more to the idea that they were "surrounding" the guests, than anything else, as I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that the additional Dementor figures are just static or simple props rather than the ones that are on Kuka arms.

 

[Matt7187]

The dementor scene is not shut off. There are just dementors that are in the attraction that have always been there, in a certain scene, that have never had their show lighting turned on because WB deemed them to be too frightening in the location they were in. This was most likely due more to the idea that they were "surrounding" the guests, than anything else, as I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that the additional Dementor figures are just static or simple props rather than the ones that are on Kuka arms.

Oh, ok. Thank you so much for telling me that! I thought it was gone!

 

[cheezbat]

If JP gets the overhaul that I think it will as some of you may have read elsewhere. We may see rock work added to cover the show building but I honestly believe we will never see any rock work added to the FJ show building. If anything I think we could see the wrap technique added similar to what were going to see added to Transformers soon. While that may not be the best way of doing it, it couldn't hurt.
.

I don't know how I feel about the wrap idea, but I guess it's better than nothing. As for rockwork, I don't think the JP River Adventure needs more rockwork. It works fine as it is, but FJ needs it. It's obtrusive into the JP area and from different spots in Hogsmeade it just sticks out.

While the scenery and facades are important, what's inside is far more important. Here's hoping for Dino updates as well as some new ones added to the river adventure...and hopefully a few animatronic bots in Transformers too!

 

[HTF]

I don't know how I feel about the wrap idea, but I guess it's better than nothing. As for rockwork, I don't think the JP River Adventure needs more rockwork. It works fine as it is, but FJ needs it. It's obtrusive into the JP area and from different spots in Hogsmeade it just sticks out.

While the scenery and facades are important, what's inside is far more important. Here's hoping for Dino updates as well as some new ones added to the river adventure...and hopefully a few animatronic bots in Transformers too!

I was referring to adding rock work to the FJ from the JP side.

 

[Turtle]

I just realized... Isn't the new hotel being constructed, Cabana Bay BEACH Resort, right next to the empty spot of land rumored for the water-park.

Would this and new water park patents from Universal give some credibility?

 

[cheezbat]

I was referring to adding rock work to the FJ from the JP side.

Oh!!!

Now that makes so much more sense! I truly hope this happens.

 

[disney fan 13]

Oh!!!

Now that makes so much more sense! I truly hope this happens.

Along with rockwork to hide the exposed showbuilding on the other side...

 

[Disneyhead'71]

To be honest I have always been a bit disappointed about how visible the FJ show building is from the JP side, until this past Saturday when I noticed that the foliage has REALLY grown up and you really can't see it all that much any more. I am less concerned about it than I used to be.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

Thought I would throw in this article. My apologies if it has already been mentioned. I know a couple insiders said LotR was dead, but these trademarks seem odd if this source is correct.

http://www.hypable.com/2013/01/29/middle-earth-lord-of-the-rings-hobbit-theme-park/

On another note, I can't thank @HTF & @Disneyhead'71 for their Universal insider scoops. It is a MUCH needed breath of fresh air from all of this MyMagic+ stuff. Ugh...

 

[baaviator]

Ok this is killing me, what is fj?

 

[flynnibus]

Ok this is killing me, what is fj?

Forbidden Journey - the Harry Potter ride

 

[disney fan 13]

Updated to remove the Dark ride...

 

[disney fan 13]

Updated, made it flow a little better and deleted some old completed things.

 

[BryceM]

Updated, made it flow a little better and deleted some old completed things.

What???

 

[disney fan 13]

What???

Corrected some spelling errors and took out the Mummy prefurb and Citywalk update.

 

[JafarMaleficent]

I havent heard anything about an IOA lagoon show.