Will Harry Potter 2.0 be open by late 2014?

[Horizonsfan]

There's a small part of me wondering by the time we get to 2020 or so, could it be possible that USF/IOA could become the #2 and #3 parks in Florida in attendance (behind MK)?

Barring DCA-style investment in DHS and more AK investment (in addition to Avatar), I could easily see USF & IOA becoming #3 & #4. I'm not so sure about Epcot.

As others have said, the main prize here isn't attendance, its who get's who's money.

 

[djlaosc]

Barring DCA-style investment in DHS and more AK investment (in addition to Avatar), I could easily see USF & IOA becoming #3 & #4. I'm not so sure about Epcot.

As others have said, the main prize here isn't attendance, its who get's who's money.

I know that the main prize is money, not attendance, but it would be interesting to see the 'boasting rights' change hands - same as in US TV Networks, the main prize is the 18-49 demo, but if you don't win that, you start boasting about your total viewer numbers, even though they're meaningless!

Unfortunately, the only thing that looks to be happening at Epcot is Test Track, which could reduce attendace this year while it's closed, then increase it next year when reopened!

Last year, Epcot was roughly 11m, DAK and DHS were roughly 9.5m, IOA was roughly 7 and USF was roughly 5m/6m, I think (the report was taken down off the website).

The only thing that could stop Universal increasing their numbers, and beating the other Disney parks, would be for them to cannabalise themselves (if the parks are counted as 'first park for the day gets the number', then if everyone starts to go into USF first for HP2.0 instead of IOA, then USF would shoot up, and IOA would plummet - what they need are new people who haven't been to either of them to start going to their parks.)

 

[Bairstow]

Not sure if this has been posted here yet, but:

Originally Posted by Teebin
For those of you that may be new here or missed some posts, I am reposting a 3D render of the new buildings and streets of Diagon that are to come. This cgi is based on outlines that were mistakenly posted by the Florida Management District. Note that this is flat topped only because I cannot know the kind of slanted roofs each facade will have. The left of center street is Diagon Alley which leads to Gringotts which connects to the show building (light blue). Far left top is the train station building. Use a bit of imagination and you will see it.

 

[marni1971]

That is indeed very close to being correct.

 

[JT3000]

I don't understand the logic behind this layout. It leaves quite a bit of open space on both sides of Gringotts. Doesn't look like a very good use of the space available. I also can't figure out that thin structure on the north end of the development. It's odd to say the least.

 

[Bairstow]

Some are speculating that the open spaces are for future expansion, but I believe the open space may be needed for maintenance access, fire lines, construction, etc. This will be the busiest area of the park for the foreseeable future.

 

[marni1971]

The Fear stage area should surely be on borrowed time if another ride plot was needed, I'd assume also including the area upto Gringotts. The area to the West of Gringotts is indeed maintainence and backstage access for the ride.

 

[djlaosc]

One thought about Diagon Alley...

Ollivanders is in Diagon Alley in the books/films, not in Hogsmeade. Does that mean that when this expansion is done, they will move the Ollivander wand show and the shop to Diagon Alley, and replace the shop in Hogsmeade with a shop that is supposed to be there?

There are shops that I don't think are represented in WWOHP's Hogsmeade..

• Gladrags Wizardwear (clothing, socks)
• Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop (stationery)
• Madam Puddifoot's (cafe)

 

[Bairstow]

One thought about Diagon Alley...

Ollivanders is in Diagon Alley in the books/films, not in Hogsmeade. Does that mean that when this expansion is done, they will move the Ollivander wand show and the shop to Diagon Alley, and replace the shop in Hogsmeade with a shop that is supposed to be there?

Given the queue nightmare that is the current Olivanders at Potterland now, I'd say that's very likely.
Supposedly the new Olivanders will have a dedicated interior queue space feeding multiple wand show rooms.
I would assume the multiple show rooms could be converted into additional retail space for the post-show shop when/if the demand for the show ever dies down.

 

[djlaosc]

Given the queue nightmare that is the current Olivanders at Potterland now, I'd say that's very likely.
Supposedly the new Olivanders will have a dedicated interior queue space feeding multiple wand show rooms.
I would assume the multiple show rooms could be converted into additional retail space for the post-show shop when/if the demand for the show ever dies down.

Well, as I just added above, there are shops that I don't think are represented in WWOHP's Hogsmeade..

• Gladrags Wizardwear (clothing, socks)
• Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop (stationery)
• Madam Puddifoot's (cafe)

I never made it into Ollivanders while I was there, but a stationery shop shouldn't need that much space, should it? (I don't know if the other two would need bigger spaces - I don't know how big Ollivander's actually is)

 

[djlaosc]

The Fear stage area should surely be on borrowed time if another ride plot was needed, I'd assume also including the area upto Gringotts. The area to the West of Gringotts is indeed maintainence and backstage access for the ride.

I was trying to figure out what the white building is in the map above, and of course it's Fear Factor!

I was going to say that they could build a Shrieking Shack attraction, but that is on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, not Diagon Alley!

 

[Bairstow]

I would figure that with the addition of two new major Potter attractions, Universal will want to use the Fear Factor space for something else.

 

[JT3000]

The Fear stage area should surely be on borrowed time if another ride plot was needed, I'd assume also including the area upto Gringotts. The area to the West of Gringotts is indeed maintainence and backstage access for the ride.

It's somewhat surprising they didn't already sacrifice the Fear Factor theater to Potter, but then they'd have nowhere to put Bill & Ted for HHN.

I'm curious about their plans for the new area's shoreline.

 

[chocotaco]

I know it's probably far too early to be discussing the possibilities of a phase 3, especially when phase 2 just started, but does anyone have any idea what their plans are with the Lost Continent? Are they saving it for a potential Harry Potter expansion in the future? another franchise all together? or are they going to try and keep LC there as is and/or possibly add a new original attraction to it at some point in the future?

Doubt anyone really knows at this point, but it's something I ponder to myself. I loved LC, it's too bad they didn't have the room to do both sections w/out taking anything away. Obviously I'm happy they got potter, and there is no question I would choose the current state of Uni over what we had before, just kind of curious.

 

[HenryMystic]

Well, as I just added above, there are shops that I don't think are represented in WWOHP's Hogsmeade..

• Gladrags Wizardwear (clothing, socks)
• Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop (stationery)
• Madam Puddifoot's (cafe)

I never made it into Ollivanders while I was there, but a stationery shop shouldn't need that much space, should it? (I don't know if the other two would need bigger spaces - I don't know how big Ollivander's actually is)

Gladrags and Scrivenshaft's are both represented as facades.

In a perfect world, we'd get get Puddifoot's as a tea and coffee shop. In reality, we'll probably just end up 2 Ollivander's locations.

 

[djlaosc]

Gladrags and Scrivenshaft's are both represented as facades.

In a perfect world, we'd get get Puddifoot's as a tea and coffee shop. In reality, we'll probably just end up 2 Ollivander's locations.

I didn't think that they were actual shops, but I couldn't remember if they were in the facades - maybe they could change them?

Is the Ollivanders building big enough for a tea/coffee shop? I've never been in so I don't know how big it is!

 

[djlaosc]

Another question is, what is going to happen to the current Train Station/Hogwarts Express facade?

Will it be removed?

Would it not be weird to "ride" the Hogwarts Express and then have it in Hogsmeade available for a photo op?

Where will the real station be? I've read something to do with the area where Dragon Challenge is, but that is at the opposite end of WWOHP to the current facade, or will that be where the station is built and it exits elsewhere?

They're also demolishing some buildings in Lost Continent, but if it's built there, then it will be outside of the Hogsmeade 'border'.

 

[HenryMystic]

I didn't think that they were actual shops, but I couldn't remember if they were in the facades - maybe they could change them?

Is the Ollivanders building big enough for a tea/coffee shop? I've never been in so I don't know how big it is!

Another question is, what is going to happen to the current Train Station/Hogwarts Express facade?

Will it be removed?

Would it not be weird to "ride" the Hogwarts Express and then have it in Hogsmeade available for a photo op?

Where will the real station be? I've read something to do with the area where Dragon Challenge is, but that is at the opposite end of WWOHP to the current facade, or will that be where the station is built and it exits elsewhere?

They're also demolishing some buildings in Lost Continent, but if it's built there, then it will be outside of the Hogsmeade 'border'.

All good questions. Piecing together everything I've heard/read/etc., Dragons is getting a new entrance. One would also assume that the train and station will be moved...or the current station building will be repurposed. In the movie/book world, the train station is not necessarily in Hogsmeade, but it does service Hogsmeade. The new station will between Dragons and Sinbad and connected to Hogsmeade via a wooded pathway (speculating about the path.)

I would expect that end of Hogsmeade to look very different in the next few years.

 

[djlaosc]

All good questions. Piecing together everything I've heard/read/etc., Dragons is getting a new entrance. One would also assume that the train and station will be moved...or the current station building will be repurposed. In the movie/book world, the train station is not necessarily in Hogsmeade, but it does service Hogsmeade. The new station will between Dragons and Sinbad and connected to Hogsmeade via a wooded pathway (speculating about the path.)

I would expect that end of Hogsmeade to look very different in the next few years.

Thanks!

I know that a lot of people don't like the new Dragon Challenge queue (compared to Dueling Dragons), so maybe that could change a bit as well while they move the entrance?

Maybe the old train station could become Puddifoots? I know that people out there want more "Wizarding Eateries" - I was just reading yesterday about someone who wanted to stay in WWOHP all day and was wondering if there were any other restaurants apart from The Three Broomsticks/Hog's Head that they could eat at.

Turn the train station to Puddifoots, convert Ollivanders into either Gladrags or Scrivenshafts, or both, change the current facades, and possibly put the other behind the current facades - what's behind them now?

I guess it makes sense that the train station is not inside Hogsmeade, but on the outskirts (and the land is called WWOHP, not Hogsmeade, so that is fine for maps as well)

Yes, it will be interesting to see what it all looks like in 3-4 years time (potential Ollivanders removal, train station removal, Hogwarts Express removal, a new Dragon Challenge queue, and a new train station!)

 

[djlaosc]

Another question is, what will the two lands be called?

'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter' really refers to both lands, so will they continue to have the IOA island called WWOHP, or will they start to call the whole area across both parks that?

I'm imagining that the USF land will be called London (to go with New York, San Francisco, etc.) rather than Diagon Alley.

WWOHP still makes sense for the IOA island, as it could be said to cover the entire work of literature (like the other islands), but would people not be disappointed to go to WWOHP and realise that that is not where the Gringott's Coaster and the Leaky Cauldron are?

If they keep the WWOHP to just IOA, they're going to have to be careful how they advertise everything. If they combine WWOHP to cover both parks, they could say "The WWOHP covers both theme parks*, allowing you to experience London and Diagon Alley, and ride the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade."
* a two-park ticket will be needed to explore all of WWOHP.