WWoHP-DA WEBCAST - 10:30am est

[wdwmagic]

Looks extremely impressive. Nicely done website as well.

 

[TalkingHead]

Question about the concept art of the train at Hogsmeade station.

Weren't we led to believe that you wouldn't see the train engine from the platform? Not sure if that's artistic license or what, because in the picture it looks like you see the entire train.

@HenryMystic feel free to use that as a question for your podcast. (Loyal listener, here.)

 

[ScoutN]

Looks extremely impressive. Nicely done website as well.

The site has impressed me. EXACTLY how something new should be promoted.

 

[wdwmagic]

The site has impressed me. EXACTLY how something new should be promoted.

Yep agreed. I think the whole build of HP phase 2 has been handled very well. Start building without saying much, get within a year of opening and make an official announcement, and then tease out some details with 6 months to go. Kinda how Disney used to do things.

 

[TalkingHead]

Looking at the Hogsmeade station art a little closer, maybe that's the engine that's already there?

I'm very confused about what's going on with the Hogsmeade station and what the experience will be for disembarking passengers.

 

[yeti]

Disney Parks blog reaction: "hey, we have a train too..."

Oh, that and pie day. Happy pie day, everyone.

 

[HenryMystic]

Question about the concept art of the train at Hogsmeade station.

Weren't we led to believe that you wouldn't see the train engine from the platform? Not sure if that's artistic license or what, because in the picture it looks like you see the entire train.

@HenryMystic feel free to use that as a question for your podcast. (Loyal listener, here.)

Good question and something that has never been clear to me. I'll bring it up tonight on the podcast. Thanks for listening!

 

[SirLink]

The webcast provided concept art, new stores that we didn't know about, confirmed the ride's name, showed us actual footage inside the Hogwarts Express...

I dunno, seems like a decent haul to me.

We knew all those stores though... I would argue the biggest news was they expanding Honeydukes. But to me if your doing a webcast do a 100% CGI walkthrough of Diagon Alley, then show concept art for the innards of the building, it felt like a press release could of accomplished the same thing ...

 

[RandomPrincess]

Looking at the Hogsmeade station art a little closer, maybe that's the engine that's already there?

I'm very confused about what's going on with the Hogsmeade station and what the experience will be for disembarking passengers.

The current Train and Station are staying for photo ops. I doubt they want guest trying to take pictures with the working train while they are loading and unloading looks like artistic license.

 

[BubbaQuest]

Question about the concept art of the train at Hogsmeade station.

Weren't we led to believe that you wouldn't see the train engine from the platform? Not sure if that's artistic license or what, because in the picture it looks like you see the entire train.

I also noticed that the website made it look like you can see the train on the tracks above Diagon Alley. I assumed the track would be hidden behind all the buildings. Again, may just be artistic license.

The only thing that disappointed me with the webcast was the "Summer 2014" opening date. I was hoping they would confirm June 2014.

 

[novawildcat18]

I also noticed that the website made it look like you can see the train on the tracks above Diagon Alley. I assumed the track would be hidden behind all the buildings. Again, may just be artistic license.

The only thing that disappointed me with the webcast was the "Summer 2014" opening date. I was hoping they would confirm June 2014.

The track is hidden behind all buildings. The track is to the left of DA/Gringotts, what you're seeing is some other sort of bridge. I forget what it was decided that it was but I think maybe it's some sort of employee bridge? I know it's not the HE track.

 

[HenryMystic]

We knew all those stores though... I would argue the biggest news was they expanding Honeydukes. But to me if your doing a webcast do a 100% CGI walkthrough of Diagon Alley, then show concept art for the innards of the building, it felt like a press release could of accomplished the same thing ...

Did we? I've followed this project every day for two years and did not know until today which stores would be included. Sure, we could guess, but we did not know what would be real, what would be facades, etc. And the impressive thing? There's still more to be unveiled in the new areas JKR created Carkett Market and Horizont Alley.

 

[TalkingHead]

I also noticed that the website made it look like you can see the train on the tracks above Diagon Alley. I assumed the track would be hidden behind all the buildings. Again, may just be artistic license.

The only thing that disappointed me with the webcast was the "Summer 2014" opening date. I was hoping they would confirm June 2014.

I didn't see the train above Diagon, but according to Mugglenet, this is the explanation:

There are several ways that Universal Creative plans to bring each part of Diagon Alley together, to fully immerse visitors in the experience. The one that was shared with us can be seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban film. Fans will recall a Muggle train that rides past Harry's room while he was staying at the Leaky Cauldron, shaking the surroundings and making a lot of noise. This train will also pass above The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, not physically (they don't have room for yet another train!), but as Gilmore explained, "There will be many sensory details that will make it feel like you're deep within the city."

http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/show/7661

 

[TalkingHead]

That Mugglenet article also says this:

Finally, the big question. Exactly how big is Diagon Alley? Well, actually, pretty much the same size as Hogsmeade. The big difference? Muggle London. It was described to us as "above and beyond" anything they did in Hogsmeade - and we completely agree.

I don't know how that can possibly be true. Just looking at the map and the list of stores, it feels like the expansion is considerably larger than Hogsmeade. Maybe they're just using the Diagon space more efficiently?

 

[SirLink]

Did we? I've followed this project every day for two years and did not know until today which stores would be included. Sure, we could guess, but we did not know what would be real, what would be facades, etc. And the impressive thing? There's still more to be unveiled in the new areas JKR created Carkett Market and Horizont Alley.

Two main points that should of been nailed and weren't:

• Opening date go from a Summer 2014 to actually naming the month when it will be opening.
• Stress the fact that Hogswart Express is as much more a ride first/transportation second.

Also while shopping and dining are fine, its not something I do or even try to do in the parks - I was hoping they would of confirmed new experiences like that of Olivanders or something. Or give the wands a purpose. Or something more. It didn't help with the audience who were flat and Woodbury saying it would open 2010.

 

[GLaDOS]

That Mugglenet article also says this:



I don't know how that can possibly be true. Just looking at the map and the list of stores, it feels like the expansion is considerably larger than Hogsmeade. Maybe they're just using the Diagon space more efficiently?

My guess is they're including the land taking up by Dueling Dragons as "Hogsmeade". Only way that's possible.

 

[LucyK]

Inside the Magic had this little tidbit that no one else seems to be writing about

Carkitt Market
The biggest surprise revealed in the Diagon Alley announcements is an entirely second street running parallel, effectively doubling the area of the expansion. There are two paths into this additional area, one at the front of Diagon Alley near Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes and the other accessible via a street passing by Gringotts called Horizont Alley. That new street name came from author JK Rowling.

The big new area is called Carkitt Market, also named by Rowling. It’s inspired real-life London locations like Leadenhall Market, but given a wizarding twist. It’s a huge covered space linking the backside of Diagon Alley to the far right borders of the expansion. Within Carkitt Market will be live entertainment, shopping, and other surprises yet to be announced.

So we're not getting Muggle London, but a totally new area inside Diagon Alley.

 

[HenryMystic]

That Mugglenet article also says this:



I don't know how that can possibly be true. Just looking at the map and the list of stores, it feels like the expansion is considerably larger than Hogsmeade. Maybe they're just using the Diagon space more efficiently?

Must be including Dragon Challenge

 

[rioriz]

Anyone else having trouble accessing the new map

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

yes