The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade (Orlando): Part 2

[Teebin]

Just joined to say that I have read this entire thread (from part 1 page 1) and it's "sequel" over on the Studio's side. This is one of the most epic things on the internet, and it's an amazing way to go back in time and "re-live" a prolonged moment of anticipation and excitement (that I wasn't even around for).

My one and only visit to Islands of Adventure (which happened only because of "Harry Potter World") is the best time I have ever had in any theme park. I get what Disney was trying to do with the idea of a "storytelling park" now. Fortunately for Universal (despite budget cuts to the whomping willow and blurry screens) Harry Potter is perhaps the most important story to tell for a modern generation, so their storytelling park worked for me like no other ever has.

Although, after reading this thread, it turns out there's a whole bunch of things I missed at WWoHP... (even though the Powerade Bottles were thrown out) like where the eff is the snitch? Howler? I didn't see the magic dishes window either. One of these years I'll have to go back.

Oh, and the floating magic wand in Ollivander's window? There are NO strings.

It was cool to hear you recall all of those highlights. You probably missed the snitch because the original queue for Ollivanders blocked the window that it is in. The howler is in the post office window (I think). Magic dishes is a let down so don't kill yourself. If you want to know how the wand floats I will tell you in a private msg so it doesn't spoil it for others.

 

[Junorhane]

It took a long time to read all the thread(s), like, months and months. But it was a cool way to extend the excitement and hold off the inevitable "but I want it now!" of Diagon Alley.

Teebin I would love to know how the wand works. We seriously spent a good 15 minutes looking at it from all angles and shining lights in through the glass and everything and couldn't figure it out. Must be magic. Cool. (I assume it's somehow magnetic).

- - - Updated - - -

:welcome: aboard! And that's quite an epic feat in reading all those threads :hail: Wow!

BTW, what better time to come back to UOR than this year to visit Diagon Alley and go back over Hogsmeade to catch all those cool little details you missed on your first visit!

Great to meet you and hope you stick around! :thumbs:

Thanks Felipe. We do have tentative plans to head back down in February of 2015 to see everything, but we also have tentative plans to have a child right around then... so it may be many years before I get back to Hogwarts.

 

[Teebin]

Teebin I would love to know how the wand works. We seriously spent a good 15 minutes looking at it from all angles and shining lights in through the glass and everything and couldn't figure it out. Must be magic. Cool. (I assume it's somehow magnetic).

all sent. :thumbs:

 

[ynnoj]

all sent. :thumbs:

Would you mind sharing the floating wand secret with me too? Thanks :thumbs:

 

[neoshinok]

Would you mind sharing the floating wand secret with me too? Thanks :thumbs:

And me!

 

[UK-Trigg]

May as well just post it Teebs as I am keen to know too, spoiler tags maybe?

 

[Teebin]

Never mind for now... will only do in pvts. vBulletin seems to say it isn't reliable in all browsers.

 

[Junorhane]

The "Zonkos is closing" rumor brings a lot of questions to the foreground in regards to what happens in Hogsmeade now that Diagon Alley is happening. We know that Ollivander's is staying, and that the Hogwarts Express engine is staying.

But there are a lot of storefronts in Hogsmeade that, according to the books and movies, don't belong in Hogsmeade but in Diagon Alley. Will they change them?

There are a lot of products sold in Zonkos that don't belong in Zonkos but in Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Perhaps this is a reason to close Zonkos?

There are a few things that DO belong in Hogsmeade that aren't there. Most notably the Shrieking Shack and the Tea Shop. The Shrieking Shack is one of the most commonly suggested things, and people seem excited about it, but here's the thing: it's an empty shack that IS NOT HAUNTED. It's boring.

The Tea Shop would be great though.

 

[ReelJustice]

If Hate hadn't mentioned photo connect, I'd think they were just expanding Honeydukes, which is the obvious moneymaker and needs more space. Universal doesn't need two joke shops and there presumably won't be a candy store in Diagon Alley, so that would make sense.

 

[Junorhane]

If Hate hadn't mentioned photo connect, I'd think they were just expanding Honeydukes, which is the obvious moneymaker and needs more space.

I would definitely prefer this over a wizard-themed photo connect place.

Whatever they do I hope they reuse some signs and displays somewhere. (Zonkos should be in Hogsmeade, even if it's just a false storefront).

 

[badlactose]

I'm just wondering what the construction 'walls' in front of Zonko's is going to look like? I'm going to guess they will create something much more highly-themed than your typical construction wall, since this is smack-dab in the middle of their Potter money-maker.

 

[ReelJustice]

I'm just wondering what the construction 'walls' in front of Zonko's is going to look like? I'm going to guess they will create something much more highly-themed than your typical construction wall, since this is smack-dab in the middle of their Potter money-maker.

I wouldn't expect anything more than a shut door and a partition between Honeydukes and Zonkos. But I may be thinking small.

 

[badlactose]

True, the more I think I about it, they will probably not do any major changes to the actual infrastructure of the facade. But I'd think they are at least repainting the outside and, of course, adding new signage. Surely that would involve the erection of a construction wall or scrim, right?

 

[Skipper Justin]

Bleh, on the photo connect. I would love something from the potteruniverse. The tea shop would be awesome! I love the pastries in honeydukes and they would go great with some tea.

 

[Felipe]

The "Zonkos is closing" rumor brings a lot of questions to the foreground in regards to what happens in Hogsmeade now that Diagon Alley is happening. We know that Ollivander's is staying, and that the Hogwarts Express engine is staying.

In my opinion, it makes total sense for the HE engine to stay, but I've always thought (and continue to think) that it would be better if the Hogsmeade 'branch' of Ollivanders closes after the one in Diagon Alley opens. Nothing against it, but they can make better use of that space. Aren't 3 Ollivanders showrooms in Diagon Alley enough?

There are a lot of products sold in Zonkos that don't belong in Zonkos but in Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Perhaps this is a reason to close Zonkos?

There are a few things that DO belong in Hogsmeade that aren't there. Most notably the Shrieking Shack and the Tea Shop. The Shrieking Shack is one of the most commonly suggested things, and people seem excited about it, but here's the thing: it's an empty shack that IS NOT HAUNTED. It's boring.

The Tea Shop would be great though.

If the rumor holds true, that's probably one of the main reasons. Which also fuels my thoughts that Hogsmeade's Ollivanders should follow in Zonko's footsteps. Better to keep the offerings in each park unique. More incentive to visit the other park.

Agreed! :thumbs:

And agreed!

 

[fryoj]

In my opinion, it makes total sense for the HE engine to stay, but I've always thought (and continue to think) that it would be better if the Hogsmeade 'branch' of Ollivanders closes after the one in Diagon Alley opens. Nothing against it, but they can make better use of that space. Aren't 3 Ollivanders showrooms in Diagon Alley enough?




If the rumor holds true, that's probably one of the main reasons. Which also fuels my thoughts that Hogsmeade's Ollivanders should follow in Zonko's footsteps. Better to keep the offerings in each park unique. More incentive to visit the other park.

Agreed! :thumbs:

And agreed!

If they were going to get rid of ollivanders in Hogsmeade, I'd think they'd have to replace it with some other kind of show or a shop that would be in high demand. As is, it ties people up for a decent period of time, depending on lines, and then it dumps you into a shop that is busy most of the time. It's hard to replace those effects on the area with just a show or just a shop. I agree that having ollivanders in both locations is odd, but for the effect it has on both the bottom line and crowd control, it's hard to replace.

 

[Disneyhead]

Shouldn't they be tearing out the LC games soon if they are planning on opening in June?

And I would live the tea shop. Tea is just soooo English.

 

[Jon84]

Shouldn't they be tearing out the LC games soon if they are planning on opening in June?

And I would live the tea shop. Tea is just soooo English.

Will it taste like proper English Tea though? haha

 

[Felipe]

If they were going to get rid of ollivanders in Hogsmeade, I'd think they'd have to replace it with some other kind of show or a shop that would be in high demand. As is, it ties people up for a decent period of time, depending on lines, and then it dumps you into a shop that is busy most of the time. It's hard to replace those effects on the area with just a show or just a shop. I agree that having ollivanders in both locations is odd, but for the effect it has on both the bottom line and crowd control, it's hard to replace.

That's a good point and something that should definitely be considered. Though, hopefully with two parks, maybe this side won't be as packed since the Potterheads will be more dispersed? Maybe they're waiting to see that, but I hope they're a least considering it. It'd be a good small Phase 3, to add a new shop there and get back some thunder after Diagon Alley takes the spotlight.

Shouldn't they be tearing out the LC games soon if they are planning on opening in June?

From @violarum: "Three Brooms and Honeydukes/Zonko's TMs are getting new break/stock rooms! Construction starts the 27th. Games are being removed finally."

And I would live the tea shop. Tea is just soooo English.

 

[UK-Trigg]

In my opinion, it makes total sense for the HE engine to stay, but I've always thought (and continue to think) that it would be better if the Hogsmeade 'branch' of Ollivanders closes after the one in Diagon Alley opens. Nothing against it, but they can make better use of that space. Aren't 3 Ollivanders showrooms in Diagon Alley enough?

Ive been thinking this for a long time now, maybe if the DA version handles the queues we may eventually see something new here