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

[anihilnation]

Like I've said before, nearly 90% of bad reviews I've read about Universal have constantly pointed out how it isn't as good as Disney. But hey, those kind of people are why Disney isn't giving us the innovative new attractions Universal is. Because Disney knows they can count on these people's business no matter what anyone else does.

Much agreed! There also are plenty of positive review for Universal stating that there are better attraction in Univsersal, and face it, ultimately what makes a park are the rides ...

 

[Cheezbat]

Like I've said before, nearly 90% of bad reviews I've read about Universal have constantly pointed out how it isn't as good as Disney. But hey, those kind of people are why Disney isn't giving us the innovative new attractions Universal is. Because Disney knows they can count on these people's business no matter what anyone else does.

It's those lifestyler pixie dusters that ruin it for all of us. I have friends like that too and they just don't realize that by their actions they are telling TDO that the product they are currently offering is good enough. I'm a huge theme park/amusement park fan, so I'm not just some major Universal supporter and Disney basher. As a matter of fact, it's Disney World that got me into parks in the first place...but seeing the lack of new attractions, innovation, and poor upkeep on things like the Carosel of Progress or Imagination have made me very critical towards WDW. In the meantime, Universal has excelled and given their park guests true reasons to come visit. New highly themed lands, new cutting edge rides, new food and merch offerings...they are the reason why I still have some hope for Disney. Hopefully Uni will give them a wake up call slap with Potter 2.0 and Kong and everything else on the horizon.

Just seeing what they did with Potter 1.0 was great...now Potter 2.0 looks to make things even better. Maybe this will begin the wake up call. I can't wait for this expansion to open!

 

[pftaylor]

I'm glad Disney is as busy as they are. Afterall, it keeps the crowds down at Universal for the rest of us.

 

[Felipe]

From @mattagins on twitter. Spell medallions in Hogsmeade.

Those spell markers are really cool looking! Thanks for posting the pics :thumbs:
Can't wait to see them in person and actually try them out with my own interactive wand... soon!

 

[MagicRobot]

Those spell markers are really cool looking! Thanks for posting the pics :thumbs:
Can't wait to see them in person and actually try them out with my own interactive wand... soon!

If they sell some type of replica of those markers I would totally buy them all and make a display for my wall. Maybe they'll do them as pins. I can't wait to do the whole interactive wand experience when we get there at the end of October. So much awesome!

 

[Felipe]

If they sell some type of replica of those markers I would totally buy them all and make a display for my wall. Maybe they'll do them as pins. I can't wait to do the whole interactive wand experience when we get there at the end of October. So much awesome!

I know! I love metal stuff like that. I still believe the interactive stuff is gonna be a cluster-you-know-what, but oh well... I'm gonna happily add myself to the mess

 

[Descendo]

From @mattagins on twitter. Spell medallions in Hogsmeade.

That is sure nice of Universal to have a tribute to one of their biggest fans :rofl:

#beendescendosince2009

 

[Jakemeister]

Here are all the spell locations and shop windows I could find. I found about 7 or 8. They are all on the left side of Hogsmeade heading towards the castle. Hope you guys enjoy.

[video=youtube;gBMaMKhFKHw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBMaMKhFKHw&feature=youtu.be[/video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBMaMKhFKHw&feature=youtu.be

 

[awhen]

I saw the sign... or...

 

[Mad Dog]

Looks much better with the sign removed.

 

[Nick]

Somebody must've looked up when they passed by there and realized it looked dumb as hell.

 

[graspthesun]

Somebody must've looked up when they passed by there and realized it looked dumb as hell.

What did it look like before?

 

[natespf]

What did it look like before?

It looked like there was a sign in front :rofl:

(sorry, had to)

Here are some recently posted pics...

 

[Teebin]

Good, they are getting there.

 

[Frogki]

Well, I FINALLY got around to going back to Universal and paid my very first visit to the Wizarding World. I was blown away, completely thrilled to be entering and seeing Forbidden Journey with a 45 minute wait time was icing on the cake. Had a wonderful time, and really enjoyed looking down the stree towards Hogwarts, one of the prettiest sights I've ever seen in the parks. Loved everything, tried quite a few drinks (butter beer is life, and pumpkin fizz is surprisingly refreshing). Forbidden Journey surprised me in quite a few ways. As everyone says, the movement is really cool - I rode three or four times through my stay, and on my last ride through (after a lengthy break down) it seemed like they'd changed te ride profile - a bit more intense than the first. It might have been me though, I'd ridden it the day before so I may have just been imagining it... Loved the physical sets, the screens left a bit to be desired. I saw around the edges of the first floo powder screen every time, it felt like the vehicle was too low. It wasn't that bad through. Overall, as a very big fan of both the parks and the books/movies, I was extremely impressed. Now that I have an AP, I will definitely be visiting again very soon :thumbs:

 

[thrillseeker_97]

Well, I FINALLY got around to going back to Universal and paid my very first visit to the Wizarding World. I was blown away, completely thrilled to be entering and seeing Forbidden Journey with a 45 minute wait time was icing on the cake. Had a wonderful time, and really enjoyed looking down the stree towards Hogwarts, one of the prettiest sights I've ever seen in the parks. Loved everything, tried quite a few drinks (butter beer is life, and pumpkin fizz is surprisingly refreshing). Forbidden Journey surprised me in quite a few ways. As everyone says, the movement is really cool - I rode three or four times through my stay, and on my last ride through (after a lengthy break down) it seemed like they'd changed te ride profile - a bit more intense than the first. It might have been me though, I'd ridden it the day before so I may have just been imagining it... Loved the physical sets, the screens left a bit to be desired. I saw around the edges of the first floo powder screen every time, it felt like the vehicle was too low. It wasn't that bad through. Overall, as a very big fan of both the parks and the books/movies, I was extremely impressed. Now that I have an AP, I will definitely be visiting again very soon :thumbs:

Welcome to the annual pass holder family!

 

[Mad Dog]

They should take down that string of colored lights also. They look cheap & tacky and detract from the new HP entrance.

 

[awhen]

They should take down that string of colored lights also. They look cheap & tacky and detract from the new HP entrance.

The lights don't bother me in person, they're not nearly as distracting as the sign was. And since it seems I posted 3 pictures of that sign (didn't realize it until they were all pasted together in one quote) I guess I can consider myself rather critical of the transition. :smiley:

 

[tielo]

I haven't seen any pictures of the side of the Sinbad show building that they revamped into a water tower. It must be visible when you exit or enter the train station from IOA. Didn't press notice it or didn't they leave the station?

 

[awhen]

I haven't seen any pictures of the side of the Sinbad show building that they revamped into a water tower. It must be visible when you exit or enter the train station from IOA. Didn't press notice it or didn't they leave the station?

I have this one, you can see the corner a little.