The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[k_peek_2000]

Brilliant

 

[Armadillo4]

We probably won't get discounts on Potter merchandise until all the projector bulbs burn out for the 5th time.

Is Orlando like this as well? Like, really, does Universal really have to be THIS obvious about milking Potter for every penny? Like, the merchandise is gonna sell like hot cakes anyway, it's like Frozen. But you don't see Disney removing AP discounts on Frozen merchandise, even when the merchandise was scarce a few times.

I have Universal Orlando's Preferred Annual Pass and remember getting a 10% discount on all the Potter merchandise I've purchased there. Note, the lower tier Power Pass does not get any merchandise discount at all. I haven't tried buying every type of Potter merchandise available , but I did get the discount for Potter t-shirts, hats, pins, candy and stationery. I bought regular wands four years ago, and I think I got the discount on those. But I haven't tried buying interactive wands. There is a disclaimer with the annual pass that "restrictions apply to select merchandise", so I can see them applying a no-discount policy for certain merch. But for the most part, I've gotten an AP discount for everything in the Florida parks.

This is just for reference. Obviously the USH team can set its own policy regarding discounts...or lack thereof. But hopefully, whatever new APs they rollout will include merchandise discounts.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Well, I hope eventually they restore more AP member benefits with the new passes next year.

As for the 3D glasses, I love that they're themed to Quidditch goggles! Love that they're themed and not the generic Dolby 3D glasses Transformers, Gringotts, Minion Mayhem, Spiderman and Star Tours use. That little touch makes it that much more immersive.

I'm curious why they didn't just use the 3D tech when they initially opened the ride in USJ. Probably to build hype for locals a second time with the new upgrade.

I hope the glasses don't make the ride even darker than it was.

 

[Ryan]

Haha no way JK would let them be generic, plus they need to be tight to be able to stay on riders' heads during the attraction.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Haha no way JK would let them be generic, plus they need to be tight to be able to stay on riders' heads during the attraction.

Not true....the Gringotts glasses are the same generic Dolby 3D glasses as the other rides I listed. That's why I'm pleasantly surprised that FJ will be different. For something some tangible and prominent, I wish more of the 3D glasses would be themed, especially since they're so common now.

 

[Park Man]

First of all, I want to say how awesome it is that the interactive wands just reflect a signal off the bead at the end. When I first saw them I automatically assumed they had been created with planned obsolescence in mind, so that people would have to replace their wands every year or two and add to Universal’s coffers. How incredible is it that they created a product that will work virtually indefinitely! Kudos to Universal. You’d never see that from Disney.

Secondly, I wonder if Forbidden Journey will open here in 3D or if they will wait a year, like Japan did, and use the upgrade to inspire repeat visits.

Thirdly, just because USJ got 3D glasses that look like Quiddich glasses doesn’t mean we’ll get them here in California. Japanese theme parks tend to lavish a little more money on details like that than the American parks do. So, don’t be surprised if we wind up with Gringotts glasses.

And finally, I wouldn’t be too surprised if USH didn’t offer Annual Passes again until after Wizarding World’s first summer, say August 2016. I hope they offer them sooner, but as I said, it wouldn’t surprise me if they didn’t.

 

[Alexshow.]

I think if 3D comes; it has to be atleast what USJ has for the possibility of the straps.

 

[William]

If our FJ comes in 3D, we'll be getting goggles with straps. Regular 3D glasses found in Minion Mayhem, Transformers, Gringotts, etc. would fly right off of guests' faces within the first minute of the ride.

 

[techmaniac16]

Definitely agree. There is no way they will implement non-strapped 3D glasses with KUKA arms flinging you around. 

 

[Red Carpet]

There are no straps.

 

[William]

I'm surprised, because apart from the new Quidditch goggle theme, they're pretty much the same as a regular pair of Universal's 3D glasses.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Well, in the glasses' defense, the Dolby 3D glasses are a relatively tight fit anyway, and by design are curved and wrap around your head, unlike the old Kong/Shrek/polarized 3D glasses that aren't ergonomic and can fall off easily.

 

[techmaniac16]

The glasses are curved, sure, but what about head size? Since these are not that loose like Kong glasses, they will be pretty tight. I'm more concerned that they might be too small to fit an adult head and/or too big to fit a child's head. Or maybe they will have multiple sizes? 

 

[William]

The glasses are curved, sure, but what about head size? Since these are not that loose like Kong glasses, they will be pretty tight. I'm more concerned that they might be too small to fit an adult head and/or too big to fit a child's head. Or maybe they will have multiple sizes? 

These appear to be the same size as the glasses used on TF, Spider-Man, Gringotts, and others, so I don't think they'll have an issue there. Also consider the fact that some of those rides shake guests around quite a lot, but glasses don't usually go flying.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Gringotts doesn't have a problem with the glasses during the coaster segments.

Next time one of you are at the park and get on Transformers or Minion Mayhem, put the glasses on, and if you don't mind being a bit silly, do this experiment: put the glasses on, and shake your head back and forth in a rather rough manner, and you'll see that the glasses still stay on your head.

 

[Freak]

Gringotts doesn't have a problem with the glasses during the coaster segments.

Next time one of you are at the park and get on Transformers or Minion Mayhem, put the glasses on, and if you don't mind being a bit silly, do this experiment: put the glasses on, and shake your head back and forth in a rather rough manner, and you'll see that the glasses still stay on your head.

I'm good. I'll....eh....take your word for it.I was just going to say that if they don't fly off on Gringotts then they should be good on FJ.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Fun fact: taking my word for it is even better. Good on ya.

(I was obviously kidding btw...)

I'm actually excited for the 3D now, this might become the best use of 3D in the park. With the intimate and smaller nature of the FJ domes, the immersion factor will be pretty intense! And it will also blend in the with physical props and sets more.

What I'm curious though is if the 3D will help avoid or induce nausea even more. FJ plays a lot of tricks on our equilibrium, which is off wack if not all the senses in the body are working together, so it'll be interesting to see if 3D helps that or makes it worse.

 

[William]

Unfortunately, I feel that the 3D might make things worse; FJ is insanely nauseating enough as it is. Hopefully it adds a sense of realism moreso than adding a pestering element to an already immaculate attraction.

 

[Inspire2_Ride]

I was never nauseated on the ride. Maybe a bit overwhelmed, but I never had to puke.

Aside from that, I'm a little worried to see FB converted to 3D. I really enjoy the real probs, the siders, the dementors, it's all so cool. I feel that with the 3D glasses it'll be ruined from either the smudgy finger prints of other people, or the reflectors  <_< .      

 

[chris.g]

Wonder if the 3D use of goggles will be disturbing to people who use them on top of their regular glasses such as me. Hopefully they can fit on top without sliding, or offer alternative glasses for those who would like to experience FJ with their eyewear.