The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[Allen The Actor]

No, the exterior is TOO cheap. Krustyland is "cheap" but the park is still pretty immersive and themed well. The exterior is too much of an eyesore.


They could easily keep the "cheap" theme they're going for while at least hiding the show building. They could do more, IMO.

 

[Wesker69]

We can't even hide the Forbidden Journey show building.... hiding the Simpsons ride building is asking for too much. Plus we have the disadvantage of being on a mountain, so its not like Disney where they can have a façade & then hide the show building behind a bunch of trees.

I'm still annoyed about the lack of rockwork/bricks not hiding all the exposed concrete of FJ...

 

[Allen The Actor]

They can very easily disguise and cover both the FJ and Simpsons show buildings. Very very very easily. They just choose not to.

 

[Imdbman]

They can very easily disguise and cover both the FJ and Simpsons show buildings. Very very very easily. They just choose not to.

I'm sure they will disguise the Simpsons building from FJ once we get closer to opening.  It is already incredibly amazing to see a very bland part of the park become Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, and the Forbidden Forest!!!

 

[Wesker69]

^why would they? People waiting in line aren't going to be looking towards Simpsons and going "OMG, I CAN SEE SIMPSONS! WTH IS THIS CRAP!?"... instead, they will be saying "OMG! OMG! I CAN'T WAIT TO RIDE THIS RIDE IN 6 HOURS AND I'VE ONLY BEEN WAITING 2 HOURS ALREADY!"

Seriously though, they're not going to change up Simpsons at all, especially not for Potter. That would be like saying they need to block the view of the backlot or Studio Tour. Most people aren't really going to care what they can see while waiting in line to ride FJ because they're in line to ride FJ...

 

[Allen The Actor]

Springfield covers Hogsmeade and vice versa, that was one of the biggest perks about that addition and partially the reasoning behind it, I can confirm that to you.

And yes, if it breaks immersion, that's an issue. Not everyone is apathetic about issues involving separation between lands. It's pretty important. The more you're apathetic about these little things, the more Universal is keen to make cutebacks.

 

[Aaron]

Once the trees along the exit pathway have been planted and grown in, the Simpson's show building won't be visible from the hub area in front of FJ. The wall being built around the Herbology Greenhouse should cover up any outside views as well. 

 

[Park Man]

I'm still annoyed about the lack of rockwork/bricks not hiding all the exposed concrete of FJ...

 Most people aren't really going to care what they can see while waiting in line to ride FJ because they're in line to ride FJ...

Please understand my befuddlement. 

 

[Jon Fu]

Moderator's note: come on now, let's not pile on. Let him address the quote first.

 

[HereWeGo]

So about the wall that's being built around the greenhouse. Is it going to be tall enough to sort of block out the surrounding area (hills, backlot, studio tour queue) or just a shorter wall to make sure no one falls off?

 

[Aaron]

So about the wall that's being built around the greenhouse. Is it going to be tall enough to sort of block out the surrounding area (hills, backlot, studio tour queue) or just a shorter wall to make sure no one falls off?

Both. 

 

[HereWeGo]

So it's a 6 foot + wall? It doesn't seem that tall from the photos but maybe they aren't finished building it up.

 

[Aaron]

The wall is finished. From what I heard it would be able to block out the view from most guests. Now of course Creative could cover the sides of the greenhouse canopy with frosted glass (like how it is in the films). But would they go that far who knows? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Aaron]

The Hogwarts Express locomotive is being installed.

 

[Ryan]

We still have 9 months til opening, guys. Let's wait and see.

 

[HereWeGo]

Has anyone been to the park recently to grab a picture of the Hogwarts Express yet?

 

[Wesker69]

Here are two pics from UniversalCore11's twitter of the Hogwarts Express being installed...

(if there was ever a time for someone to be tall enough for an over-the-wall shot, this would be it)

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any other pics online from yesterday/today.

 

[JPLA]

Here are a few from my visit today starting with the obligatory view from the back of Farquaad's. 

View from Studio Tour bridge through trees.  The foreground wall is the existing one that's at the top ridge of the hill.  The former iron railings that were on top of it are gone.  Beyond we see two similar height new walls.  I'm just guessing but I imagine these define the pathway to the exit by Disco Stu's and perhaps also separate a patio seating area at the rear of Three Broomsticks.  Seems reasonable, right?

Did you ever look at the 'curbs' under the temporary wall behind the magnolia trees around the new studio tour entryway?  I don't know what it means for walls and paths but it's interesting to me.  I wonder what this wall will eventually be replaced with. 

 

[Chris]

(if there was ever a time for someone to be tall enough for an over-the-wall shot, this would be it)

Sorry, I won't be visiting anytime soon.  Unless something spontaneous happens

 

[JPLA]

TerraServer updated their satellite image again on 07/25/2015.  http://bit.ly/1gt8TiA

Pretty low resolution (though I'm grateful to have it for free) but you can see progress on pathways in Hogsmeade.  Looks like a lot of paving is already done which explains how they're ready to assemble Hogwarts Express photo op on site.  Looks like a backstage gap between Hogsmeade and other buildings such as Shrek.  Obviously you can drag the image to view other areas of the park, Lankershim widening, new parking structure, etc.