The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[Jon Fu]

Some possible discouraging words from GACoasters at OU..

That's not at all consistent with what I'm hearing. Universal recently opened up a new department and facility strictly dedicated to tracking guest flow related to Harry Potter. If that's not paranoia, I don't know what is. I know it's easy to follow the narrative that Universal's not prepared - and in some regards, they truly aren't - but they are trying to mitigate guest flow by building off the lessons learned from Florida and Japan.


Sounds like sour grapes to me. This won't be the first time some of the crew from Florida has trashed the people in Hollywood, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

 

[HTF]

From everything I've been told they've been preparing for this for months from an operational stand point. They know how they're gonna lay out return time windows, queue overflows, in park entertainment, additional staff from the east, more leads and managers staffed then you can shake a stick at, and more.

Everything from expanded food offerings to larger gift shop to a new parking garage has all led to this. Not to mention some very talented and respected people with amazing experience will be leading the management team. It's gonna be hell no matter what but that's the nature of this beast. People from all over the west coast are gonna flock to this. It's a phenomenon!

So when it finally opens and you see organized chaos make sure you send a shout out to the dedicated team members and manages that are putting in rediculous hours. In the end theyre the reason a park not large enough to handle crowds this large will be at least organized, safe, and yes still fun.

 

[Ryan]

They've been communicating with east coast managers back and forth since 2012! In fact, they completely overhauled their operations radio communication system in 2013 specifically FOR Potter before the damn land even broke ground.

I won't lie and say that Universal should've done more in other areas to prevent the levels it's gone to, but operationally they are most certainly gearing for the worst.

 

[Jon Fu]

Some possible discouraging words from GACoasters at OU...

Now that this has all settled, let's not share rumors that are blatantly false. I know we should be open to different perspectives and ideas, but those perspectives need to be based on some semblance of fact. Rampant speculation based on outright lies are not conducive for a good discussion.


We've discussed this before, and it's no secret Florida and Hollywood are collaborating.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Now that this has all settled, let's not share rumors that are blatantly false. I know we should be open to different perspectives and ideas, but those perspectives need to be based on some semblance of fact. Rampant speculation based on outright lies are not conducive for a good discussion.

We've discussed this before, and it's no secret Florida and Hollywood are collaborating.

Thank you. I've noticed a number of members on here who are also members on various Orlando fansites who go back and forth and simply report "info" and copy & paste random rumors between each fansite. Gets kind of annoying in my opinion, especially when it's completely random and obviously false.

Jon, not sure if it's in the works already for one of your articles, but I'd love to hear your POV and thoughts on the 3D Forbidden Journey VS what you originally experienced in Orlando. How is the 3D effect, lighting, and quality compared to something like Transformers? Do you feel that it enhanced the experience and made it more realistic? Was it distracting or did it better blur the line between the projections and physical sets and props?

 

[Ryan]

I can't speak for Jon fully, obviously, but him and Jonathan Green discuss it on the USJ episode of the IU podcast back in October. From what I recall, they disliked the ultra-bright lighting of the show building itself to compensate for the 3D dilution.

 

[Wesker69]

Here are a few pics from Sunday night while at the park...

DEMENTORS!!!!

oh wait... those are just return time machines... NEVERMIND. Put your wands away..

If it hadn't been so damn cold & windy, as well as wet, I would've tried to get a shot of Waterworld's finale pyro from this view.

 

[HereWeGo]

Is no one else bothered by the fact that they haven't added rust to all of the greenhouse roofing panels? I mean it won't ruin my experience in the land or anything but it's just something that will draw my attention every time I look at it haha.

 

[Allen The Actor]

I can't speak for Jon fully, obviously, but him and Jonathan Green discuss it on the USJ episode of the IU podcast back in October. From what I recall, they disliked the ultra-bright lighting of the show building itself to compensate for the 3D dilution.

Interesting. I did notice from on ride videos from Japan that it was a light brighter. I wonder if that removes some of the mystery from the scarier scenes. Although I'm sure as a noob to Forbidden Journey, I'll be a mess either way

 

[William]

Is no one else bothered by the fact that they haven't added rust to all of the greenhouse roofing panels? I mean it won't ruin my experience in the land or anything but it's just something that will draw my attention every time I look at it haha.

It definitely bothers me as well. I'm sure they'll fix that before they start letting people into the land, it's a bit too obvious otherwise.

 

[jh227]

Hello - I'm brand new to these forums - hoping to get some insight from the masses... we had booked hotels and were planning to be in Universal on the 4th and 5th of April.  Of course just read the announcement that Wizarding World opens on April 7th - what are the chances that Wizarding World will be open to guests before the official opening date?  I've checked and I can't just switch around hotels for our vacation without creating other issues - we'll be in Disney the rest of the week.

Any help or insight would be appreciated. Thanks! 

 

[William]

Hello - I'm brand new to these forums - hoping to get some insight from the masses... we had booked hotels and were planning to be in Universal on the 4th and 5th of April.  Of course just read the announcement that Wizarding World opens on April 7th - what are the chances that Wizarding World will be open to guests before the official opening date?  I've checked and I can't just switch around hotels for our vacation without creating other issues - we'll be in Disney the rest of the week.

Any help or insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome to the forums!

You should be able to see the Wizarding World during your visit. The land is rumored to begin its soft opening period during February or March, so you shouldn't have a problem accessing it a couple of days before the grand opening. There may be a chance that they close the land just before the grand opening date to prepare for a grand opening ceremony/event, but I think you'll be safe.

 

[jh227]

Welcome to the forums!

You should be able to see the Wizarding World during your visit. The land is rumored to begin its soft opening period during February or March, so you shouldn't have a problem accessing it a couple of days before the grand opening. There may be a chance that they close the land just before the grand opening date to prepare for a grand opening ceremony/event, but I think you'll be safe.

Thanks - that makes sense - I think we'll keep our plans as scheduled - 

 

[Allia]

They will most likely soft open before then so you're good!

 

[peasoupprincess]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I just have to say, as a cast member at a certain mouse trap, the more content we get the more I am tempted to say "Bibbidi bobbidi bye" and go pick up a real wand. Having spent a lot of time over in Orlando, having a WWoHP that is more accessible is going to mean USH will finally feel like home to me outside of the month of October. I can't wait.

 

[William]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I just have to say, as a cast member at a certain mouse trap, the more content we get the more I am tempted to say "Bibbidi bobbidi bye" and go pick up a real wand. Having spent a lot of time over in Orlando, having a WWoHP that is more accessible is going to mean USH will finally feel like home to me outside of the month of October. I can't wait.

Welcome to the forums!

 

[Brandonshah97]

Is no one else bothered by the fact that they haven't added rust to all of the greenhouse roofing panels? I mean it won't ruin my experience in the land or anything but it's just something that will draw my attention every time I look at it haha.

I'm so OCD about that kind of stuff and it makes me quiver every time I look at it... Please JUST ADD MORE RUST.. Also I totally agree , I want to know more about the 3D version!! I can't really find Japan POVs

 

[Chris]

I'm so OCD about that kind of stuff and it makes me quiver every time I look at it... Please JUST ADD MORE RUST.. Also I totally agree , I want to know more about the 3D version!! I can't really find Japan POVs

Just be prepared to see a lot more of the ride elements over the 2D version because the house lights will need to be brighter to accommodate the dark 3D glasses

 

[Brandonshah97]

Just be prepared to see a lot more of the ride elements over the 2D version because the house lights will need to be brighter to accommodate the dark 3D glasses

See more ride elements? What do you mean? Like the magic will be ruined?

 

[William]

See more ride elements? What do you mean? Like the magic will be ruined?

The projectors which project the animated scenes onto the domes will have to be brighter since the 3D glasses are so dark, so unfortunately this will make it easier to see other parts inside of the show building that would normally just be hidden in darkness. Chris is noting how some of the physical sets inside the ride will be more visible, but this also means we'll be able to see unthemed portions of the building as well.