The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[William]

You guys have to see Westcoaster's latest update.  It looks like the buildings in the back of Hogsmeade are almost done and the arch in back by Shrek is done too, plus the rocks on Hogwarts look like real rockwork now.  

Not quite sure where you spotted the buildings toward the end of Hogsmeade, but it seems like part of the queue for Flight of the Hippogriff has finally gone vertical.

 

[Imdbman]

Not quite sure where you spotted the buildings toward the end of Hogsmeade, but it seems like part of the queue for Flight of the Hippogriff has finally gone vertical.

Sorry, I should've reiterated.  They may not be really almost done but they're certainly not steel structures anymore

 

[12th Man]

Lots more rockwork on hogwarts

https://mobile.twitter.com/insideuniversal/status/589201529262899200/photo/1

Photos from IU Twitter

 

[ItsAtrap]

Not quite sure where you spotted the buildings toward the end of Hogsmeade, but it seems like part of the queue for Flight of the Hippogriff has finally gone vertical.

 

[12th Man]

Not quite sure where you spotted the buildings toward the end of Hogsmeade, but it seems like part of the queue for Flight of the Hippogriff has finally gone vertical.

Oh my gosh this is so amazing!!

 

[William]

That'll be the loading station for FotH. Exciting!

 

[Imdbman]

That'll be the loading station for FotH. Exciting!

I guess they already started that before the Hogwarts rockwork even started coming up!!

 

[William]

Hopefully this overshadows any leftover doubt that we wouldn't be getting this attraction. You can see the supports for the coaster itself in that photo, as well.

 

[JPLA]

Are you not seeing what I'm not seeing?  That's right, most of the yellow sheathing on the Grand Tower is already covered in 'castle skin.'

Hillside trees are looking settled and the Owlrey is getting some work.

 

[HereWeGo]

It seems like most of the exteriors for the entire land should be almost complete by the end of summer at the pace they're going.

 

[JPLA]

A couple more shots of the Grand Tower in brown.  I think the sun better illuminates the tower on my later-in-the-day visit today.  Also, I noticed for the first time the new railing along the backside of Forbidden Journey show building.  As an emergency exit area and a maintenance area it makes sense to have a proper railing.  But I have this fear that on busy days they'll use this area as part of an extended guest queue.  In line for the same ride in Orlando this past Christmas (crowded!) we were shunted through an equivalent, unthemed backstage area.  While the valley views are probably superb I would rather the magic not be interrupted this way.  What do you think, could my fear become reality?

 

[Imdbman]

A couple more shots of the Grand Tower in brown.  I think the sun better illuminates the tower on my later-in-the-day visit today.  Also, I noticed for the first time the new railing along the backside of Forbidden Journey show building.  As an emergency exit area and a maintenance area it makes sense to have a proper railing.  But I have this fear that on busy days they'll use this area as part of an extended guest queue.  In line for the same ride in Orlando this past Christmas (crowded!) we were shunted through an equivalent, unthemed backstage area.  While the valley views are probably superb I would rather the magic not be interrupted this way.  What do you think, could my fear become reality?

HOLY MOLY!  I honestly did not think we would be seeing rockwork or part of the actual castle facade up until at least this Summer, but I am deeply impressed with how Universal has gotten this moving!  Kudos to Universal for the fast Potter construction so far!

 

[Allen The Actor]

WOAH....that rock work came out of nowhere, didn't it?!

 

[William]

I sure hope that back section behind the show building is strictly for maintenance and emergency evacs only. That's a little too high up for me to be waiting in line (and it would be prove to be absolutely disastrous to the immersion, I might add).

 

[Brandonshah97]

Hogwarts looks......... AMAZING! Looking at the new "tower skin" makes me teary eyed. As for the queue, I honestly don't think that one ugly path behind the show building will even do enough.. plus the queue is so long already and there is a good amount of switchbacks. If they were to have an overflow line, they should pave one where they are planting the new trees on the hillside. On a side note, is anybody else DYING to see progress on inside the show building? I wonder if the kuka arm vehicles have arrived yet, or what details have gone up already aside from the whomping willow... does anybody have any guesses or knowledge?

 

[techmaniac16]

Hogwarts looks......... AMAZING! Looking at the new "tower skin" makes me teary eyed. As for the queue, I honestly don't think that one ugly path behind the show building will even do enough.. plus the queue is so long already and there is a good amount of switchbacks. If they were to have an overflow line, they should pave one where they are planting the new trees on the hillside. On a side note, is anybody else DYING to see progress on inside the show building? I wonder if the kuka arm vehicles have arrived yet, or what details have gone up already aside from the whomping willow... does anybody have any guesses or knowledge?

Hogwarts is taking shape real fast! I absolutely love it! 

I think we are getting the KUKA arms very soon. With the speed they are going at, they are probably almost done with the track layout.

 

[William]

Well, we already know that the Chamber of Secrets portion of the ride is being completed at the moment (not going to bother spoiler tagging that because it's fairly evident at this point). Progress inside of the building may be going quicker than we think if scenic elements are already being installed.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Well, we already know that the Chamber of Secrets portion of the ride is being completed at the moment (not going to bother spoiler tagging that because it's fairly evident at this point). Progress inside of the building may be going quicker than we think if scenic elements are already being installed.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS IS IN THE RIDE?!?!?! DAMMIT WILLIAM!!!!



You know what I'm NOT anticipating?! Seeing the finished land months before it opens....that's gonna be absolute torture!

 

[Aaron]

Really exciting to see so much of the wireframe going up for the rock foundation beneath Hogwarts. While still just wireframe it does seem like it will differ from IoA's rock work. I'm always curious to know what prompts small design changes like that. On a slightly unrelated note, I visited the park on Saturday and witnessed this girl absolutely break down when she saw Hogsmead... she was literally wiping tears from her face. I didn't want to be rude or make her feel uncomfortable so I didn't record anything but that's something I'll never forget. Always cool to see people's reaction when they pass by the Hogsmead entrance. 

 

[William]

Just looking at social media tags can show how excited people are. This is gonna be a serious game changer.