WWOHP in Japan?

So rumor has it (from Screamscape) in addition to the Hollywood version, a Japanese version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter could be coming soon to USJ:

???? - Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Rumor - (4/19/12) A mysterious pecking sound at my window tonight revealed an interesting new development. According to a brief message, delivered by Owl-Mail… I’ve been told that before the year is over we may see the announcement of yet another Wizarding World of Harry Potter project. This time for Universal Studios Japan. This begs the question, what attraction(s) will Universal Japan have to remove to make room for the new Wizarding World?

If this is true, I have this feeling it will go up somewhere in the northwest corner of the park in one of two scenarios:

1) Storage lot next to WaterWorld, taking out WaterWorld itself
2) Taking out WaterWorld and JAWS

I think scenario #1 (my preferred) seems the most likely. However, scenario #2 seems possible as well, since both attractions have versions (JAWS in Orlando and WaterWorld in Hollywood) that are being (or are rumored to be) taken out for Potter related attractions (JAWS for a Potter expansion at Orlando, and WaterWorld being taken out for the Hollywood version of the WWOHP). Screamscape reported this tidbit a few days ago about the WaterWorld in Hollywood:

2015 - Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Confirmed - (4/16/12) While no one seems sure of the exact timetable here, if you visit the park this year to see Transformers (and you should!) also make sure to get your butt planted for a viewing of Waterworld before you leave. It seems a fairly sure thing now that Waterworld will be removed sooner than later to make way for the start of construction Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

That's actually my scenario for Potter in Hollywood (taking out WaterWorld and the rumored to be demolished Gibson)!

So to give you a general idea of the area, I've created a map of both scenarios:



























It should be interesting to see which attractions will be taken out. However, I think it is safe to say that all these scenarios involves the end WaterWorld.

We shall see.

JAWS Getting Demolished

Since the last update, demolition of the JAWS/Amity plot is going full steam ahead.

As of yesterday, the iconic boathouse portion of the ride has been demolished (according to a recent post by hatetofly at Orlando United, and a photo by King K at Orlando United):

http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php?6723-The-Amity-Demolition-New-Ride-Construction-Thread&p=216436#post216436

http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php?6723-The-Amity-Demolition-New-Ride-Construction-Thread&p=216438#post216438

They're also demolishing some of the Amity structures, as a hole was made on one of the buildings as of the 23rd.

Meanwhile, it looks like markers are appearing in the backstage road behind Revenge of the Mummy and SS33, leading from the JAWS/Amity area all the way to the Sinbad area (according to the latest Screamscape update):

2014 - Jaws Replacement / Potter Phase 2 / Project 722 - (1/26/12) Screamscape sources tell us that those new survey markers spotted backstage behind Universal Studios Florida actually do run down towards the backstage area behind the Sinbad stunt show at Islands of Adventure.
(1/23/12) According to once source demolition work in the old Jaws area has been going full steam ahead this week, as Amity will soon be nothing more than a giant muddy crater as the work crews are said to be moving quite fast on this. Elsewhere, sources tell us that a bunch of survey markings can now be found all along the main backstage road leading towards the Jaws / Amity area. No word yet on if they stretch all the way from Amity to the Wizarding World at IOA or not, but this sounds like the start of the Hogwarts Express to me. So far markings have been spotted in the area behind Soundstage 33 and down behind the Revenge of the Mummy attraction building.

I think we're all in agreement that this is the route for the Hogwarts Express, connecting the JAWS/Amity area to the original WWOHP.

Also worth noting, on January 20, Universal filed a permit for the demolition of two buildings in the Lost Continent:

On January 20th, 2012, Universal filed permits for the demolition of building 234A and a tent located within The Lost Continent. A quick look at some old construction plans and aerial imagery reveals that building 234A is “The Frozen Desert” building and the tent is directly behind it. Both structures are located just outside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which begs the question, could we be seeing early demolition work in preparation for the Wizarding World’s expansion?

Given the proximity of both buildings to the Hogwarts Express prop, and their direct line of access to the back of house roadway connecting both parks, it kind of makes you wonder if this is in any way related to the rumors of a ‘real’ Hogwarts Express train running between the current Wizarding World and its expansion in the former Amity area of Universal Studios. If they were to build an actual Hogwarts Express train ride, it stands to reason that they’d either keep the existing train prop on display outside the station, or remove it and re-purpose the area it once occupied as the station, to avoid confusion among returning guests.

But perhaps we’re looking too far into this, and there’s an entirely different reason why these two structures are being removed. I guess only time will tell. Below you’ll find several images detailing the exact location of these two structures as well as the demolition permits. What do you think?

http://parkrumors.com/lost-continent-demolition-evidence-for-hogwarts-express/

The bolded part is exactly what I think is going to happen. I think the Hogwarts Express display/Frozen Desert building/Tent will all be removed for the Hogsmeade Station, with the entrance possibly taking over the Hogwarts Express display. The train would leave the station and travel between Dragon Challenge and Sinbad, transitioning into an indoor tunnel, with the entrance disguised as a cave entrance (outdoors for the part before). The tunnel would include the rumored 360 3D effects, and last for a majority of the train ride. It would travel behind the Sinbad theater and into the backstage road. It would enter the JAWS area at Kings Cross station (the plans state for the station (or another attraction) to be in the southeast plot of Amity, so maybe the station can go over the walkway (queue or track)).

This is getting interesting! Hope to hear more!!

Jaws is Dead and Phase II Plans

On January 2nd, 2012, JAWS sprang from the water, terrorizing riders, one last time, before closing for good. Right after the last attack, walls were being put up. By the next day, the games, shark photo-op, and Amity buildings were walled off (the restroom is still open though), and any evidence of JAWS and Amity have been removed from the park maps (downloadable and paper). The ride has even been removed from the interactive map.

On the 5th, the shark photo-op was unfenced, and became available for guests once again to pose with (in the mouth, as they're about to get "om nomed"... ;)).

The latest update from Orlando United now shows that a majority of the decorations have been taken down:

http://orlandounited.com/2012/01/15/amity-update/

Also, from hatetofly in the Orlando United forum:

...from what I overheard they are wasting no time taking out the ride system and show elements.

I wonder how long it will be until all those carnival buildings get to have a date with a wrecking ball, and the water gets drained (assuming some of the pictures above (some of the last ones) are of the ride in its current state). I can already hear the bulldozers.

Meanwhile, on the rumor side of things, on New Years Eve, Theme Park Insider posted details on what seems to be the plans for the replacement, which is indeed Phase II of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201112/2824/

From the plans seen, it looks like it will take over the JAWS/Amity plot, and will include the secret entrance into Diagon Alley (yes, it will also have the Leaky Cauldron). The two major attractions will be the Gringotts coaster, and another one on the southeast plot of the land (possibly King's Cross station with Platform 9 3/4, and maybe the Hogwarts Express will go over the walkway into the new section (from San Francisco) and would travel behind Mummy and other soundstages to the WWoHP in IOA).

Speaking of the Hogwarts Express, it looks like Sinbad is getting the axe too:

On the southeastern portion of the plot, a second attraction is designated. I can't tell from the plans what this attraction will be, but its position is consistent with the rumor of a Hogwarts Express ride connecting the two Harry Potter land, as this attraction points into the back-of-house access road that runs straight into the rear of Sindbad theater where the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is expanding into in Islands of Adventure.

Bye Sinbad! You were an OK show!

They even posted pictures of the Gringotts coaster trains:
































And here's a quote about the ride system, which looks a lot like the ride system reported earlier:

After the load platform, the two load channels merge to the south, then bearing to the left and entering Scene 1: "Turntable." In this scene, you'll face a brick wall, with two tunnel entrances, to the left and right. But before you proceed, the track below the first of the twin cars will drop from underneath that car. The track will come to rest at a 40-degree angle. Then, the track under the trailing car will begin to rise, matching the 40-degree angle of the leading car.

At that point, the two cars will drop in tandem into a third tunnel, below the tunnel on the right. Basically, we've just ridden a teeter-totter-like vertical track switch, attaching to the roller coaster track for our initial drop.

The Gringotts ride won't be a traditional roller coaster. It appears to be a hybrid roller coaster and motion-base ride, a la Spider-Man and Transformers. There are 3D projection screens throughout the ride, embedded in the rockwork of the tunnel walls, creating an illusion of open space, within which we'll watch battles taking place.

Sounds good to me! =D

Can't wait to hear more!

Universal Studios Hollywood to Build "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter"

I mentioned it last post. Remember those rumors late last year of Potter coming to SoCal. Check it out!

After defeating Voldemort and his Death Eaters in seven bestselling books and eight hit movies, Harry Potter is taking on perhaps his greatest challenge yet: boosting the Los Angeles economy.

Universal Studios on Tuesday took the wraps off plans to build a Southern California version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which drove a 68% increase in attendance at its Orlando theme park during the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2010.

Ron Meyer, Universal's president, said his company would spend "several hundred million dollars" to create the attraction, which is expected to include a re-creation of Hogwarts Castle along with Potter-themed rides, shops and restaurants.

The plan was unveiled Tuesday morning at an elaborate ceremony at Universal Studios Hollywood attended by Gov. Jerry Brown, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslovsky, and executives from Universal and Warner Bros., which made the "Potter" films and controls licensing rights to author J.K. Rowling's characters. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa sent a congratulatory video message from Beijing, where by coincidence he was helping announce the opening of a new theme park in China.

Comcast Corp.-owned Universal will create more than 1,000 jobs in the process, with many more expected to be added indirectly at hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses. Executives said the new attraction would be built within the existing Universal Studios park boundaries, which will likely require the demolition or repurposing of existing rides.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. estimated that every 1 million additional visitors who come to Universal Studios Hollywood for the Harry Potter attraction will generate $417 million in spending in the county.

"This is a grand slam for the Los Angeles tourism industry," said Mark Liberman, president of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, known as LA Inc. "It's going to immediately be at the top of any attraction L.A. has ever seen."

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando has drawn more than 10 million visitors since it opened in June 2010. Visitors have bought more than 1 million glasses of butterbeer, a non-alcoholic drink made famous in the Potter books. Mugs of the sweet, frosty beverage were served at Tuesday's event.

As part of Tuesday's announcement, Universal and Warner also said the Orlando Potter attraction would be significantly expanded.

The Los Angeles attraction won't open for a while, however. Universal Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Williams said in an interview that the 20-acre Wizarding World in Florida took more than four years to build. The Universal Studios Hollywood attraction would likely take at least that long, putting the premiere in 2016 at the earliest.

In addition, Universal can't break ground until a planned $3-billion overhaul of its theme park and film and television studio lot is approved by regulatory authorities.

When it debuts, the legions of Potter fans from around the world who flock to the attraction could help Universal Studios Hollywood gain ground on its larger Southern California rival in Anaheim. Disneyland had 16 million visitors in 2010 and its sibling destination California Adventure drew 6.3 million, according to the Themed Entertainment Assn. Universal Studios Hollywood had 5 million attendees during the same period, the trade group said.

"If we take the authenticity of the experience in Orlando and put it in the world's entertainment capital, you're going to see streams of people coming from countries around the world and affect the whole economic chain of Los Angeles," said Universal Studios Hollywood President Larry Kurzeweil.

Many of the rides currently at Universal Hollywood are based on older films such as "King Kong," "Terminator" and "WaterWorld," though a new "Transformers" attraction will debut next spring.

Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer said his studio spoke to numerous potential candidates about the rights to build a Potter-themed attraction in Southern California before signing a long-term agreement with Universal. A knowledgeable person not authorized to discuss the matter publicly said Walt Disney Co. talked to Warner about adding Harry Potter to Disneyland.

"The millions of fans who have read the books and seen the movies are very demanding, and we're very concerned about not disappointing them," Meyer said. "What Universal built in Orlando met that bar in a dramatic fashion."

Brown, who unlike the business executives in attendance spoke without looking at prepared remarks, said the new Potter attraction was welcome news at a time when many are pessimistic about the state's future.

"Yes, we have had some tough times but the movie industry keeps hope alive and keeps us together," he said. "We are truly a state of imagination, and this great Harry Potter park just pushes us that much further down the road."

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/07/business/la-fi-ct-potter-park-20111207

Here are some confirmed items for the Hollywood PotterVerse:

* There will be Hogwarts
* There will be Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

That's pretty much it. =/ My thoughts on where it is going up: same as before. Gibson Ampitheatre gets torn out for FJ and Hogsmeade goes up in between that and WaterWorld (torn out for either a show or a Dragon Challenge clone).

To prove my point about Gibson... check it out here:

(12/7/11) Universal Studios Hollywood held a press conference a few hours ago to confirm that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will indeed be coming to the California park. Unfortunately, they were a little light on details… only mentioning that the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey thrill ride would be built, themed to look like the iconic Hogwarts Castle, but no timeline was given for the attraction to open. I contacted Universal for clarification on this, or to see if they could provide the year when it will open, but they responded that the exact timeline was not yet set at this point in time.
The press release had a few more minor details that confirmed that they were indeed building a themed land and not just the one ride structure. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be as impressive as what has been created in Orlando – and is expected to transform tourism in Los Angeles for decades to come. It will be a fully immersive environment for the entire family that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life and is faithful to the visual landscape of the films, including a majestic Hogwarts castle to serve as the centerpiece of the themed environment. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be created with the same commitment to authenticity and the same level of talent and resources as its Orlando counterpart.”
In another report I read elsewhere (sorry, can’t find the link) the reporter asked Ron Meyer about where they would build it because the park was lacklocked, to which he responded that “We’re not lacklocked! We’ve got 400 acres on this lot and 200 of them are still not developed.” So that got me to thinking… could Universal possibly be rethinking some of that once proposed Vision Plan (later revised in 2009 as the Evolution Plan)? Could they now be realizing the value of all that property they hold, and what else they could do with it is they choose to expand the theme park side of the business instead of selling off the land for new housing developments? We can dream…
In the meantime, a LA County Supervision did comment in this other report, confirming the rumors we had been hearing, that the Gibson Amphitheater would be scrapped to make way for the Wizarding World, possibly opening as early as late 2014.
If your not quite sure just what to expect from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, then be sure to read through Screamscape’s official two part coverage of the grand opening of the Orlando park’s version.

Also construction may begin at the end of the summer:

2015 - Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Confirmed - (12/12/11) Screamscape sources confirmed that we shouldn’t expect to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter open in Hollywood until 2015. The first phases of construction work for the project (or demolition to make room) are expected to begin before the end of Summer 2012 however.

Potter Phase II Rumors

The more I think about it, the more I think JAWS's replacement will be the Harry Potter Phase II expansion.

First off, Universal confirmed that the expansion is happening on December 6th (along with the long-rumored Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hollywood, that I'll get to later):

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is going to get bigger at Universal Orlando. And it will have a sister world at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in California, the company revealed Tuesday.

Details about the Florida expansion — such as cost, new attractions, time frame or which of the two Universal Orlando theme parks it would be located in — were not shared. The original Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on the books created by J.K. Rowling, opened at Universal's Islands of Adventure in June 2010.

"We've not announced a time frame, but it's going to take years for us to create something on the scale and scope we envision," said Tom Schroder, a Universal Orlando spokesman. Details will be announced "over time," said a Universal news release.

Universal Orlando announced last week that it would close the Jaws ride at Universal Studios theme park on Jan. 2. Since then the rumor mill has churned with chatter about what could go in that space. If Potter replaced Jaws, the boy wizard would be in both Universal parks.

"I think it's very interesting that Universal Orlando announced the closure of Jaws a mere few days before the confirmation of an expansion," said Ricky Brigante, owner of InsideTheMagic.Net, a theme-parks website.

He would be surprised if Potter elements spilled over into the Studios, but "anything is possible," he said.

"Looking at a map, I can see a clear route between where Jaws is now and the existing Wizarding World of Harry Potter," Brigante said. "A Hogwarts Express [train] could be built between the two, but that would certainly be a major construction project involving both parks and backstage and reworking of facilities."

Previously, buzz centered on Wizarding World expanding into the adjacent Lost Continent area of Islands of Adventure, he said.

"With all this going on, there are certainly doubts that that would happen," Brigante said.

Other speculation calls for the expansion to be themed on London scenes of the "Harry Potter" movies. The resort's contract with Warner Bros. requires it to have elements from the final Potter films, the last of which opened in theaters this summer.

Most industry analysts considered a Harry Potter expansion in Orlando inevitable given the financial success of Wizarding World. Universal's attendance jumped 20 percent in 2010 — to 11.2 million — even though Wizarding World didn't open until halfway through the year. It soared 52 percent — to nearly 6.4 million — during the first half of 2011.

"Normally, you put a new attraction out and you're delighted if you get a 5 percent bump in attendance. Harry Potter came out and we were seeing 40 percent and 50 percent bumps, just a gigantic sea change in the profitability," NBCUniversal Chief Executive Officer Steve Burke said at a conference with analysts this fall.

The Wizarding World expansion would be part of a flurry of construction projects at Central Florida theme parks. SeaWorld's TurtleTrek attraction is set to open next year, and a major Antarctica-themed area will open there in 2013. The first phase of the Fantasyland expansion at Disney World's Magic Kingdom is scheduled to open in 2012, and Disney's Animal Kingdom plans to add a land based on the "Avatar" films in 2016.

In Hollywood, details about the Potter plan there were thin, although a news release boasted it "will be as impressive as what has been created in Orlando." At the Tuesday news conference, it was confirmed that Hollywood would include a Hogwarts castle and its signature ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

No details about a Hogsmeade village, other rides or restaurants were shared.

"I am sure that the teams at Universal and Warner Bros. will bring their expertise and attention to detail to Hollywood to make this new experience equally as exciting," Rowling said in the release. She was not on stage for the announcement.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-12-06/travel/os-wizarding-world-harry-potter-orlando-expansion-20111206_1_wizarding-world-potter-elements-universal-orlando

Permits have also been filed for "Project 722":

http://hhnrumors.com/index.php?a=148

It looks to have some connections with four people who made a Harry Potter film (Deathly Hallows 1 and 2, Half-Blood Prince, and Order of the Phoenix). One of them even worked on "Project Strongarm" which is the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter at IOA. With these involvements, I am now pretty sure that the boy wizard is coming to the Studios.

Meanwhile, here are some really interesting rumors spreading on Screamscape (that can make one's JAW (haha pun!) drop):

2014 - Jaws Replacement / Potter Phase 2 / Project 722 - (12/22/11) Some great detective work linking the demolition permit of Jaws to the rumored new Harry Potter expansion project has been posted to HHN Rumors this week. Really worth checking out to see just what kind of people are linked to “Project 722”.
As for the meaning behind the 722 codename... it could just be nonsense... or on a hunch I did pull out a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to see what it had to say on Page 722. Sure enough... there is a line about being in King’s Cross where it would be possible to board a train. Of course I may just be reading a bit too much into that, but you never know.
(12/21/11) I’ve got a quick Studio item today, plus another interesting piece of the puzzle over at the Islands of Adventure side of things. Today… we’re going to talk about The Hogwarts Express. Most of the Naysayers out there immediately bring up the fact that any train that runs between the park’s backstage is going to run through some very unattractive behind the scenes areas along the way.
The report I keep getting on this issue is that the riders view of the world from the train will not be of the backstage area, or even the real world at all, but instead be an artificial view of the journey from London to Hogwarts. What is not clear is just how this will be accomplished… either through the use of video screens instead of windows… or the rumored use of the King Kong 360 technology that wraps projection screens around both sides of the Backlot Tour tram ride at the Hollywood park in an enclosed building.
Personally, I’m kind of hoping for the later, as it would allow for some unique thrills and sights to be had along the way during both sides of the journey. In the end, you never know… Universal Creative has some fine clever folks on the payroll like Thierry Coup. As the masterminds behind projection based attractions like Spiderman, Kong 360, Harry Potter and Transformers) who constantly break new ground, anything is possible for the Hogwarts Express.
(12/8/11) While I did speculate that the proposed Potter Phase 2 project could also take over the Fear Factor stadium area, I’ve heard elsewhere that is not planned to happen, and that the show theater will remain. No word on if they will keep it running as Fear Factor returns to the airwaves, or if there is some other kind of plan in the works.
While on the subject of Phase 2 of the PotterVerse (London), as I had suspected, the rumors of the Knight Bus attraction were wrong. This doesn’t mean that we wont see the King Kong 3D 360º technology put to use somewhere… it just wont be themed as the Knight Bus. The ride focus seems to be entirely on the Gringott’s Wizarding Back dark ride / coaster concept, as they apparently have some really grand ideas for this project. What kind of ideas? Remember that uncovered technology patent Universal files a couple of years ago that would have a coaster car ride up onto a detachable piece of track that was hooked up to the top of a simulator style motion base platform able to tilt and rotate in any direction? (Click here to see it) The latest Screamscape rumor claims that we may see this new idea brought to life as part of the Gringott’s coaster ride.
Meanwhile it seems like the Diagon Alley Olivander’s location will be much larger than what we’ve seen built at Islands of Adventure. Rumor has it that the store will feature up to three different “wand shops” instead, but a single queue that will keep them hidden apart from each other, so it looks like you are entering the one and only shop. I’m also hearing something about a possible Wizard’s Duel show… though I’m hoping this isn’t true, as I think the “magic” needs to stay indoors for the most part.
(12/7/11) During the big announcement in Hollywood confirming that a version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be coming to the California park, the company also confirmed that the Orlando Wizarding World would also be expanded, with details about that promised to come sometime in the future.
“This is an incredible moment for Universal Studios and the millions of guests who visit our theme parks,” said Ron Meyer, President & COO, Universal Studios. “The Harry Potter stories are some of the most powerful of our time and we are honored to expand our Orlando experience and bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood, forever changing family tourism in Los Angeles.”
Keep in mind that they did not confirm if the Phase 2 expansion was coming to replace Jaws, or if it may go into Islands of Adventure instead, but at this point, every source is in agreement as to the location, confirming what I reported previously about the London focused expansion taking the place of Jaws, Amity, and very likely... the seldom used Fear Factor show theater as well.
(12/5/11) In case you missed the late breaking announcement on Friday afternoon, but Universal Orlando announced that the Jaws attraction and the entire Amity themed area around it will be closing down forever after January 2nd to make way for a new attraction. While they were not ready to disclose what is in the works yet… I’ve done a good bit of digging since then and have come up with an amazing proposal that is going to both shock and likely amaze you at the same time.
If my various sources are correct, the Amity / Jaws area will be replaced by the proposed Phase 2 expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Now, before you flip out… lets go over it all, because for starters this really isn’t going to be the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at all. Instead, from what I’ve been able to gather, the new land to be build in Universal Studios Florida will actually represent the “London” side of the PotterVerse… including an entrance to the infamous Diagon Alley.
Diagon Alley, as seen in the movies, is home to infamous locations such as The Leaky Cauldron, Gringott’s Wizarding Bank and the true Ollivanders wand shop location, as seen in the films. The London location is also said to be home to King’s Cross station, where students would board the Hogwarts Express train from Platform 9 ¾.
Many of these locations have been mentioned in the rumored development plans for Phase 2 of the Wizarding World for months now, including an innovative indoor dark coaster ride said to take place inside Gringott’s Wizarding Bank. It’s no secret that the Wizarding World has been popular…so much so that it needed to be expanded to spread out the crowds, and come up with a way to provide new locations for guests to buy Butterbeer, Ollivanders wands and more. But it seems that Universal Creative really decided to try a new idea… and think really outside the box this time. Literally… because this new expansion is going to allow for guests in both parks to get a taste of the PotterVerse… but to get the ENTIRE experience, you’d going to have to have a 2-park ticket.
Speaking of having access to both parks… connecting the dots is said to be a true recreation of the Hogwarts Express, allowing guests with two park passes (and Universal Resort guests) to recreate the true journey from the Muggle world of London and actually board travel to the train station and board the train for a trip over to Hogwarts and the rest of the Wizarding World at Islands of Adventure.
Now if all that wasn’t enough, I’ve heard some rumors about another possible new attraction likely to go into this Phase 2 project, that may attempt to take advantage of the new 3D projection tunnel technology Universal created for King Kong 3D 360 at the Hollywood park earlier this year. I don’t know if this may be put to use during your train ride on the Hogwarts Express, or if this will be an entirely separate ride experience. (One source suggested it could be a trip on the 3-decker Knight Bus, but I’ve heard that this isn’t likely to happen).
Either way this is huge… and apparently it all has a rather aggressive construction timeline as Universal is said to be shooting to have it all up and running by 2014. I’ve also heard that an official announcement or teaser could be released very soon, so stay tuned!

This has made JAWS removal become not so sad. This is literally an AMAZING idea (though I hope Fear Factor's theme gets removed from the stadium if it stays. Harry Potter Duel Show >>>> FREAK Factor)!

For those wondering about the system the Gringotts coaster is rumored to use, check it out here:

We all know how much Universal Studios likes their motion based ride systems. Several attractions utilize some form of motion base technology including Men in Black: Alien Attack, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. But it’s expensive for every vehicle in a ride to contain it’s own motion base. The engineering, maintenance, and per seat cost can be enormous. So what do you do if you want to build a roller coaster type ride experience but also have the unpredictability of a simulator type ride system? What options are there for amusement parks who want to create a ground-breaking attraction but are limited by cost or real estate?

The Universal engineers have recently come up with a motion base track segment. The invention consists of a fixed track roller coaster or dark ride with at least one section of track which can be de-coupled from the main track and rotated in almost any direction- even raising or dropping vertically. Rides such as The Mummy do contain turntables but the movement is only in one degree of freedom- a rotational movement. This new motion base track can not only rotate but pitch back and forth and tip side to side.

“An amusement ride has a track defining a ride vehicle path with a section of the track that can be decoupled from the main track and is subsequently movable on or about up to three axes with between one and six independent degrees of freedom.”

How does it work? The motion base track invention is actually very similar to the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. The track is mounted to six actuators in an arrangement called a six axis or “Stewart Platform.” Fixed to the top of the platform is a ring and pinion gear which enable the track to rotate 360 degrees, both clock and counterclockwise. This entire assembly could then be mounted on another component allowing the entire track to slide back and forth from side to side.

How does this save on space and cost? Cost is saved by only needing one motion base instead of multiple bases for every vehicle. The footprint of the ride can be reduced by reusing portions of the ride path. This can be accomplished by utilizing theme elements on rotatable turntables- first time you pass through a room you see one thing, the second time the tables have rotated 180 degrees and you think you’re in a totally different room when it’s actually one and the same (see the Carousel of Progress).

Or more likely they could have different projection effects. Imagine being in a cylindrical room with video projections being played 360 degrees around you as your coaster cars pivots and spins all around. Next, the motion base tips at a 45 degree angle and your car is released and plunges down a huge drop backwards, followed by a typical roller coaster experience featuring breathtaking drops, helices, and airtime.

In fact, the patent specifically mentions the motion base track could simulate a collapsing bridge or “…may be used to simulate a flying vehicle evading a pursuer…” Could this be a future Harry Potter attraction? A flying car perhaps? The possibilities are endless. What do you think?

http://www.coaster101.com/2011/09/19/universals-motion-base-track-patent/

(9/21/11) Universal’s been busy coming up with a new ride concept… mixing a motion base with a roller coaster. It’s simply too much weight to build a motion base into the actual coaster car, but Universal has applied for a patent for a section of detachable track that would have a motion base under it. In other words… just imagine the turntable section of track on Revenge of the Mummy… if it detached and went off for it’s own Spiderman style wild ride segment through a dark ride environment, then reattached to another section of track to let you continue your high speed coaster journey. Check out the patent over at Coaster101.com.

This whole concept = WOW! I am very interested to see how the ride will be if it comes to life! I am also pretty interested to see how King Kong 360 3D tech will be used in this expansion.

I am very interested though in how the Hogwarts Express connection will work. My guess is that the existing Hogwarts Express train (at the entrance in IOA's) will be removed to make room for the Hogsmeade Station (with the two bazaar shops by the existing entrance getting the axe). The Hogwarts Express would travel from the station right next to Sinbad and then travel right and turn left on the existing 5th Ave. Then it would go behind the soundstage next to Rockit's treble cleff, behind ROTM, Beetlejuice, and Disaster. After, it would stop at Kings Cross station.

About the Wizard duel show, I'm going to guess it will replace Fear Factor, and the show theater will become the Ministry of Magic (since London will also be included outside of Diagon Alley). Apparently the contract with Warner Bros says that Universal must add some elements from the final film (Gringotts, and possibly the Ministry of Magic duel).

I'm most excited for the Gringotts coaster. It looks so innovative!! =D

Jaws To Close January 2nd, 2012

The big news of the day is shocking and unfortunate. Remember those rumors of JAWS going... well... (from Universal Facebook):

Hey fans, we want you to be the first to know… JAWS! and the Amity area will officially close on January 2 to make room for an exciting, NEW, experience we’re planning for you.

We know you love JAWS! and we do too. It has been an amazing attraction and after terrorizing the waters of Amity here at Universal Orlando for 20 years, it’s a VERY important part of our history. So, we’ve got a couple things planned to ensure we always remember and honor it. We know it’s hard to say goodbye, but we can’t express how EXCITED we are about the new, innovative & amazing experience we’re going to be bringing you.

So they're actually removing JAWS...? ='( That sucks.

However, getting out of the subject about how suckish this removal is... check out the huge chunk JAWS has (and hey, on the bright side, they can finally burn that stupid THING next to it (yes, I mean FREAK Factor)). Combining the JAWS space and the FFL space, and you have something big to work with.

The rumors point to Harry Potter Phase II going up as rumored recently (see last post), but I just can't see it. I'd rather take out the remnants of the Lost Continent (with the lame brain Poseidon's "Fury" XD) than mess with a classic like this. However, if JAWS has to go... then it has to go. This sucks, but I heard this ride was a major headache for Universal to maintain. So, I understand why this is getting removed. It was pretty shocking though... no new rumors of it or anything... =/ I am very excited about what they're thinking though!

Part of me thinks that this may be a better option for Phase II though. If they put up Diagon Alley (supposedly that's what they're aiming for) in the Lost Continent, it would be right next to Hogsmeade (and as an HP fan, I know that Diagon Alley (in London) is very far from Hogsmeade/Hogwarts (in northern Scotland I think)). They can maybe connect the existing WWOHP with the Amity/FFL area (and hopefully they can still build that awesome Gringotts coaster along with a Potter show (possible Fear Factor replacement?)).

Though I'd rather see something new in the JAWS/FFL space... like SciFi City (with possibly Transformers (yes, I know the rumors that it is supposed to go up in the old Hard Rock Cafe space), and maybe Florida's first Wing Coaster (hey, I can dream! =D)). But either way, we'll see...

In the meantime, get your last rides on JAWS!

1990-2012
JAWS
RIP

P.S.: Just something worth noting (from Screamscape this morning):

2014/2015 - Wizarding World Expansion - Development Phase - (12/2/11) While the overall theme of every rumor regarding Phase 2 of the Wizarding World is that it’s a sure thing… the one factor up in the air was the ‘when’. When will the construction start? According to new rumors starting to flow through the park staff, construction walls could go up for the first phases as early as February 2012.
With the various news sources all aflutter about the reports of a Hollywood version of the Wizarding World being finalized over the next week or two, it would only make sense to get those same people at Warner Brothers to sign off on Phase 2 of the Orlando attraction at the same time, don’t you think?

EDIT: I also just remembered. Last blog post, I posted a rumor of two E-ticket-style attractions going up in the Studios side, one of them being Transformers. I kind of think Transformers will go up in the old Hard Rock/tents (or plot of land behind Simpsons and MIB that I've always been blabbing about) site, because unless they do Sci-Fi City, Transformers will take up only 1/4th of JAWS space, or just Fear Factor's space (heheh... I actually wouldn't mind that! Just push into the lagoon, or move Backlot Drive behind it a little, and there... GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE! >=D). I think the other E-ticket attraction could be our JAWS/Amity/FFL replacement. As for what it could be themed to... I have ABSOLUTELY no idea! =P So we're going to have to wait and see what goes on... maybe we'll hear some interesting rumors later (I know HP Phase II is now rumored to go up there, but I still kind of have a hard time believing it).

EDIT 2: And also, with JAWS gone, FFL probably gone, and possible construction by the tents, maybe the rumors of the return of the 2-park HHN are true after all (for example, instead of FFL, Bill & Ted would be in the Toon Lagoon Theater). Just food for thought.

Next Universal Project

Some interesting rumors have been spreading about the next big addition for Universal.

To start things off... an expansion to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been all but confirmed:

Harry Potter producer David Heyman didn’t keep mum on the Harry Potter Home Entertainment Celebration red carpet at Universal Orlando last weekend.

He told one fansite that plans for a Wizarding World expansion and new Potter parks were in “early days,” and as it turns out he had a bit more to confirm to a major news outlet.

From the Toronto Sun:

Heyman confirmed with Sun Media that details are being planned, including new Potter-themed thrill rides. Heyman himself has been thrilled with the response. “This is the first time we’ve been here with this crowd,” he said of “real fans” of the Harry Potter universe. “You realize it does live on and it lives on in so many ways.”

So now we know that thrill rides are part of the expansion plan. I’m personally still holding out for a Gringotts ride to take over the existing Poseidon’s Fury area at Universal Orlando.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on any expansion and new park news as it becomes available!

Be sure to check out our list of 8 things we want to see in a new Potter park.

http://www.hypable.com/harry-potter/2011/11/19/more-murmurs-of-wizarding-world-at-universal-orlando-expansion-from-producer-david-heyman/

More interesting rumors are spreading (from JungleSkip at Orlando United):

A whole park isn't in the cards... But a lot more than we would have guessed seems to be. I know I'm being a bit short but I'm headed to bed.

The more I hear, the more I think my friendly Spirit was mistaken on what he heard or what he was told.

A contractor that worked on version 1 has said the plans are very big for Phase II, but not USF big.

He's also said Transformers is on its way (different aka better from the USH/USS versions) and something to replace Fear Factor.

Other rumors (some from Spirit, some from other sources):

Exactly ... and UNI has some amazing things headed down the pike. Potter Phase II has grown so large that it has outgrown IOA ... it's like in that movie Jaws 'we're going to need a bigger park' ... or is that 'we're going to need to borrow some land for an existing one?'

I don't know that I'd go that far. But WWoHP is absolutely the most impressive O-town theme park development of this century BY FAR ... and just wait for Phase II ... so big it's going to be in TWO PARKS! (no, I am not kidding! kiss the plastic sharkie bye-bye!)

Nope. Both expanding in IOA and BEYOND ... and I just heard it this week, but have had it confirmed by two others.

That be the plan ... apparently connected by the Hogwarts Express.

But Amity, Jaws and Fear Factor stage (which isn't used most of the time) would cease to exist under the plan.

~GFC~

In all respect to my very dear friend Spirit, he is misinformed on Jaws. Not going anywhere. Phase II is growing however.

If I haven't told you yet let me also confirm that Potter phase II will be several steps above phase I. The two E-tickets (that is not a typo as I consider one of the other attractions planned for Potter to be an E-ticket) will blow FJ away in terms of show with at least an equally innovative and fun ride system. Transformers is an amazing ride and where it is going in USF is also surprising. USF will become an amazing park with the two E-tickets and the other attractions about to be launched.

It seems that the WWoHP Phase II expansion is bound to happen, but bigger than before. So if that's the case, you might want to take some last pics of the Lost Continent before it gets bulldozed.

Now let's get to Transformers. Before we get to rumors, let's get to some recent commotion.

Now, I know that Screamscape reported that Spielberg misspoke about Transformers, and that it won't come. After hearing some of the rumors lately, I think Universal tried to shoot down this rumor with that report.

Within the last couple of months, the old Hard Rock Cafe by Woody Woodpecker was finally demolished after sitting abandoned since CityWalk opened with a new Hard Rock Cafe. One would expect a KidZone attraction to be added, due to its proximity to KidZone. HOWEVER, this is where things start to get interesting... looks like the Lost Continent isn't the only section on the chopping block:

We’ve heard several rumors lately about Universal planning an extensive new attraction for the Studios park in Orlando. In particular, there seems to be a lot of concerted effort on Universal’s part on restructure the backstage area of the northeastern portion of Universal Studios.

This area within the park is home to the aging American Tale themed play area and other “kids zone” type attractions including Barney, Woody Woodpecker, and Curious George just north of the E.T. attraction.

Prior to the Universal resort expansion that introduced CityWalk and Islands of Adventure this portion of the park exited into what was a large Hard Rock cafe. When a new Hard Rock Cafe was built as part of CityWalk the building became redundant and was closed to the public – used only for internal purposes – and eventually not used at all.

In September of this year Universal began the process of tearing down the old Hard Rock building and subsequently filed the appropriate paperwork with the Florida water management district. This teardown in and of itself adds a sizeable plot of expansion space for a decent sized-attraction to Universal Orlando all on it’s own.

However, this week Universal has begun other backstage preparations for what appears to be a much larger project than originally rumored. They’ve begun restructuring the northern backstage area by moving some of the existing parade float storage areas further north and realigning the roadways. Here’s the pertinent paperwork.

On their own these two projects wouldn’t be terribly thrilling – Hard Rock isn’t that big – but they both border a prime piece of real estate in the park. One that is considered to feature outdated franchises and are thus underutilized spaces. Here’s a handy aerial shot for reference:

So what’s it going to become? Universal isn’t talking. However, we have heard rumbling that it’s going to be a fairly large project once formally announced. So until then we’ll keep an eye on the wires.

Now might be a good time to get photos and final memories of that area of the park, lest it not exist in a year’s time.

http://www.epcyclopedia.com/2011/10/26/universal-tears-down-old-hard-rock-and-starts-other-site-prep-for-new-attraction/

More from JungleSkip:

Also, some food for thought on all of this that I personally believe is connected (though I really have no info to back it up).

This year the HHN team has said they're looking at using both parks to host HHNs yet again. Personally, I think this is ONLY because something will be going on at USF that prevents the event from being solely hosted at the venue, whether it's construction back by the Sprung tents or the Fear Factor stage being unavailable (or gone) for Bill and Ted's necessitating the Toon Lagoon stage for the show.

New Transformers hint from a contractor that's worked heavily with UOR and UC before:

Transformers is an amazing ride and where it is going in USF is also surprising.

The surprising location leads me to believe it will be in the KidZone like I had heard.

Here comes an interesting factor... while the Hard Rock Cafe building was being demolished, a camera was put up by it. Why would they put up a camera by a building demolition that looks to have no meaning... there MUST be a meaning. This tells me something big is happening, and if the two site preps mentioned in the above article mean anything, we could be looking at something big (and Curious George will probably get the axe, since it is in the way of the two sites).

As of now, they are clearing the land around it (from Obi Ubamba at Orlando United):

They are flattening out the area and clearing out some surrounding area.

And another interesting factor... could we be looking at an announcement date soon as part of the Universal Centennial celebration:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-redesigning-logos-centennial-261811

It seems that if Universal Orlando Resort were to announce a giant expansion (Potter and Transformers), it would be that day, sometime in the next few months (April 30 is the 100th birthday of the company, so that would be the latest).

It should get very interesting in the next few months...

Universal Announcing Something Big on May 19th: Rumor Roundup Time!

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2011/04/universal-orlando-to-announce-major-attraction-news-on-may-19-via-webcast/

Select media have been invited by Universal Orlando to tune in to a special webcast in which “major attraction news” will be revealed. The web announcement will take place on May 19 at 10:30am, so check back here and follow us on Twitter and Facebook to find out what Universal plans to announce.

The announcement (I’m sure by no coincidence) takes place the day before Star Tours: The Adventures Continue makes its big debut at nearby Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. Depending on the scale of this “major” announcement, Universal is likely interested in stealing some of the media spotlight away from Disney.

While no further details were given in our invitation to watch the announcement featuring the Universal Creative team, it is expected that the replacement of Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast will be unveiled.

UPDATE (5/5/11): The announcement has been confirmed to include the reveal of what will replace Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast, now being said to be “based on a blockbuster film.” In addition, Universal will announce “details about a major, high-tech enhancement to one of Universal Orlando’s single most popular attractions.” No further information about that is available.

Rumors and recent “UORHints” revealed by Universal Orlando seem to point to a ride themed around “Despicable Me” will be the replacement, but that has not yet been confirmed. And, of course, it’s possible that Universal has an entirely different surprise to announce, but we won’t find that out until May 19. Let the speculation begin!

Well, obviously this announcement will involve Jimmy Neutron's replacement, which will indeed be Despicable Me (nice rhyme there).

Now the real question is... what about that so called "major, high-tech enhancement to one of Universal Orlando's single most popular attractions?" Well, check this out from Screamscape:

(2/17/11) I’ve heard an interesting rumors this week, claiming that at some point in the next 8-10 months we will likely see Spiderman close for an extensive rehab. I’m told that the plan is to replace the projection systems with new current digital projection systems, which may also result in the new of an improved 3-D system. Of course the switch to an all digital system will only make any future possible transformations of the attraction (if they give up the rights to Spiderman) a little easier to handle.
Now, if I’m not mistaken, didn’t they already install an all-digital version of Spiderman in the Japanese park, or did I hear that wrong? Anyone know for sure? In any case, they want the new and improved Spiderman ready to go before the new Spiderman film hits the theaters in Summer 2012.

Spider-Man with a new 3D system would be so awesome (even though the current one they have is good too)! That is what I'm currently leaning to at the moment.

Still, a majority of internet users have heard that apparently the announcement will be even bigger... (from BriMan at Orlando United):

According to various good people, if what they are saying is announced by UO, all of you will very happy.

From Spirit of 74 at Laughing Place:

Well, my info is that Potter Phase II has been approved and will be large and include two more signature attractions, plus UNI will be adding two majors at the old park, including the Transformers ride going into Hollywood and Singapore ... and a water park is happening too.

From JungleSkip at Orlando United:

Second biggest announcement. Not bigger than IoA/City Walk/Hotels

So, now I have to dig up the old rumor mill and take a look at all the rumors that have been spreading around the internet lately...

Avatar 4D:

Last November, Screamscape reported the possibility of Terminator becoming Avatar 4D. T2, unfortunately, as much as I hate to admit it, had its time. It's a fun 3D show, sure, but it had better times. And looking back when Avatar got released, it was the number one grossing film of all time. I doubt Universal would ignore Avatar. Also, there have been rumors lately that the Avatar concept has been approved and could be coming soon.

King Kong 360:

Around the time Neutron to Despicable Me rumors started to appear on Screamscape (in February), rumors also started spreading that Disaster will eventually go for a version of King Kong 360 from USH (of course longer). Disaster was a bore last time I went, and a Kong ride would be cool (I guess I consider this bringing back an old attraction), so "toodleoo" Disaster.

Transformers:

As seen in one of the quotes, apparently a version of Transformers from Hollywood could be coming to Orlando. I've always thought it would eventually come here despite us already having Spider-Man, even when in August 2009, a rumor started up about Transformers coming here... which was nothing but a mere mistake of a rumor. I have a gut feeling that Twister will end up getting removed for it, and they will expand the building underneath Rockit to the adjacent Sound Stage 33. Even though the Transformers films are kind of "meh..." in my book, I think a ride themed to it would be awesome (especially with the use of the Spider-Man system), and Twister had its time!

Harry Potter Phase II:

Also seen in the quote is information that the Harry Potter Phase II expansion has been approved. This has been long rumored since last summer. However, I doubt there will be a full announcement on the expansion... but just a sign of confirmation that expansion will happen (like a view of Diagon Alley with Hedwig flying over it, much like when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was first announced). Either way, I sense something related to this.

Fear Factor Replacement:

Fear Factor (as I've said a million times already) just needs to go. I hope this announcement will involve ANYTHING happening to Fear Factor (eg: Mamma Mia (=D), Rush Hour, wrecking ball, explosives, ANYTHING).

Mini Golf Course:

Well, just last week it has been reported that Universal could be looking to adding a golf course in CityWalk:

A tipster tells me that Universal Orlando is working on an adventure mini golf course, which would be built just west of the CityWalk theaters, in between the theaters and Universal Boulevard.

A permit application (ENG2011-00237) for site work to prepare for the course is in the pipeline in the City of Orlando's planning office. (At least it was when I searched the office's online database today.) The designer of the course appears to be Adventure Golf Design & Development of Traverse City, Michigan. They're the folks behind the Congo Golf courses you might have seen around Central Florida.

No word on when construction might begin, or when the course would open.

Thoughts?

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201104/2442/

From HHNRumors:

As you may have read on http://themeparkinsider.com Universal is going to be adding a Mini Golf Course to City Walk. I decided against posting about this since it's (yet again) not HHN related. However, things changed when I saw that hole 18 is supposedly "Haunted House" themed. Granted, it is a mini golf course and I can't imagine how "haunted" this particular hole can be. Especially considering hole 16 is to have a "Green House" theme.

And this is the area where it may go up (pic from kingeric at Orlando United):



















While I don't do mini golf, I can see this become a success for CityWalk. =)

Universal Water Park, "Wondersea Island":

Universal has trademarked the name "Wondersea Island" for "Entertainment services in the nature of water parks."
















For the past few years, there have been rumors spreading about the possible doom of Wet N' Wild and a new Universal Water Park going up around 2015-2016. The trademarking seems to let the cat out of the bag on this one. While I love water parks, I haven't been to many... pretty much only Säntispark in St. Gallen, Switzerland. This, however, might be one of the water parks I'll visit very often (if what I think about this is true)!

So, that's my two cents on what may be announced on May 19th.

Park Updates #8

Manta Confirmed for SeaWorld San Diego:

From SeaWorld Blog:

The new 2012 attraction will blend the exhilaration of a coaster with the grace and beauty of marine life.

Manta is coming to SeaWorld San Diego. The new mega-attraction, which will open in 2012, will combine the thrill of a launch coaster with an amazing marine-life exhibit.

“We are very excited to unveil Manta,” said SeaWorld park president, John Reilly. “This new launch coaster, the first of its kind for SeaWorld San Diego, will take riders on twists, turns and drops, while also immersing them into the world of the bat ray and other incredible marine creatures.”

Swooping, diving and twisting, Manta will not only inspire visitors with its 100,000-gallon underwater animal habitat, but take them on an unforgettable ride on a coaster shaped like a giant manta ray.

Manta also will feature a unique “launch station” where the passengers will start the ride enclosed in a launch tunnel with larger-than-life images of rays projected on a 270-degree enveloping screen. This stunning introduction to the world of the rays also will visually enhance the physical acceleration as the ride launches down the track. This state-of-the-art projection system will be the first of its kind in the United States.

“We are delighted to bring energizing new attractions to our guests year after year, and Manta does just that and more,” said Reilly. “It combines the thrilling excitement of a coaster, with the wonderful educational experience of an incredible marine-life exhibit. Our visitors are going to love Manta.”

Riders and non-riders alike will be able to immerse themselves the graceful beauty of bat rays and fishes. Forbidden Reef, an existing SeaWorld attraction where guests can feed and touch bat rays, will be incorporated and enhanced as part of Manta.

“With Manta, our guests will be able to see and interact with 65 bat rays, 10 guitar fish, and hundreds of fishes,” said SeaWorld San Diego curator of fishes, Thad Dirksen. “The below-water viewing area will include eight acrylic windows and a reef design. The above-water interaction area will allow our guests more opportunities to touch and feed the rays.”

http://www.insideseaworld.com/seaworld-san-diego-announces-new-manta-coaster

This link also shows some concept art and an on-ride video.

Manta SoCal looks like fun. I've enjoyed the one in Florida and Blue Fire at Europa Park, and this one will look very enjoyable.

Thorpe Park 2012:

Recently, Thorpe Park has been teasing about their 2012 coaster project. Now it looks like this will be the next B&M Wing Coaster:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=53056&start=60#p999885

Now before you say something... check out the pics of the side elevation... where it looks like the ride will flip ON TOP OF THE LIFT HILL! =O B&M has never done that before! And it looks like there will be four inversions:

1. The half loop on top of the lift hill (used as a drop)
2. Zero-G-Roll
3. Corkscrew
4. In-line twist

Those sound GREAT to me! Now I'm REALLY praying for one of these to come to America! =D

And it looks like there will be a post-apocalyptic theme (there are some ruined vehicles that act as theming, like a helicopter, airplane, and some ruined trucks(for shopping purposes)). The track will be painted light military green and dark green (according to a post on Page 9 of the above link).

Just in case there is any doubt this is B&M, check this out (Screamscape):

2012 - LC12 - In Development - (2/10/11) According to a posting at UK Park News, Thorpe Park has confirmed through a planning application that their 2012 coaster project is from B&M to be located on a new development island “adjacent to Stealth” and will be just under 40 meters tall. One item though that I have to question… why does this statement say refer to B&M as being a “German manufacturer”?
The error aside… If I were a betting man, I’d be placing all my chips on this being one of the new B&M 4th Dimension / WingWalker style designs (like Raptor at Gardaland) with some all new more progressive design elements.

From UK Park News:

That’s right! In a recent press release, it has been confirmed that renowned Roller Coaster manufacturers, Bolliger & Mabillard, have been commissioned to build a unique, 40m high Roller Coaster for the 2012 season!

The full press release can be read below

“In line with THORPE PARK’s Medium Term Development Plan, application for full planning permission for a new rollercoaster in 2012 has been submitted to Runnymede Borough Council. This can be viewed on the Runnymede Borough Council website, www.runnymede.gov.uk (ref: RU.11/0101).

The German manufacturer Bolliger and Mabillard have been commissioned to build the unique new rollercoaster due to their consistent record of delivering extreme rides of the highest quality. Subject to planning permission, the ride will open in Spring 2012 and will be located on one of the new development islands adjacent to Stealth, measuring just under 40 metres in height.

Mike Vallis, Divisional Director, comments:

“THORPE PARK has developed significantly over the last decade to create the ‘must do’ destination for thrill seekers in the UK. We have focussed our investment on delivering exciting new rides and attractions including SAW – The Ride: the world’s first horror movie themed rollercoaster, Stealth: one of Europe’s fastest rollercoasters, Colossus: the world’s first 10 looping rollercoaster and Nemesis Inferno the 4.5 G-force experience.

This new development for 2012 will further add to the Park’s impressive ride portfolio and firmly establish the THORPE PARK as the nation’s Thrill Capital with a wide range of adrenaline pumping rides.”

http://www.ukparknews.co.uk/entry/cms/?p=3016

Yep, it will be the next B&M Wing Coaster. =)

Invertigo Dorney Park:

Last week, Dorney Park sent plans to the local township for a new coaster to replace the old Laser site:

Mum's the word on a new ride slated to join Dorney Park's lineup of belly-dropping, giggle-inducing thrillers, and park representatives say enthusiasts will have to wait until summer 2012 to try it out.

Dorney Park's parent corporation, Cedar Fair L.P., submitted a plan to South Whitehall Township for a new 138-foot-high amusement ride. But the plan doesn't mention what kind of a ride it is, and the park's general manager, Jason McClure, said his lips are sealed.

"We are keeping our focus on 2011 and all the new things we have in store with Planet Snoopy," McClure said.

The park's opening day will reveal the results of an $8 million top-to-bottom makeover of 10-year-old Camp Snoopy, the 3.5-acre children's area named after the too-cool beagle from Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip. The renovation will bring six new rides, an amphitheater, a souvenir store and a "soda pop shop" featuring root beer floats.

Dorney representatives will take questions about the proposed 2012 addition from the South Whitehall Planning Commission on Feb. 17, but even that won't demystify the new ride.

"The Planning Commission can ask us a variety of questions… but it's premature to get into a lot of detail," McClure said.

That hasn't stopped people from speculating that the incoming ride will be a coaster from California's Great America called Invertigo. The coaster happens to be 138 feet tall and is being relocated to another park within Cedar Fair's amusement park empire, according to a Great America news release issued last week.

Invertigo takes riders sitting face to face up a 138-foot-tall tower, then on several loops and twists both forward and backward through three inversions.

The rumor of the swap surfaced last week on a theme-park fan site called Screamscape.com, but Dorney spokesman Chuck Hutchison said the rumors are just that — rumors.

Invertigo reopened in July almost a year after a mechanical failure left two dozen people trapped 80 feet in the air for at least three hours, according to CNN. All of the trapped riders were rescued and no one was injured.

Under Dorney's proposal for a new ride, several kiddie rides would be removed, as well as a basketball game, concrete midways and a portion of a paved service drive, affecting about 1.7 acres of the 187-acre property zoned as commercial recreation.

Three Dorney rides are listed for sale on Ital International LLC, which dubs itself as the amusement industry's most comprehensive new and used ride brokerage source. The Antique Cars and Dune Buggy rides are both listed for $18,000, and the Kiddie Merry-Go-Round is listed for $25,000.

The ride is slated for the western portion of the park, just north of Lincoln Avenue and Dorney Park Road and south of the mammoth Steel Force coaster, where the old Laser coaster used to be.

The Laser was removed in 2008 after 22 years of double-loop thrills. The portable coaster, anchored by tanks of water, was originally named Colossus.

The site of the new ride, where Laser stood, is on the edge of a 100-year flood plain. The location caused heated debate at the township level when Dorney sought approval for Laser. It was eventually approved with a host of conditions attached.

If Invertigo greets fans in 2012, it would be the park's third inverted coaster, making Dorney Park the only amusement park in the country to have three true inverted coasters, according to a post on Screamscape.com.

McClure said the park will release more information on the ride this summer.

It looks quite similar to Invertigo at CGA:

2012 - Invertigo - Rumor - (2/3/11) Dorney Park has now submitted plans to the local township for a 138 foot tall ride for the 2012 season. Funny how that proposed attraction height matches up almost perfectly with the Invertigo coaster being removed from California’s Great America. The proposed site will take up the former site of the removed Laser coaster, as well as some surrounding area, removing a few kiddie rides in the process.

Hmmm...

Cheetah Hunt Construction:

Looks like track is nearly complete, as the only bit of track left is the drop, second trench, and the first half of the first s-bend (which according to pics looks to be going OVER the Skyride =O). It's looking really good.

Raptor Begins Testing:

You heard that right, testing has begun on Raptor at Gardaland recently (from paolobrescio):



http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56021&start=530#p996406

Oh my, those trains look so awesome! =D And also...

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56021&start=600#p999878

They've added some theme elements to one of the turns. Looks good! =)

Harry Potter Phase 2:

From Teebin at Orlando United:

Hmm... about two weeks ago, two baby sand hill cranes that were born on the property next door almost a year ago were sent packing by their parents. One of them was sent west to meet with a very well known theme park design group on the west coast regarding a more distant pacific new project. The other, so it was hinted to me took an eastern flight of 6 hours or so... to propose/present a whole lot/small lot (I do not know) of somethings re: a non-sPACIFIC project. Said crane is hesitant about a breakfast of neeps and tatties for several days. The parent cranes maintain a constant presence in the area since I have lived here and appear to breed "industry" cranes. Have a nice day.

It looks to me like the first crane he mentioned went for Universal Singapore or Dubai (or even South Korea) and the other could be for London, England, to meet with JK Rowling for Harry Potter Phase II. And to prove my point about that last one, from Disneyhead at Orlando United:

OK, Teebin beat me to it, but what I am hearing is that the plans are drawn up and have been presented to JK. They are waiting for her approval. The expansion plan presented includes one major attraction and at least one minor attraction. And that is all I know about it. I have no clue what the area will be or what any of the attractions concepts are.

Yep... definitely starting to reach the grips of reality. =D

Let me just say that the Lost Continent, unfortunately, has become a shell of its former self. Poseidon's Fury was my least favorite attraction at IOA (though last time it was a little bit better, but still lame), and I'd take a Gringotts indoor coaster over this attraction anyday. While I haven't tried Mythos, I wouldn't mind seeing Leaky Cauldron going up (though they can keep it to, like Screamscape says) in its place. And while Sinbad is a fun show, it unfortunately can't save this poor island. And a Triwizard show would be awesome! =D

Well, next time I'm at Universal (assuming I won't be there for a long time after that), I'm going to have to experience the Lost Continent and Terminator one last time.

Harry Potter and Invertigo Removal

Wizarding World Phase 2:

From Screamscape:

???? - Wizarding World Expansion - Development Phase - (1/29/11) According to one rumor, Universal is looking into having the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter finished by 2013… which is confidently the same time that Disney should be done with their Fantasyland expansion down the road. (I love it when they play nasty…)
As for the expansion, the plans are still being worked on, but the general idea is to take over the rest of Lost Continent, though at the same time they do not want to disturb the Mythos restaurant. (Just my 2 cents… but just place the new gateway to the Wizarding World just beyond the entrance of Mythos to avoid the clash.) The obvious and early idea here right now is to re-create a Diagon Alley environment… full of more theme appropriate shops to sell merchandise of course. An action show of some kind is being tossed around to replace Sinbad, and one possible storyline could involve the TriWizard Tournament. As for what may become of Poseidon’s Fury… the jury is still out, and many ideas are said to be on the table, however one possible idea under consideration would be an indoor steel coaster ride themed to Gringotts Wizarding Bank vaults seen in the first film. In case you’ve forgotten, check out the video embedded below.
(1/26/11) Screamscape sources tell us that survey markings are appearing in backstage areas behind the remainder of The Lost Continent as they attempt to map out how Phase 2 of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will take shape. It would be easy to convert Sinbad into a new live action show, but what kind of attraction could make good use of the Poseidon’s Fury structure?

I'd take the 2013 opening with a grain of salt, but with surveying apparently happening... hmmm... if this 2013 opening rumor is true, expect construction to begin in a matter of months.

I'd rather see a Ministry of Magic-themed show, instead of a Triwizard-themed show (though it would be fun too). But either case, this expansion is already sounding exciting to me. =D

Invertigo Removal:

From Screamscape:

Park News - (1/29/11) Cedar Fair has confirmed on the CGA website that Invertigo is indeed being removed from the park before it opens for the 2011 season, to be relocated to another Cedar Fair park. As for the Invertigo site… they say they have plans in the works.
I say that it better be a new coaster… something wickedly cool in steel… or that awesome GCI design they had all but confirmed a few years ago. If they try to put in another Windseeker there, you have my permission to riot.
(1/27/11) Screamscape sources tell us that California’s Great America will remove Invertigo before the start of the 2011 season. If true, we can look for it to start to coming down around February 1st. Unfortunately they have no plans for the site in 2011, and this means yet another coaster removed from the park, in a long series of such events, without having added a new coaster in the past ten years.
The good news is that apparently they are finally eyeballing the park for a major new attraction in either 2012 or 2013. One rumor is that the GCI wooden coaster that was designed could be back on track, possibly moved a bit to take up some of this location and avoid the complaints from the neighbors that delayed it before. Other rumors say that something entirely new may come in to replace Invertigo. Either way, if Invertigo is coming down, we wont have long to wait.

From the California's Great America website:

Invertigo Going to a New Home

After 12 years of service at California's Great America, Cedar Fair has decided to move the ride to another Cedar Fair park and open up a new opportunity for Great America.

This is a business decision that is taking into consideration all of the Cedar Fair properties and allowing us to infuse capital into another park while opening up a great opportunity for a new attraction at Great America.

Although we do not discuss future plans that are not definite, our Corporate Design team has evaluated the location and plans are underway for the future of the location.

This is not unusual as in 2003 the ride Stealth was removed and relocated to Carowinds in Charlotte, N.C., to make way for what is now known as Boomerang Bay water park.

Stay tuned for more details as they are available!

California's Great America is in Santa Clara, California (of course in California). And the park consists of 5 (er... 4) big coasters:

1. Vortex (B&M Stand-Up) - I hear this is one of the roughest B&Ms ever made, but it kind of looks like fun. I think a refurbishment will fix it.
2. Flight Deck (B&M Invert) - This coaster has a low-to-the-"ground" helix on top of a lake.
3. Demon (Arrow Corkscrew) - This was originally "Turn of the Century" when it opened.
4. Grizzly (??? Wooden Coaster) - I have no idea who the manufacturer is, but next to Vortex, I hear this is one of the most despised rides in the park (it looks cool though).
5. Invertigo (Vekoma Invertigo) - This coaster has a clone at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. THIS RIDE IS NOW BEING REMOVED.

And three smaller ones:

6. Psycho Mouse (Arrow Wild Mouse)
7. Taxi Jam
8. Woodstock's Express

I'm just shocked though. They just reopened Invertigo last summer, and now they are removing it? =O I hope something big comes to this park. I would hate to see another Kentucky Kingdom/Geauga Lake/Astroworld tragedy. Unfortunately, many people are speculating that this is the first step in selling the park to the impending 49ers, whom the park had many issues with over the past few years (along with some cranky neighbors in office buildings next to the park that delayed the 2009 GCI wooden coaster (hey, newsflash! You chose to LIVE by a park... imbeciles -_________-)), as they want a stadium in the parking lot.

As for where Invertigo will go up, Screamscape posted this:

2012 - Invertigo - Rumor - (1/29/11) In case you missed the rumor from California’s Great America, it has been confirmed that their Invertigo coaster will be removed in the next few weeks to be sent to another Cedar Fair park. The early rumor, even before the removal was confirmed, was that it was going to Dorney Park for the 2012 season. This would make Dorney Park the only park in the country (world maybe too) to have 3 true Inverted coasters. (No, I’m not counting Suspended or Flying coasters) Stay tuned!

I've got to admit, I felt that it would go to Dorney Park when the announcement occurred. My gut tells me it is where Laser once stood. The space seems perfect for a ride like this. Also, there are some kiddie rides adjacent to the site up for sale:

Park News - (12/3/10) It looks like Dorney Park has put three (1 / 2 / 3) of its small kiddie rides up for sale on Ital Intl, all of which I believe are located in the same general area of the park, along with the Steel First kiddie coaster. Could they be clearing the area out for a new future development?

I'm getting pretty interested in what Dorney Park is getting for 2012 (guess Hersheypark's 2012 coaster is getting some competition), and what the future of California's Great America holds. Will the park survive? Or will the park die in the hands of the 49ers and cranky neighbors? Wait and see!

Park Updates #8

Well, I'm in the middle of my California trip (in Sacramento) and I thought I'd catch what I missed lately:

SoCal Harry Potter:

From Screamscape:

???? - Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Under Consideration - (12/17/10) While there is a huge push right now to bring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Hollywood, I’ve also heard from some insiders that not all members of management are hot to jump on the bandwagon. It’s not that they aren’t impressed with the Wizarding World, but more to do with the timeline the Hollywood park would face if they were to approve the project.
Even if a deal is signed, the land designed and budgets approved, your still facing the fact that a West coast version wouldn’t be ready to open until at least 2014 at the earliest. With the final film in the series set to launch a little over 6 months, it would be 3 more years until guests could walk the corridors of Hogwarts. So to these more concerned management members, they have to address the elephant in the room and ask, does Harry Potter have the staying power to stay a hot property for 3 solid years beyond the release of the final film?
In most cases, the answer would be no… something new is always ready to come along, but there is a chance that Harry Potter could become a timeless and endearing entertainment series for the ages, much like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Back To The Future. Still, the ever enticing profit margin reports from Universal Orlando are proof enough for most Execs that they need to pursue this. After all, you’ve got to take risks in business from time to time…
That all said… one does also have to ask, is Harry Potter’s story all over and done? Are there other tales that JK Rowling may have left in her pen that may take place in the Wizarding World, outside of the goings of Mr. Potter? Even JK Rowling isn’t sure it seems, as she apparently told Oprah not long ago that she could definitely write an eighth or a ninth book but, “I think I am done, but you never know.”

Honestly, IMO, HP does have the staying power to last 3 years (and possibly more).

And even if it didn't, I would still say build it. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been the greatest success for Universal since 1999, when they added Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and the resort (the hotels). I really don't see a reason why they can't build it in Hollywood.

As for my idea, now I think it makes sense to put up Forbidden Journey where the Gibson Ampitheater sits, and Flight of the Hippogriff in between that and the Waterworld site. They can put up Hogsmeade after Hippogriff, and a Dragon Challenge clone where Waterworld currently sits.

If USH were to do that, I'd be all for it. =)

Cheetah Hunt Construction:

Well, it seems like track work has shifted to the old wet portion of Rhino Rally, where the drop from the block brake and most of the canyon track has been installed recently. As of today, footers for what seem to be the third launch and the block brake have been poured. Footers have also been poured for the heartline roll. As for the third trench, rebar is going in for the footers, so looks like footer pouring will begin pretty soon in that area.

Foundations are also getting poured for the entrance theming (they started on December 16), as seen in the concept art leaked out in September, and as of today, work has begun on the entrance itself. And another thing I didn't notice was that the old Skyride sign was removed (as of July 6, when they were starting construction in the old monorail station). I actually thought it was still there, until I saw a pic from RCPro's latest update. XD

Another thing I've noticed is that some Rhino Rally props are still in the canyon (such as the big waterfall, the falling water scene, and the old jeep). Could they be reusing them for this new coaster? Hmmm...

This is REALLY starting to excite me... =D

Kentucky Kingdom New Coaster:

It seems that Ed Hart wants a B&M coaster when he reopens the park in 2012, according to one of his recent videos. Here is what Screamscape has to say about it:

Park News - (12/21/10) An interview with Ed Hart about Kentucky Kingdom has been posted to ParkThoughts. The big surprise is that Ed claims that the new coaster he wants for the park will be a B&M, though the exact type was not mentioned. With so many other B&M’s in the Ohio area (Diamondback, Mantis, Raptor) I would almost thing that Ed might want to look into a coaster design not already used in the area.
That knocks out Hypers, Stand-Ups and Inverted designs, and due to height restrictions a Dive Machine is right now as well (unless they go deep underground), so to me that leaves Floorless, Flying and the new Wing Rider style design under construction in Europe right now.
Any of these would be a good idea, but I think a really classy Flyer may be a great idea for the park, and as SeaWorld has shown with Manta, a nice intense Flyer with lots of low to the ground elements can be a fantastic addition. Plus it would blow away Firehawk at nearby Kings Island, which is always a plus.
Other news from Ed Hart included: a dedicated parking lot for the park, with free parking for guests, plus the prices of food will be competitive with outside food vendors in order to keep guests IN the park rather than leaving to eat elsewhere.

I really like the Flying Coaster idea (partially because of my love for Manta and Tatsu, which I've ridden recently at SFMM). Ed also mentions that it would go up in the old entrance area.

I'm really looking forward to how this park will be brought back from the dead. A redone Twisted Twins, a new B&M coaster, a big water park expansion... I'm just wondering what he will do with Greezed Lightning (currently sitting in the park entrance).

Either way, this is getting interesting... =) It's hard to believe that this park, which I thought would be demolished, is coming back from the dead with some great additions.

HP Phase II:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/os-universal-harry-potter-20101215,0,1982334.story

When "60 Minutes" profiled Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg earlier this month, the TV piece included a look at some of Zuckerberg's personal posts online. They showed that the 26-year-old billionaire, whose website has more than 500 million users, had recently been in Orlando — visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

It was yet another jolt of publicity for Universal Orlando, which has been basking in a global spotlight since Wizarding World's formal opening in mid-June. The rides, shops and eateries themed around J.K. Rowling's beloved boy wizard have triggered a renaissance at Universal this year, snapping an extended slump and powering the resort to the strongest performance in its 20-year history.

"It has definitely exceeded our expectations," said Alice Norsworthy, Universal's executive vice president for marketing and sales.

But now, as it concludes 2010 and prepares for a new year, Universal faces a new challenge: keeping Potter's magic alive. Already, resort executives are wrestling with questions such as when to expand Wizarding World and how to keep business balanced between Islands and Universal Studios Florida — the park without Potter.

Experts say how Universal answers such questions will ultimately determine whether it is able to hold on to the gains it has made this year.

"The challenge will be to create a continuous buzz," said Abe Pizam, dean of the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management. "It's difficult to maintain the high level of [initial] interest. You have to create buzz on a regular basis."

36% attendance jump

It is difficult to overstate how dramatic Universal's turnaround has been. Last Christmas, Orlando's No. 2 theme-park resort was limping to the end of a year in which attendance tumbled by 1.3 million people to 9.3 million — its first year with fewer than 10 million visitors since Islands of Adventure opened in 1999.

This year's yuletide is far merrier. Attendance for the third quarter — which began days after Wizarding World formally opened June 18 — skyrocketed 36 percent, as Universal drew an extra 1 million people in just three months. It has continued to climb through the fall.

"I can't remember the last time anyone saw a 36 percent increase in attendance," said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, a Cincinnati consultancy.

Wizarding World's effect has been even more pronounced in areas beyond attendance. Universal's merchandise revenue more than doubled to $48.7 million, fueled by sales of magic wands and other Potter souvenirs. Food-and-beverage sales jumped 59 percent to $43.4 million on the popularity of butterbeer. And non-theme-park revenue rose 61 percent to $48.2 million, thanks primarily to sales of vacation packages through Universal's travel unit that offered early entry to Wizarding World.

The resort's CityWalk nightlife district has benefitted, as well. When " Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" arrived in theaters last month, Universal scheduled midnight shows on all 20 screens in CityWalk's movie megaplex. The resort said every showing sold out.

Universal has had to make adjustments on the fly to manage the crowds. The resort has at times distributed to guests receipts with return times just to enter the Wizarding World section of Islands of Adventure. Inside, it halted sales of liquor over the summer so workers in the "Hog's Head" tavern could more quickly fill mugs of butterbeer.

It has faced some complaints. Some fans, for instance, have criticized the small size of Wizarding World's shops, where long lines routinely spill outside. And some experts say the limited capacity has likely cost Universal sales as frustrated guests forgo purchases.

"The undersizing was a major issue," Speigel said. "It cost them money."

But Universal executives, who call the shops "retail theater," said they were designed to look just as they are described in the Potter books and appear in Potter movies. The authenticity, they say, is what has made Wizarding World so popular in the first place.

"That's how crowded it is; that's how chaotic it is [in the books and movies]. I think that is what helps to create the demand," said John Sprouls, Universal's chief executive officer. "I don't think we have any concerns about leaving revenue on the table."

Add to Universal Studios?

Few, if any, experts expect the frenzy to subside in the immediate future.

John Puchalla, an analyst with Moody's Investors Service, predicts Universal's attendance will continue climbing by 15 percent or more through the first half of 2011. He expects it will turn slightly negative in the second half of the year — but only because Universal will be facing tough comparisons against this year's grand-opening crowds.

"We believe the attendance lift generated from the June 2010 opening of [Wizarding World] will continue for the next several years," Puchalla wrote in a research note last month.

Still, amid all the attention being paid to Potter and Islands of Adventure, Universal is taking steps to prop up Universal Studios, which is the resort's original theme park and was, until Wizarding World opened, its busiest. The resort's lowest-priced annual passes for 2011 prohibit entry to Islands of Adventure over the summer — but permit admission to Universal Studios.

Executives have also begun discussing how and when to add to Wizarding World. Among the debates: whether to add something more to Universal Studios first.

Puchalla expects Universal to spend about $80 million on construction in 2011. Though that would be significantly less than the $105 million a year it averaged from 2007 to 2010 — when it built Wizarding World in Islands and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and The Simpsons Ride in Universal Studios — it would still be about twice the annual capital spending that Universal averaged during the middle part of the decade.

Although they won't discuss specific plans, Universal executives say additions to Wizarding World will happen at some point. The resort's licensing contract with Warner Bros. requires it to incorporate elements from the final Potter films, the last of which will open in theaters in July.

"We intend to very gladly live up to all those commitments," Sprouls said.

I wonder what USF will do if they were to expand before Potter... hopefully the end of Fear Factor. >=D And maybe they will expand to that plot of land behind the Simpsons Ride (Back to the Future-themed MACK LSM anyone?).

As for one of the last sentence... I wonder if that will involve a Gringotts-themed indoor coaster, with a dragon animatronic? Hopefully so. =D And maybe a Ministry of Magic walkthrough in Poseidon Fury's place (of course, WAY better than what is currently there)? Oh yeah... *drools*

Either way, all this is making me smile... with a BIG grin! =D