Hogwarts ride at Universal

[Boni]

Wow, now that was an awesome ride. I love roller coasters and never thought I would rate anything over some of the great coasters I have ridden, but this ride was the best ride I have ever been on.

The combination of special effects, IMAX video, actual animatronics, and movement of the car were incredible. The queue line was the best queue line I have ever been in. Better than Space Mountain by far.

I peeked around the side of the car to see the mechanism they used to create the action and you are in a car that is on a mechanical pole that is riding on a track 15 to 20 feet below the car. The pole can move you up and down, twist you, make you nose dive, go upside down a little (not all the way) and then speed up and slow down in sync with the video to give you the sensation of flying fast.

It was awesome.

[freak 'n' stein]

Is the pole a "kuka arm" robocoaster? I just watched a youtube video that hinted at how the coaster works. Looks AWESOME!!





http://www.kuka-entertainment.com/en...oncepts/track/

http://www.kuka.com/NR/rdonlyres/2CC...5/0/L_R227.wmv

[SomeThingInTheIce]

No one else can have it.

Boni, that arm you saw is called the strong arm and Universal is the only and will be the only park to use it for 10 years. The mouse wanted it bad but as part of the deal that Universal made with the co. is that they are the the only ones to use it for 10 years. Now that was sticking it the mouse, lol. I need to go there and check it out, I was there for Halloween Horror Nights this year but did not go over to IOA, I hear that the WWoHP is very detailed and takes theam park to a whole new level.

[Boni]

That youtube video is exactly what was going on inside the ride. Imagin that robot arm on a moving trolly going from one scene to another.

There were at least 5 mini Imax screens that the strong arm pushed you right into the middle of. Then it tossed you around and you were looking directly at a dragon breathing hot air on you. Then you zoomed away to another small screen.

The ride simulated flying a broom in and out of Hogwarts. When outside, it was IMax footage, then you took a sharp turn through a window and you were in a real scene with animatronics.

The queue line has you walk through the greenhouse, then past statues of famous wizards, you weave in and out of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class room, loads of trophy cases and doorways to dormatories, then you are in Dumbledor's office. It was very cool.

The other rides are refurbished adaptations of the rides that were there previously.

The town was very realistic and the shops felt just like you were in an old part of London, cramped shops, small aisles, shelves up 12 feet in the air. My daughter the Harry Potter nut was in heaven.

Quick hint - If you stay at one of the Universal resorts, you get in 1 hour early to the Harry Potter area, and you get your express passes for free.

My wife the bargain hunter booked us just for one night so we got the free passes the day we checked in to go to IOA then the day we checked out we got the express passes for the Studio. We didn't wait for more than 10 minutes for any ride other than the Hogwarts ride.

[MDKing]

I'd love to see some video of those big wraith animations than lunge out at you, they were great!

Regarding the ride, Universal may wan to keep it for themselves but they obviously ran with the idea from Epcot's Soarin ride, no doubt about it it's Soarin' meets Spiderman!

Allan

[MDKing]

Disney is really missing the boat on somethings. They by far lead the way over Universal as they develop technology and Universal adapts it for themselves, much of the time but not always.

But Disney is trapped as they have to maintain a certian style for younger audiences but if Disney created more adult stuff they'd probably blow Harry Potter park away. I would love to see Disney do a Middle Earth section to a park, the right way and have scary elements in it and it would destroy the Harry Potter stuff. Harry Potter is cool and all but a little too kiddish and some of the stuff is lame like the Quiddish(sp?) stuff...Besides, so much of Harry Potter stuff was inspired by Lord of the Rings anyway. And with the two Hobbit movies coming out it allows for more attractions within an entire world.

Since the Harry Potter stuff is so popular at Universal, Disney should revamp their Star Wars stuff too since a lot of people like that and really push it, then develop Middle Earth somewhere and Universal would be hurting. Disney should also take Hollywood Studios and do an adult, scary, Halloween event that rivals or beats Halloween Horror Nights. They can keep the Magic Kingdom for the kids stuff and make another park for adults! Too bad it would never happen because it's Disney, but they'd make a killing if they did.

Allan

[SomeThingInTheIce]

Your dead on, on every thing you posted! I like Universal better because a lot of it is geared to adults.

Disney is really missing the boat on somethings. They by far lead the way over Universal as they develop technology and Universal adapts it for themselves, much of the time but not always.

But Disney is trapped as they have to maintain a certian style for younger audiences but if Disney created more adult stuff they'd probably blow Harry Potter park away. I would love to see Disney do a Middle Earth section to a park, the right way and have scary elements in it and it would destroy the Harry Potter stuff. Harry Potter is cool and all but a little too kiddish and some of the stuff is lame like the Quiddish(sp?) stuff...Besides, so much of Harry Potter stuff was inspired by Lord of the Rings anyway. And with the two Hobbit movies coming out it allows for more attractions within an entire world.

Since the Harry Potter stuff is so popular at Universal, Disney should revamp their Star Wars stuff too since a lot of people like that and really push it, then develop Middle Earth somewhere and Universal would be hurting. Disney should also take Hollywood Studios and do an adult, scary, Halloween event that rivals or beats Halloween Horror Nights. They can keep the Magic Kingdom for the kids stuff and make another park for adults! Too bad it would never happen because it's Disney, but they'd make a killing if they did.

Allan

[Spookyfinder]

Personally, I think Harry Potter is just one of the greatest stories ever told! It's an adult story, for the young at heart. Yes, I'm beyond fanatic... -Tyler

[stafford]

Amazing

Was in Orlando for the IAAPA tour and also took my family there for the week leading up to Christmas, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is amazing, pure excellence in theming.

Word of warning, go when it's not busy, it was so ridiculously crowded when we were there for the holidays. You actually had to wait in line over an hour just to get in to the area, let alone the rides.

Another word of warning, for people that have motion sickness issues like me, the Forbidden Journey in Hogwarts Castle will mess you up good. You can however, just do a castle tour, and bail before you have to ride the vommit machine. Touring the castle is worth it, amazing design, and some amazing effects as well.

Chris

[freak 'n' stein]

funny thing is...I think they're ALREADY making a killing and that's why they're not too concerned

Too bad it would never happen because it's Disney, but they'd make a killing if they did.

Allan

[Boni]

Personally, I think Harry Potter is just one of the greatest stories ever told! It's an adult story, for the young at heart. Yes, I'm beyond fanatic... -Tyler

I agree. I got hooked on these when my daughter and wife (a 6th grade teacher) were reading Prisoner of Azkaban. I asked and my wife tossed the first book over to me. I was hooked by Chapter 2 "The boy who lived".

Just don't tell my daughter that her birthday gift of the visit to Universal was as much for my wife and I as it was for her.

[hauntman666]

I agree went on the ride when i went down there for horror nights it is a very cool ride definitely one of a kind

[Coasterbp]

And for you/us west coasters who want to experience this type of ride technology, don't worry. It's the same technology that will be used for the Transformers ride at Universal Hollywood in 2012.