Rumor Alert- Universal Studios Orlando May Remove Attractions in 2015

 Rumor Alert- Universal Studios Orlando May Remove Two Attractions in 2015!

  While this is rumor only many are believing the final park of Universl Studios Orlando's 'face-lift' may be coming to pass.

   Rumor has it that "Woody Woodpeckers KidZone' may be removed and completely re-themed.  This area has been a sore spot with many fans of the parks who've hoped in the past that great things would move into the sad kids area. Some believed that DreamWorks would take over the area while others yet wanted more 'Universal' themed characters involved.  Well, the rumor is going about that in the next year or two the area will be closed and bulldozed, making room for new construction. 

 In additional rumor news- Twister. 
 Yes, rumor has it that Twister may finally be removed. According to a source from OTPN "As soon as Early 2015 for closure".  This attraction never went over as a fan favorite when it removed the much lamented 'GhostBusters' show, now it looks like Universal Studios may finally be listening and replacing the attraction with something new! 

 More details when and if they become available!
 

Universal Announces Diagon Alley Opening Date - July 8th!

Well, it looks like Universal was right about the information that was "leaked" just last week. Turns out that the opening date for Diagon Alley isn't June 30th after all.

Universal made the official announcement this morning that Diagon Alley would be opening on Tuesday, July 8th.

Yes, it's a bit weird and I do question a major opening on a Tuesday, but hey, it's Universal and they can pretty much do whatever they want. That said, it is a bit later than I would've expected.

Stay tuned for more Harry Potter news as the day and week continues and be sure to check out the new teaser video from Universal below!

Universal Unveils More "Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts" Details!

Universal Studios Orlando reviled more information about the cornerstone attraction for the Diagon Alley expansion this morning, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, this morning.

The combination roller coaster/dark ride, will take visitors into the famed goblin bank as part of a tour, led by Bill Weasley, and then having to escape with Harry, Hermoine and Ron as their tour is a bit derailed.

While not completely a roller coaster, the 60ft drop and fast moving sections have warranted a 46" ride height requirement, which makes a little more friendly than the 48" that is Forbidden Journey. Riders will board cars that seat 12, much like Revenge of the Mummy, before they're taken throughout the twisting labyrinth beneath the famed bank. Featuring 360 degree screens, cutting edge 3-D animations, and a mix of live special effects such as smoke and fire, the ride seeks to immerse riders in a way like they've never been before.

From the very start riders will enter the full Gringotts lobby and then boarding the ride vehicles for a tour of the vaults and caverns beneath. All the while, Harry, Hermoine and Ron have been sneaking inside the bank to retrieve a Horcrux to aid in their battle with the dark lord, Voldemort. And of course, things go terribly wrong on the tour and riders find themselves noticed by Bellatrix. Setting off a wild journey culminating in a battle with Voldemort himself.

Here's a look behind the scenes of the ride that showcases a bit more of the details and of course, we have pictures, lots and lots of pictures of the goblins, sets and other things too!


And now for the pictures!

More Details about Universal Orlando's Hogwarts Express Emerge!

Image via Bay9 News

This past Friday, Universal Orlando finally announced more details about the Hogwarts Express attraction that's part of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley expansion.

The train, which takes guests from the new Diagon Alley/London to Hogsmeade, will feature a different experience in each direction.

Also, important to note here, you WILL need a two park ticket to ride, no exceptions on that one. So, for anyone curious how that would work, there's your answer.

What can you expect during your trip? Once on board, the execs were careful to emphasize repeatedly: It is just like the experience of actually riding a train, albeit a magical one. Guests will be able to look out the windows and see an actual Harry Potter scene play out; and depending on where they're seated on the train, and what angle they're looking out the window, the scene will look different. Visits from your favorite characters during the trip, such as Hagrid on his flying motocycle, or Buckbeak the Hoppogriff, the Knight Bus and even a possible visit by a Dementor on the hunt.

Sound awesome? Well, there's a lot more to expect. Like, just how you get to the famous Platform 9 3/4. VP of Corporate Communications for Universal, Tom Schroder, had this to say about that,"I don't want to give it away, you have to experience it. But you'll see people... Transition through the wall, and you'll transition through the wall as you go to the platform".

You want even more? Well, good thing they spilled the beans further and have said that even the candy trolley, or at least something very similar, will be on board as well!

Now, have a look at the First Look video put out by Universal as well as few still of what's being reported as possible scenes that guests will experience while on their journey aboard the Hogwarts Express!

What will the new Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando look like? Have some Concept Art!

Well, news is flying fast out of Universal Orlando today and in the previous two posts we've gotten a look at some of the details surrounding the entire experience as well as a closer look at some of the shops and restaurants. Now, it's time to peek at the concept art that's behind all of this and see just what this amazing addition to Universal Orlando will likely look like!

Universal Orlando posted a ton of these on their Facebook page, but in case you don't feel like going there, we've assembled them all right here for ya! Everything from the Hogwarts Express to a look at the new Gringots ride to pretty much everything else in between can be seen and it's looking like Universal has once again knocked this one out of the park!

First up? Here's what the fully finished entrance to the Diagon Alley area of the park will look like once it's completed. How accurate this will be, who knows, but love the fact that the Knight Bus is there and if rumors are to be believed, the shrunken heads will be interacting with guests too!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringots and Diagon Alley Details!

Kitsune here, and I'll be your guide through all the news and updates coming to us live from Universal this morning! So, with that, let's get on with it, shall we?

During the live webcast, Universal Orlando has released even more information about the Diagon Alley expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The expansion, which takes over where Jaws used to be within Universal Studios Florida, has been watched like a hawk ever since the project was announced.

The live broadcast was done in front of a facade of Gringot's Vault (maybe a mock of to represent part of the new dark ride?) that's the corner stone of the event and judging by the details as Mark Woodbury, Universal Orlando's Creative Director, talked? Holy crap this thing looks awesome! The level of detail has been heralded by stars of the film and it's an amazing immersive experience.

First up? The Hogwarts Express, it's an entirely movie accurate reproduction. Every detail is represented, but is complete unlike a traditional set would be where filming is done in pieces and the like to allow for camera work. Guests will be able to board either at the Hogsmeade or King's Cross stations. Also, the trip from each direction will be completely different experience as well, which only makes sense, as you travel from one area of the park to the other.

In Diagon Alley, several of the shops that were in the movie will be featured. Including the Magical Menagerie, Madam Malkins, an all new Olivander's, Scribullus, Wizeacres Wizarding Equipment, Weezely's Joke Shop and Quality Quidditch Supplies and of course the Leaky Cauldron as well will all be featured.

Each of these shops will be decked out to the nines just as their movie counterparts were on film. Yes, that's right, if it's sold in them on film, it will be available in the shops as well. 

That's right, you'll be able to buy all your Quidditch gear at Quality Quidditch Supplies from robes and other things from your favorite teams along with various stuffed animals and all kinds of things from the Magical Menagerie as well. Guests will also be able to fully outfitted with robes and other wizarding wear at Madam Malkins!  

For more info check out our detailed post about each shop and what they'll offer!

Knockturn Alley will also be featured, in a much darker and mysterious manner, this is extremely important to Universal to bring the forboding atmosphere to the area. One of the biggest features of Notcturne Alley will be Borgin and Burkes, where guests can purchase Death Eater masks and other "dark side" paraphernalia!

Last, but not least, Universal unveiled the official name for the center piece ride for the new Diagon Alley expansion, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringots. It's promised to be like nothing else that's been seen before. It's a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional experience that promises to top even that of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey!

There's going to be more details announced in the coming months, so we're just going to have to wait for even more details to be released from the Universal Orlando Creative Team.