OT: Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion

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Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion building layout may be shown in Jaws ride replacement ‘Project 722′ filing by Universal Orlando

by Ricky Brigante

Posted on March 2, 2012

In a new filing with the South Florida Water Management District, Universal Orlando and their attractions design group Universal Creative have detailed plans to replace the recently-demolished Jaws ride with a number of new buildings and pathways. Dubbed “Project 722,” the plans are designed to indicate mass grading, utility tie-ins, and erosion control, but also offer a first look at the layout of 5 major buildings / structures – one extremely large – and a few smaller structures that may provide a first look at the layout for the announced Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion.

Though Universal Orlando has announced the Potter expansion, they have not yet released details as to what exactly will be part of it, or even where it will be built. But armed with the code name “Project 722,” first used on a previous Universal Orlando demolition filing and now again included on the recent paperwork dated Feb. 29, 2012, web site HHNRumors.com connected several artists and designers that formerly worked on the Harry Potter film series as well as the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the new project code name. So it seems highly likely that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion is indeed dubbed “Project 722,” just as the original Wizarding World was once referred to as project “Strongarm” – a reference to the KUKA robotic arm ride vehicle system used in the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.

And now, the new water management filing directly links “Project 722′ to the former home of the Jaws ride, all but confirming that Universal Studios Florida will be the home of the Harry Potter expansion, at least in part.

So with all that in mind, let’s take a look at the revealed building layout:

Just what are all those grey buildings that will be replacing the Jaws lagoon and surrounding Amity village?

Universal has not announced specifics that will be included in the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but rumored attractions include Diagon Alley, a Gringotts Bank ride, Leaky Cauldron restaurant, and other walk-through experiences. But it’s not clear from this paperwork if any of these will indeed be featured. The large building at the top of the drawing above certainly appears to be a major attraction and could house a Gringotts roller coaster-style ride – but it could also be anything else.

Also rumored is a real-life Hogwarts Express train that would connect the existing Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the Islands of Adventure theme park to the former Jaws area in Universal Studios Florida, by way of areas that are currently backstage and inaccessible to park guests. But there is not yet any indication of such a train on the basic building layout shown above, though the lower-left building certainly could be viewed as a train station, lining up with the necessary roads that would lead from one park to the other.

For frame of reference, here is the satellite map that’s also included in the filing:

The only thing that is absolutely clear from the new paperwork filed by Universal Orlando and Universal Creative is that Jaws is going to be replaced by a new area with several buildings, pathways, and attractions. It seems safe to assume that the code name “Project 722′ is linked to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, but not definite. And everything else is just a rumor or a stretch at this time. But given that a building layout has been officially filed and the Jaws ride completely demolished, it’s likely that Universal will reveal more about their Potter plans soon, as construction begins to take shape in the park(s).

The complete PDF paperwork filed by Universal Orlando can be viewed on the South Florida Water Management District web site.

(Hat tip to Epcyclopedia.com for first noticing the plans.)

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Harry Potter expansion rumors build steam as Universal Orlando reveals backstage work, Hogwarts Express to follow?

by Ricky Brigante

Posted on August 15, 2012

In the eight months since Universal Orlando officially announced they intend to expand the incredibly popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, much speculation has arisen surrounding exactly what it would include. One of the most popular rumors has suggested that the expansion would not be located within the Islands of Adventure theme park where the existing Wizarding World sits, but rather at the other Universal Orlando park, Universal Studios Florida, with the two linked by a real-life version of the Hogwarts Express train from the “Harry Potter” books and films. That exciting idea has been nothing more than speculation until recently, as Universal Orlando has revealed a map of backstage work that falls just short of confirming this link.

Four days before Universal confirmed the Potter expansion, they surprised the world by announcing their classic Jaws ride would close at Universal Studios Florida, immediately sparking rumors that its replacement would be more Potter attractions. Two months later, permit fillings all but confirmed the former Jaws site as the future home of the expansion.

With limited details and Universal remaining tight-lipped, many naysayers still didn’t think Universal would expand the highly successful Wizarding World across its parks, requiring additional admission tickets to see both. Moreover, for some it was a far-fetched idea to suggest the two areas would be linked by a real-life working version of the iconic Hogwarts Express train, already represented in the existing Potter area by a stationary version – a popular photo op for visiting fans.

But in the latest edition of Universal Orlando’s Team Member newsletter, they have confirmed backstage work will begin five days from now, on Monday, August 20, along what they call Perimeter Road, altering traffic patterns for employees. Work is said to include “infrastructure upgrades and utility maintenance” along the route shown in the official map below:

The area shaded yellow is the work zone, running behind Universal Studios Florida attractions Revenge of The Mummy and Disaster!. More importantly, the route follows a path directly leading between the former Jaws ride area on the right, labeled “future expansion,” stopping just short of the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad show building on the left, next to the entrance of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This is exactly the path that has been rumored to be the future route for a Hogwarts Express train/attraction to connect these two areas.

Rotating that map 90 degrees and overlaying it on a Google satellite map of both parks more clearly shows that connection:

Removing the buildings and white areas from the map, leaving only the yellow path, shows the direct route between the existing Wizarding World of Harry Potter (highlighted in green) and the former Jaws site / “future expansion” (highlighted in blue):

Naturally, no mention of Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, its expansion, or the Hogwarts Express is made in the information given to employees. Instead, the map is simply intended to help Universal Team Members navigate their daily routine coming and going from work as the “infrastructure upgrades and utility maintenance” blocks their usual paths. But it’s not hard to make the connection between this preliminary work and the Harry Potter expansion.

In the months since the Jaws ride closed, it has been completely demolished, the ground leveled, nearby lagoon reshaped, and construction on something has begun. Without official confirmation, all of the above remains to be speculation and rumor, but all signs continue to point to a dual-park Wizarding World to be built, connected by what’s likely to be an exciting ride in between.

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