Saturday, March 30, 2013

Impressive New Potter Expansion Shots


© hatetofly via Orlando United
Orlando United is doing an amazing job with featuring updated construction photos of the various projections underway at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.  They consistently feature updated shots of the work going on, such is the case with this recent update of the Potter expansion at the Studios.

The photo above is from that update, and wow - there's a lot going on in this shot!  This is from across the lagoon, taken from what looks like the bridge that connects over to the Simpsons ride.  The Jaws ride was located behind all the steel - and that's where my wow comes in.  I had read that the new Potter area (Diagon Alley) would be 'hidden' behind facades of real London buildings, but I guess I underestimated just how hidden it would be!

When these building facades are complete you really won't be able to see anything behind them, making the expansion even more mysterious.... and fitting with the Potter theme.  For those not totally familiar with the Potter lore, in order to access Diagon Alley you have to know where to look in London:

"Tapping just the right brick in the wall behind the Leaky Cauldron in London ("Three up...two across...") will reveal an archway which is a portal into Diagon Alley, a long cobbled street where is to be found a strange and exciting assortment of shops and restaurants. It is unquestionably the hub of commerce in the British wizarding world, with virtually every wizarding business stationed there." (description from HP-Lexicon.org)

So Universal is matching that story; guests will be able to enter what looks like current day London but find their way into Diagon Alley.  With so much steel up a few of the buildings' themes are becoming apparent - the second from the right appears to be Wyndham's Theatre and the far left a half version of King's Cross Station.

Make sure to check out the full update from Orlando United linked up top, I'm really impressed at the size of these structures going up.  It's going to make it fun, but a bit frustrating, not to be able to see what goes in behind them while we wait for the rumored Summer 2014 opening of the area.


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