Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

[s8ntmark]

There is a rumor going around that the Gibson's contract was extended to 2015 so we won't see Potter until 2019. I can't believe that Universal would allow something like this too happen, Potter is a BIG deal and too just wait for another 3 years seems like a really REALLY bad business decision. At this point Potter wont open in USH for another 7 years...i CANT believe that this rumor is true.

Maybe Uni could buy out the contract, or they could relocated the Gibson to another Venue for the remainder of the contract (Because I'm also hearing that they want to start construction end of this year beginning of next....Prep work has already begun around the Gibson [Soil Samples and stuff]) why would they bother right now?

Does anyone have any other news about this?...I'm gonna be really depressed if we don't see Potter for another 7 years :P Also things seem to be moving too quickly for a project that is 7 years away.

[Linus]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

The contract rumor has been going around for the last couple of weeks. Don't know if it's true or not.

[UniFan]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

How are we so sure its gonna be in the Gibson?

[Linus]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

...Where else?

[MrsMonroe]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

gives disney more time to top this ride

[s8ntmark]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

How are we so sure its gonna be in the Gibson?

I suppose its possible that the Gibson won't be the location...however at the press conference last Dec there was word that it was at least partially the site (not officially however).....Whether it goes over to Waterworld or back into the tram area is still the main question.

Also, they have been taking soil samples from the Gibson grounds, seems silly to do that if they have no plans to build there.

[TSTLSOOM]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

well i know my sister has a cheerleading competition in feb. so the gibson isnt being demoed right away if the contract is still expiring

[JerrodDRagon]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

...Where else?

I'm still for it taking over the other side of the park.....Terminator...British area...animal actors....Western street and the Filnstone area

Use the Terminator/car garage under it for the big Ride

Us the rest of the area for shops and restaurants and then one day add a coaster on the side of the hill and use the animal actors area as a Q

[Alexshow]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

my pick for a area is animal actor's

[BlAcKoUt510]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

I just have to really doubt that Potter would open in 2019.

If the contract is renewed for the Gibson then Potter was probably meant for another location.

[jasmineray]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

I doubt it'll be that long. Seven years is pushing it. Guess we'll just have to wait and see for the announcement.

[JerrodDRagon]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

^well Potter land is going to take 3 years to build.....so even if it pushes back 3 years...it's REALLY going to lose some steam being announced last and being pushed back and not even coming for 6....or 7 years

[StevenW]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

One Universal executive said there are 200 acres of undeveloped land in the backlot. They don't film much back there. They must be thinking of keeping Gibson if this is the truth.

[Linus]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

^Not really

Show me where that is on a map.

[StevenW]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

You can do your own Google satellite image. You can retrieve the article when Harry Potter was announced in Universal.

"We're not landlocked," Meyer said. "We're (on) 400 acres on this lot and 200 of them are still not developed."

The Wizarding World only needs 20 acres. It is a small footprint.

On the other hand...

"Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said he was told that a live concert venue, Gibson Amphitheatre, would be scrapped to make way for the attraction. He said it would open around 2014, but officials did not give a date."

[Linus]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

^I believe he said it, I just don't believe it.

I walk the backlot all the time, and I'm always using google maps to find new places. He may have been talking about the land on the East of the Backlot, which really can't be used for 2 reasons.

1. It's basically a steep hill.
2. There are houses on the top of that hill.

[StevenW]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

You haven't acknowledged that Hogswarts Castle is on a steep hill. Constructing a castle on a hill is no easy task, but it is much easier to start there than demolishing Gibson and starting over.

What houses? Can't they select another area on the hill? All of Universal is on a hill.

Since we are talking about 200 acres, there are many possibilities. Most existing movie sets can be cleared for Hogswarts and Hogsmeade. Nothing is sacred.

[Teknik_DC2]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

Just a small interesting thought. What if they do build this in an unused portion of the backlot and to get to it you ride a version the rumored Hogwarts Express thats coming to Universal Orlando. I know the idea sounds far fetched but no more far fetched then the idea of Amity being Leveled and replaced with the Potter expansion with a Hogwarts Express connecting both Wizarding Worlds thru backstage areas in Orlando.

[pepper]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

Just a small interesting thought. What if they do build this in an unused portion of the backlot and to get to it you ride a version the rumored Hogwarts Express thats coming to Universal Orlando. I know the idea sounds far fetched but no more far fetched then the idea of Amity being Leveled and replaced with the Potter expansion with a Hogwarts Express connecting both Wizarding Worlds thru backstage areas in Orlando.

I was thinking of something similar. Maybe have a London portion with Diagon Alley inside the theme park. Then have a recreation of London's Kings Cross Station where you can board your Hogward Express that takes you to the backlot. The train can even go through that spinning avalance tunnel and arrive at Hogsmead and Hogward castle on the other side.

Just a thought.

[Linus]

Re: Heard a depressing rumor about USH's Potter...Maybe someone knows more?

During Horror Nights we always have a problem with the houses on the hill over the War of the Worlds set, which is why Chainsaws are limited now and the tour closes at 12.

Even though the lot is right on the studio, the park is generally not allowed to expand into the backlot. The tour is a different matter as it is a window to the studio.

What old sets are you referring to?
From a business and a transport stand point, it would be terribly difficult, and expensive to build Hogwarts in the backlot. Also, there are many noise constraints back there, due to constant filming, which is why we don't have an outdoor coaster.