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JANUARY 28, 2010 at 2:59 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: USA Today via Yahoo! News
Universal Orlando Resort is debuting a virtual online tour of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction Thursday through a partnership with USA Today.
Using a map found in Thursday's print edition, users with a webcam can experience an "augmented reality" three-dimensional tour
of the park online:
Augmented Reality blends real-life environments with computer animation allowing you to explore things in a completely new way. For the first time, guests can explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in a unique way - before experiencing it firsthand.
By rotating the map, you can take a closer look at this 20-acre magnificently themed environment from all sides and angles. Hogwarts Castle will appear before your eyes. Hold the map closer to your webcam and explore Hogsmeade and see the Hogwarts Express. Blow on your computer's microphone and the banners on the map will wave.
The attraction opens this spring in Florida at Universal Orlando Resort.
Be sure to stay tuned today for updates to this story!
UPDATE: Thanks to UHP for letting us know USA Today now has both an instructional video and printable map online.
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Furry Little Problem
Points: 4522
Juicybit says:
I don't get it... Why do you need a webcam to view something? Has anyone tried this thingy? (I haven't got a webcam for sure.)
Posted Jan 28, 2010 at 12:22 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2218
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
I don't understand it either. "...users with a webcam can experience an "augmented reality" three-dimensional tour of the park online:". I don't have a webcam either so I don't understand the whole concept. I would rather just see am awesome video of the theme park. Hopefully when the park opens I can see it for real and that would make me extremely happy.
Posted Jan 28, 2010 at 3:17 PM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3911
Hecate3fold says:
"Blow on your computer's microphone and the banners will wave"????? Sounds a bit hokey to me.
I think it's just a way of exploiting something new that can be done with a web cam if you have one. What will they think of next.... "Stick you hand in the space provided and FEEL what it's like to hold something"?? Who really knows where new technology will take us next.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Jan 28, 2010 at 4:11 PM EST
Student
Points: 202
I<3Weasleys says:
Haha couldn't they just do the same thing WITHOUT a webcam? Besides, I don't get USA Today...it's just a silly marketing scheme for the paper...and webcams o.O
Posted Jan 28, 2010 at 6:36 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 97
Merlin's beard! says:
oops.. to late.. and I dont get it either.. why do we need the webcam? And "Hold the map closer to your webcam and explore Hogsmeade and see the Hogwarts Express." excuse me?? I don't understand..
Posted Feb 1, 2010 at 11:36 AM EST
Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2492
JAYSTARR says:
Brilliant...I have a Timeshare in Daytona Florida across from Universal Studios on the fifth Floor and you could see Hogwarts Castle from the terrace. At night it looks spooky, when it rains, it looks just like the Hogwarts in the Movie. Awesome!
Posted Feb 8, 2010 at 8:15 AM EST