What will Disney build to fight Potter?

[SummerInFL]

Originally Posted by Jerren

If the HP world area is done properly it probably will be successful, not arguing that point... but does anyone here seriously think that alone is a serious threat to WDW?.

I really do, put me in the camp that thinks people underestimate that franchise. I seriously think that when this comes out and if it's successful it will invariably affect WDW in a negative way. However, here's hoping that it makes the Disney execs scramble and they put something great out or clean up what is already needed in the parks.

I say win win!

[albino_pygmy]

Originally Posted by SummerInFL

I really do, put me in the camp that thinks people underestimate that franchise. I seriously think that when this comes out and if it's successful it will invariably affect WDW in a negative way. However, here's hoping that it makes the Disney execs scramble and they put something great out or clean up what is already needed in the parks.

I say win win!

I have no doubt that HP land would do well and definately boost attendance at Universal, but might not make a dent in Disney's attendance IMO, because when people are down to see Harry, they'll most likely go down the street to visit somebody else.

The thing that could do more harm than good is the area's name: "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" and calling it "a theme park within a theme park." People are already easily confused with what attraction is at what park, ie: people think that Tower of Terror was at Universal, and others swear they've been on Spiderman in Tomorrowland. Anyone remember when the Twister attraction opened up, and they had those ads for it, saying "Twister: Ride it out?" That ended up disappointing a LOT of people, because they were expecting a ride, and not the special effects show. When I went through it, I thought this 'pre show' was really great, and I couldn't wait for the ride afterwards, and then we exited through a gift shop . . . wait, that was IT? I just hope people aren't coming down here looking to find it's own Harry Potter theme park, and then shocked that they have to buy tickets for IOA just to visit another theme park, when all along, it's just a section of a theme park.

[OFTEric]

Well the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not slated to open until 2010, and the RockIt Rollercoaster is going to open in 2009.

Look to Disney for 2011 and 2012 for some new attractions.

The ''Celebrate Today'' and ''Free Ticket Offer'' is really their response to Harry Potter.

[albino_pygmy]

I doubt free tickets for Disney was their answer to HP land, but then again they did make such a huge deal about this.

Anyone remember there were a couple times when Universal mailed out FREE tickets to their parks, just to get people to visit? I don't think Universal made a huge deal about free tickets, they just went out and did it, right?

[hkdlfan]

Originally Posted by Coastierox

It's somewhat off topic, but wouldn't HKDL expansion be up to the OLC? What percentage of the parks do they own?

OLC doesn't own HKDL, it owns TDL. The HKSAR government owns more of HKDL than Disney. I live right next to HKDL and i must stress that it is pretty small for a Disney park.

[OFTEric]

Originally Posted by albino_pygmy

I doubt free tickets for Disney was their answer to HP land, but then again they did make such a huge deal about this.

Anyone remember there were a couple times when Universal mailed out FREE tickets to their parks, just to get people to visit? I don't think Universal made a huge deal about free tickets, they just went out and did it, right?

Disney is not looking to ''answer'' it. They have plans, and they have ideas, but they are also going to ''wait and see.''

2009 is a ''man the hatches'' kind of year with excitement really coming in towards teh 40th for some amazing stuff in 2011 and 2012!

[disneyfann121]

WDW and Universal are collaborating more than they are competing. Think about it; every time one of them opens something new, that brings more people to Orlando, and most of those people will visit both company's parks.

[WDWGirl]

Just a random thought - I really hope the American Idol attraction does well - I know it will be one of my favorites, as I love singing and would LOVE to win the competition itself! =D I know that it's not on as grand a scale as HP, but I'd love to see the American Idol attraction be successful.

[TDLFAN]

I understand the AI attraction may be delayed.. has anyone seen or heard anything? Not that I am looking forward to it because, like Millionaire, it's an attraction built on a fad that will eventually die a long deserved death.

As for the original "what WDW will do to fight Potter"? question... I think we just got the answer: free birthday visits and Tink walk-around exhibits in ToonTown Fair. What is is WDW management capable of doing besides cheap attractions, gimmicky marketing stunts and raising ticket prices?
You guys expect too much from WDW.