Yoda To Battle Harry Potter In Theme Park Wars

[CrystalJ.Squirrel]

The thing is that parks are in it to make money. If you look at all the Islands of Adventure, they are all based on something well known to the people going to the park. Every little kid has read Dr.Seuss, most know what Marvel is, newspaper comics/cartoons have been around since the twenties (and Universal has Fleischer,Lantz,Ward, and King Feature Syndicate. That has to count for somthing.), and the other two islands were based on popular things when they were built.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Originally Posted by perfectparanoia

Let me just take a short soap box moment.

No doubt Harry Potter is a current phenomenon. No doubt for the next 5, 10 years after opening it will generate many guests at IOA.

But what keeps us going back to disney world? For me, it is not the attractions that are based on an 'existing franchise.' I go back for the items that are unique to the park.

I think disney should focus on creating new attractions that people will love as much as they do Space Mountain or the Haunted Mansion or the Jungle Cruise. Why does there need to be a tie-in? All that comes from that is that when the movie goes out of style, the attraction attracts less guests. Shouldn't attractions be timeless to a certain degree?

Sorry. I am just sick of all the good ideas to come out of imagineering not happen unless they can tie it to a franchise or movie.

Watch for Hogsmeade and Hogwarts to become as beloved to their fans as Cinderella Castle is to you, perfectparanoia

[GhostHost2]

As someone already mentioned, Jurassic Park got it's own land. This land isn't that big of a deal as it only has one ride adults can ride without kids. Also, IMO Jurassic Park the movie is dated and hasn't stood the test of time very well, thus making a huge section of the park seem dated also. An Indy or Star Wars land are a safe bet, as those franchises have already stood the test of time.

[nbodyhome]

I was VERY glad that Universal received the Harry Potter deal. Florida parks are different than in CA, where Desperate Housewives and POTC are filmed on the Universal lot. You can buy tickets that include Universal and Disney on the same ticket. In Florida, Disney has done everything it can to keep guests on property - from the dining plan to Magical Express.

Universal will get some more traction with Potter, especially with the very heavy international (UK) traffic. I think it's really good for guests to have healthy competition. I hadn't even heard of the new Sea World park until recently (this past weekend?)

[SummerInFL]

I'm a huge fan of both Harry Potter and Disney and once that area of the park is built I will visit Universal for the first time and if I like it enough, I will probably get an AP.

Overall I think the park will do well for Orlando as a whole, boosting the attendance at WDW as well.

[OFTEric]

I am just sooo excited to see all of these changes!

[Maverick]

i dont think its going to make much a difference for universal

[SummerInFL]

Originally Posted by Master Gracie

i dont think its going to make much a difference for universal

Is it really that bad? LOL

[KevinYee]

I'm taking a wait and see approach to Wizarding World. From the scuttlebutt I'm hearing, the new ride or two will be cool and all, but the primary attraction to this new land will be simply being THERE, in Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. That either sounds exciting or ominous. Since I'm not sure which it is, I'm in a holding pattern for now.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by Master Gracie

i dont think its going to make much a difference for universal

I read a UK board, and many there are VERY excited over Potter. It might not make a long-term difference, but we get a very large UK population visiting Orlando. I think the first year there will be a lot of guests taking an extra day to go to Uni.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by OFTEric

I am just sooo excited to see all of these changes!

Eric is ALWAYS excited over the parks!

I am looking forward to seeing what happens with the Harry Potter area, even though I never got drawn into the books/movies myself.

[OFTEric]

I personally have never read the Harry Potter book series.

I have read, Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit.

I have read the Chronicles of Narnia

And the Harry Potter movies have been fun, but hit and miss for me!

That being said, when Universal announced the Harry Potter expansion, I almost jumped for joy!

The idea of another world of great detail to explore made me sooo excited! Sure I might not be a huge Harry Potter fan, but I am a theme park junkie, and if half of what we have heard about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is true, this will be a place that I will experience over and over, and spend a lot of time people watching, and trying to discover all of the details!

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Originally Posted by nbodyhome

I read a UK board, and many there are VERY excited over Potter. It might not make a long-term difference, but we get a very large UK population visiting Orlando. I think the first year there will be a lot of guests taking an extra day to go to Uni.

That is an EXCELLENT Point.

You hear all the time how UK tourists prefer WDW to DLP. They get more for their money, there's more theme parks and attractions, the weather is better. The people speak the same language. And if they build a Harry Potter world there, they'll really muscle in on that market.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaAdventurer

That is an EXCELLENT Point.

You hear all the time how UK tourists prefer WDW to DLP. They get more for their money, there's more theme parks and attractions, the weather is better. The people speak the same language. And if they build a Harry Potter world there, they'll really muscle in on that market.

I love that the UK visitors will go anywhere - they don't necessarily stay onsite (often at homes off-property), they often go to Discovery Cove and smaller attractions, Universal, etc. I do think that the Harry Potter attractions will give Uni a year or two of much better attendance (no matter how good/bad the attractions are).

And most UK posts I've read haven't been as kind to DLP or really, to Paris in general. It's amazing that you can get between London and Paris in 2 hours, but the cities are SO different. And I really enjoy both, for different reasons.

Harry Potter is going to be very good for Universal.

[photogbs]

Originally Posted by GhostHost2

WDW's Space Mountain revamp (if that ever happens, it needs to happen soon, before the ride collapses), was at one time rumored to be WDW's main competition with Potter Land. If the best Disney can do anymore is revamp rides, than WDI has really gone downhill.

What is ridiculous is that it would be so easy to counter Potter with 3 words. Indiana Jones Adventure! Besides cost I can't understand why they haven't built this ride at WDW and don't give me that Dinosaur same layout crap because that is bogus. I think it hasn't been built cause they don't want to spend that kind of money. It be a perfect fit for DHS and would give them a much need blockbuster attraction. I am sure ST2 will be good but that simply will not be enough.

There seems to be alot of Disney fans underestimating the popularity of Harry Potter. While Universal will not be beating WDW anytime soon on attendance if Harry Potter bumps there attendance 30-40 % it will be a huge success and even more so if IOA's attendance surpasses DHS or DAK.