Themeing at WWOHP

[DisneyparkFreak]

Is it just me or is the theming at potter leaps and bounds better than anything Disney has state side. I wonder how much of a fortune universal pumped into that. And do we really think the new fantasyland will be on par with potter in terms of theming?

 

[cbconglom]

Is it just me or is the theming at potter leaps and bounds better than anything Disney has state side. I wonder how much of a fortune universal pumped into that. And do we really think the new fantasyland will be on par with potter in terms of theming?

they say 200 million but i think they went way over that. i sure hope the fantasyland expansion will delight....

 

[ptaylor]

It's good, but leaps and bounds better than Disney ? No. I have visited Potter recently, along with WDW and DL. Potter probably has the best queue anywhere, but not the best ride, nor the best village. In terms of raw theming, the Main Street USAs, World Showcase, and parts of Animal Kingdom for me are as good and in some cases better. Universal also have a major operational problem looming, it's way too small and cramped, and is gonna be ugly when busy.

 

[WDWGoof07]

Is it just me or is the theming at potter leaps and bounds better than anything Disney has state side.

No. WWOHP has a great level of theming, but Disney has done and continues to do stuff on this level for sure.

I wonder how much of a fortune universal pumped into that. And do we really think the new fantasyland will be on par with potter in terms of theming?

Theming-wise, FLE probably will be on par with WWOHP. In terms of the attraction offerings, the jury is still out on that one, but Disney is not building anything that directly competes with Forbidden Journey.

 

[Tooning]

Harry Potter is going to be awesome and in my opinion is at the level of Disney's Best stuff and better than there good stuff, but Universal still has along way to go to become on the same level as disney except maybe thrill rides.

I still love universal and go every trip for at least 2 days(Usaully 3), but I always spend more time in Disney.

 

[s8film40]

I have to say I visited WWOHP and had Very high expectations with all the hype and build up, even so it still exceeded my expectations. To me the theming of the land was what surprised me the most, I really got a feel of being transported to a different world. The ride was on the level I expected certainly state of the art but nothing I didn't expect to be there. One of the things that really set this apart for me was that the theme didn't stop with the architecture and rides but was implemented so well into the food and merchandise, this is something that Disney has never done. I think this is a big deal for Universal, as much of a Disney fan as I am I never thought I would ever say this but I really feel that Universal is the new Leader in the themed attraction industry. They don't make as much money obviously or have as many parks, but the one thing they are doing is pushing the envelope while Disney is for the most part in a state of sustaining. I really don't think Disney could have pulled off WWOHP as well as Universal did, this is the first time I have ever felt that way.

 

[WDWGoof07]

One of the things that really set this apart for me was that the theme didn't stop with the architecture and rides but was implemented so well into the food and merchandise, this is something that Disney has never done.

Disney does do this. World Showcase is one example.

 

[T-1MILLION]

Disney does do this. World Showcase is one example.

Yes Disney did do it quite often in the late 80s and prior.

As for recently...no.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

I say its equal, and a good argument could be made for it being exceeding. But leaps and bounds? No.

 

[wdwfan94]

No, I would say that for the first time Universal in on level with Disney in terms of themeing but there are plenty of things Disney has themed just as well and maybe even better.

 

[floridabill]

I have to say I visited WWOHP and had Very high expectations with all the hype and build up, even so it still exceeded my expectations. To me the theming of the land was what surprised me the most, I really got a feel of being transported to a different world. The ride was on the level I expected certainly state of the art but nothing I didn't expect to be there. One of the things that really set this apart for me was that the theme didn't stop with the architecture and rides but was implemented so well into the food and merchandise, this is something that Disney has never done. I think this is a big deal for Universal, as much of a Disney fan as I am I never thought I would ever say this but I really feel that Universal is the new Leader in the themed attraction industry. They don't make as much money obviously or have as many parks, but the one thing they are doing is pushing the envelope while Disney is for the most part in a state of sustaining. I really don't think Disney could have pulled off WWOHP as well as Universal did, this is the first time I have ever felt that way.

It is pretty cool. But Disney pulls off other things at moment such as world of color! omg wow is all I can say I don't think universal would ever be able to pull that off. So they can pull different things off. and only disney world is sustained right now they are pumping all of the money into disneyland for 1.1billion. And I don;t think we can classify one land as making them a leader in the theme park industry, but they are definitely on there way.

 

[71jason]

Unlike Main Street, the shops are actually stocked with unique goods appropriate to their name. Advantage Potter.

I'd call it a tie with World Showcase--so leaps and bounds ahead of anything Disney has done since 1982.

 

[s8film40]

Disney does do this. World Showcase is one example.

There are quite a few merchandise and food items in world showcase that do not fit the theme. It's more a matter of what they don't have than what they have. Sure Disney has a few themed items in each area but they also have the standard Disney shirts and snack carts. What impresses me about WWOHP is that nothing (at least that I could find) breaks the theme. I don't know of any area at Disney that I could say that about.

It is pretty cool. But Disney pulls off other things at moment such as world of color! omg wow is all I can say I don't think universal would ever be able to pull that off. So they can pull different things off. and only disney world is sustained right now they are pumping all of the money into disneyland for 1.1billion. And I don;t think we can classify one land as making them a leader in the theme park industry, but they are definitely on there way.

Yes I agree WOC looks amazing, I was looking at it more from a themed experience perspective. To me Disney does not and has never had any experience that is as immersive as WWOHP. The only thing that comes close is the Adventurers Club.

 

[Captain Hank]

There are quite a few merchandise and food items in world showcase that do not fit the theme. It's more a matter of what they don't have than what they have. Sure Disney has a few themed items in each area but they also have the standard Disney shirts and snack carts. What impresses me about WWOHP is that nothing (at least that I could find) breaks the theme. I don't know of any area at Disney that I could say that about.



Yes I agree WOC looks amazing, I was looking at it more from a themed experience perspective. To me Disney does not and has never had any experience that is as immersive as WWOHP. The only thing that comes close is the Adventurers Club.

The churros at the Magic Neep caught me a little off guard. But other than that...yeah, absolutely nothing was out of place. In terms of complete thematic immersion, I'd agree that WWOHP pretty much exceeds any major theme area at Disney. That's something I didn't expect to ever say, until I was able to experience it today. Let's see how well the integrity of the area holds up, though.

 

[Aurora's#1Fan]

Maybe they surpass WDW but Idk about DLR. TDA is really being tight with their game. Just wait until Carsland. Same attraction layout: One Big E ticket, and two smaller ones.

 

[floridabill]

I think the real reaction to potter is carsland. But it's on the other side of the country lol, So many people don't think of it as a direct hit, it will be on the same level as potter probably, the whole area is supposed to be themed to radiator springs. It just boggles my mind how one little land is better than and amazing than disney. I am not anti universal!!!! But we can't completely write off disney's originality, theming and all that they have done and do, just because of potter a potter themed land. granted they haven't but much into florida parks they are doing some awesome things at california adventure.

 

[s8film40]

I think the real reaction to potter is carsland. But it's on the other side of the country lol, So many people don't think of it as a direct hit, it will be on the same level as potter probably, the whole area is supposed to be themed to radiator springs. It just boggles my mind how one little land is better than and amazing than disney. I am not anti universal!!!! But we can't completely write off disney's originality, theming and all that they have done and do, just because of potter a potter themed land. granted they haven't but much into florida parks they are doing some awesome things at california adventure.

It's a matter of quality over quantity. I think Universal is hoping that adding one really good thing will siphon off enough of Disney's guests to make it worth it. Yes when you compare it to Disney it is only one thing and Disney has lots of amazing themed attraction, but when you compare it to anything Disney has done in the past 10 years it really sets Universal apart from Disney. It will be interesting to see how this ends up playing out in the Central Florida tourist market. Universal is hoping this one thing will attract lots of business, meanwhile aside from fantasyland WDW doesn't seem to be bothered by this as if to indicate they don't think it will impact their business. If Universal is correct and people shorten their WDW trips to accommodate WWOHP it could spur a highly competitive theme park market similar to what Disneyland has fighting for all the local business. If Disney is correct and this doesn't impact their bottom line too much than it will only deepen their belief that people will come to WDW no matter what and spending money on the parks isn't important.

 

[floridabill]

It's a matter of quality over quantity. I think Universal is hoping that adding one really good thing will siphon off enough of Disney's guests to make it worth it. Yes when you compare it to Disney it is only one thing and Disney has lots of amazing themed attraction, but when you compare it to anything Disney has done in the past 10 years it really sets Universal apart from Disney. It will be interesting to see how this ends up playing out in the Central Florida tourist market. Universal is hoping this one thing will attract lots of business, meanwhile aside from fantasyland WDW doesn't seem to be bothered by this as if to indicate they don't think it will impact their business. If Universal is correct and people shorten their WDW trips to accommodate WWOHP it could spur a highly competitive theme park market similar to what Disneyland has fighting for all the local business. If Disney is correct and this doesn't impact their bottom line too much than it will only deepen their belief that people will come to WDW no matter what and spending money on the parks isn't important.

Thats all very true, and we don't exactly know the impact. But if it means disney would have to be competitive I'm not to worried, cause I know they wouldn't want to be put to shame so I would hope they would pump out something awesome! The imagineers must have tons of things on the table! So if this wakes TDO up I'm all for it, and they are probably monitor this like a fly on poo, so I'm sure they must have a response plan in order.....I hope but who knows:shrug:

 

[Swfewrmco]

Nobody on here think it's an issue that the FJ show building is pretty obvious once you get up to the castle?

 

[T-1MILLION]

Nobody on here think it's an issue that the FJ show building is pretty obvious once you get up to the castle?

It is obvious to those who know how theme parks work but to be actually there and the average guest it is not that noticeable. I still wish for taller trees but they did plant a line in there and the designated path that is different from where people could only walk when construction was still going on is different and is much improvement. Over the next year those pine trees are going to really grow in