Awaiting PotterSwatter...

[RandomPrincess]

If Disney built a Star wars land on the same scale as Potter 1.0 with as much press and fanfare. I think they would have huge lines similar to Potter on opening day. People knew way in advance when Potter was coming and Potter clubs and conventions planned to be there for the opening. If they announced the opening date for Star Wars land you can bet Star Wars clubs and conventions would plan events for opening too.

 

[JT3000]

People need to get over this whole "Potter Swatter" concept. Nothing Disney does is going to "swat" a popular, high quality attraction in another park. It will still be there regardless, and anyone who wanted to see it will still do so, possibly to Disney's detriment. Disney needs to concern themselves with drawing guests to their own parks, not spend every waking hour thinking about what their competitor is doing, like you people do. They can only "swat" themselves (and they're doing a bang up job of it lately.)

And really, what makes anyone think they're going to set out to build an entire Star Wars land when they can't even get a previously announced land off the ground? Never mind the fact they've already had a Star Wars attraction for YEARS and never thought to expand on it. Yes, Star Wars is popular. So popular that if Disney actually wanted to fully utilize its popularity, they wouldn't have waited until the purchase from Lucas to do so!

Uni and Disney have two very different ways they plan their theme parks, Uni lives much more "in the moment" than Disney does, they tend to build newer and unproven properties and do it in a big way, things that might not hold popularity over time. (Ex. The mummy, jurassic park, Transformers, Men In Black, Jaws, fear factor, Twister, Despicable Me, Shrek, Marvel at the time it was built)

Say what?

 

[lego606]

People need to get over this whole "Potter Swatter" concept. Nothing Disney does is going to "swat" a popular, high quality attraction in another park. It will still be there regardless, and anyone who wanted to see it will still do so, possibly to Disney's detriment. Disney needs to concern themselves with drawing guests to their own parks, not spend every waking hour thinking about what their competitor is doing, like you people do. They can only "swat" themselves (and they're doing a bang up job of it lately.)


Say what?

As in, the popularity of the attractions slid over time. People will eventually get bored of Potter much as they got bored of Jurassic Park, Marvel, etc.

Did Star Tours EVER have a line out into the parking lot even when it was brand new? No? I didn't think so.

Maybe during the 60 hour party at Disneyland back in the 80s?

 

[englanddg]

If I were Disney waiting to announce Star Wars...I'd wait until Celebration VII, and do the announcement there, accompanied by a "groundbreaking" event at DHS (like they did for Last Tour to Endor)...

 

[lego606]

If I were Disney waiting to announce Star Wars...I'd wait until Celebration VII, and do the announcement there, accompanied by a "groundbreaking" event at DHS (like they did for Last Tour to Endor)...

They've got those 2 chances coming up. Celebration VII and D23. If nothing is even hinted at there... I don't know what WDW's future has in store.

 

[Todd L]

Umm, Potter has been the highest selling literary series on the planet for 17 years. And I'll match your anecdotal evidence with, you couldn't PAY my 2 daughters (12 and 17) to go see a Star Wars movie (I even tried bribing them), yet they both have read all 7 Potter books several times over.

Still dont think it will have the legs thats Star Wars does!! Guess we wont know for 30 years!!

 

[danlb_2000]

Even if Disney goes all out on Star Wars land, it's still Star Wars...a movie that's 40 years old and a bunch of sequels. It has a fan base, but so does Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I'd rather visit Sunnydale than Star Wars land! But a small group of people isn't worth building a whole land for, IMO.

Most people will not be thrilled with a Star Wars land. The ride and the weekends are enough, IMO.

It lacks the popularity of Harry Potter.

But DHS needs something, so that would be fine. If they build that spaceship, I'll go see it. I have to go to DHS at least once a year to remind myself why I don't like it, anyway. And see BatB.

You are 100% correct, a small group of people isn't worth building a whole land for. Good thing Star Wars isn't one of the franchises that has a small fan base.

 

[Violet]

Star Wars is HUGE right now with boys. Lego has a ton of SW stuff, shows on Cartoon Network, Star Wars video games, Halloween costumes, books...

 

[Uddy]

I've visited both. I like Disney better. But, even I can't wait to see the improvements at Uni. I hope Disney's not blind!

 

[bubbles1812]

As in, the popularity of the attractions slid over time. People will eventually get bored of Potter much as they got bored of Jurassic Park, Marvel, ect

Lololololololololololo. Really? I mean come on, really? Last time I checked Marvel was doing pretty well. Comics have been part of our culture for 60+ years. Haven't exactly faded into the annals of history.

And obviously no one likes dinosaurs anymore.. So much so that they are making a JP4.l and just released the original back into theaters where it made a pretty tidy sum.

And Potter... Has has already been mentioned, it's been the best selling series of the past 17 years. 17. It's doing just fine. Haven't seen that boredom yet. And it has a fine chance at longevity. Fantasy series just seem to have a good chance. Look at Lord of the Rings... Yeah, the movies gave it a boost but it has always had a fan base. And it was published in 1954. It isn't exactly new.

Potter was a huge part of the childhoods' of countless children, including mine. Not to mention many many adults as well. And when I have kids, I intend to pass them on to mine. All my friends have already or will do the same.... I think Potter is going to be just fine.

The way people talk around here, you'd think Star Wars was the only thing ever that will "be here for the long haul." News flash: It isn't. Oy vey.

 

[lego606]

The way people talk around here, you'd think Star Wars was the only thing ever that will "be here for the long haul." News flash: It isn't. Oy vey.

The way other people talk around here, you'd think Potter is the only thing that will "be here for the long haul."

 

[lazyboy97o]

The way people talk around here, you'd think Star Wars was the only thing ever that will "be here for the long haul." News flash: It isn't. Oy vey.

Based on the metrics often employed, the Holy Land Experience should be doing much better business.

 

[lego606]

What kept Potter popular was the constant string of movies and books that forced it into the public mind.

Star Wars can, and likely will be forced into the public mind by Disney.

 

[bubbles1812]

The way other people talk around here, you'd think Potter is the only thing that will "be here for the long haul."

What kept Potter popular was the constant string of movies and books that forced it into the public mind. You don't meant to tell me that Jurassic Park was just as popular as Potter?

Star Wars can, and likely will be forced into the public mind by Disney.

I never said Star Wars isn't something that will have longevity. Nor would I claim Potter is the only thing that does. As evidenced by my post above, I think there are quite a few things that will be part of our culture for a long time.

And no, I wouldn't call JP as popular as Potter. But by you saying that, it's clear you entirely missed my point. It's not just about what is "popular in there here and now" or "what is more popular at one single moment in time"... Which seems again to be the only thing you are measuring by asking that question. But it's not as simple as that.

I have yet to see little boys get bored of dinosaurs... And I don't know a single parent who hasn't let their kids watch the original JP at one point or another. People aren't bored of it. It has relevance. And again, did you miss the rerelease of the first film and that they are working on a new film?

Obviously Disney will force Star Wars into the public sphere more so than it already is. But somehow that makes it more popular than Potter or somehow diminishes Potter's relevance? Just.. No. Again, you are looking at one single moment in time. Like I said, Potter is going to do just fine.

 

[luv]

As in, the popularity of the attractions slid over time. People will eventually get bored of Potter much as they got bored of Jurassic Park, Marvel, etc.

I still like Spider-Man a lot. It's a great ride. Also like JPRA and was bummed that it was down for rehab last time I went there.

Harry Potter is a good ride and would be a good ride with any theme. That's the kind of ride I don't see myself tiring of riding.

Some things I do tire of after a while, but most of the stuff I like in the parks I continue to like no matter how many times I do them...in all the parks. That's me.

It isn't an either-or thing, IMO.

I love Uni. I love Disney, too. I don't think they need to worry about HP. I don't want Disney to be Uni. If they'd just be the best Disney they can be, that would be more than enough.

 

[disneyflush]

There isn't rabid appeal for a Star Wars land outside of older Star Wars fans. Very few kids enjoy the dialogue as much as the Potter movies. Kids that drive family vacations want Potter. Or Iron Man. Star Wars land would be exciting insomuch as it would be a new land with new rides and experiences which is what all of us want. But the same land could be themed around _______ (fill in any Pixar move basically) and it would draw the same crowds. If I'm older then say 38ish then I'm probably super stoked for the prospect of a land based on a movie released during my childhood/teenage years/whatever. Star Wars has popularity in the same way Elvis does. I'd rather see a land based on the tv show Lost. I'd love it. Kids wouldn't dig it so much.

 

[Prock3]

Say what?

Transformers isn't a franchise one would expect to build off of in a theme park, 10 or 15 years from now where will that franchise be? Its safe to say say interest in that could diminish a lot. Wouldn't surprise me if in 20 years those were viewed the way we view 80's action movies with really heavy special effects

Jurassic Park I regret putting on the list, its an awesome franchise and has a really cool attraction, and yes they are trying to make another movie but thats looking doubtful, JP4 was just pushed wayyyy back today. But where will JP be viewed 20 years from now if there isn't another movie made? You'd be surprised at the number of people who have never seen a JP movie. But as a previous poster said its based on dinosaurs which will always be popular, but the JP franchise as its own won't be.

At the time Uni built IOA Marvel was dead, thats how they got such a good contract. It was a big risk for Uni to build that and its a risk that really payed off for them. Yes it wasn't a new franchise but it was a gamble because who knows what would've happened if Marvel went bankrupt after IOA was built. I don't think Marvel is going to get any less popular, not for another 6 or so years when the overexposure to it starts to really kick in. I think it will always be a popular section of the park but people won't be going to URO to visit super hero island.

Jaws, its a good movie and resulted in a good attraction, but its popularity now is almost nothing. Most people under the age of 25 have probably never seen it. Uni did the right thing by axing it, it served its purpose for Uni and they saw how its popularity was almost gone so they replaced it, good move on their part.

Harry Potter is a pretty safe bet, Thats going to be popular for years. That was a thinking long term decision by them.

 

[Prince-1]

I could be! We will see (assuming thy build it.)

But I don't think I'm wrong about them needing franchise stuff. They are their own popular franchise.

They just need to go back to basics and be Disney, not the company that is always trying to copy Uni.

Oh I agree with you on this. I do think Star Wars will fit in better than say Avatar will simply because it's been part of DHS for years and has a footprint in the park. But I do believe that Disney has so many stories that it can mine from in order to get new attractions and shows. But I also think that when Uni is spanking Disney with what they are doing, Disney does have to do something to respond. It doesn't have to be a new and shiny franchise but they do have to do something.

 

[englanddg]

Older star wars fans take younger star wars fans and make them star wars fans.

And, older star wars fans have money...lots of money. And they wish to use that money to indoctrinate their children to love star wars as much as them.

Harry Potter has a younger fan base (even younger than my late 20s sister, who grew up a HP fan due to the books / films, and a SW fan due to me being a nut)...who will also grow up and do the same. But, at the moment, if Disney moves fast with it, it's a Cash Cow.

 

[JT3000]

Transformers isn't a franchise one would expect to build off of in a theme park, 10 or 15 years from now where will that franchise be?

At the absolute worst? Probably where it was 10-15 years ago. My objection to your post was not the possibility of any specific franchises' popularity waning, but the fact that you mentioned several things that were already old and established by the time Universal used them. Especially Marvel, which might have been having problems when Uni decided to purchase its rights, but was still a very well known entity nonetheless. If anything, Marvel is a great example of why we can't predict the future popularity of anything.