Disney's Reaction to Harry Potter Details?

[flavious27]

wizard World will only be "popular" for a year or two unless there is more added to it. It is the same size of Seuss Landing, with just as many rides. For guests that have gotten use to Fast Passing in the last decade, an hour wait will not bring many repeat riders. The way that Universal went about this is why they will always be second fiddle to WDW. Instead of adding value to the park by adding a new land, wizard world just is a reworked lost continent.

disney's response should be along those lines. just a short term attraction to capture the hype of HP, not worth a repeat visit. WDW is built on attractions that pass the test of time and not just a new name and color scheme every few years.

 

[biggy H]

It has sadly, been heavily publicised in the UK as it's own theme park.

Have to agree with you there, this is from Virgin Holidays website today:-

"The official park opening has now been announced as June 18th.."

Virgin Holidays(VH) is the official travel company for the UK and they send thousands to Orlando every week and so you can see why a lot of people will think its going to be a park in its own right.

Also VH UK visitors will have access to PotterLand from 28th May so we will start to get some feedback from pay customers from at least then if not earlier.

We will be visiting WWoHP when we do IOA/US but we won't add any extra time to what we had planned.

 

[devoy1701]

It's been great arguing with you guys on this subject. Obviously I see things in a different light than some of you (Figment, MisterID, imagineerboy).

You know, i'm not discrediting Universal as being a popular destination, nor am I saying that Potter won't be popular. What I'm saying is that its a very small area of a theme park that was in great need of something new, and i don't that a 20 acre expansion is big enough to put one up on anything at Walt Disney World. Afterall so many of us say Disney World is so much more than just the attractions it offers, which it is! I think Uni is going to see a huge swell in attendence over the next 2 years. I think there are going to be some that are disappointed that it's not a whole theme park, or even that there isn't more to do in Harry Potter Land.

I also think Disney World will probably see an uptick in attendence as anyone flying in from out of state will be here for more than just a couple days, and People will be making a trip SPECIFICALLY to see Harry Potter, but Universal does not have enough to do to keep people entertained for an entire week or 2. When FLE opens next year it will give people more of a reason to visit Disney as well. IMO people will make trips to see this, obviously a different demographic than Harry, but it will be there. You will also get families who come down to do both, see Harry Pottor for their preteen to young teen children and FLE for their little princesses and princes (My gf works at a preschool and you would be surprised to hear how many little boys have crushes on some of the princesses).

Do I think Disney is going to react to Potter? Not right away, they're going to wait and see, which I think is the best course of action. Will we see a big anouncement of an E ticket mindblowing attraction in the next 2 or 3 years? Probably, and I'm sure some on here will say it's a reaction to Harry Potter, but it's also a reaction to the fact that we haven't added a substantial E ticket since Everest, and MK hasn't seen one since 1991 (I guess we'll have to wait and see with Mermaid).

I do not think that this is going to do anything to move Disney away from being the King of theme parks. Spider Man was supposed to do that too, but Disney still remained on top.

And I for one am looking forward to FLE because I don't personally have any interest in Harry Potter. Will I experience it? Yes, but not during the first year because it's going to be hellacrowded. While my personal experience had led me to not look at Universal for quality entertainment as I am used to, I will now have Harry Potter, Rip, Ride, Rockit, and Simpsons ride to look forward to experiencing for the first time on my next visit to the Universal Resort.

Anyway, that's all I have on this subject. Again, thank you for the constructive and long drawn out argument! I enjoyed the debate! :wave:

 

[Dinoman96]

Test Track
Mission:Space
Soarin'
Gran Fiesta Tour
Updated Spaceship Earth
Updated Living Seas
Updated China film
Updated Canada film

Rock N Roller Coaster
Lights, Motors, Action
Midway Mania

All of Asia, including Everest and Kali River Rapids
Nemo Musical

Philharmagic
Laugh Floor
Stitch
Updated Small World
Updated Haunted Mansion
Updates Pirates of the Caribbean
Updated Space Mountain
Updated Hall of Presidents

1. Ok, but that replaced a classic.
2. Also replaced a classic.
3. Soarin in Florida makes no sense...How can we be flying over Californa (And starting in Californa) if we're in Florida?
4. Which a lot of people didn't like.
5. Which a lot of people hated due to the dumbing down with Nemo characters.
6. Dunnoa about that.
7. Above.

8. Most people call that a D-ticket for being so short.
9. Dunno about that, some people don't like it.
10. That was fine i suppose.

11. Asia was certainly beautiful, but Kali is just too short. Everest is liked by most, but Disney seems to don't care anymore...couldn't anyone tell with the Yeti in B-mode and the other dead effects?
12. K.

13. OK I guess.
14/15. Already mentioned these...and everyone hates them.
16/17/18/19/20. K.

 

[devoy1701]

1. Ok, but that replaced a classic.
2. Also replaced a classic.
3. Soarin in Florida makes no sense...How can we be flying over Californa (And starting in Californa) if we're in Florida?
4. Which a lot of people didn't like.
5. Which a lot of people hated due to the dumbing down with Nemo characters.
6. Dunnoa about that.
7. Above.

8. Most people call that a D-ticket for being so short.
9. Dunno about that, some people don't like it.
10. That was fine i suppose.

11. Asia was certainly beautiful, but Kali is just too short. Everest is liked by most, but Disney seems to don't care anymore...couldn't anyone tell with the Yeti in B-mode and the other dead effects?
12. K.

13. OK I guess.
14/15. Already mentioned these...and everyone hates them.
16/17/18/19/20. K.

Careful speaking in absolutes....alot of people do like this attraction. I for one love the variety you get with the show because of the guest interaction! :wave:

 

[marni1971]

and i don't that a 20 acre expansion is big enough to put one up on anything at Walt Disney World... When FLE opens next year it will give people more of a reason to visit Disney as well.

These areas are similar in size and purpose. Potterland will blow FLE out of the water. They both have one main E Ticket. They both have rethemed areas and diversionary attractions. They will both have areas to eat and shop. The plans for Potter have the edge on Flands details, but the main ride itself... it`ll make Spiderman look like iasw. Mermaid won`t come close, but I`m looking forward to both.

Do I think Disney is going to react to Potter? Not right away, they're going to wait and see, which I think is the best course of action. Will we see a big anouncement of an E ticket mindblowing attraction in the next 2 or 3 years? Probably, and I'm sure some on here will say it's a reaction to Harry Potter, but it's also a reaction to the fact that we haven't added a substantial E ticket since Everest,

Disney was going to react to Potter. Space Mountain was supposed to reopen with fanfare in a few months and go head to head for the MK. The press event and marketing was planned to divert attention from Uni. Imagination was meant to do the same for Epcot. M:I Coaster for DHS, and the Mysterious Island variation for DAK. All to open this year. Money got scraped, budgets cut, positions lost in a few cases, and we have nothing but one construction wall for a already delayed Mermaid which was planned to be the centerpiece of WDWs 40th.

TDOs arrogance again that nothing can touch WDW is still shining. The Potterkillers for WDW are all ready to go on paper. If and when they happen they won`t be reactions to Potter. They`ll be long delayed expansion and makeover plans to parks which really do need them anyway.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

wizard World will only be "popular" for a year or two unless there is more added to it. It is the same size of Seuss Landing, with just as many rides. For guests that have gotten use to Fast Passing in the last decade, an hour wait will not bring many repeat riders.

You underestimate how many die-hard Potter fans there are in relation to how many die-hard Princess fans there are...I can't even count on my fingers and toes how many people I know who are planning to go and do nothing but Potter all day at IoA.

 

[wdwmagic]

You underestimate how many die-hard Potter fans there are in relation to how many die-hard Princess fans there are...I can't even count on my fingers and toes how many people I know who are planning to go and do nothing but Potter all day at IoA.

I'm thinking those people are going to be dissapointed. The area is not particularly big, and with Universal's usual capacity levels, I''m guessing that the main attraction is going to be running at the 2 hour waits consistently. Besides the shops and the restaurants, there isn't anything new to do, certainly not to spend a whole day, unless of course they ride over and over.

 

[wdwmagic]

Have to agree with you there, this is from Virgin Holidays website today:-

"The official park opening has now been announced as June 18th.."

Virgin Holidays(VH) is the official travel company for the UK and they send thousands to Orlando every week and so you can see why a lot of people will think its going to be a park in its own right.

Also VH UK visitors will have access to PotterLand from 28th May so we will start to get some feedback from pay customers from at least then if not earlier.

We will be visiting WWoHP when we do IOA/US but we won't add any extra time to what we had planned.

Yeah I really don't get this. The impression in England from a lot of people is that it's an entire park. The media and travel firms have been wrongly detailing this right from the start, and have not reigned it back in.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

You underestimate how many die-hard Potter fans there are in relation to how many die-hard Princess fans there are...I can't even count on my fingers and toes how many people I know who are planning to go and do nothing but wait for Potter all day at IoA.

^ Fixed. :wave: :lol:

 

[devoy1701]

^ Fixed. :wave: :lol:

haha..that made me laugh!

Good thing those queues are going to be part of the immersive experience! I hope they allowed room for the line spilling out onto the walkways though.

 

[wserratore1963]

The HP ride looks AWESOME!!!! I'm so excited that it takes "about an hour" as well. I think it will be an incredible experience. Disney is going to have to step it up!

I would live to see WDW do something like this with TRON

 

[Krack]

Yeah I really don't get this. The impression in England from a lot of people is that it's an entire park. The media and travel firms have been wrongly detailing this right from the start, and have not reigned it back in.

It's intentional. They botched the original opening of IOA and never really explained that it was a second Universal Park. Most people in the general public believed it was simply an extension of Universal Studios (like adding another land to MK). So they are using this opportunity to intentionally mislead the public into thinking a new second park is being built, when really it's been there all along.

They are just trying to correct the original misperception.

 

[misterID]

These areas are similar in size and purpose. Potterland will blow FLE out of the water. They both have one main E Ticket. They both have rethemed areas and diversionary attractions. They will both have areas to eat and shop. The plans for Potter have the edge on Flands details, but the main ride itself... it`ll make Spiderman look like iasw. Mermaid won`t come close, but I`m looking forward to both.
Disney was going to react to Potter. Space Mountain was supposed to reopen with fanfare in a few months and go head to head for the MK. The press event and marketing was planned to divert attention from Uni. Imagination was meant to do the same for Epcot. M:I Coaster for DHS, and the Mysterious Island variation for DAK. All to open this year. Money got scraped, budgets cut, positions lost in a few cases, and we have nothing but one construction wall for a already delayed Mermaid which was planned to be the centerpiece of WDWs 40th.

TDOs arrogance again that nothing can touch WDW is still shining. The Potterkillers for WDW are all ready to go on paper. If and when they happen they won`t be reactions to Potter. They`ll be long delayed expansion and makeover plans to parks which really do need them anyway.

Great post, even though I died a little inside reading it.

But exactly the point I was trying to make. It does have everything to do with who's running the parks.

It would have been fantastic if all of the above was done, but understandable if only a couple were... But none? And they can't even a finish a refurb right?
:fork:

 

[marni1971]

It's intentional. They botched the original opening of IOA and never really explained that it was a second Universal Park. Most people in the general public believed it was simply an extension of Universal Studios (like adding another land to MK). So they are using this opportunity to intentionally mislead the public into thinking a new second park is being built, when really it's been there all along.

They are just trying to correct the original misperception.

:lol:

Great explanation of Universal Escape. What an awful name that was. You`d think having spent over a billion they`d name it right...

 

[Testtrack321]

:lol:

Great explanation of Universal Escape. What an awful name that was. You`d think having spent over a billion they`d name it right...

Or invest just a *little* bit of it in some marketing people to create a name and advertising message....

 

[RandySavage]

^ To the above point about Uni intentionally calling it a new theme park. Is it safe to assume a significant percentage (majority?) of those tourists heading to IoA to see Harry Potter will be people that have never set foot in IoA before (either Disney loyalists or new to Orlando)?

My family falls into that category (have always stayed on WDW property), so the entire park will be a new experience.

 

[Horizons1]

It's intentional. They botched the original opening of IOA and never really explained that it was a second Universal Park. Most people in the general public believed it was simply an extension of Universal Studios (like adding another land to MK).

This is very true. Granted, I was only 9 years old at the time, but I don't recall hearing very much, if anything, about the opening of IOA. I do remember the local Fox news station talking about Universal Orlando Escape, but it did sound like they had put Jurassic Park and some other rides into Universal Studios. It wasn't until a few years later when a couple friends suggested that we go to IOA for a day that I found out Universal had built a new theme park right next door to the studios.

And who thought "Universal Orlando Escape" would be a good idea for a name? Seriously.

I prefer Universal Studios Florida myself. =D

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

disney's response should be along those lines. just a short term attraction to capture the hype of HP, not worth a repeat visit. WDW is built on attractions that pass the test of time and not just a new name and color scheme every few years.

If Harry Potter is as thrilling and innovative as something like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, it won't be a theme park flash in the pan. There's a reason why Spider-Man is still considered the theme park attraction to beat in the world.

I used to think comments on Disney's homogenization of its parks was just something Al whats-his-face or Kevin Yee used to say as fan boys, but I actually am starting to see it now. Everything being opened up around all their parks all over the world are clones, clones, clones. There is so, so little to get excited about as far as Disney's output and it shows.

World of Color will likely be the best lagoon show ever but it's still just a lagoon show, Star Tours 2 was so dishearteningly necessary it will feel like too little too late no matter what, Little Mermaid will make a beautful little seashell omnimover, and Cars finally brings Test Track technology to the west coast.

In the span of months, we're seeing Universal try to only outdo themselves with Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, deliver an all-new immersive 4D experience with King Kong in USH, create an all-new ride Space Fantasy at USJ which isn't based on any pre-existing films, manga, or characters to deliver a C or D-ticket spinning coaster which supposedly puts MK's Space Mountain refurb to shame.

It also just opened completely brand new designs and attractions at its new Universal Studios Singapore park, including Madagascar, Battlestar Galactica, Lights! Camera! Action! with Steven Spielberg, and new versions of Jurassic Park, etc. That's not to mention the Transformers rides heading to Singapore and Hollywood next year.

Disney has long been the trend-setter in theme park engineering and innovation, and rightfully so. But right now, it isn't. I don't mean only because of Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but because of its current lack of imagination in creating attractions for its parks all over the world.

 

[devoy1701]

This is very true. Granted, I was only 9 years old at the time, but I don't recall hearing very much, if anything, about the opening of IOA. I do remember the local Fox news station talking about Universal Orlando Escape, but it did sound like they had put Jurassic Park and some other rides into Universal Studios. It wasn't until a few years later when a couple friends suggested that we go to IOA for a day that I found out Universal had built a new theme park right next door to the studios.

And who thought "Universal Orlando Escape" would be a good idea for a name? Seriously.

I prefer Universal Studios Florida myself. =D

Not to mention they shouldn't have named their second park Islands of Adventure when BG already had a park named Adventure Island. Trust me, those two names get mixed up alot!