Harry Potter IS making a difference!!

[lebeau]

5, lebeau. 5. Just like the last Harry Potter novel, the last Twilight novel is being split into two movies. Since I've never read a page of the books, and usually watch the movies using Rifftrax to make them entertaining, I'll leave it to others to argue whether it's necessary to keep as much of the story intact as possible, OR it's a cash grab.

I will add, however, that the 2-movie adaptation of the last book is being directed by Bill Condon, a man whose short-but-diverse list of movies he's directed includes "Gods and Monsters" (where he won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay) and "Dreamgirls."

Proof that I am not a fan.

As for a trend, the only things Harry Potter and Twilight have in common that I am aware of are:

1. Best selling series of books
2. Developed into hit film franchise
3. Disney doesn't own the theme park rights to either one
4. My wife loves them

 

[Alektronic]

HP is hardly just a fad.. some excerpts from Bloomberg Businessweek

The “Potter” films, Hollywood’s top-grossing franchise, are expected to generate $7.5 billion in ticket sales by the time the series ends in July with the release of an eighth movie, “Deathly Hallows -- Part 2,” the estimate of Warner Bros. Chief Executive Officer Barry Meyer. The first seven, based on the books by J.K. Rowling, all opened in first place.

“‘Harry Potter’ is one of those cultural phenomena,” said Chad Hartigan, a box-office analyst at Los Angeles-based Exhibitor Relations Co. “The movies have become more and more mature, and they are able to hang on to audience and make new fans. ‘Harry Potter’ will be the biggest movie of this holiday season.”

The first six “Potter” films took $5.44 billion in worldwide sales, according to researcher Box Office Mojo. The “Star Wars” movies have grossed $4.48 billion, while the “James Bond” franchise has produced $3.03 billion. The numbers aren’t adjusted for inflation.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-11-29/-harry-potter-tops-box-office-again-with-49-million.html

Do you know what is a fad or trying to make it a fad??

Duffy the Disney Bear!

 

[lebeau]

Do you know what is a fad or trying to make it a fad??

Duffy the Disney Bear!

:ROFLOL:

Duffy is a wannabe fad.

 

[slappy magoo]

Since I've never read a page of the books, and usually watch the movies using Rifftrax to make them entertaining, I'll leave it to others to argue whether it's necessary to keep as much of the story intact as possible, OR it's a cash grab...

Quoting yourself is kind of a jerk move. Hope no one thinks I'm trying to pad my post count by this point But wanted to share, with anyone interested, a sample of the rifftrax version of Twilight. The only thing funnier than this 11 minute chunk of joy, is watching the whole thing in context. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2T6oMfI9Ro

 

[NX2I85]

I can tell you this : the tipping point is upon us.. and two... No people WILL NOT KEEP COMING REGARDLESS.

there are numerous places that have gone out of business.

GIMBALS.. The Brown Derby... almost any of the original hotels in Las Vegas,

the list goes on and on..

this CAN HAPPEN TO DISNEY.. and if they continue on their current path,

IT WILL HAPPEN TO WALT DISNEY WORLD.

and one day, it will be an after thought.." Hey remember when we used to go to ........................."


this is one time not to defend the Rhelm.. this is getting to be the time to start calling for massive change , if not screaming for change ..

because if those go unheeded, the call for panic will be too late..

You are so correct. I am not here to forecast the death of Disney; I love WDW. But for the last 10-15 years we have been living in an era of dying institutions. You could not have said it better when mentioning Vegas casinos, Gimbal's, etc. Even the most beloved and iconic institutions that adopt a bean-counting survival mentality are endangered. This applies to just about any segment of our world you can think of: entertainment; retail; sports. religion; publishing; etc.

A company/institution trades on its goodwill for too long and it endangers its future. Here's hoping this is not a path Disney chooses.

 

[marni1971]

Now Twilight is definately a fad. When the last movie is released with will unquestionably fade out of the public conciousness.

Dosn`t matter. The attraction stands up by itself.

I`m neither a fan of TZ or Potter. But I love the attractions they are based on. And that`s the icing on the cake for a true fully immersive E Ticket.

 

[dxwwf3]

I'm really glad that the WWoHP seems to be a hit right now in the short term, will it still bring IOA attendance up 2 years from now, who knows? But for right now at least it is making Disney take notice. The glory years of the mid 90's seem like a lifetime ago to me.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Marni, any idea what franchises Universal is looking at for IOA expansion???

 

[bjlc57]

btw.. I want to personally thank everyone for making this a great thread, because even with those who disagree with the thoughts that Disney is not in trouble.. its been a good and peaceful discussion. no name calling no one trashing anyone..

and its a great discussion and I am ready for another 20 some pages worth of reading...

Hopefully some one from Disney is reading this as well.. and doing so with an open mind.. and not a bean counter mentality..

 

[Krack]

Marni, any idea what franchises Universal is looking at for IOA expansion???

I realize my name's not Martin, but I'd bet the house they are going to try and get the rights to Avatar. I didn't even like the movie, but somebody did because it made all kinds of cash.

 

[loveofamouse]

haha! I was going to bring up Twilight I was going to say if Disney wants to compete with HP, they should buy rights to Twilight. lol

Personally, I think both series have bypassed "fad" as they've been popular for YEARS. Things like pogs and pokemon barely lasted a year. Both series also span large age groups. I've seen women in their 70s swoon over twlight. My gma is one of them :ROFLOL:

I do agree with the thought that WDW def. needs to step it up fast. US/IOA is becoming popular quickly. My family goes to WDW at least 2x a year. Yet, we go to US/IOA every few years. We are actually looking forward to going this coming summer and none of us are HP fans. Yet we really want to see the set up.

and the popular disclaimer:
I am NOT a HP fan. lol. I AM a Twilight nut. lol

 

[Captain Chaos]

I realize my name's not Martin, but I'd bet the house they are going to try and get the rights to Avatar. I didn't even like the movie, but somebody did because it made all kinds of cash.

I know.. I keep reading Avatar, Lord of the Rings, Transformers (I know Universal Hollywood is making a ride)... I was wondering if maybe other properties were being looked at too...

Wasn't there a rumor one time, or maybe even someone in Universal or Disney said who ever does not wind up with Potter would get Lord of the Rings??? I doubt Disney would seriously consider buying the rights to Rings now... And honestly, I don't think I want them to...

 

[_Scar]

haha! I was going to bring up Twilight I was going to say if Disney wants to compete with HP, they should buy rights to Twilight. lol
Personally, I think both series have bypassed "fad" as they've been popular for YEARS. Things like pogs and pokemon barely lasted a year. Both series also span large age groups. I've seen women in their 70s swoon over twlight. My gma is one of them :ROFLOL:

I do agree with the thought that WDW def. needs to step it up fast. US/IOA is becoming popular quickly. My family goes to WDW at least 2x a year. Yet, we go to US/IOA every few years. We are actually looking forward to going this coming summer and none of us are HP fans. Yet we really want to see the set up.

and the popular disclaimer:
I am NOT a HP fan. lol. I AM a Twilight nut. lol

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

no.

And as someone from the Pokemon generation, I can tell you that Pokemon is still going strong.

 

[Tigger1988]

Things like pogs and pokemon barely lasted a year

Pokemon has been going strong for over a decade, the games and toys are still wildly popular around the world.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Pokemon has been going strong for over a decade, the games and toys are still wildly popular around the world.

And the Pokemon cartoons are still on TV... As for pogs, I hear Disney is announcing a new e-ticket ride in Epcot, for the Decade's Worst Fads Pavilion... based on pogs... :lookaroun

 

[inluvwithbeast]

And the Pokemon cartoons are still on TV... As for pogs, I hear Disney is announcing a new e-ticket ride in Epcot, for the Decade's Worst Fads Pavilion... based on pogs... :lookaroun

I remember my first pog. I got from the treasure chest at a church carnival or something like that. I looked at it and thought, "What the heck am I supposed to do with a disk of cardboard?" Well, it was something along those lines.

Other 90s fads? Slap bracelets. Yo-yos. Hmm.. what else?

So, I think we can say the thread has derailed?

 

[slappy magoo]

Pokemon has been going strong for over a decade, the games and toys are still wildly popular around the world.

Although to be fair, part of its charm is the shoddy animation. It's one thing for Disney to make a more-poorly-animated series based on their movies or characters, and another to make an attraction based on something that looks like stills pasted in front of a lava lamp.

 

[Tigger1988]

Although to be fair, part of its charm is the shoddy animation. It's one thing for Disney to make a more-poorly-animated series based on their movies or characters, and another to make an attraction based on something that looks like stills pasted in front of a lava lamp.

Pretty sure no one, especially not myself, insinuated that Disney make an attraction based on Pokemon...

Point was it's not a fad.

 

[stitch2008]

I know.. I keep reading Avatar, Lord of the Rings, Transformers (I know Universal Hollywood is making a ride)... I was wondering if maybe other properties were being looked at too...

Wasn't there a rumor one time, or maybe even someone in Universal or Disney said who ever does not wind up with Potter would get Lord of the Rings??? I doubt Disney would seriously consider buying the rights to Rings now... And honestly, I don't think I want them to...

I think Disney is or should be seriously looking into buying rights to Lord of the Rings. Just looking at the numbers, Two Tower's and Return of the King individually out grossed the highest grossing Harry Potter film, the first one. Plus The Hobbit and the other prequel is coming. Would seem like a hot product to me.

 

[Captain Neo]

Wow, Disney was JKR's first choice and Disney flushed it down the toilet. Such a shame.

Funny thing is this was the second time Disney turned down the harry potter franchise. Yea the modern Disney company is that dumb

I think Disney is or should be seriously looking into buying rights to Lord of the Rings. Just looking at the numbers, Two Tower's and Return of the King individually out grossed the highest grossing Harry Potter film, the first one. Plus The Hobbit and the other prequel is coming. Would seem like a hot product to me.

Word on the street is that Universal is securing the Lord of the Rings rights right now actually. They even did a guest survey where they were asking people about LOTR attractions awhile back.