Harry Potter IS making a difference!!

[imagineer boy]

Love that!

Even better...You Tube...search for Buffy and Edward.
She'll put a stop to his sparkly nonsense once and for all.

This one ain't too bad either: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gu7jsgjUM0

 

[EvanAnderson]

THe buzz about the HP series may never die, but the buzz about the ride will. And I do feel safe at Uni but it really feels different to me. I'll go to WDW 10 times before I go to Uni. And that's from someone who loved the place back in 90's. I loved BTTF and Hanna Barbara ride and the stunt show they did at night. It just feels so different now. Yeah some things are fun at IOA. But I still like the old Universal better. But about being safe at Uni......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAqX3a385Qs&feature=related



I'm with ya.

Wow. Really? So it's Universal's fault that a kid (the stupidest one I've ever seen) jumped into a ride track to receive a hat. That video was actually edited to make it look like nothing was done, but the ride WAS estopped for safety. Anywho, that kid could have been at Splash Mountain and did the same thing. Then according to you, it would be Disney's fault.

If you want to look at being safe, why don't you look at Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Accident, where a person died because Disney Maintenance didn't follow procedures correctly, and the Cast Members continued cycling the train when they heard a strange noise. The train derailed, causing a man in the front seat to smash into the locomotive, killing him.

How about the accident where 2 monorails collided together because of Disney's ignored safety practices, causing a young monorail pilot to die.

To argue that Universal isn't safe because ONE kid is seen in a ride track is bologna. That was BEYOND Universal's power. It's like saying Universal isn't safe because it's lightning outside. Where as the monorail accident, and the Big Thunder Mountain Accident were indeed Disney's fault.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Wow. Really? So it's Universal's fault that a kid (the stupidest one I've ever seen) jumped into a ride track to receive a hat. That video was actually edited to make it look like nothing was done, but the ride WAS estopped for safety. Anywho, that kid could have been at Splash Mountain and did the same thing. Then according to you, it would be Disney's fault.

If you want to look at being safe, why don't you look at Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Accident, where a person died because Disney Maintenance didn't follow procedures correctly, and the Cast Members continued cycling the train when they heard a strange noise. The train derailed, causing a man in the front seat to smash into the locomotive, killing him.

How about the accident where 2 monorails collided together because of Disney's ignored safety practices, causing a young monorail pilot to die.

To argue that Universal isn't safe because ONE kid is seen in a ride track is bologna. That was BEYOND Universal's power. It's like saying Universal isn't safe because it's lightning outside. Where as the monorail accident, and the Big Thunder Mountain Accident were indeed Disney's fault.

^^ This.

 

[stitch2008]

Wow. Really? So it's Universal's fault that a kid (the stupidest one I've ever seen) jumped into a ride track to receive a hat. That video was actually edited to make it look like nothing was done, but the ride WAS estopped for safety. Anywho, that kid could have been at Splash Mountain and did the same thing. Then according to you, it would be Disney's fault.

If you want to look at being safe, why don't you look at Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Accident, where a person died because Disney Maintenance didn't follow procedures correctly, and the Cast Members continued cycling the train when they heard a strange noise. The train derailed, causing a man in the front seat to smash into the locomotive, killing him.

How about the accident where 2 monorails collided together because of Disney's ignored safety practices, causing a young monorail pilot to die.

To argue that Universal isn't safe because ONE kid is seen in a ride track is bologna. That was BEYOND Universal's power. It's like saying Universal isn't safe because it's lightning outside. Where as the monorail accident, and the Big Thunder Mountain Accident were indeed Disney's fault.

Easy easy. I flat out said in my post I feel safe at Uni. I realize Disney has accidents too. Horrible ones. The monorail incident really hurts to think about for me. I just have never seen anything like that at Disney. Or anywhere else for that matter. I've heard it happen at Six Flags parks where people have been struck by coaster trains. That happened at IOA too. In 2009 an employee was hit by a Dueling Dragons train. I know these things happen. But I'm just saying that I've never seen anyone at WDW jump over a fence and get something that they lost on the ride. I know people have stood up on splash. That's why they have restraints now(or they are getting them. I cant remember) Again, I've never seen someone do that WDW. Just something on my mind. You don't have to get so defensive.

 

[T-1MILLION]

THe buzz about the HP series may never die, but the buzz about the ride will. And I do feel safe at Uni but it really feels different to me. I'll go to WDW 10 times before I go to Uni. And that's from someone who loved the place back in 90's. I loved BTTF and Hanna Barbara ride and the stunt show they did at night. It just feels so different now. Yeah some things are fun at IOA. But I still like the old Universal better. But about being safe at Uni......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAqX3a385Qs&feature=related

I'm with ya.

That is nonsense. A good ride is a good ride and will be remembered on its own merit as well as an infamous pop culture tie in. This has both going for it. Like The Twlight Zone Tower of Terror, Jaws, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain .etc..etc... All rides near or over 20 years old and still remembered because they are based on both classic stories and are adventure experiences on their own.

Also, its not just a ride mind you, but an entire 'world' Island of the park.

 

[stitch2008]

That is nonsense. A good ride is a good ride and will be remembered on its own merit as well as an infamous pop culture tie in. This has both going for it. Like The Twlight Zone Tower of Terror, Jaws, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain .etc..etc... All rides near or over 20 years old and still remembered because they are based on both classic stories and are adventure experiences on their own.

Also, its not just a ride mind you, but an entire 'world' Island of the park.

I said it would die down. Not die 100%. Something else will come in the future and then that will be the big deal. And it will continue. I'm sure eventually there will be something that is better then FJ. FJ will be memorable, but it wont be massive buzz forever.

 

[slappy magoo]

Easy easy. I flat out said in my post I feel safe at Uni. I realize Disney has accidents too. Horrible ones. The monorail incident really hurts to think about for me. I just have never seen anything like that at Disney. Or anywhere else for that matter. I've heard it happen at Six Flags parks where people have been struck by coaster trains. That happened at IOA too. In 2009 an employee was hit by a Dueling Dragons train. I know these things happen. But I'm just saying that I've never seen anyone at WDW jump over a fence and get something that they lost on the ride. I know people have stood up on splash. That's why they have restraints now(or they are getting them. I cant remember) Again, I've never seen someone do that WDW. Just something on my mind. You don't have to get so defensive.

???? Soooo...horrible accidents DO happen at Disney...but because the sort of thing that that youtube video shows...never happened at Disney...as far as you know...that was then videotaped and uploaded to the internets tubes...Universal is de facto less safe?

You should read the fairly current thread started by an off-duty officer who witnessed a sucker punch at Test Track and had to stop it from getting worse.

Oh, you can't see it, there was no videotape. Perhaps it didn't happen.

 

[T-1MILLION]

I said it would die down. Not die 100%. Something else will come in the future and then that will be the big deal. And it will continue. I'm sure eventually there will be something that is better then FJ. FJ will be memorable, but it wont be massive buzz forever.

Well that seems kind of a broad general term that goes for everything in life. When you make a statement on safety and post the video of a kid leaping into a ride to get his hat to somehow connect it without any segway.

You bring up a coaster accident from dueling dragons that only made news becuase of OSHA? It was cleared and was a boo boo. Unfortunate but the guy did not suffer any life threatening injuries.

Monorial
Bus
Primeval Whirl

Those are just some of the recent WDW deaths off the top of my head. Its inevitable. Can't blame WDW for all fo them and you can't make a fair claim that Universal is at fault for a kid jumping onto the path of a water ride. Some of those WDW accidents WERE at fault of the resort operations. So how do you feel less safe about people at one park jumping fences on their own free will than park operations not taking things into consideration? The amazing safety features of the ride(Jurassic Park River Adventure) actually saved that kids life when he made that bad choice. We live to one day die, its gonna happen even at a theme park resort but you are making claims like IOA is Six Flags on safety records...that is nuts.



That being said, you are right, but due to recent track records that next big buzz attraction is more likely to come from Universal.

 

[stitch2008]

???? Soooo...horrible accidents DO happen at Disney...but because the sort of thing that that youtube video shows...never happened at Disney...as far as you know...that was then videotaped and uploaded to the internets tubes...Universal is de facto less safe?

You should read the fairly current thread started by an off-duty officer who witnessed a sucker punch at Test Track and had to stop it from getting worse.

Oh, you can't see it, there was no videotape. Perhaps it didn't happen.

Again, I NEVER SAID UNIVERSAL WASN'T SAFE. I'm sorry I posted a video of a kid jumping a fence, swimming in front of the River Adventure drop, grabbing his hat and swimming back. I only posted it because the person I quoted said he felt Universal wasn't safe. I didn't know if anyone had seen the video. I know about that Test Track accident. BOTH resorts have accidents. I GET IT. I was saying Universal isn't perfect and they have accidents too. No park is safe. You take a risk by riding any ride anywhere. Some posters just make it seem like Universal is a perfect park where nothing goes wrong and WDW is a horrible place where accidents happen. I'm sorry if I got that impression.

 

[RSoxNo1]

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.

I only know of expansion with what they have.

Universal has been looking at Avatar and Lord of the Rings for the Toon Lagoon section.

Wow. So did one rude Team Member do something and it set you off about all of them? If that's the case, then one rude WDW Cast Member lends me to believe that all of them are downright nasty. I'd say almost all of the Universal Team Members past or present used to be WDW Cast Members, past or present, or the other way around.

So I went to IOA yesterday just to see how things were looking. I have an AP, the guy at the auto plaza was friendly. There was no one directing traffic in the garages, but they didn't need it, there were plenty of spots (this was also at 3pm).

Walked through Security, no bags on me, but I smiled at them and they smiled back, walked through Citywalk, it was clean, pretty normal.

Got to IOA gates, the right hand side was open with about 3 or 4 Turnstile Attendants, I walked up and a nice lady actually waved me over saying "I can take you here!" I put my finger on the scanner and she said "oh don't you know?? You have to use your nose now!!" I laughed cause it actually was kind of funny. I told her to have a good day, and she said thanks, you too.

I walked through Port of Entry, saw one napkin on the ground but was because some just dropped it. I turned right, through Suess to check out the decorations, which were awesome. The Team Member out front of If I Ran The Zoo had sidewalk chalk and were drawing Suess characters on the ground. Cat had some as well, right at the entrance.

Walked through Lost Continent, Waterfall effect on Mythos working, and the waterfalls outside Poseidon working as well. Didn't encounter many TM's just walked past the Poseidon Greeter, who was standing upright and not leaning or doing anything wrong. She was not smiling, but any guest who approached her, she interacted in a friendly manner, which is what is expected.

Walked into WWOHP, no train conductor, but they come and go. Dragon's was a 5, girl out front was saying "anyone who's riding can have no bags, all bags must go in a locker" to a group of about 15. She did have to raise her voice, but she was not yelling at all. The Team Member in the tent scanning Express cards said "welcome brave champions!" to us as we walked by. The castle was very clean, no trash on the ground. The loaders were friendly, saying "good luck champions" while checking harnesses, the controls bid us farewell, and the unloaders all said welcome back champions.

Went to Forbidden Journey, walked through singles, all the Team Members I encountered were friendly. The ones on the belt all happened to be girls and did a dance saying "all the slytherin girls!!" Also, there was a single rider who took a middle seat who needed a end seat, so she couldn't get the harness down on him, so she unlocked the harnesses and very politely said "hey guys can you two switch seats so the harness can go down all the way?" referring to me and him. So he had the end seat, and she apologized and said "thanks muggles".

The unloader welcomes us back, saying for us to exit to the right, down the stairs.

Upon leaving the park, still very clean, and the lady at the exit turnstiles told us thank you and for us to have a good evening.

Great, friendly, themed hospitality. I should have left a comment at Guest Services on how impressed I was with it. If you think Universal is all rude, go again, they've changed it up a lot.

OMG, there was a napkin on the ground???

Seriously, well done.

That is nonsense. A good ride is a good ride and will be remembered on its own merit as well as an infamous pop culture tie in. This has both going for it. Like The Twlight Zone Tower of Terror, Jaws, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain .etc..etc... All rides near or over 20 years old and still remembered because they are based on both classic stories and are adventure experiences on their own.

Also, its not just a ride mind you, but an entire 'world' Island of the park.

You are 100% right. The theme matters from a merchandise standpoint, but it really doesn't dictate what makes a quality attraction.

 

[slappy magoo]

Again, I NEVER SAID UNIVERSAL WASN'T SAFE.

No. Of course not. You merely wrote "But about being safe at Uni..." and then you posted a link to a youtube video where someone does something decidedly unsafe at Uni.

How someone could get the idea that you're implying that Uni can be unsafe is just libelous. Really.

 

[T-1MILLION]

Universal has been looking at Avatar and Lord of

You are 100% right. The theme matters from a merchandise standpoint, but it really doesn't dictate what makes a quality attraction.

But the attraction is well done. Critics, guests and industry leaders (including Imagineers and Disney execs) agree its beyond awesome. which was the point of my entire post you quoted. The land will be popular worldwide for a very long time.

Your quote seems to sum up why the Fantasyland Expansion is going to be lackluster. What about a Little Mermaid Omnimover(the park's second and the resort's second seashell themed one and a clone of one from california right off the bat) is going to be fantastic?

 

[flavious27]

Ask and ye shall receive.
http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262450/000119312507178559/0001193125-07-178559-index.htm
It is the "THEME PARK LICENSE BETWEEN WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC."

the only info on here that was not blocked out is that the initial contract is through 06/30/2019. I would be nice to know what they are paying.

 

[Krack]

Ask and ye shall receive.
http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262450/000119312507178559/0001193125-07-178559-index.htm
It is the "THEME PARK LICENSE BETWEEN WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC."

Oooh, nice. Find me the agreement between Marvel and Universal, so I can figure out a work-around for Disney.

/Attorney

 

[fosse76]

but you are making claims like IOA is Six Flags on safety records...that is nuts.

Disney has had more fatal and non-fatal accidents than all the Six Flags parks combined. So painting Six Flags like some safety-lacking carnival is ridiculous.

And to continue with the current discussion, Spiderman is still highly regarded, so I doubt the Harry Potter hype will die down either.

 

[Captain Neo]

^That's like guests who visit WWOHP for the first time during Thanksgiving weekend. They all say "OMG it was terrible, wall to wall people, lines for everything!" It's actually ALL the parks experiencing a crazy amount of people.

Here's a picture I took today. Go to the parks now! They're empty!

I haven't been on it yet. Does the ride actualy have big drops? (I have a fear of drops)

 

[flavious27]

Disney has had more fatal and non-fatal accidents than all the Six Flags parks combined. So painting Six Flags like some safety-lacking carnival is ridiculous.

And to continue with the current discussion, Spiderman is still highly regarded, so I doubt the Harry Potter hype will die down either.

Their most popular park, Great Adventure, has the same attendance as typhoon lagoon. It is like comparing your high school JV team to the yankees.

 

[flavious27]

Oooh, nice. Find me the agreement between Marvel and Universal, so I can figure out a work-around for Disney.

/Attorney

Disney won't need to break this agreement unless they are building a park with the same theme. disney is making money from universal, why kill that revenue stream?

 

[Disneyson 1]

I haven't been on it yet. Does the ride actualy have big drops? (I have a fear of drops)

No, it's like a simulator mixed with Sorin' mixed with a dark ride. You may THINK there's a drop, but there really isn't, that would be an illusion created by the screens and the effects.

 

[Krack]

Disney won't need to break this agreement unless they are building a park with the same theme. disney is making money from universal, why kill that revenue stream?

They bought the property for a reason - it appeals to young males in the way Princesses appeal to young girls. Sure, they are making money on the licenses, but it is a double edged sword - every big Marvel film, every hot Marvel TV show, every popular Marvel video game makes Universal money. In the long run, it does not benefit Disney to have its intellectual property making money for a competing theme park (and company). Otherwise, they'd be licensing out Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Captain Jack Sparrow too, as they'd be major money makers.

As for breaking the agreement, the devil is always in the details. For example, Universal presumably has access to the rights of almost every Marvel comic book character for use in its Florida park - but does it have access to Marvel film characters? If DHS wanted to turn it's backlot tour into a How We Make Marvel Movies Backlot Tour (using Robert Downey Jr as host), could they? I think it's unlikely, but it all depends on the contract language.

How about a far more likely scenario ... could Disney build a Marvel Universe themed restaurant and mega-store at DTD? Does the contract language say Universal has exclusive rights to the characters in theme parks? Or resorts? We already know Disney can sell Marvel merchandise in their stores ... does the contract language preclude themeing an entire store? How about a water park? Or a Hotel complex?

This is Disney. They built DHS to directly steal money from Universal Orlando. They built AK to directly steal money from Busch Gardens Tampa. They built Pleasure Island to directly steal money from Church Street Station. They built DCA to try and pull people from Universal Studios, the Santa Monica Pier, and the California National Parks. If they could make IOA's Marvel-land irrelevant, they'd do it in a heartbeat.