Harry Potter IS making a difference!!

[RSoxNo1]

Unless Universal builds on this plan, Disney will keep increasing by doing nothing and IoA will go back to normal. Even as a huge potter fan, there is not enough to keep me going back multiple times.

There are stronger rumors coming out of Universal Studios about expanding IOA with more Harry Potter and either Avatar or Lord of the Rings.

Did you see the photos that were posted here about opening day of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the crowds trumped the opening of any theme park anywhere, and all it was is a small land in an existing theme park.

Now, if you're not a Harry Potter fan, there may not be enough to bring you back multiple times, but I would argue that Forbidden Journey, Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, and Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges are a stronger top 3 attractions than any theme park in Florida.

Islands of Adventure is far from perfect, but if you're above the age of 13 and go to parks for great attractions, Islands of Adventure lines up pretty well.

:shrug: If Harry Potter is already making such big waves in Orlando, what is Disney doing (ABC Family) showing a two-day Harry Potter marathon? I understand that ABC/ABC Family is a separate division than the theme parks, and sure, HP probably attracted a good-sized audience = $$$, but it seems like "robbing your left pocket to pay your right" doesn't it. Can anyone say communication breakdown? :shrug:

It's a good question, but a company the size of Disney, with so many different independently operated divisions has to do what's best for their division. I think the word is out on Harry Potter - I'm not sure people are watching Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on ABC and immediately thinking, "I gotta go to Islands of Adventure".

A more glaring example of "robbing your left pocked to pay your right" is the add I saw on NBC recently starring Conan O'Brien. That's a failure from the marketing department.

WDW will have alot of unhappy campers if they pulled that, along with the fact that their a real town that the book is based in.

Disney has franchises that they can turn to.

Carsland is one, and although it's being sold to a different demographic, it's a demographic that is more likely to buy merchandise (or have parents buy merchandise for them).

Star Wars is another franchise they can turn to. Assuming there isn't too much skimping, Star Tours can benefit Disney

If Tron is successful, I would say this is Disney's best chance to take the same demographics as Potter with fans of a new franchise. We'll know if this is a legitimate option after next weekend when the movie opens in theaters.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I think the word is out on Harry Potter - I'm not sure people are watching Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on ABC and immediately thinking, "I gotta go to Islands of Adventure".

And even if they do plan a trip to Orlando on the spot, guess what else they're going to be likely to want to see while they're in the neighborhood. There's no downside to Disney on this one.

 

[janoimagine]

If it applies to just girls, then I agree it's not a "tween" book. I mean just that age group, not gender restraint.

But 'Tweens' are by definition gender defined.

 

[s8film40]

I was at the MK yesterday, usually when it gets cold out and catches the visiting tourists by surprise you see an increase in Disney sweaters and warmer wear. While I certainly saw this I started to notice that a lot of people had Harry Potter scarfs in fact more so than the Disney merchandise. Just out of curiosity I decided to start counting guests and noting the number that had the Gryffindor scarfs, it worked out to about 1 in every 50-75. If it were an item being sold in the MK I would say it would probably be one of the best selling pieces of clothing in the park based on how many you see people wearing. I think the percentage of people visiting Disney and also visiting Universal is very high.

 

[janoimagine]

Most of it including majors deaths were planned before PS was published.

Where in the world are you coming up with this?!? :lol:

Jo said in an interview herself that none of these were planned from the beginning, they happened as the book's evolved.

 

[reactortrip]

Where in the world are you coming up with this?!? :lol:

Jo said in an interview herself that none of these were planned from the beginning, they happened as the book's evolved.

Interviews with Jo, she actually has said this and you can find those interviews with simple google searches. She had a rough plan for the the entire story as she was writing Philosopher's Stone.

 

[reactortrip]

But 'Tweens' are by definition gender defined.

As I said in the post you quoted, I didn't know the usage was gender only. Also this wiki dictionary shows it as gender neutral http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tween

Along with dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tween

Where you are from it may not be gender neutral, I have always heard it used as a gender neutral term to describe a person who is between child and teenager, hence tween. If you take it as female, then that is not what I meant. I meant it as a purely gender neutral statement.

It is a slang term and not a hard and fast websters word, so there can be regional differences in usage.

 

[Jrn14]

Tweens are both boys and girls...

a 12 year old boy is a tween

 

[flavious27]

There are stronger rumors coming out of Universal Studios about expanding IOA with more Harry Potter and either Avatar or Lord of the Rings.

Did you see the photos that were posted here about opening day of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the crowds trumped the opening of any theme park anywhere, and all it was is a small land in an existing theme park.

Now, if you're not a Harry Potter fan, there may not be enough to bring you back multiple times, but I would argue that Forbidden Journey, Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, and Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges are a stronger top 3 attractions than any theme park in Florida.

Islands of Adventure is far from perfect, but if you're above the age of 13 and go to parks for great attractions, Islands of Adventure lines up pretty well.



It's a good question, but a company the size of Disney, with so many different independently operated divisions has to do what's best for their division. I think the word is out on Harry Potter - I'm not sure people are watching Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on ABC and immediately thinking, "I gotta go to Islands of Adventure".

A more glaring example of "robbing your left pocked to pay your right" is the add I saw on NBC recently starring Conan O'Brien. That's a failure from the marketing department.



Disney has franchises that they can turn to.

Carsland is one, and although it's being sold to a different demographic, it's a demographic that is more likely to buy merchandise (or have parents buy merchandise for them).

Star Wars is another franchise they can turn to. Assuming there isn't too much skimping, Star Tours can benefit Disney

If Tron is successful, I would say this is Disney's best chance to take the same demographics as Potter with fans of a new franchise. We'll know if this is a legitimate option after next weekend when the movie opens in theaters.

Tron will be a single ride and gift shop. TDO will not be able to use the carsland concept until after it opens in dca and it won't cannibalize any potential guests going to dlr. if no more movies in the pipeline, star wars will just be star tours unless lucas puts up the money to build a land.

The problem will disney producing a similar fantasy series to hp, is that it will not be ready for any of the parks as a land for almost a decade.

 

[disneyeater]

Definition of tween From dictionary.com:

a youngster between 10 and 12 years of age, considered too old to be a child and too young to be a teenager.

 

[JustInTime]

I believe HP's theme music was also played as background music in DHS at one point too, correct?

Yes, Hedwig's Theme used to play around DHS. Actually, I think it was around GMR..

 

[janoimagine]

She had a rough plan for the the entire story as she was writing Philosopher's Stone.

Rough plan yes, however she has stated that the deaths weren't planned , rather happened throught the course of her evolving the stories.

 

[cheezbat]

There are stronger rumors coming out of Universal Studios about expanding IOA with more Harry Potter and either Avatar or Lord of the Rings.

Did you see the photos that were posted here about opening day of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the crowds trumped the opening of any theme park anywhere, and all it was is a small land in an existing theme park.

Now, if you're not a Harry Potter fan, there may not be enough to bring you back multiple times, but I would argue that Forbidden Journey, Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, and Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges are a stronger top 3 attractions than any theme park in Florida.

Islands of Adventure is far from perfect, but if you're above the age of 13 and go to parks for great attractions, Islands of Adventure lines up pretty well.


.

I'd love to see Lord of the Rings...and maybe Avatar added to IOA nad Universal, even though I didn't really care for the Avatar movie. I'm sure these attractions will definitely boost Universal's attendance even further and keep those crowds coming in and spending money.

I was at IOA on opening day, and it was INSANE. Probably the busiest I have ever seen it at ANY theme park I've been to.

IOA has many great top liner attractions. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges, Dragon Challenge, Jurassic Park River Adventure, the Hulk, and Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls are all E-ticket attractions. How many parks can boast that many big attractions? None in Florida. Personally, I think adding one additional land to IOA, and adding a few smaller rides here and there in that park would make the park next to perfect. Now, Universal Studios on the other hand, could use some more big new fresh attractions.

Now if only Disney would get back to innovating and trying to keep WDW as the King of theme park resorts. :lookaroun

 

[thelookingglass]

LOL @ people saying HP is strictly a "tween" franchise.

Yes, tweens DO like it. EVERY demographic likes it. When I saw Deathly Hallows in the theater, there was nobody under the age of 18 in my theater.

You want tween? See "Disney Channel Rocks!" at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

 

[trr1]

LOL @ people saying HP is strictly a "tween" franchise.

Yes, tweens DO like it. EVERY demographic likes it. When I saw Deathly Hallows in the theater, there was nobody under the age of 18 in my theater.

You want tween? See "Disney Channel Rocks!" at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

or the electrocution show it was just shocking:lookaroun

 

[flavious27]

I'd love to see Lord of the Rings...and maybe Avatar added to IOA nad Universal, even though I didn't really care for the Avatar movie. I'm sure these attractions will definitely boost Universal's attendance even further and keep those crowds coming in and spending money.

I was at IOA on opening day, and it was INSANE. Probably the busiest I have ever seen it at ANY theme park I've been to.

IOA has many great top liner attractions. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges, Dragon Challenge, Jurassic Park River Adventure, the Hulk, and Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls are all E-ticket attractions. How many parks can boast that many big attractions? None in Florida. Personally, I think adding one additional land to IOA, and adding a few smaller rides here and there in that park would make the park next to perfect. Now, Universal Studios on the other hand, could use some more big new fresh attractions.

Now if only Disney would get back to innovating and trying to keep WDW as the King of theme park resorts. :lookaroun

I would love to see someone create a LOTR themed land but I don't think IOA will because they can't expand anymore, and I really don't want to see them turn Hulk into a trip to Mordor and Spiderman into Moria.

 

[Captain Chaos]

LOL @ people saying HP is strictly a "tween" franchise.

Yes, tweens DO like it. EVERY demographic likes it. When I saw Deathly Hallows in the theater, there was nobody under the age of 18 in my theater.

You want tween? See "Disney Channel Rocks!" at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Same here.. There were no "tweens" or kids in general at the theater when I saw Deathly Hallows... The theater was packed with adults... mid-twenties to 50's...

 

[biggy H]

Something that has helped Universal's gate numbers is that one of the UK's biggest tour operators has a special deal that allows guests early entry to WWoHP as part of buying tickets with them.

Buy Universal Orlando® Resort theme park tickets together with your Virgin Holiday and receive special guest benefits* including:Buy Universal Orlando® Resort theme park tickets together with your Virgin Holiday and receive special guest benefits* including:

* Early Park Admission to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
* Escorted early entrance to the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ to enjoy COMPLIMENTARY breakfast refreshments
* A COMPLIMENTARY gift (per person)
* FREE** General Admission parking at Universal Orlando for that day

I know quite a few people that are going because of this offer that would otherwise not go.

 

[flavious27]

Something that has helped Universal's gate numbers is that one of the UK's biggest tour operators has a special deal that allows guests early entry to WWoHP as part of buying tickets with them.



I know quite a few people that are going because of this offer that would otherwise not go.

the rumors of an uk hp park will take a hit out of ioa if it happens.

 

[cheezbat]

I would love to see someone create a LOTR themed land but I don't think IOA will because they can't expand anymore, and I really don't want to see them turn Hulk into a trip to Mordor and Spiderman into Moria.

What makes you think they would turn Marvel Superhero Island into LOTR? Theme parks deal with expansions when there seems to be no room all the time. I could totally see them taking out part of that space between Toon Lagoon and Jurassic Park for a LOTR land, or maybe take over part of the Lost Continent and work the park back more towards the soundstages...or dare i say it, even build a new land on the lagoon!