Harry Potter IS making a difference!!

[Monty]

Take the reaction to MontyMon for example. He was immediately pigeonholed for not expressing a glowing review of the area.

Thanks for noticing!

In fact, I actually did give a fairly glowing review of the area, I really did enjoy it. My comments that appear to have got me pilloried by the raging horde were saying that it wasn't enough in and of itself to warrant a return. If the rest of Universal was remotely worthwhile, I wouldn't hesitate in going back. :shrug:

And yet, it doesn't happen at any Subway (or Disney merch location) I've ever been to.

I believe the point is that the size of the stores equates to a Subway's size not its crowds and if they were the size of a Disney merch location, there wouldn't be a need to line up outside. But your bias apparently blinds you to that.

I disagree. I've read HP derision since before the first stone was laid. Even now, some Disney fans are working overtime to down play the phenomenal success of WWoHP.

I, for one Disney fan, never downplayed the success of WWoHP, I simply suggested and continue to suggest that its success [which I personally wouldn't categorize as 'phenomenal'] may be short-lived. I believe that once the novelty wears off, and it will, the truth will be more apparent. If, like me, people enjoy it but aren't drawn to the rest of Universal's offerings, then it's quite possible the current surge of attendance and income will dry up.

I was thoroughly looking forward to HP and held out high hopes for it prior to opening. I was not disappointed with the resultant product. I used its arrival as an excuse to advance the expansion of my horizons beyond Disney to include Universal, but that was something I intended to do despite the advent of WWoHP, just probably not this year. My ultimate decision was that while HP is good, it isn't enough to make Universal sufficiently appealing. If you like the overall package Universal provides, more power to you, I'm happy for you.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Let's not get too caught up in the "waiting in huge lines just to get into a store" thing. That is pretty much the fire marshal talking there considering each store is about the size of your local Subway.

Once we managed the crowds and got to the register there was never really more than two or three people in front of us. I don't want to minimize the importance of the merchandise. It's there and it's great, but stores being packed is more of an artifact of design rather than popularity.

I think that speaks even MORE for merch sales, IMHO... The lines may be because the stores are small... But the fact remains that people (largely) aren't passing those lines up. One would think there would be a lot of people saying "the store is full. Let's not bother". But instead, they're standing in that line.

The fact that they're getting these people to wait in a line to get into a building to spend money just facinates me... Irregardless of the reason why that line exists. It's impressive.

 

[TimeTrip]

That is the point of my post.

It's not a big gamble.

They opened a land based on Harry Potter. Staying power aside, it is one of the biggest franchises in two generations.

It's the equivalent if someone opened a Star Wars land (full land, not the pittance at DHS) in 1982.

It's really not that hard to connect the dots that this should have been done. On top of that, 80% of the work (everything from merchandise to theming) was done for them. All they had to do was build it and package it.

They are to be congratulated on a job well done. It really is a great area, but I disagree that all the accolades they are receiving, especially those regarding originality and theming are deserved.

I would hope that everyone takes some time out of their Disney vacation to taking in this addition to IOA. To judge something solely because of it's location is a sad thing to do. That goes in both directions.

It's still a gamble because something of that scale like that hasn't been doen in recent memory ESPECIALLY in this economy.

I also don't think you're giving Universal enough credit. I really doubt that there was 1 guy that just handed Universal the blueprints and said "hey, here you go, build it an you'll make money hand over fist". If that was the case, I'm sure Disney wouldn't have passed up on it.

They still had to figure out how to fit everything. Also, to add enough items to make it compelling between new experiences and re-themed existing rides. They also needed to figure out how to balance the needs of theme park crowds versus what Rowling probably wanted with scale of buildings. I'm sure there numerous other things.

Leading up to opening, many people were thinking WWOHP at IOA was a stupid idea. I mean, who would ever go there for just ONE area of Potter, and only ONE new ride. Right?

Hindsight is 20/20 and IMO that'd blinding you ;-)

 

[DisneyJoe]

I believe the point is that the size of the stores equates to a Subway's size not its crowds and if they were the size of a Disney merch location, there wouldn't be a need to line up outside.

I'm not sure how true it is, but I've read that JK Rowling insisted that the stores be small and intimate to match the books...

 

[TimeTrip]

I think that speaks even MORE for merch sales, IMHO... The lines may be because the stores are small... But the fact remains that people (largely) aren't passing those lines up. One would think there would be a lot of people saying "the store is full. Let's not bother". But instead, they're standing in that line.

The fact that they're getting these people to wait in a line to get into a building to spend money just facinates me... Irregardless of the reason why that line exists. It's impressive.

Or how about waiting in line for Ollivander's Wand experience? I wonder if many people come out of that disappointed. By now I would think the line for that show would have died down by now, but it still like hour long waits on the weekends. I'm amazed.

 

[lebeau]

I went back to look for this quote and realized you've already had this argument before.

It was a gamble for Uni in the sense that it meant changing their business model and because it was like handling plutonium. Do it right and you win big. Had they screwed it up, it would have been the biggest failure in theme park history.
Thankfully, they did it the right way by not cutting corners and by involving JKR and WB throughout the entire process.

It's hard to debate whether or not Uni is receiving the right amount of praise for WWoHP. From where I'm sitting, it seems like most posters around here go out of their way to take shots at Universal/HP. So to me, it's underrated. I guess your experience has been different.

I've got no issue with Universal sticking closely to the source material they paid a premium for. Again, not sure what you're arguing against there.

On the other hand, the internet has been convinced that HP was perfect before the first stone was laid. I have a feeling that regardless of what Disney would have done, we would be having this same conversation.

Total agreement here.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Or how about waiting in line for Ollivander's Wand experience? I wonder if many people come out of that disappointed. By now I would think the line for that show would have died down by now, but it still like hour long waits on the weekends. I'm amazed.

Can you purchase a genuine Harry Potter/Olivander wand anywhere else in the world? or butterbeer?

 

[Monty]

I'm not sure how true it is, but I've read that JK Rowling insisted that the stores be small and intimate to match the books...

That's certainly conceivable. I like the set-up as it is, it does match the style of the books.

I was more pointing out the result being lines outside rather than people inside. The initial argument seems to have been that the poster has never seen such lines outside a Disney merch outlet and touting that as proof the WWoHP is 'phenomenally' successful, where it is IMO more a factor of design impacting crowd flow. I think the more telling comment was that once you struggled through the small store and found what you wanted, there were usually only two or three in front of you in line for the cash.

 

[lebeau]

In fact, I actually did give a fairly glowing review of the area, I really did enjoy it. My comments that appear to have got me pilloried by the raging horde were saying that it wasn't enough in and of itself to warrant a return. If the rest of Universal was remotely worthwhile, I wouldn't hesitate in going back. :shrug:

That is not the way I would characterize the discussion at all...

I believe the point is that the size of the stores equates to a Subway's size not its crowds and if they were the size of a Disney merch location, there wouldn't be a need to line up outside. But your bias apparently blinds you to that.

I don't believe you understood the point I was trying to make. Just because the store is small, that doesn't mean a line out the door will follow. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything like it that's open on a year-round basis.

I, for one Disney fan, never downplayed the success of WWoHP, I simply suggested and continue to suggest that its success [which I personally wouldn't categorize as 'phenomenal'] may be short-lived. I believe that once the novelty wears off, and it will, the truth will be more apparent. If, like me, people enjoy it but aren't drawn to the rest of Universal's offerings, then it's quite possible the current surge of attendance and income will dry up.

I think you may be over-estimating the number of people who will feel the way that you, a die-hard Disney fan, feel.

Time will tell.

 

[Monty]

Can you purchase a genuine Harry Potter/Olivander wand anywhere else in the world? or butterbeer?

Both. There are a few spots to get Butterbeer and at least one or two locations elsewhere to buy wands.

The line is for the "attraction" of the wand 'selecting' the guest. I don't know how much the show changes from visit to visit, if at all, but the popularity seems to be there. We never thought of joining the line while we were there, the show is too short to wait that long in August heat for us. :shrug:

 

[Monty]

I think you may be over-estimating the number of people who will feel the way that you, a die-hard Disney fan, feel.

Time will tell.

While you still don't seem to get that my son and I were more than willing to give Universal a chance and decided it simply wasn't for us, that last line actually reflects my point, I am of an opinion that it is possible that it's a temporary surge and that time will tell.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Maybe the Mouse should be pope given its infallibility.

 

[TimeTrip]

Can you purchase a genuine Harry Potter/Olivander wand anywhere else in the world? or butterbeer?

I was talking specifically about the line Ollivander's wand experience. You don't have to wait on THAT line to buy a wand, and obviously it has nothing to do with butterbeer. I'm marvelling at the fact that the line for that experience is always remarkably long. Either people don't realize what they're actually waiting for, or they really REALLY like that show.

 

[lebeau]

While you still don't seem to get that my son and I were more than willing to give Universal a chance and decided it simply wasn't for us, that last line actually reflects my point, I am of an opinion that it is possible that it's a temporary surge and that time will tell.

I've never accused you or your son of closed-mindedness. (I know others have, but not me.) Your opinions are as valid as anyone else's. I'm just not sure they are representative of the public at large.

Time will tell. We can agree on that. But where you see a temporary surge, I see a temporary boom followed by long-term growth.

 

[T-1MILLION]

The stores are small but they are not terribly small considering each one sells specific merchandise that fits in that store. Especially with the case of honeydukes

Honeydukes sells just candy and is connected to Zonkos which is a tiny section of the same connected store, every time in there I have always had a wait and there are always at least three chashier workers there.

Dervish and Banges is more of the everything novelty and props in The Wizarding World that people could want that of course are not practical such as Wands, Rememberalls, time turners, brooms, The Quibbler Magazine and text books like The Monster Book of Monsters. That store is not small at all. It is one of the larger stores at any non front emporium and non exiting a ride gift shop store at a theme park I know of and it is always a wait to purchase something.

I encounter lines at the registers all the time, and that is where it counts.

And let's not forget that the main attraction and most popular exits through Filtch's confiscated goods. Upwards of 4 million people have exited through there. Its packed from traffic from both directions of exiting and entering, and it is no small shop.

And again, of course its not going to give the park the same attendance surge in years from now. That is just common sense and why theme parks have to always keep adding and reimagining things. You have nostalgia but you have to give people the big incentive to come back if they are on edge. Is everest still drawing people into AK like it was five years ago? No, but it is still an E ticket draw.

 

[Monty]

I've never accused you or your son of closed-mindedness. (I know others have, but not me.) Your opinions are as valid as anyone else's. I'm just not sure they are representative of the public at large.

Time will tell. We can agree on that. But where you see a temporary surge, I see a temporary boom followed by long-term growth.

:lol:

Fair 'nuf.

 

[thelookingglass]

Second is the attractions themselves. FJ truly is a groundbreaking piece of work and no amount of nitpicking can take that away, but Monty is right. If you are looking at it objectively and with the same standards applied to Disney rides, the re-ride ability is low and by the third time it's easy to pick out exposed struts and supports.

Yeah, seriously, if only they had done as good a job as Disney did on Toy Story Mani-- oh, wait, nevermind!

Also, the only time I have seen exposed supports on FJ is when I craned my head around to look behind my bench. That will happen on every ride if you look where you're not supposed to. (try it on Splash Mountain)

 

[drew81]

I would agree with this. Given a few years, I don't see people queueing 30 minutes just to enter a gift shop, or to see a wand demonstration. A single attraction will not hold the attention year after year. If it does, then they obviously are using magic on the guests LOL

Well based on how incredibly tight for land they are, how in debt they are, and how much they spent on Potter, I don't see anything big coming for the next 10 years.

I believe the current contract requires an expansion of more attractions within a 2 year period. I heard that possibly some of that expansion could take some of the Jurassic Park area.

 

[fosse76]

Or how about waiting in line for Ollivander's Wand experience? I wonder if many people come out of that disappointed. By now I would think the line for that show would have died down by now, but it still like hour long waits on the weekends. I'm amazed.

I know! The rest of the park will be dead, short waits for rides, yet people are still in line to go into the shops and Ollivanders.

 

[T-1MILLION]

I know! The rest of the park will be dead, short waits for rides, yet people are still in line to go into the shops and Ollivanders.

People enjoy it. Its not the greatest thing in the world and they don't come out blown away, but the fact is its a huge piece of magic from one of the highest grossing films of all time.