Harry Potter IS making a difference!!

[slappy magoo]

I am an expert on Twilight fans and am well aware they make even the most ardent Disney fanboy look lightweight.

But lets be Frank, or Edna if thats how you roll at weekends, you do seem to be having a bit of a hard time accepting that since it has stabilised its ownership issues Uni has upped its game, as have most of the Florida based attractions, while Disney has basked in its former glories and been willing to trade on nostalgia and good will.

Disney management loves much cheapness, and it would appear that in an unequalled bout of corporate loyalty some folk are willing to excuse and ignore many things that had it been another company, would have had them screaming from the roof tops.

Wish that weren't true. But there are lots of things I wish weren't true that are.

 

[thelookingglass]

I would just like to hear from someone who has not followed Potter and just tried the ride.

:wave:

When I first visited WWoHP and rode Forbidden Journey back in June, only a short while after it opened, I had never read the books or seen any of the movies. I didn't understand the story, but I was still blown away. Some of the effects in the ride may be "traditional dark ride" effects, but what makes FJ so unique is that everything is right up in your face. You can almost touch the dementors.

 

[ChrisFL]

I am not a huge fan of the movies, never read the books, but the ride is very well done. Unlike Spiderman, you're floating/flying through Hogwart's castle and the transitions to the screens are completely seamless.

 

[slappy magoo]

The park with 3 coasters, 2 log flumes, a drop tower and a river rapids with some kiddie rides oh and the 3d dark ride with a 1 minute queue video that loops and loops and loops.

I would consider IOA of more of a value if there was more to it and they did more to make it an attractive choice.

I've not been to Uni in about 5 years, more a budgetary/timing thing than a lack of desire. So there's plenty at both the parks I've never tried, from Simpsons to Rip Ride Rockit to of course Harry Potter. But from the time I did spend there, I'd say there was plenty there that blew me away, and in a way that Disney's rides don't. Spiderman is an incredible attraction, as is the Hulk Coaster. I'd rather ride Popeye's Bilge Rat Barges over Kali River Rapids, it's much more fun, and the Ripsaw Falls ride is great. The Mummy attraction took my breath away and I hated the first movie so much I've never seen any of the others. Dinosaur doesn't hold a candle to Jurassic Park River Adventure. What was then Dueling Dragons was awesome. Men in Black owns the Buzz Lightyear attraction in MK (though not TSM in the Studios).

I know, in this one instance, you're only really talking about IoA, but the frequent promotions they have that allow you to park-hop for little-to-no extra charge makes the criticism less valid to me. While you have more to do across Disney's 4-parks/2-water-parks/multiple resorts/2-mini-golf courses land mass, Uni and IoA can only be blithely dismissed by people who, quite frankly, value some ridiculous sense of brand loyalty over actual fun.

 

[devoy1701]

I'm out of interesting threads to comment on...

I recently went from having seen none of the HP films to seeing the first 5 of them with the 6th arriving from Netflix tomorrow and the 7th being seen in theaters this weekend. This all happened within the last 2 weeks. I have still only read the first 4 books.

That being said. The movies aren't "great", but they are entertaining and visually stunning. Often times I find the story itself lacks some depth, including the characters themselves (even the main trio is a little hit or miss at time). I especially hate the contrast between the first actor who played Dumbledore in the first 2 movies and the guy who took over after his death. He went from being a very quiet, passive, humble, collected and wise elder to an outlandish, loud, and almost eccentric "young adult" like persona. Talk about 2 actors have a distinctly different opinion of how to portray the character. Yet I do find myself drawn to the movies. Mostly because of the cliffhanger endings that leave you wanting to put the next disc in. I also have so far found the 4th movie to be the most emotionally stimulating in terms that I was actually "rooting" for Harry in the graveyard scene.

Anyway...I don't konw yet if I plan to revisit the books or not yet, but I know that my fiance appreciates me taking the time to watch these again with her (maybe I had an alternative motive?) and I suspect that having watched the movies will help me appreciate the theme park attractions when we visit HP Land this year. But I still wouldn't classify the HP movies as some of the best movies of our time despite what the masses say. And you will never find me at a midnight movie premiere for HP or anywhere near those rabid fans! :wave:

 

[jakeman]

This. The shops at WWoHP aren't, generally, any smaller than many of the shops at WDW and any other theme/amusement park.

That is a load...

The shops are tiny. In most places you can't put your elbows out without touching shelves on either side.

That's fine by me. It's part of the theming. However, to compare HP's shop size to that of Disney is ridiculous.

Really, the amount of hyperbole and distortion on both sides of this argument makes it about as effective as discussing Horizons.

For every person around here that hates it simply because it isn't Disney is another, just as loud that refuses to accept any dissenting opinion regarding HP's supposed greatness.

 

[T-1MILLION]

That is a load...

The shops are tiny. In most places you can't put your elbows out without touching shelves on either side.

That's fine by me. It's part of the theming. However, to compare HP's shop size to that of Disney is ridiculous.

Really, the amount of hyperbole and distortion on both sides of this argument makes it about as effective as discussing Horizons.

For every person around here that hates it simply because it isn't Disney is another, just as loud that refuses to accept any dissenting opinion regarding HP's supposed greatness.

I don't know about you but I am 300 pounds and 6 feet tall. As long as it is not the main summer rush or Christmas Break I don't feel crowded in those at all. In other words, minus the large amounts of people I don't find the stores crowded and my elbows never touch opposite shelves.

We are not saying Emporium. But there are boutiques around that are in fair comparison.

Regardless. Even if no one can agree on that. Its the crowds that are purchasing, not the size of the store and the sales are amazingly through the roof of charts.

 

[jakeman]

I don't know about you but I am 300 pounds and 6 feet tall. As long as it is not the main summer rush or Christmas Break I don't feel crowded in those at all. In other words, minus the large amounts of people I don't find the stores crowded and my elbows never touch opposite shelves.

We are not saying Emporium. But there are boutiques around that are in fair comparison.

Regardless. Even if no one can agree on that. Its the crowds that are purchasing, not the size of the store and the sales are amazingly through the roof of charts.

You just proved my point.

The stores are small. They are small by design. They are supposed to feel crowded.

However, when it's presented as the slightest bit of criticism towards Potterland, all of a sudden a 6ft, 300 lbs man can easily glide through them. That differs from my experience and I am 2 inches shorter and 80 lbs lighter.

I must carry all my weight in my elbows.

 

[T-1MILLION]

You just proved my point.

The stores are small. They are small by design. They are supposed to feel crowded.

However, when it's presented as the slightest bit of criticism towards Potterland, all of a sudden a 6ft, 300 lbs man can easily glide through them. That differs from my experience and I am 2 inches shorter and 80 lbs lighter.

I must carry all my weight in my elbows.

Yeah, or a real 'load' on your shoulders.

smaller than a main giftshop by design is different from tiny. The stores are specific merchandise themed to one property. The stores have quite a bit of floor space and are easily comparable to many shops around WDW. That was the point you missed.

 

[jakeman]

Yeah, or a real load on your shoulders.

I see in the absence of any real dialogue, you opted for a poorly veiled insult.

Awesome.

Nice edit though to make it seem like you were participating.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Universal have finally added an on line merchandise page to their web site so I guess there is interest.

Not my sort of thing but then neither is made in China overpriced fairy tat.

 

[thelookingglass]

I applaud the gift shops in WWoHP in that, for the first time ever, themed gift shops are absolutely accurately themed, and not just a familiar name stamped on a moderately themed gift shop (like how the Kwik-E-Mart by The Simpsons Ride is nothing like the Kwik-E-Mart in the show), and the merchandise available actually makes sense to be sold there (with the exception of Filch's at the exit of FJ).

 

[T-1MILLION]

Universal have finally added an on line merchandise page to their web site so I guess there is interest.

Not my sort of thing but then neither is made in China overpriced fairy tat.

Its been there for a while actually if you mean the Potter Merch.

That was the main reason their online store finally got a full page. I made a purchase for a Christmas gift for someone that was just a small gift. A keychain. I don't think I would do it again though online. I did it to avoid the hassle of gas and making a three hour drive trip up there and fighting crowds at the time. I just wanted that gift. The reason I don't think I would redo that scenario would be due to that the charge for shipping for the keychain was as much as the pricey keychain itself. Nothing that size should cost that much to ship.

 

[Monty]

I've not been to Uni in about 5 years, more a budgetary/timing thing than a lack of desire. So there's plenty at both the parks I've never tried, from Simpsons to Rip Ride Rockit to of course Harry Potter. But from the time I did spend there, I'd say there was plenty there that blew me away, and in a way that Disney's rides don't. Spiderman is an incredible attraction, as is the Hulk Coaster. I'd rather ride Popeye's Bilge Rat Barges over Kali River Rapids, it's much more fun, and the Ripsaw Falls ride is great. The Mummy attraction took my breath away and I hated the first movie so much I've never seen any of the others. Dinosaur doesn't hold a candle to Jurassic Park River Adventure. What was then Dueling Dragons was awesome. Men in Black owns the Buzz Lightyear attraction in MK (though not TSM in the Studios).

I know, in this one instance, you're only really talking about IoA, but the frequent promotions they have that allow you to park-hop for little-to-no extra charge makes the criticism less valid to me. While you have more to do across Disney's 4-parks/2-water-parks/multiple resorts/2-mini-golf courses land mass, Uni and IoA can only be blithely dismissed by people who, quite frankly, value some ridiculous sense of brand loyalty over actual fun.

General condemnations of people are really not appropriate. You have no idea what my reasons are for dismissing Uni and IoA. The reality is that what Universal has to offer simply isn't for everyone. I and my son both simply did not enjoy what they had to offer enough to warrant the cost of going. We have no specific brand loyalty or blithe approach to our assessment of their offerings.

You are certainly entitled to your differing opinion, but don't denigrate mine blindly, you don't know me and have no right to think for me.

 

[Monty]

Its been there for a while actually if you mean the Potter Merch.

That was the main reason their online store finally got a full page. I made a purchase for a Christmas gift for someone that was just a small gift. A keychain. I don't think I would do it again though online. I did it to avoid the hassle of gas and making a three hour drive trip up there and fighting crowds at the time. I just wanted that gift. The reason I don't think I would redo that scenario would be due to that the charge for shipping for the keychain was as much as the pricey keychain itself. Nothing that size should cost that much to ship.

In fairness, Disney's on-line shipping charges are absolutely ridiculous as well.

 

[T-1MILLION]

Cheap as in cheapens the experience. When sunset blvd was built, did they just retheme some existing rides?

Sorry, you are allowed to differ in opinion which resort you enjoy more. That is the consumer's and person's right of opinion but this one always makes me laugh. You can't make a comparison like one park is better than the other using that example when we have the 'new' DCA and Fantasyland Expansion. Look at those lately?

 

[slappy magoo]

General condemnations of people are really not appropriate. You have no idea what my reasons are for dismissing Uni and IoA. The reality is that what Universal has to offer simply isn't for everyone. I and my son both simply did not enjoy what they had to offer enough to warrant the cost of going. We have no specific brand loyalty or blithe approach to our assessment of their offerings.

You are certainly entitled to your differing opinion, but don't denigrate mine blindly, you don't know me and have no right to think for me.

I don't know why you thought I was referring to you. I wouldn't put your style of comment in the "blithe dismissal" category.

 

[Monty]

I don't know why you thought I was referring to you. I wouldn't put your style of comment in the "blithe dismissal" category.

You made a general statement that in my view implied that any dismissal of Universal's offerings was the result of "valu[ing] some ridiculous sense of brand loyalty over actual fun". Whether you consider my specific "style" blithe or not, I found it unfairly dismissive of all who disagree.

Whether your post was directed at me or at any other individual, it was making an unfounded determination of others' motivations for their own opinions. :shrug:

 

[jakeman]

Universal have finally added an on line merchandise page to their web site so I guess there is interest.

Not my sort of thing but then neither is made in China overpriced fairy tat.

That's pretty cool though.

It seems more complete than Disney's online offerings.

Apparently, wizard wands are not immune to the chewing of dogs so it will be nice for the kid to have a opportunity to replace his.

 

[slappy magoo]

You made a general statement that in my view implied that any dismissal of Universal's offerings was the result of "valu[ing] some ridiculous sense of brand loyalty over actual fun". Whether you consider my specific "style" blithe or not, I found it unfairly dismissive of all who disagree.

Whether your post was directed at me or at any other individual, it was making an unfounded determination of others' motivations for their own opinions. :shrug:

...and yet...instead of a general condemnation of my writing style...you opted...to make it about you...

...hmmmm...

...interesting...

look, here's my deal, if you don't like Uni, it's really no skin off my bean. What I found interesting is that, unlike your more-thoughtful explanation as to why Uni/IoA isn't for you or your family, SOME people are going out of their way to describe how Uni/IoA sucks the suckiest sucks that ever sucked. Which *I* think reads like a general condemnation of people who DO like Uni/IoA. Not to mention, kinda silly.