Rivers Rowe
Member
And you have valid proof this took place other than just because you said so?
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Harry Potter Regrets
- Thread starter The Duck
- Start date
And you have valid proof this took place other than just because you said so?
Rivers Rowe
Member
ChrisFL
Premium Member
Its a well known fact that the budget was horribly slashed, and Martin from what I've seen knows as much as anyone on this forum, and if he doesn't know, he tells us as much.
Rivers Rowe
Member
If its a well known fact I didn't know about it. And if it's a fact there should be evidence to support that statement beyond just because someone said so. I would like to see some actual proof before people call it a fact.
Well, you could always make the effort and read through the threads about the SM refurb, to verify Martin's authenticity on the subject (and so many others). But I suppose simply denying the whole thing is easier.....
SleepingMonk
Well-Known Member
Someone here seems very familiar.
Just returned from a 7 day cruise on the Disney Magic, and Deathly Hallows II was playing on TV, 24/7. Go figure.
It was a sad day when Disney demurred on Harry Potter because it would have been absolutely incredible. Yet I understand the other side as well. If Disney had ceded so much control to Rowling, which is what she apparently wanted, it would have been a terrible precedent. As far as I know, they never gave overwhelming control to George Lucas for Star Tours, Spielberg for Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, or Jim Henson for Muppet Vision 3D. Other such collaborative efforts are certainly going to pop up, and complete control would probably be sought from those future projects if Rowling got it. Could Disney say no? I don't know.
Something still tells me that Disney blew it on this. Walt had to cajole the writer of Mary Poppins to get that great movie made. Roy and Walt had to work with bankers and a ton of others to build up the business in the first place. And the Pixar negotiations must have been brutal, yet ultimately rewarding for everyone at each step of the way.
With all the rumors that flew around, where is the truth with Rowling? Did she shun the idea of handicapped accessibility? Was she insane about a tiny wand shop? Would her veto power extend to nixing ideas after millions would have been spent on development? Who knows?
Yet I do recall that Disney seemed to perhaps think that The Chronicles of Narnia would be adequate competition against Harry Potter, which was obviously a ludicrous notion. Harry has staying power ala Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the Muppets. Narnia, not so much.
In my opinion, which I expressed years ago on these boards, was that the only comparable literary/movie property would be Lord of the Rings. Make an attraction from that, and maybe Disney could have that brilliant outside acquisition right to give some competition to Harry Potter. Even then, Harry Potter would still prevail in every way, but at least some true excitement would be generated.
Which takes us to the overall value of theming in the first place. But that's another debate. All I know is that Universal would probably trade its Harry Potter for all that the Pirates of the Carribean does for Disney, with the continual movies and other theming and royalty rights. So be it. And thanks for competition to give us, the customers, so much plussing.
It was a sad day when Disney demurred on Harry Potter because it would have been absolutely incredible. Yet I understand the other side as well. If Disney had ceded so much control to Rowling, which is what she apparently wanted, it would have been a terrible precedent. As far as I know, they never gave overwhelming control to George Lucas for Star Tours, Spielberg for Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, or Jim Henson for Muppet Vision 3D. Other such collaborative efforts are certainly going to pop up, and complete control would probably be sought from those future projects if Rowling got it. Could Disney say no? I don't know.
Something still tells me that Disney blew it on this. Walt had to cajole the writer of Mary Poppins to get that great movie made. Roy and Walt had to work with bankers and a ton of others to build up the business in the first place. And the Pixar negotiations must have been brutal, yet ultimately rewarding for everyone at each step of the way.
With all the rumors that flew around, where is the truth with Rowling? Did she shun the idea of handicapped accessibility? Was she insane about a tiny wand shop? Would her veto power extend to nixing ideas after millions would have been spent on development? Who knows?
Yet I do recall that Disney seemed to perhaps think that The Chronicles of Narnia would be adequate competition against Harry Potter, which was obviously a ludicrous notion. Harry has staying power ala Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the Muppets. Narnia, not so much.
In my opinion, which I expressed years ago on these boards, was that the only comparable literary/movie property would be Lord of the Rings. Make an attraction from that, and maybe Disney could have that brilliant outside acquisition right to give some competition to Harry Potter. Even then, Harry Potter would still prevail in every way, but at least some true excitement would be generated.
Which takes us to the overall value of theming in the first place. But that's another debate. All I know is that Universal would probably trade its Harry Potter for all that the Pirates of the Carribean does for Disney, with the continual movies and other theming and royalty rights. So be it. And thanks for competition to give us, the customers, so much plussing.
Lee
Adventurer
There are far more factors to consider than occupancy rates, such as:
Per guest spending (big concern for Disney)
Off-site attendance
Return on investment
Uni is giving Disney a run for their money in all those areas, and winning in per guest spending.
True, Disney is able to maintain a 70-80% occupancy rate, but what scares them is the number of those guests who are taking one or more days to visit other properties. That number is higher than ever before.
Also, more guests are making Uni a priority during their Orlando stay. Disney isn't the "hot" property in town right now. And likely won't be until they find a way to top what Uni has done with HP.
All of this concerns the Disney "powers that be" more more than a little. Like it or not.:shrug:
Prototype82
Well-Known Member
Giant tan-colored box behind Via Napoli...
Take it or leave it. Makes no odds to me. I guess it's well known to those who followed the overhaul on this forum. Some things aren't postable. Like the original refurb schedule and scope of work spreadsheet.
Thanks guys for vouching for me :wave:
bullsforthewin
New Member
StageFrenzy
Well-Known Member
Oh you are full of Crock :animwink:
bullsforthewin
New Member
If you love disney you are a blind fanboy, if you love UNI you are somehow smart...got to love the hypocrisy
disney fan 13
Well-Known Member
Or bull :animwink:
tl77
Well-Known Member
I agree 100% people go to Disney World to see Disney characters, Disney needs to focus on making great films of their own, and creating great characters again, instead of just buying and selling the flavor of the month.
Harry Potterland may the hot thing of the moment, but so was the Back to the Future Ride 20 years ago, it's now gone.
I live in southeast Pennsylvania, there's Six Flags, Hershey Park, King's Dominion, Busch Gardens, Dorney Park, and a dozen more all a few just hours drive away. All these parks license different stuff like Bugs Bunny, Batman, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, ect... but there's absolutely nothing special about any of it, it feels like you're in some kind of shopping mall, like "Hey kids buy a Bugs Bunny t-shirt":hurl:
The people running WDW shouldn't lost sight of the fact that the Disney name means something special to people, otherwise it'll turn into nothing but a big shopping mall, and when that happens then you really will need to start worring about what the people down the street is selling
Deadmanwalking
Member
I'm afraid that if HP was done by Disney you would have had a much different Harry Potter... I don't think you would have the same actors for one thing... I mean Disney has really gone PC to the nth degree. Look at the typical Disney Channel show and you can easily see some Disney committee saying, "Okay, but we really need one of the kids to be black, one to be Hispanic and one to be Asian... Our demographics show that such a change will increase opening day revenue by X percent."
I mean, be honest... how often has Disney gone over board letting marketing demographics drive content...
I mean, be honest... how often has Disney gone over board letting marketing demographics drive content...
CP_alum08
Well-Known Member
I agree. Pixar Land > Avatar Land.
What "great" Pixar ride? Toy Story Mania is a lame ride-past video game, that I have no interest in ever experiencing again.