Most Comparable to Wizarding World?

[Prototype82]

Before you guys flame me for bringing Universal Resort into discussion, hear me out. I'm merely curious. I've always been an advocate of sorts for Disney. The name invented the concept of the theme park and is best at the business that it created. Now recently I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was phenomenal.

The buildings feel hundreds of years old. Theming is everywhere. and blinking will make you miss even the minutest details and happenings going on in Hogsmeade Village. On top of that, the flagship ride utilizes technologies that Disney is just beginning to dabble in. I was curious as to what Disney attraction you would find most comparable to the vastness of this new creation. I'm going to have to go with Expedition Everest.

 

[SleepingMonk]

I don't think anything comes close.

We'll see what the new expansion brings though, I know WDW can do it I'm just not sure they care to.

 

[wizards8507]

I was curious as to what Disney attraction you would find most comparable to the vastness of this new creation. I'm going to have to go with Expedition Everest.

The comparison doesn't work. People who boost up WWoHP only like to talk about the good and COMPLETELY ignore the bad. As awesome as the general theming of the land and the technology of the Forbidden Journey are, how about the utter lack of theming of Dragon Challenge or Flight of the Hippogriff? Have you ever seen bare, steel roller coaster track at WDW (excluding Primeval Whirl, which is supposed to be tacky)? You can't compare an entire land to one attraction, it just doesn't work.

 

[Contrast]

I don't think anything comes close neither. The detail in WWoHP is magnificent, although Disney do have a quite a few attractions with a lot of good detail but none really in the same standard as WW.

 

[wizards8507]

I don't think anything comes close neither. The detail in WWoHP is magnificent, although Disney do have a quite a few attractions with a lot of good detail but none really in the same standard as WW.

Asia and Africa in the Animal Kingdom have every bit as much detail as WWoHP, there's just not a fanboy around to name every single detail as "Franky Farts Fantastic Footlong Franks." The only difference is that you can POINT to the HP detail as something from the HP universe.

 

[Prototype82]

I don't think anything comes close.

We'll see what the new expansion brings though, I know WDW can do it I'm just not sure they care to.

That's the truth. I have a fair amount of faith in Fantasyland but it won't be the "Potter-Swatter" that people are calling it. I wish they'd make Epcot their opportunity to build an elaborate and vast expanse. Tear down the Millenium Village and expand the UK. Throw in a double decker bus and an innovative ride. Re-work facades in the Germany pavilion and build that Rhine River Cruise. Pump rediculous amounts of detail in a modern Tokyo expanse behind the Japan pavilion. There's so much I'd love to see that's never going to happen.

 

[jakeman]

Asia and Africa in the Animal Kingdom have every bit as much detail as WWoHP, there's just not a fanboy around to name every single detail as "Franky Farts Fantastic Footlong Franks." The only difference is that you can POINT to the HP detail as something from the HP universe.

Regarding the theme (not the ride), I feel this is spot on.

Africa and especially Asia are some of the best themed areas of any theme park anywhere.

They are on par with anything at Potterland; as you said, they just lack the brand recognition that makes the theme more identifiable.

That's the truth. I have a fair amount of faith in Fantasyland but it won't be the "Potter-Swatter" that people are calling it.

Nobody is calling it a Potter-Swatter except for posters who say "people" are calling it a Potter-Swatter so they can say that it's not.

 

[Prototype82]

The comparison doesn't work. People who boost up WWoHP only like to talk about the good and COMPLETELY ignore the bad. As awesome as the general theming of the land and the technology of the Forbidden Journey are, how about the utter lack of theming of Dragon Challenge or Flight of the Hippogriff? Have you ever seen bare, steel roller coaster track at WDW (excluding Primeval Whirl, which is supposed to be tacky)? You can't compare an entire land to one attraction, it just doesn't work.

Believe me, the queue for Dragon Challenge blew me away until I started walking back into the caverns that were once elaborately themed for dueling dragons. And as for the unthemed coasters, you have a point there. With Disney, if it's a coaster, it's not going to look like one. It'll be a train spouting real steam as it comes into the station. That's the Disney difference.

 

[Prototype82]

Asia and Africa in the Animal Kingdom have every bit as much detail as WWoHP, there's just not a fanboy around to name every single detail as "Franky Farts Fantastic Footlong Franks." The only difference is that you can POINT to the HP detail as something from the HP universe.

Africa and Asia are what come to mind for me as well. They're incredible.

 

[wdwmagic]

Africa and Asia are what come to mind for me as well. They're incredible.

Yep and Africa features a WORKING train, unlike the static display at Potter. If Potter was at Disney they would have been slated for not having that train operational. Then the transition from the neighboring lands and the visual intrusion of the show buildings.

 

[WDWGoof07]

• AK Africa
• AK Asia
• Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd
• World Showcase
• Main Street USA
• Cinderella Castle

Just to name a few...

 

[Prototype82]

Then the transition from the neighboring lands and the visual intrusion of the show buildings.

This was one of the few things that drove me absolutely nuts. It's the sort of thing Disney would never be caught doing. Well they cheaped out and did it once. *cough*Via Napoli*cough*

 

[WDWGoof07]

Nobody is calling it a Potter-Swatter except for posters who say "people" are calling it a Potter-Swatter so they can say that it's not.

Yep and Africa features a WORKING train, unlike the static display at Potter. If Potter was at Disney they would have been slated for not having that train operational. Then the transition from the neighboring lands and the visual intrusion of the show buildings.

Quoted for truth.

 

[Prototype82]

• AK Africa
• AK Asia
• Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd
• World Showcase
• Main Street USA
• Cinderella Castle

Just to name a few...

I'd say World Showcase as well except it was never completely finished. There are empty show rooms behind two of the pavilions and they're just screaming to be expanded. Architecturally though, They are phenomenal. That's why Epcot is my favorite park. It just drives me mad that they decided to change plans and not sculpt any masonry into the castle backdrop in Germany.

 

[powlessfamily4]

I guess the true test here is time. It is easy to roll out something new, that is highly popular and see everyone get excited about it. I admit to being "pro" Disney everything. However, I also feel it is good for both parks to keep a competitive edge. I have been to Universal numerous times and still choose any Disney park over it. I guess it is just a matter of what type of theme you prefer

 

[Prototype82]

Nobody is calling it a Potter-Swatter except for posters who say "people" are calling it a Potter-Swatter so they can say that it's not.

Aren't you clever? Jim Hill Media and several forums. I didn't coin it.

 

[SleepingMonk]

• Main Street USA
• Cinderella Castle

Just to name a few...

Totally disagree.

The castle could be so much more, there is no way you can walk thru Hogwarts and then walk through what little you can of Cinderella's and think they compare.

And Main Street? It's charming but again, not even close.

 

[jakeman]

Aren't you clever? Jim Hill Media and several forums. I didn't coin it.

You are very easily impressed if you thought that was clever.

Most reasonable conversations (which are few and far between on the tubes of the internet) acknowledge that the FLE is in no way an answer to Potter, but to address a whole different set of issues at MK.

 

[biggiedisney123]

Dueling dragons has cool theming, The crashed car, the mountain and sound effects are great. Flight of the hippogryff(sp?) doesn't have much theming, but alas, the view is on par with anything you might see in the magic kingdom...kinda like astro....mainly a ride to get "a better view."

Potter is new and cleaner. More funky names and better window theming than the shops on mainstreet.

IMO the closest ride to forbidden journey is mission space. Cutting edge for their times....completely immersive...and worth riding over and over.

 

[Prototype82]

You are very easily impressed if you thought that was clever.

Most reasonable conversations (which are few and far between on the tubes of the internet) acknowledge that the FLE is in no way an answer to Potter, but to address a whole different set of issues at MK.

I know it's not a response to potter. I would just like to see it be of the same caliber. It takes Disney quite some time to get the green light on projects so naturally as a Disney fan I would hope for it to have as great of an impact on me. It's a project I've been anticipating.