Potter 2.0 Could Be Coming As Early as June 2014, Will Disney Respond?

#OccupyBeastlyKingdom

Member
Original Poster
Screamscape (inb4 "stopped reading at screamscape") is reporting today that Potter 2.0 at USF could be opening the week of June 11th, 2014. If you've been following this expansion, you know that construction has been moving along significantly recently and this timetable seems accurate.

Additionally, multiple sources have reported survey work being done around JP at IoA, with an expansion ( @HTF ) rumored to be coming alongside the summer 2014 release of JP4. If these were to open back-to-back, this could do some significant damage to Disney's less in-demand parks (I'm looking at you DAK and HS), as Disney vacation days are swapped for two days at USF and IoA.

Will Disney now expedite some if its projects? Maybe give RSR and MI the green-light so HS can remain competitive? Otherwise summer 2k14 absolutely belongs to Universal Studios...and I can say that I'm excited for it.

It seems USF is doing everything right these days. We all know what an enormous success Potterland 1.0 was for the park and how its merchandise sales redefined the theme park's business model. It will undoubtedly be incorporated into future expansions, starting this summer with the Simpson's mini-land (Krusty Burger and a Flaming Moe, anyone?).

Disney really needs to rethink its bland merchandising that we've all been complaining about for years. Universal is proving that unique merchandise offerings create an immersive experience that guests not only enjoy, but are willing to spend lots money on. Couple that with the quality of it's recent attractions, and USF and IoA are looking like must-see destinations for our next vacation.

Universal Studios Florida used to be considered the poor man's Walt Disney World, but things are changing and they're going to change quickly...and we just might find ourselves in the middle of another theme park war :cool:
 

djkidkaz

Well-Known Member
I can definitely see June 2014 as I still see commercials for Harry Potter 1.0 on TV, so I would think they would want to expedite 2.0 to keep folks coming back and talking about it.
 

dcibrando

Well-Known Member
USO is definitely pushing a lot of money into their theme parks... and seem to be building things MUCH quicker than Disney (not sure why that is??????). If it ignites a fire under TDO's ...then I certainly like it. I love Disney... but they need more "wow" projects (lands, attractions, heck a new theme park, whatever, etc.).

Whether or not I'll even go to Universal for harry plopper or the simpsons is another story... never been into it, don't ever expect to be (and I feel like that way about avatar as well)
 

Festivus

Active Member
Also, if true, hopefully this will force Disney's hand on decisions/announcements for Carsland and more Star Wars attractions...
 

BryceM

Well-Known Member
Screamscape (inb4 "stopped reading at screamscape") is reporting today that Potter 2.0 at USF could be opening the week of June 11th, 2014. If you've been following this expansion, you know that construction has been moving along significantly recently and this timetable seems accurate.

Additionally, multiple sources have reported survey work being done around JP at IoA, with an expansion ( @HTF ) rumored to be coming alongside the summer 2014 release of JP4. If these were to open back-to-back, this could do some significant damage to Disney's less in-demand parks (I'm looking at you DAK and HS), as Disney vacation days are swapped for two days at USF and IoA.

Will Disney now expedite some if its projects? Maybe give RSR and MI the green-light so HS can remain competitive? Otherwise summer 2k14 absolutely belongs to Universal Studios...and I can say that I'm excited for it.

It seems USF is doing everything right these days. We all know what an enormous success Potterland 1.0 was for the park and how its merchandise sales redefined the theme park's business model. It will undoubtedly be incorporated into future expansions, starting this summer with the Simpson's mini-land (Krusty Burger and a Flaming Moe, anyone?).

Disney really needs to rethink its bland merchandising that we've all been complaining about for years. Universal is proving that unique merchandise offerings create an immersive experience that guests not only enjoy, but are willing to spend lots money on. Couple that with the quality of it's recent attractions, and USF and IoA are looking like must-see destinations for our next vacation.

Universal Studios Florida used to be considered the poor man's Walt Disney World, but things are changing and they're going to change quickly...and we just might find ourselves in the middle of another theme park war :cool:
It's been a "theme park war" since CityWalk, Islands of Adventure and the 3 resorts were all added. Universal Orlando Resort was never considering a poor mans Walt Disney World. But yes, you should visit Universal Orlando, it's pretty amazing!
 

#OccupyBeastlyKingdom

Member
Original Poster
It's been a "theme park war" since CityWalk, Islands of Adventure and the 3 resorts were all added. Universal Orlando Resort was never considering a poor mans Walt Disney World. But yes, you should visit Universal Orlando, it's pretty amazing!

I was just at IoA last May. They are good parks, but the Universal Studios resort is far from being WDW. I stand by my statement that it is the poor man's WDW (not literally of course, it's just as expensive!)

The theme park wars have been stagnant prior to Potter. There was hardly any changes made to IoA for over a decade. USF did get Mummy, Rockit, and Simpsons but I don't think people are planning their trips around those attractions. Potter changed everything.
 

MickeyPeace

Well-Known Member
This whole Disney responding argument has become tired. Clearly Disney isn't responding to anything. They are doing what they want, when they want, for good or bad.

The parks are packed. They know they will have new customers, I mean guests every year based on brand. Then there are the diehard Disney fans.

Disney only responds to shareholders. Can we put this question to rest now?
 

#OccupyBeastlyKingdom

Member
Original Poster
This whole Disney responding argument has become tired. Clearly Disney isn't responding to anything. They are doing what they want, when they want, for good or bad.

The parks are packed. They know they will have new customers, I mean guests every year based on brand. Then there are the diehard Disney fans.

Disney only responds to shareholders. Can we put this question to rest now?

I disagree.

This is true for MK, as it is the quintessential Disney experience. As for the other parks, their attendance can absolutely be eaten into by competition. Disney can try to make the price right by offering cheap multi-day tickets, but that is only one solution.

Will Universal become the top dog in Orlando? Highly unlikely. Will it position itself to attract tourists away from WDW property for portions for their vacation? Without a doubt.

DHS is in trouble unless it offers something more. It appeals to the same demographics as most of Uni's attractions, and right now Uni is poised to become the more appealing of the two.
 

BryceM

Well-Known Member
I was just at IoA last May. They are good parks, but the Universal Studios resort is far from being WDW. I stand by my statement that it is the poor man's WDW (not literally of course, it's just as expensive!)

The theme park wars have been stagnant prior to Potter. There was hardly any changes made to IoA for over a decade. USF did get Mummy, Rockit, and Simpsons but I don't think people are planning their trips around those attractions. Potter changed everything.
Far away from WDW in terms of what? Just curious. Would Disneyland Resort be considered the "poor man's WDW"? Both UOR and DLR are VERY similiar. Just playing devils advocate here! Hahaha. :p

And yes, Potter was just.... Amazing. It has done so much for the resort, and while I was sad to see a section of The Lost Continent go, I am so glad Potter came along because it changed everything.
 

MickeyPeace

Well-Known Member
I disagree.

This is true for MK, as it is the quintessential Disney experience. As for the other parks, their attendance can absolutely be eaten into by competition. Disney can try to make the price right by offering cheap multi-day tickets, but that is only one solution.

Will Universal become the top dog in Orlando? Highly unlikely. Will it position itself to attract tourists away from WDW property for portions for their vacation? Without a doubt.

DHS is in trouble unless it offers something more. It appeals to the same demographics as most of Uni's attractions, and right now Uni is poised to become the more appealing of the two.
That is not what I'm saying. All of the points you made are valid.

Will Disney "respond"? No.
 

#OccupyBeastlyKingdom

Member
Original Poster
Far away from WDW in terms of what? Just curious. Would Disneyland Resort be considered the "poor man's WDW"? Both UOR and DLR are VERY similiar. Just playing devils advocate here! Hahaha. :p

And yes, Potter was just.... Amazing. It has done so much for the resort, and while I was sad to see a section of The Lost Continent go, I am so glad Potter came along because it changed everything.

I see what you're saying, and while Uni is certainly an entertaining destination, it lacks much of what Disney offers. From the sheer size and scope of the operation to the attention to detail and theming (however this changed with IoA).

Personally, what makes the biggest difference is solidity of the Disney brand. It evokes a certain feeling, regardless of where you are on the property. Everything in Disney is meant to fit into the overall resort as a whole, as each component contains its own stories. Uni is merely a hodgepodge of franchises that the parks loosely attempt to link. For me, Uni lacks the overall inclusive feeling of Disney.
 

BryceM

Well-Known Member
That is not what I'm saying. All of the points you made are valid.

Will Disney "respond"? No.
Sadly. I hope they do though. I really do. It just doesn't seem likely that they will respond. They know that since they have Magic Kingdom and that "Disney magic", they won't have to build anything because people will still come regardless. They're coasting on nostalgia.

I mean, does the general public care about the state that DHS is in? No, they will continue to take silly pictures with the hat on their way to TSMM to grab a fastpass then marvel at how "authentic" Streets of America looks, haha.
 

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