So while I get what you are saying... and I desperately want to believe, I have a hard time seeing how this is any different than any other themed attraction tied to an iconic property. It sounds great, don't get me wrong. But the thing that elevates Hogwarts Express from being just another ride is that it actually transports you to a completely different land. It is a real train with real train stations and a whole extra layer of show on top of that. If Hogwarts was simply one of the train stations and the train part without going anywhere, would it be nearly as cool? I'm not so certain it would be!
You are missing the boat/starship on what will be the strength of the attraction and the reason why I responded in the form of an analogy.
The Universal attraction Hogwarts Express resonates with Potter fans differently than what you are describing above. As an average theme park guest, the Express does physically transport you from one themed environment to another and that is a tangible level of immersion that anyone, fan of the fiction or not, can appreciate.
For a Potter fan, winding your way through King's Cross and turning that corner unto the platform and seeing the bright red train pumping out steam is an entirely different level of connection that a casual guest visiting for the day won't ever relate to in the same way as a fan.
For a non-fan, the Express can be appreciated by the "destination" the attraction takes you to.
For a fan, it's the entire Express process of the (Forbidden, sorry - couldn't help myself) "journey" the attraction takes you through from the moment you first see the façade and enter the line. In the fiction, the Hogwarts Express was Harry's symbolic entry into an entirely new world.
The Millennium Falcon is the OG nerd's Express. It was Luke's first step into a larger world where he crossed the threshold of his hero's journey and left his home (planet in this case) behind and entered into an uncharted path of self discovery.
The MF attraction will connect with Star Wars fans on level that will be intangibly measured in ways a non-versed person to the SW universe will never resonate with. To the uninitiated, it will simply be a virtually seamless migration from interesting queue in an alien to us environment, into the ship, and finally it taking you on an adventure.
I want to be clear though... the ride itself is still most definitely an E-ticket; but, it's one that the end of the day is just a simulator. We all can understand exactly what that means as we've all been on them before, so temper your expectations on the time you are in motion on it. Also, when I say "just a simulator" - that isn't a slight by any stretch. After many years of projection based rides with simulated motion, it's easy to discount attractions that take this route to do their magic. The Falcon attraction is going to be a REALLY good simulator. It's doing some cool stuff in the way it will be using its projection and the cockpit you will be sitting in will be incredible.
In preparing everyone for the onslaught of SWL, think of the MF as the comfort food on the menu at a first rate restaurant. Alcatraz is the chef's special you've never had. Both will be excellent and world class. Both are E-tickets. One's goal is to the best simulator in the world. The other's goal is to be the best modern theme park attraction in the world.
Another way to put this whole debate about the two sister attractions is to try to think of this a new version of a debate that likely took place in 1958. "I think the Submarine Voyage will be a better ride than the Matterhorn". It's just in this fantasy debate, we don't have TDO coming in pulling the fiscal rug out from underneath the Monorail.
Ok... now back to counting the days until next week. I know art and assets have been prepared; but, I don't know how much they will actually show off.
). Iger has experienced this attraction simulater and he says it's great.
