What's the deal with some Disney Fans? by Robert Niles

[David S.]

2. He gave "insecurity" as a potential reason for Disney fans' dismissal of Potter (and Universal in general). I agree wholeheartedly that insecurity has a LOT to do with it. But the author of the article described that insecurity as stemming more from fans' financial investment in Disney (such as buying DVC, annual passes, etc). I would tend to think that it's more like the investment that a person makes in a relationship. For example, someone who has been married for a long time and who is thoroughly devoted to his wife may feel guilty for finding another woman physically attractive. Likewise, I think some Disney fans would feel guilty for enjoying Universal, as though they had "cheated" on Disney or had been disloyal to Disney.

Regardless, I think any Disney fan who deprives themselves of enjoying Universal out of some loyalty to Disney is only hurting themselves. Not only is Potter the single best theme park attraction ever, but there is so much more at both Universal parks that are outstanding. In many ways, the Universal parks are on a par with (and in some cases surpass) Disney parks.

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but in my case, my general "meh" attitude towards Uni has nothing to do with "insecurity", or any pop psychology concept of being disloyal to, or "cheating on", Disney!

If that were the case, I wouldn't be a proud, loyal Platinum Annual Passholder to Busch Gardens and Sea World for many, many years! They have two things I LOVE that Uni lacks - animals, and (at Busch) a wooden roller-coaster, Gwazi.

When Cypress Gardens was open I had an annual pass there, too. They had two wooden coasters, animals, other rides, and beautiful gardens.

Also, I have a Dollywood pass and go every year during their amazing Christmas event, and sometimes hit their "sister park" Silver Dollar City during Christmas season as well. Both parks are like a Winter Wonderland in the mountains with lights everywhere!

Also, every year I seem to get either a Six Flags or Cedar Fair pass. These are very cheap and good for every park in their respective chains, and since all of these parks have wooden rollercoasters and most have steel "hypercoasters" (my fave type of steel and a genre completely lacking in Florida), I usually hit a few of these parks a year on short weekend trips.

So, while what you say may be true for some Disney fans, it's not the case for me. I have no qualms about spreading the "love" around to other parks and chains, and if I had gotten heavilly into Uni on my visits there, I'd have a pass there, too.

Maybe Potter will be the difference maker, I don't know.

What I do know is all those disaster-themed attractions in the original park did nothing for me; I can't stand the Simpsons and Shrek as movies/tv, let alone theme park attractions! Not into horror or the Terminator either.

And Fear Factor? Are you kidding me? Fear Factor? No thanks!

I did really like the ET ride, and that new Rip Rocket coaster looks like I may like it, since it looks to be more about drops than loops. It looks like it may even have some airtime.

I liked IOA better, although I didn't get into the coasters, as those 4-across B&M looping coasters don't do much for me at Six Flags, Cedar Fair, or Busch parks either. If they put a woodie (unlikely) or B&M hyper in like Nitro, Goliath, Apollo's Chariot, Raging Bull, or Diamondback, I'd have a Uni annual pass YESTERDAY!

Anyway, the Seuss section was my favorite as it was colorful and whimsical. I'm not into water rides, especially the kind you get soaked on, so that kind of leaves Toon Lagoon out. I've never been a big super hero fan either, but I will admit the Marvel section is well done. I liked the dino ride, but WDW has two.

So, no "insecurity" here - Uni is simply the "odd man out" in the Florida market for me, as I tried it, and can't see myself going enough times a year to justify the cost of an AP! I already have MORE than enough to keep me busy with my APs at WDW and the Busch parks when I'm in Florida!

 

[Monty]

I've actually noticed this on Everest moreso than I noticed it on this ride. In fact, I've found that to be a major distraction from the illusion every time I've ridden Everest. It's like "Hey we're inside a mountain! Oh wait, what's with all the steel beams?"

I made no comparisons to Disney, but I agree. Though Disney has darkened EE's interior a lot since it opened. Hopefully Uni can do the same.

US/IOA have to much garbage in between rides/attractions for my liking, I simply don't enjoy their parks the way I enjoy the Disney parks. Harry Potter brought me in and in and of itself is a great area, but the rest of the Uni parks haven't got enough to keep me coming back once my PAPs expire. Others will feel differently, and if they are happy with Universal I'm happy for them.

 

[Tigger1988]

Regardless, I think any Disney fan who deprives themselves of enjoying Universal out of some loyalty to Disney is only hurting themselves. Not only is Potter the single best theme park attraction ever, but there is so much more at both Universal parks that are outstanding. In many ways, the Universal parks are on a par with (and in some cases surpass) Disney parks.

Having been to Universal I have found I'm missing out on nothing. The roller coasters didn't compare to the one's I could find at the local Six Flags for half the price. And the rest of the parks left much to be desired when compared to Disney.

As for Potter, I have no interest in the HP franchise in any way, shape or form. The addition of a Potter ride doesn't make me want to go to Uni any more than previously. If we ever happen to go back to Uni I'll see it, but I'm not tripping over myself to get there. :shrug:

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

I think that this article has a lot of good points. It is a bit ridiculous to hate Universal because you love Disney or to discount its value because of your love for Disney. I love Harry Potter. However, I'm afraid it is not timeless like Disney. I say this because each year, I have fewer and fewer students that are into Harry Potter. This leads me to wonder how long the Wizarding World will be hot.

 

[perrych]

For all the hoopla, you get one very well done ride and a very well themed shopping area. Two rides were there before, so you aren't getting any extra "bang for your buck". There are some great photo ops - singers, the Hogwarts Express - but this land is geared towards one thing only: having people spend hundreds of dollars on its signature items like wands, brooms, and butter beer. When Disneyland opened with only a few operable water fountains, people complained he was trying to make money selling soft drinks. And that was just a situation that arose from not being done on opening day! Universal is making it plain that this is a shopping area with interactive elements and an amazing ride that folks are lining up all day to ride. I'm certain Disney would have had the train work - this is Walt Disney, the train enthusiast! - and made it a ride around the park, probably with some movie elements about. I'm certain Olivanders would have been better executed - one kid out of 30(?) after waiting all that time just doesn't make for a special experience. Disney would have plussed this somehow - maybe making the store bigger with more cast? Disney is all about the merchandise - but never so overtly! Universal is actually advertising, "Go to Olivanders and buy a wand! Try a butter beer!" I realize those are part of the experience but it is also an addition to the cost. We all talk about dole whips but I went to Disney for years and it was never part of my experience!

The truth is this: WWOHP is just like Fantasyland when Magic Kingdom opened. It has tons of promise, but its a work in progress. A whomping tree ride, a show, more attraction,etc., all seem to be in the offing. But if this is "it", it fails to live up to the potential, and is certainly less than Disney could have done. This is more like DHP on a Star Wars Weekend - nicely themed, lots of added fun, but with the exception of one ride, still the same park.

 

[SeaBase86]

Having been to Universal I have found I'm missing out on nothing. The roller coasters didn't compare to the one's I could find at the local Six Flags for half the price. And the rest of the parks left much to be desired when compared to Disney.

As for Potter, I have no interest in the HP franchise in any way, shape or form. The addition of a Potter ride doesn't make me want to go to Uni any more than previously. If we ever happen to go back to Uni I'll see it, but I'm not tripping over myself to get there. :shrug:

I disagree respectfully of course. I find Dueling Dragons and Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit to be a litte better than the coasters at Six Flags. Seeming how Dueling Dragons is the world's only inverted dueling coaster and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit let's you pick a song to listen to and your video taped. I find that as a unique experience you can't find at Six Flags. Also Revenge of The Mummy is a pretty unique and well executed coaster. Part dark ride/coaster. Something you can't find at Six Flags.

 

[Tigger1988]

I disagree respectfully of course. I find Dueling Dragons and Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit to be a litte better than the coasters at Six Flags. Seeming how Dueling Dragons is the world's only inverted dueling coaster and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit let's you pick a song to listen to and your video taped. I find that as a unique experience you can't find at Six Flags. Also Revenge of The Mummy is a pretty unique and well executed coaster. Part dark ride/coaster. Something you can't find at Six Flags.

And Kingda Ka is the tallest, fastest coaster on earth. El Toro is one of the biggest wooden coasters in the world and so on.

I don't even enjoy Six Flags all that much but for paying less and getting better coasters...I'll choose it over Universal any day.

 

[jonnyc]

Maybe a bit OT, but has Disney or Uni ever looked at putting a Wooden Coaster in any of their parks?

 

[SeaBase86]

And Kingda Ka is the tallest, fastest coaster on earth. El Toro is one of the biggest wooden coasters in the world and so on.

I don't even enjoy Six Flags all that much but for paying less and getting better coasters...I'll choose it over Universal any day.

Bigger is not always better . Faster is not always better. I'm sure you like Space Mountain over those 2. And that comes nowhere near those. It's the execution that counts. The experience and Uni's roller coasters do give a good experience (excluding Rip, theming needs help) just like Disney's.

 

[fosse76]

The last couple of posts certainly illustrates the whole point of the article. It doesn't matter if you like Harry Potter or not. Universal surpassed even Disney's standards. Some of you are so dismissive of Universal and its rethemeing of a few rides, yet praise the return of Captain Eo, a 20-year old film that should have been burned and wiped from the earth 19 years ago! It's jealousy, plain and simple. Universal has built an elaborate, well-themed area with the most innovative thrill ride while Disney recycles a 20 year old film and will add a carnival dark ride and meet and greets to compete. I find it amusing how things like FLE and Test Track and Mission:Space and Toy Story Mania and The Seas with Nemo and Friends are all criticized separately on this site yet are praised by the same people when Universal is mentioned. I personally found the themeing at Universal to be more consistent than the themeing at Disney.

I do think Universal could have found ways to hide the show building. But it's a minor detail, considering you can see the show buildings for Disney's attractions as well.

 

[3CaballeroLady]

Maybe not in technology but I doubt if the Potter ride is as cute, happy, or would make me feel as "Warm and Fuzzy" inside as my Disney favorites like Splash Mountain and It's A Small World! And those happy qualities, (that some more "jaded" fans enjoy making fun of), found in truckloads in my fave Disney attractions, are why I've always preferred Disney over Uni. For me, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with which park has the most, "latest and greatest" high-tech toys in their attractions!

Also, I'm not a big Potter fan. I enjoyed the first 3 movies OK, but the last three were WAY too dark for my tastes and all had sad endings. Whereas the Disney characters, stories, and songs found in the parks from the Disney Animated Classics (as well as new ones created for the parks like Country Bears and Figment) are my favorite characters, stories, and songs of all time!

Yet, I'm not a "naysayer" about Potter. I'm just not in a big hurry to go experience it, but I will get around to it eventually. I've never been a big Uni fan (although I do really like the ET ride!), so it'll be interesting to see what effect (if any) the Potter ride has on my decision to forgo a Uni AP and just stick with my WDW and Busch Gardens/Sea World APs for the portion of the year I live in metro Orlando.

I'm not posting this is an argumentative way. I'm just presenting a point of view that explains why at least some Disney fans like myself are not all that excited about Potter.

I completely agree with you, David! I'm not completely against the idea of a Harry Potter theme or world, but Disney World is just that -- different! Even if technologically/stylistically, Universal's theme park is more advanced, there's a warm and uplifting social aura that oozes from Walt Disney World. Disney World is an experience and adventure, whereas (to me anyways), Universal is just. . . .a cool theme park. Perhaps the "magic" is all in my head, but that's how I feel.

 

[WorldKey]

For the most part the article seems to simply describe the soon to be medical term fanboyism. You can apply the same basic argument to AMD vs. Intel, Mac vs. PC, Star Wars vs Star Trek, etc.

Amen!!

 

[ShookieJones]

I think it's a great article.
I'm a huge WDW parks fan and my family and I are all huge Harry Potter fans.

My wife wouldn't have allowed a 6th consecutive trip to WDW this coming May without doing something "different for a change"- Universal was that "something different" for a couple of days and WWoHP is definitely the main draw.

From what I've seen it (WWoHP) looks amazing and from all the proposed changes to the original plans for FLE it sounds like someone at WDI is paying attention..

It seems all good to me!

 

[SeaBase86]

The last couple of posts certainly illustrates the whole point of the article. It doesn't matter if you like Harry Potter or not. Universal surpassed even Disney's standards. Some of you are so dismissive of Universal and its rethemeing of a few rides, yet praise the return of Captain Eo, a 20-year old film that should have been burned and wiped from the earth 19 years ago! It's jealousy, plain and simple. Universal has built an elaborate, well-themed area with the most innovative thrill ride while Disney recycles a 20 year old film and will add a carnival dark ride and meet and greets to compete. I find it amusing how things like FLE and Test Track and Mission:Space and Toy Story Mania and The Seas with Nemo and Friends are all criticized separately on this site yet are praised by the same people when Universal is mentioned. I personally found the themeing at Universal to be more consistent than the themeing at Disney.

I do think Universal could have found ways to hide the show building. But it's a minor detail, considering you can see the show buildings for Disney's attractions as well.

Agreed. Some Disney fans are so blind that when something new and great cones somewhere else they dismiss it as "oh it doesn't have the same Disney magic, and oh those parks are way under Disney standards." That's not the point. Just accept the fact that Disney has been outdone one time and be happy that it will put fire under the execs to create something better .

 

[Tigger1988]

Bigger is not always better . Faster is not always better. I'm sure you like Space Mountain over those 2. And that comes nowhere near those. It's the execution that counts. The experience and Uni's roller coasters do give a good experience (excluding Rip, theming needs help) just like Disney's.

I stated that in response to your comment "Seeming how Dueling Dragons is the world's only inverted dueling coaster" as if that fact somehow makes it better than any other coaster.

I personally don't find Uni's roller coasters to be any more appealing than the ones I can ride for half the price at Six Flags. Sorry. :shrug:

 

[SeaBase86]

I stated that in response to your comment "Seeming how Dueling Dragons is the world's only inverted dueling coaster" as if that fact somehow makes it better than any other coaster.

I personally don't find Uni's roller coasters to be any more appealing than the ones I can ride for half the price at Six Flags. Sorry. :shrug:

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion :wave:

 

[Magenta Panther]

I think the article spoke truly. But it's not Disneyphiles' reactions to Potterworld that interests me most. It's Imagineering's.

Better shape up, guys. And you too, Iger.

 

[spock]

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but in my case, my general "meh" attitude towards Uni has nothing to do with "insecurity", or any pop psychology concept of being disloyal to, or "cheating on", Disney!

If that were the case, I wouldn't be a proud, loyal Platinum Annual Passholder to Busch Gardens and Sea World for many, many years! They have two things I LOVE that Uni lacks - animals, and (at Busch) a wooden roller-coaster, Gwazi.

When Cypress Gardens was open I had an annual pass there, too. They had two wooden coasters, animals, other rides, and beautiful gardens.

Also, I have a Dollywood pass and go every year during their amazing Christmas event, and sometimes hit their "sister park" Silver Dollar City during Christmas season as well. Both parks are like a Winter Wonderland in the mountains with lights everywhere!

Also, every year I seem to get either a Six Flags or Cedar Fair pass. These are very cheap and good for every park in their respective chains, and since all of these parks have wooden rollercoasters and most have steel "hypercoasters" (my fave type of steel and a genre completely lacking in Florida), I usually hit a few of these parks a year on short weekend trips.

So, while what you say may be true for some Disney fans, it's not the case for me. I have no qualms about spreading the "love" around to other parks and chains, and if I had gotten heavilly into Uni on my visits there, I'd have a pass there, too.

Maybe Potter will be the difference maker, I don't know.

What I do know is all those disaster-themed attractions in the original park did nothing for me; I can't stand the Simpsons and Shrek as movies/tv, let alone theme park attractions! Not into horror or the Terminator either.

And Fear Factor? Are you kidding me? Fear Factor? No thanks!

I did really like the ET ride, and that new Rip Rocket coaster looks like I may like it, since it looks to be more about drops than loops. It looks like it may even have some airtime.

I liked IOA better, although I didn't get into the coasters, as those 4-across B&M looping coasters don't do much for me at Six Flags, Cedar Fair, or Busch parks either. If they put a woodie (unlikely) or B&M hyper in like Nitro, Goliath, Apollo's Chariot, Raging Bull, or Diamondback, I'd have a Uni annual pass YESTERDAY!

Anyway, the Seuss section was my favorite as it was colorful and whimsical. I'm not into water rides, especially the kind you get soaked on, so that kind of leaves Toon Lagoon out. I've never been a big super hero fan either, but I will admit the Marvel section is well done. I liked the dino ride, but WDW has two.

So, no "insecurity" here - Uni is simply the "odd man out" in the Florida market for me, as I tried it, and can't see myself going enough times a year to justify the cost of an AP! I already have MORE than enough to keep me busy with my APs at WDW and the Busch parks when I'm in Florida!

None of those other parks you mentioned are really in the same "league" as Disney and Universal though. They don't come close to being any kind of threat to Disney. Universal, on the other hand, most definitely does. They've already produced at least two attractions (Spiderman and Potter) which many consider to be superior to anything Disney has done. The same can't really be said about parks like Dollywood and Busch Gardens. So it's not surprising in the least for hardcore Disney fans to not have an issue with those parks. In fact, if you think about it, it says a lot that Universal is always the park that comes up when making comparisons to Disney.

 

[spock]

Agreed. Some Disney fans are so blind that when something new and great cones somewhere else they dismiss it as "oh it doesn't have the same Disney magic, and oh those parks are way under Disney standards." That's not the point. Just accept the fact that Disney has been outdone one time and be happy that it will put fire under the execs to create something better .

I agree as well. If Disney had won the rights to do a Potter attraction, I suspect the same fans who are criticizing it as "not being magical" would suddenly feel that it fit in perfectly with Disney. Likewise, if Universal had gotten the rights to properties such as the Muppets and Star Wars, I think a lot of Disney fans would be hating those properties. I don't see how Star Wars and the Muppets carry any more of a "magical feeling" than Potter does. Quite the opposite actually IMHO.

 

[spock]

I made no comparisons to Disney, but I agree. Though Disney has darkened EE's interior a lot since it opened. Hopefully Uni can do the same.

I was actually on EE last week and it didn't seem any darker than at other times I'd been on the ride. In fact, I had forgotten about that distraction, so it wasn't like I was looking for it.