That Darn Harry Potter Rumor

OH NO!!

New, from Walt Disney Studios (okay, maybe Touchstone):

Business Snakes on a Plane!!

Sounds interesting, but, as with all rumors on this page, I will believe it when I see it.

I am waiting for this news flash;

"Disney to Open Massive Texas Theme Park with the Name Beastly Kingdom. Harry Potter Dragon Coaster to be Signature Attraction, along with a pirate themed hotel, a new Disney Vacation Club Resort, and countries similar to EPCOT--except this park will have Australia, Spain, Russia, India, and Kenya.

They would single handedly shut down this board--and I would have no excuse to procrastinate and actually get something done on my computer!

All kidding aside, It's interesting to speculate where they might locate a Harry Potter themed attraction/land. I could see this going in a Beastly Kingdom, or at the MGM studios. On the other hand, I don't see it as a perfect fit. The Harry Potter Franchise is a bit edgier than what Disney is used to featuring in its Theme Parks. The only possible exception is the inclusion of the POC Movies, but that inclusion is pretty watered-down for the kiddies.

Then there's the question of some on the religious-right. Many people who think Harry Potter is the spawn of Satan himself (they somehow think that Harry Potter might spawn a generation of wizards and witches). That may not stop Disney, but they WILL have to consider it.
 
If Disney is willing to put Ellen, Aerosmith and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the parks, I don't think they'd worry too much about backlash over Harry Potter.
 
If Disney is willing to put Ellen, Aerosmith and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the parks, I don't think they'd worry too much about backlash over Harry Potter.


I agree--to a point. All those people you mention were featured in a pretty tame manner. Harry Potter is a wizard, and that's what people object to. I don't see them successfully downplaying that aspect of him. I also don't think Disney should back down, but I think the bigger issue is the overall edge of the franchise.

Some would say that Disney attractions need an edgier theme to appeal to the teen/young adult crowd, but others may object. I guess my original point was that HP would be good fit for Disney, but it's not a perfect fit. They--and their regular guests--may have to adjust a bit.
 


Harry Potter is a wizard, and that's what people object to.

Sorcerer Mickey? Fairy Godmother? Merlin? Madame Mim? Maleficient telling Prince Philip he'll have to deal with her and "all the powers of hell?" Disney has a long history with that sort of thing...

People objected to Ellen because she was gay. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been known to perform wearing nothing but socks covering their...instruments...

The people that would be overjoyed to have Harry Potter's universe accessible to them in theme park-form... the protesters would be tiny blips on the radar.

Just my thought...
 
There is also a strong rumor that US has already aquired the rights and it is code named "Project Strongarm" and work has begun at IOA to change The Lost Continent to some sort of Potter area with the first ride to feature the flying car using robotic arms that will move along a coaster type track.
 
If Disney is willing to put Ellen, Aerosmith and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the parks, I don't think they'd worry too much about backlash over Harry Potter.

what are you trying to say about Aerosmith?:cool2:
 


Sorcerer Mickey? Fairy Godmother? Merlin? Madame Mim? Maleficient telling Prince Philip he'll have to deal with her and "all the powers of hell?" Disney has a long history with that sort of thing...

People objected to Ellen because she was gay. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been known to perform wearing nothing but socks covering their...instruments...

The people that would be overjoyed to have Harry Potter's universe accessible to them in theme park-form... the protesters would be tiny blips on the radar.

Just my thought...

Don't forget Anglea Lansbury as a witch in Bedknobs and Broomsticks Onthe quest for the pentagram. I always knew she was the devil in disguise
 
Good call on Ms. Price!
And let's not forget Lindsay Lohan...who is obviously the spawn of Satan.
 
Sorcerer Mickey? Fairy Godmother? Merlin? Madame Mim? Maleficient telling Prince Philip he'll have to deal with her and "all the powers of hell?" Disney has a long history with that sort of thing...

People objected to Ellen because she was gay. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been known to perform wearing nothing but socks covering their...instruments...

The people that would be overjoyed to have Harry Potter's universe accessible to them in theme park-form... the protesters would be tiny blips on the radar.

Just my thought...

Amen!

popcorn::
 
In my weaker moments I hope Universal gets Harry Potter. They are struggling (see theme park attendance thread) and it doesn't benefit anyone (except Disney shareholders) for them to go down the tube.

But I certainly would not complain about Disney getting the rights either! :thumbsup2
 
Personally, I don't think US could do any Potter ride/park/land justice. Walt Disney built the theme park industry. This legacy is what keeps the Imaginears on the forefront of innovation. At US, keeping up with the Disney company is what motivates them. I hope JK Rowling understands the difference and chooses wisely.
 
Personally, I don't think US could do any Potter ride/park/land justice.

I haven't been to USF, but its my understanding they did a heckuva job with Spiderman. Some say Disney still hasn't matched it.

It seems that if US has the resources, they can do fine. I doubt they will spend what it takes for the rights to Potter and then cheap out on whatever they build.

I have no desire to see a Potter attraction, land, meet n greet, or anything else in any theme park, but that's just a personal preference.
 
I don't like the Potter idea because I'd hate to see an entire land devoted to one series of films. Same thing with the Narnia rumor/pipedream. I wouldn't mind a top-notch attraction though... With most of the recent attractions though, I'll probably have to settle for "decent."

And yes, Spiderman is quite choice.
 
Personally, I don't think US could do any Potter ride/park/land justice. Walt Disney built the theme park industry. This legacy is what keeps the Imaginears on the forefront of innovation. At US, keeping up with the Disney company is what motivates them. I hope JK Rowling understands the difference and chooses wisely.

Have you ever been to a Universal park? More specifically IOA? I think it would be clear to anyone who's visited there that they have all of the talent to pull off a Harry Potter themed area. Don't forget that many of the Universal Creative employees were laid off Imagineers to begin with.
 
I absolutely agree.
Aside from the obnoxiously loud music, IOA is VERY VERY well-themed. With a little tweaking, they could easily transform The Lost Continent into a Potter area (though part of the reason I like TLC so much is that is has nothing to do with anything.) But, it could be done.
 
Personally, I don't think US could do any Potter ride/park/land justice. Walt Disney built the theme park industry. This legacy is what keeps the Imaginears on the forefront of innovation. At US, keeping up with the Disney company is what motivates them. I hope JK Rowling understands the difference and chooses wisely.

Which imagineers? The ones that were fired and went to work for Universal and made IOA? Or the accountants that cut POs for off the shelf wild mouse coasters?

That's a magically magical purchasing request you go there Bob.
 
I dont like the Potter idea..Disney has brought in Pixar..But it was still able to keep it Disney[ish]. Harry Potter is not something I picture at WDW..
 

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