Fantasmic303
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 1,928
I'm not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, and if it has I apologize, but I've seen the "Harry Potter at Epcot" rumors on this board and figured I'd post to squash them. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on if you're a fan or not), there is no project currently on Disney's plate that includes Harry.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/nationworld/orl-bizclarke08080803aug08,0,6659529.column?coll=orl-business-headlines
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AOL lawyers cast spell on rumors
Published August 8, 2003
Is there a Lord of the Rings attraction in Universal's future? How about a Harry Potter ride at Walt Disney World?
Not so fast, Muggle-breath.
Speculation on the Internet and in the theme-park industry has both companies going after rights for the characters from the phenomenally popular books and movies.
Turns out, those rights are well inside the AOL Time Warner family -- and the folks over there aren't willing to give 'em up.
"AOL Time Warner lawyers are talking to the attorneys at Universal and Disney about the rumor," said a Warner Bros. spokeswoman.
That would be talking to dispel the rumor, apparently.
Too bad. The idea seemed so perfect -- there was even Web talk about a Harry Potter ride at Epcot by 2005. Besides, ABC, which is owned by Disney, has paid $130 million to air the first two Potter movies. Vivendi Universal, meanwhile, has produced Lord of the Rings video games.
But, it's not meant to be, at least for now. And don't expect Harry Potter to find his way into a theme park of his very own -- such as Potter World -- or to land at Six Flags, which licenses other Warner Bros. characters.
"Right now, we don't care to do anything," a spokeswoman said.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/nationworld/orl-bizclarke08080803aug08,0,6659529.column?coll=orl-business-headlines
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AOL lawyers cast spell on rumors
Published August 8, 2003
Is there a Lord of the Rings attraction in Universal's future? How about a Harry Potter ride at Walt Disney World?
Not so fast, Muggle-breath.
Speculation on the Internet and in the theme-park industry has both companies going after rights for the characters from the phenomenally popular books and movies.
Turns out, those rights are well inside the AOL Time Warner family -- and the folks over there aren't willing to give 'em up.
"AOL Time Warner lawyers are talking to the attorneys at Universal and Disney about the rumor," said a Warner Bros. spokeswoman.
That would be talking to dispel the rumor, apparently.
Too bad. The idea seemed so perfect -- there was even Web talk about a Harry Potter ride at Epcot by 2005. Besides, ABC, which is owned by Disney, has paid $130 million to air the first two Potter movies. Vivendi Universal, meanwhile, has produced Lord of the Rings video games.
But, it's not meant to be, at least for now. And don't expect Harry Potter to find his way into a theme park of his very own -- such as Potter World -- or to land at Six Flags, which licenses other Warner Bros. characters.
"Right now, we don't care to do anything," a spokeswoman said.
