Disney and Harry Potter?

[lodgelady]

Does anyone know what the prospects are for Disney to purchase the rights to have Harry Potter themed rides at their parks? It seems like a natural partnership to me.

 

[Sarangel]

I seem to recall that someone else has already bought them (or they aren't for sale).

I'm not sure I can see Disney making rides or attractions based on a non-Disney source.

Sarangel

 

[Grand2me]

Does anyone know what the prospects are for Disney to purchase the rights to have Harry Potter themed rides at their parks? It seems like a natural partnership to me.

Without reading anyone elses' post, I would assume that the rights would go to Six Flags. They have all of the other Warner Brothers stuff. Harry Potter would fall right into that...

 

[peter11435]

I seem to recall that someone else has already bought them (or they aren't for sale).

I'm not sure I can see Disney making rides or attractions based on a non-Disney source.

Sarangel

Well they have with Indy, Star Tours, The Great Movie Ride, Tower of Terror, and a few others.

 

[peter11435]

Without reading anyone elses' post, I would assume that the rights would go to Six Flags. They have all of the other Warner Brothers stuff. Harry Potter would fall right into that...

The Harry Potter Movie rights are seperate from the theme park rights. In other words no Warner Brothers does not have the rights.

 

[Grand2me]

Peter...you may just be right. Of course I looked it up (LOL). It seems as though you are right. BUT we probably aren't going to find out who actually has the rights until the last book comes out. Read the article(Courtesy of www.hpana.com)

HP theme-park speculation continues
Posted by GRAE
Source: Jim Hill media via The Leaky Cauldron

As we reported earlier, AOL Time Warner has claimed that they own the rights to any possible Harry Potter theme-park attractions. But is this really the case? According to Jim Hill media, it may or may not be.

This much is clear: A few years back, Universal was positively desperate to acquire the theme park rights to the Harry Potter characters. So much so that Universal Creative (the folks who actually design all of the rides, shows and attractions for the Universal theme parks) put together a proposal for a Harry Potter-themed stunt show.

The show proposal that Universal Creative put together was reportedly a special effects filled extravaganza, loosely modeled after that theme park's "Wild Wild West" stunt show. This meant that the arena would have been loaded up with practical effects. Cauldrons that would suddenly bubble and smoke, brooms that could actually fly around, etc.

But the real highlight of this proposed "Harry Potter" themed show would have supposedly been the show's finale. Where Harry, Ron and Hermoine found themselves face to face with Lord Voldemort.

Sometime during this magical duel, Potter was going to get the upper hand in this effects filled battle. And -- with a wave of Harry's wand -- Voldemort would burst into flames. Fully engulfed in fire, the dark wizard was to have writhed in agony and screamed curses as Potter and his pals as Voldemort slowly sank from sight.

So that sounds like a pretty good new show for the Universal theme parks, doesn't it? Well, it's just too bad that Universal Creative never actually got the opportunity to present their proposal to J.K. Rowling. Why for? Because -- when they approached Rowling's reps to set up a meeting -- Universal was reportedly told "Thanks but no thanks. We've already awarded the theme park rights to someone else."
Now Universal executives -- Bob Gault included -- have always assumed that the "someone else" that J.K. Rowling's representatives were talking about must have been the Walt Disney Company. Which -- given that Universal and Disney are in almost constant competition these days for supremacy in the theme park arena -- that just makes sense.

Anyway ... even if Disney really does have the theme park rights for the Harry Potter characters all "wrapped up," the smart money is on Mickey sitting on these rights for a while. For a couple of years, anyway. At least until J.K. Rowling finally finishes up telling her epic tale (and what a sad day THAT's going to be for those of us who have loved reading and/or listening to the "Harry Potter" books. I'm really not ready to leave Hogwarts just yet. Are you?)

 

[YoHo]

There have been some Disney related Harry Potter rumors. I'm surprised Sara forgot them. A year, year and a half ago?

I seem to remember some thoughts abotu turning Discovery Island into Hogworts (bad idea) Or it being the center of Beastly Kingdom which I would think would work a bit better.

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Movieland in Queensland Aus - which is technically Warner Brothers - has (or at least did have) a walk through Diagon Alley attraction already so there's definitely a WB link up somewhere along the line.

 

[sunny04]

Here's my two cents....about the time I started telling DH how much Disney needed to get rights to Harry Potter, the movies started showing on ABC. They have shown on ABC, and ABC Family I know. A few weeks ago while in MGM, they started playing Harry Potter music in the park. So, I feel certain that Disney has quite a few rights to Harry Potter. Hopefully, this will include the possibilities of rides in the future.

 

[eeyorerulz]

Harry Potter is in Warner bros Movieworld in Australia, they have the characters walking around, the shop, the origional diagong alley until it was replaces by MAtrix. We still have the Hogwarts train and station though etc.

 

[discruisegirl90]

I talked to a CM once and he said something about Disney having the rights to Harry Potter already. I hope they make some kind of ride for it.

If they do decide where to put the ride where do you think they would put it?

 

[sunny04]

discruisegirl - I don't know....I've heard lots of rumors about the AK section The Beastly Kingdom that was to include a dragon/medieval themed area that it would fit in....otherwise, I'm not sure. BTW - I'm a Cassie too

 

[Grand2me]

I talked to a CM once and he said something about Disney having the rights to Harry Potter already. I hope they make some kind of ride for it.

If they do decide where to put the ride where do you think they would put it?

C'mon! Gotta have that in the Magic Kingdom. I understand the beast aspect of it but HP is basically the story of good and evil. All of those wands and everything? It's gotta be...well then again ...they could put it at MGM. I would love to 'Ride the Hogwarts Express'. I guess they could really put it anywhere.

 

[lodgelady]

Harry Potter is in Warner bros Movieworld in Australia, they have the characters walking around, the shop, the origional diagong alley until it was replaces by MAtrix. We still have the Hogwarts train and station though etc.

Does WB have parks anywhere else? Is is possible that Disney could have the U.S. rights rather than worldwide rights?

 

[YoHo]

Warner Bros has a long time association with Six Flags.

 

[discruisegirl90]

It would really be cool if Disney had the rights!! Magic Kingdom would be the perfect spot to have a harry potter ride. i don't think the hogwarts express would be very exciting. I think they should do some kind of roller coaster. Or maybe they could bring in some of the set.

sunny04- what is the Beastly Kingdom? Where is it?

 

[sunny04]

Beastly Kingdom is the rumored land from AK that was in the works kinda beside Camp Minnie-Mickey. Supposedly they had the plans all ready but didn't have the money. So a lot of people still think they will do this...there was a thread about it on the Rumors and News Board quite awhile ago, can't remember what it was called. Anyway, some people kinda drew a connection to Universal and their Islands of Adventure area themed the same way. Who knows how exactly it panned out, but I think it would be a neat addition to WDW...and might make me enjoy AK more.

 

[discruisegirl90]

Wow! Beastly Kingdom sounds cool. Harry Potter would have fit in great in that section. I hope they still make the beastly kingdom sometime.

or maybe they will make a seperate hogwarts place to go. You would have to pay admission like a typhon lagoon or those kind of places. But It would be cool if they had the castle and classes and stuff like that.

Some people might be concerned about harry potter being in the parks because some parents don't let their kids read or watch harry potter. They might not even make anything for it because of that.

I hope they will but it would cost a lot of money but I love harry potter.

sunny04- what do you do as a cast member at disney?

 

[Anewman]

Some people might be concerned about harry potter being in the parks because some parents don't let their kids read or watch harry potter. They might not even make anything for it because of that.

Those same parents that do not allow kids to read Potter books because of the witchcraft/religion aspect, would also have issue with some Disney Witches/films/rides and even STAR WARS(force a religion?) weekends.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

Yes this was discussed about a year ago, when 20K was torn down rumor was thats where it would go. But it was later found out that Disney only has the rights to the Movie. I dont even think you can buy HP stuff at Disney.