Europe's first Universal theme park coming to UK

[disneydreamer1980]

Weather wise this doesn’t make sense. We’re currently planning a 3 week tour of UK and trying to figure out the best time to go weather wise. It’s cold and rainy much of the year. But I’m happy for the people of the UK that they’ll have their own park.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Then they aren’t big fans.

If you are a big Disney fan then you travel to the U.S and then occasionally to the other parks.

I consider myself a Disney fan, if I’m a big fan or not I leave it up to others to decide. Even with DLP sort of in my back yard I wouldn’t even consider visiting the park - but that’s because of the French, they are too arrogant, grumpy and stuck up.

Are the French really that bad? I always thought that was just a false stereotype.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Are the French really that bad? I always thought that was just a false stereotype.

They’re not that bad, they’re just different. They’re very friendly and generous and hospitable when you get to know them, they’re just more reserved around people they don’t know and it comes off as aloofness. I’ve been visiting family in France my whole life, I know the French well. They think Americans are loud, rude and self centered, so they may tend to not be as nice to Americans especially when they come there and expect everyone to speak English to them, but if you’re nice they’ll be nice back.

 

[walt34]

Then they aren’t big fans.

If you are a big Disney fan then you travel to the U.S and then occasionally to the other parks.

If you are that kind of fan, only the original Disneyland will do. But if you are a bit more open minded, Disneyland Paris might just be the most beautiful of the castle parks.

And the French are pretty nice if you don’t expect them to be Americans.

 

[walt34]

My guess is that there must be some kind of Harry Potter spin. Otherwise the location is somewhat questionable: weather, accessibility for people coming from outside the UK, even popularity of theme parks. Disneyland Paris is flooded by people from Spain and Italy.

 

[clappyclaps]

My guess is that there must be some kind of Harry Potter spin. Otherwise the location is somewhat questionable: weather, accessibility for people coming from outside the UK, even popularity of theme parks. Disneyland Paris is flooded by people from Spain and Italy.

I read somewhere today that they can't do Harry Potter due to "exclusivity rights and proximity to the Warner Bros Studio Tour" - could be nonsense though as you'd think the proximity of the two would be a benefit with tourists being able to visit both in the same trip . I'd be shocked if this ended up being true and there was no HP at all.

 

[walt34]

I read somewhere today that they can't do Harry Potter due to "exclusivity rights and proximity to the Warner Bros Studio Tour" - could be nonsense though as you'd think the proximity of the two would be a benefit with tourists being able to visit both in the same trip . I'd be shocked if this ended up being true and there was no HP at all.

I read that, too but I also believe they might have found an agreement. There is a direct train connection from King’s Cross to Bedford…which could become the first ride of the day with a little bit of branding.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I read somewhere today that they can't do Harry Potter due to "exclusivity rights and proximity to the Warner Bros Studio Tour" - could be nonsense though as you'd think the proximity of the two would be a benefit with tourists being able to visit both in the same trip . I'd be shocked if this ended up being true and there was no HP at all.

It's not nonsense. Warner Bros has exclusive rights to HP attractions in the UK. So even if Universal wanted to add something related to it, they can't (at least not right now).

 

[walt34]

It's not nonsense. Warner Bros has exclusive rights to HP attractions in the UK. So even if Universal wanted to add something related to it, they can't (at least not right now).

But the US and JP parks already make use of WB intellectual property - so they managed to work out a deal. Quite possible that they found an agreement for an additional park in the UK as well.

 

[Smugpugmug]

But the US and JP parks already make use of WB intellectual property - so they managed to work out a deal. Quite possible that they found an agreement for an additional park in the UK as well.

I'm not super well versed in the actual deal, but it seems like Warner Bros is the only one actually allowed to operate Harry Potter attractions in the UK (ex. the Studio tour) so they wouldn't be able to license out the property to Universal. Plus they need JK Rowling's approval as she has full control of the IP.

Also the rumors are suggesting they have all of the properties locked in already for the park and Harry Potter is not one of them.

 

[walt34]

I'm not super well versed in the actual deal, but it seems like Warner Bros is the only one actually allowed to operate Harry Potter attractions in the UK (ex. the Studio tour) so they wouldn't be able to license out the property to Universal. Plus they need JK Rowling's approval as she has full control of the IP.

Also the rumors are suggesting they have all of the properties locked in already for the park and Harry Potter is not one of them.

It’s my understanding that all HP land extensions need approval from JKR and WB so this wouldn’t be new.

Also this is pure speculation on my part.

I’d still be very, very surprised if they don’t “surprise” us with another HP land.

 

[Cyberc1978]

If you are that kind of fan, only the original Disneyland will do. But if you are a bit more open minded, Disneyland Paris might just be the most beautiful of the castle parks.

And the French are pretty nice if you don’t expect them to be Americans.

I’m the kind of Disney fan that like the original. The originals are from the US. Just take the Disney movies I like the originals with English speech, not German, French etc. I think it’s nice that Disney tried to reproduce the Disney magic in Europe but unfortunately the workers there are generally not that into the Disney spirit.

If nice means grumpy and arrogant then we are in agreement about the French but definitely not about the Americans.

The people I have met in the US have only been nice and loving people. Can’t say the same about the French I met.
How often do you meet people in ie an elevator that complement your hat or just start small talking because they find you interesting because they can hear your are foreign? Certainly not I France

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Well we could suppose that whomever provides the funding/ideas/proposed the project has done the demographic and economic research that points to it being successful in the area they are putting it...it's making sense to the investor(s) who are paying for it so I would imagine they have information we are not privy to.

A good point

 

[walt34]

I’m the kind of Disney fan that like the original. The originals are from the US. Just take the Disney movies I like the originals with English speech, not German, French etc.

You mean the original retellings of German fairy tales or English children’s stories, regularly using English actors to this day? I guess Walt was much more open about this than you are. And due to his early passing, only one park can truly claim to be original.

I think it’s nice that Disney tried to reproduce the Disney magic in Europe but unfortunately the workers there are generally not that into the Disney spirit.

Have you actually been to the parks in Europe and Japan? The craftsmanship and shows are second to none. Yes, you might run into a castmember who doesn’t speak perfect English.

If nice means grumpy and arrogant then we are in agreement about the French but definitely not about the Americans.

The people I have met in the US have only been nice and loving people. Can’t say the same about the French I met.
How often do you meet people in ie an elevator that complement your hat or just start small talking because they find you interesting because they can hear your are foreign? Certainly not I France

Different countries, different customs. Just because a French person might respect your boundaries or doesn’t pretend to be interested in your life story doesn't mean they aren't a nice person.
Try to be more open about it. There are many “big” international Disney fans and the “world” isn’t the only place to have a wonderful Disney experience.

 

[Buzz Rules]