Harry Potter Park - What will WDW do?

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I would probably not visit the HP Park. Isn't it just a "land" in Universal? We all hate Universal- $10 for a Chicken Sandwich that is smaller than a McDonalds Hamburger, excluding fries and a drink???

There is just not anything exciting there anyway

I have not found Disney prices too affordable lately...not to mention the quality changes in many of the restaurants this year.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

Yeah ... never been to US/IoA ... but that Harry Potter park is going to change that ... that's for sure! Me and my oldest DD LOVE Harry Potter books AND all six of us LOVE the HP movies ... this will be a MUST SEE/DO when it's fully opened!!

We won't be forgetting about Mickey!!! NO WAY!! This will be an add on to our WDW vacation (although the WDW portion will probably be shorter.)

Then again ... isn't one of those new DCL ships supposed to be "up and running" by then?!? Maybe a Disney Cruise and the HP park!?! Ummmmm!

People at work were online looking at the new Harry Potter Park at US this morning. The website said it will open late 2009.

I wonder what Disney has in mind to compete when this opens?

Do you want to visit HP?

Will you split your stay between WDW an US?

Do you think Disney is worried?

 

[larry_poppins]

I was thinking the same thing. 3 days at Universal + 7 day Disney cruise.

Larry

 

[Metro West]

I would probably not visit the HP Park. Isn't it just a "land" in Universal? We all hate Universal- $10 for a Chicken Sandwich that is smaller than a McDonalds Hamburger, excluding fries and a drink???

There is just not anything exciting there anyway

Can you tell me which restaurant you ate at? I don't believe I've ever seen a $10.00 chicken sandwich...just curious.

I was thinking the same thing. 3 days at Universal + 7 day Disney cruise.

Larry

Now that sounds like a great vacation!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Check my siggie, I've been vacation splitting for years .
We do most days at WDW, then move over to Universal for a few, and then back to WDW.
Why? Because WDW forces me to buy tickets for the entire stay of my vacation when using a package, when I take a break and jet over to US I break up the reservation, and my cost. Also, US/IOA gives me front of the line privileges for staying on-site... and their resorts are beautiful. Finally, US/IOA has deals where I can see both parks for up to a week for under $100 pp.

I think WDW just can't be bothered with being competitive.

 

[minnie61650]

Check my siggie, I've been vacation splitting for years .
We do most days at WDW, then move over to Universal for a few, and then back to WDW.
Why? Because WDW forces me to buy tickets for the entire stay of my vacation when using a package, when I take a break and jet over to US I break up the reservation, and my cost. .......
I think WDW just can't be bothered with being competitive.

I don't think Disney forces you buy tickets for the entire stay when using a package.

When I booked my package ( and this was even during free dining) I only booked a 1 day base ticket.

I think so far WDW has not had to lower prices like Universal has because WDW is filling the parks with the MYW ticket pricing which gives guests big price breaks afer the first 4 or 5 days. (About $3 a day for days 6,7, & 8 etc.)

 

[LuvOrlando]

I have been going to WDW for a very long time. For years and years (back to my honeymoon in 1993) they would require that guests purchase the number of day passes equivalent to the number of nights if I wanted to get the discounts associated with the package. I know they must have told me this because I clearly remember booking 2 separate vacations (3 days with passes & a separate 3 days room only) at the same place just to avoid this problem on more than 1 occaision... I also clearly remember being required to make a 1 nights deposit on each separate reservation. BTW, they always allowed me to bump up the number of park passes but never down. That was only done if you could prove you got in on a late flight with a ticket at the front desk

Now if they've changed this policy I will be thrilled because it would make my life a whole lot easier. I never liked the policy which is why I have rarely ever participated in a package. I only did it when free perks were added into the package (I bumped up to 10 day with No exp option & hopping privileges & water park privileges about 3 years ago and am still using those tickets ) I do hope they have changed things because I never cared for the old policy since I don't like to visit any parks on travel days.

No matter what I will definitely be back in 2010 to see both WDW and the new HP attractions... I can't wait

 

[askomsky]

I was surfing looking for something else and HP caught my eye.

I will first say that our first trip to Disney blew me away with the magic and seeing my kids faces enjoying it for the first time. DH and I are savers not spenders, we don't suffer or need anything but we choose to spend wisely. We went for 8 days stayed off site and still had a fabulous time for our famliy of 5. That said I think WDW IS A magical place, BUT there are many other vacation spots that I think my children will enjoy. We do plan on returning to WDW again either in late 09 or early 2010, but we plan on splitting our stay and going to Universal, Sea World, WDW and Kennedy Space Station.

I think Dis is worried but not bc of HP but the economy. They have to be to raise their prices again in this day and age when $4 for a gallon of gas is the norm and airlines are charging per bags. Stores are filing for bankruptcy, mortgage lenders falling through, it's a mess.

I do think WDW is a great family vacation where good times will be had, but there IS a price limit that people like me are willing to say, That's to much we can go elsewhere.

PS I can't WAIT for HP to open and I will time our next trip to FL around the opening of it.

 

[minnie61650]

I have been going to WDW for a very long time. For years and years (back to my honeymoon in 1993) they would require that guests purchase the number of day passes equivalent to the number of nights if I wanted to get the discounts associated with the package. I know they must have told me this because I clearly remember booking 2 separate vacations (3 days with passes & a separate 3 days room only) at the same place just to avoid this problem on more than 1 occaision... I also clearly remember being required to make a 1 nights deposit on each separate reservation. BTW, they always allowed me to bump up the number of park passes but never down. That was only done if you could prove you got in on a late flight with a ticket at the front desk
:

From This wesite:

http://allears.net/pl/packages08a.htm

Who Can Purchase the Dining Plan?

The Basic Magic Your Way Dining Plan can only be purchased as follows:



1. If you are a non-Disney Vacation Club member, you must purchase a Magic Your Way vacation package at a Disney resort for your entire party with at least one day's park admission. The number of days for the Dining Plan will equal the number of nights you have reserved your room on the package. It has nothing to do with the number of days of park admission you have.

I hope that helps.
Have fun at WDW!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thanks, this is something to keep in mind if I am ever in the market for the dining plan. I have never ever done the dining package, free or otherwise, which is probably why we have not been on the same page. My statements were regarding my experience with packages that were strictly room + passes only, no dining plan included in any way (not even free). Quite frankly, the dining plan seems waaaayyy to complicated for me. At first glance it seems way too easy for me to lose money and any questions on the board regarding ways to get your moneys worth are met with such rough accusations of cheating... it just doesn't seem worth the money or trouble. It may well be that WDW's introduction of the dining plan has had a trickle down effect on all the other non dining plans and has changed things for the better, which is always a good thing. If it wasn't for your post I would never have expected the changes you describe so thanks, my next trip should be much improved if I can get a discount room + passes only package without dining for 8 nights and only need to get 4 days in basic tickets.

Maybe WDW will offer some even more generous packages when the new HP section is unveiled over at US and if so I may just give a package another chance.... dining and all

 

[troynkasey]

Is Disney paying attention? Sure because US is a competitor. Are they worried? I don't think so. Disney may initially lose some attendance for visitors to go see the Harry Potter part of US. I am not a fan of HP, nor is anyone in our household. I wonder how many people have this standpoint? We won't be effected and actually may decide to go to Disney at the same time because if anything...attendance will be down at WDW. I highly doubt there will be much of an impact. Like I said...maybe people go to US for a day. Maybe they extend their vacation a day. Who knows.

This is not a whole new park, so I don't think this will have that big of an impact. Plus...Disney is Disney. They have plans in place for this. They roll out something new every year to draw back those who think they've experienced it all. With that in mind...I don't see much of an effect.

If there is going to be anything that effects Disney...it will be the economy, not some upgrade at US.

 

[Orlando313]

Thankfully I live right down the road from WDW & US so I don't have to decide between the two (will never take that for granted!) I have annual passes to both theme park sets. I am super stoked about the HP land at IOA because that park is very much lacking in things to do. The signs that they have now posted on the construction walls say 2010. I think we could all agree when I say that there really is no place like Disney, and US & WDW cannot be compared Apples to Apples. I love Disney and go to Disney more. Universal mostly gets "side trips." It's a little trip on the side of a Disney trip. I don't think Disney has much to worry about except for the bad economy.

 

[sassytink03]

I don't know if HP will hurt Disney as much as some people think it will, but it will hurt them some. Disney is closing PI, so a lot of people will go to CW for adult entertainment. That hurts them some already. A lot of the conventions have already been cancelled and CW would provide a great alternative for them. With HP opening, especially for the first couple years, a lot of people will go there. While it isn't an entire new park, apparently there will be a whole heck of a lot of stuff to do there. People will take the time to go there if Disney doesn't have anything new planned for the same time.

 

[waldiddy]

Most of you are focused on HP taking business away from WDW, but there's also the possible opposite effect: people coming into town for a few days to see HP and saying 'While we're here, let's go check out MK'.

Disney & Universal are competitors, to be sure, but I suspect they also feed one another business as well. They don't do so overtly, via recommendations or outright promoting one another, but I'm sure it happens to some degree.

Ourselves as an example, about half the time, when visiting US, we also spend a day or two at WDW. If we're at WDW, we *might* visit US, but usually not.

 

[c4a]

I visit both. I like both. I prefer Disney. Nothing will change that. (even the fact that US has a much better meal plan).
I believe Disney will waite until right before HP opens before they make any announcements. To do otherwise, Disney would just be drawing attention to US and HP. By appearring to ignore the situation until THEY are ready to address it, Disney puts themself in control. The power shifts-people quit talking about what US is doing & instead start talking about what Disney might do.

 

[firsttimer2007]

I love it that US is opening the HP part. This will make the park more interesting for my kids.

This will also make us less likely to go to WDW on our 2010 trip. We will do US and then Sea World and the beach. Something we have never done when going to florida. We have always done WDW &/or a cruise. I think we will be skipping WDW next time.

But we will be at WDW this year. We are staying off site though.

 

[dibonast]

I am still in shock and awe when people spend 7 days only at Universal / Sea World. I like Universal ... but seriously ??? Disney will be fine. They've been fighting off other Orlando attractions for almost 20 years ... and still going strong

 

[yensid_71973]

Yes, There is nothing like Disney World !!

 

[daannzzz]

In 2003 I spent 4 nights at Portofino Bay Hotel with 3 days at the Universal parks. I could have done 4 (2 days at each park..though not full days). I found Universal to be excellent and the hotel was awesome. I think it would be very easy to do a 7 day trip to orlando and go to Universal, Sea World (something I have yet to do), Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center etc. The more times I go to Orlando the more I take chances trying other things than Disney.

 

[hadj2887]

Disney may or may not be worried about Harry Potter, but they certainly do not have to worry about me! I have never read a Harry Potter book nor seen a movie. It just does not interest me in the least bit. If US were to do something to take me away from Disney, Harry Potter would not be the way to do it.

That said, I know that tons of people love Harry Potter and will visit US to see the new attractions. I don't think it will hurt WDW all that much though.