Harry Potter?

[minnie2]

I could have sworn a yr or so ago there was a big announcement of some kind of harry Potter themed something at WDW? I could be very wrong...

Any one else remember this?

 

[hogwartsdropout]

It's at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure Not open until late 2009/early 2010.

 

[skier_pete]

That's at that other theme park - Universal - Actually at Islands of Adventure. I think they are planning a 2009 opening.

SkierPete

 

[danny1649]

Is Universal not Disney Danny

 

[dmslush]

It is the wizarding world of harry potter! I cannot wait until it opens!!

http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/

 

[minnie2]

OOPS! Sorry! LOL

My 8 yr old is loving the books o I guess next yr when we go we have to head to universal too....

Thanks!

 

[Eventer98]

DH has been trying to get me to IOA for years now....I guess I won't have an excuse once this attraction opens!!!

 

[Schmeck]

I wonder how good it's going to be, squeezed in that little, over-developed area by a highway and housing developments...

 

[jfinke]

I just find it courious that they decided to do it after the last book was written and almost after all of the movies were made.

It would have made more sense to do it a couple of years ago, I would think.

 

[jdpopp]

I just find it courious that they decided to do it after the last book was written and almost after all of the movies were made.

It would have made more sense to do it a couple of years ago, I would think.

Its been 13 years since Toy Story came out and 9 since Toy Story 2 was out. They just now opened Toy Story Mania and a parade themed after the pixar movies so whats the difference? .

Not trying to be mean just pointing that out, Both Disney and Universal are good parks in their own right no need for bashing either one. I'm looking forward to go on TSM when I go in Oct. and, will book a trip to Universal when Potter opens up too.

Now if only a LOTR area opens up in one of the parks.

 

[troobabiee7]

I wonder how good it's going to be, squeezed in that little, over-developed area by a highway and housing developments...

Both Universal parks are amazing with Islands of Adventure being the BEST. I love Disney but the theming at IOA is better than any of the theming at the Disney parks, in my opinion. There's plenty of room for the Harry Potter land and it looks like it's gonna be really cool, and I'm not even a Harry Potter fan. Don't hate

 

[december]

There is a thread about this on the Universal board. There is a source posted that says it may not open until June 2010.

 

[Schmeck]

Both Universal parks are amazing with Islands of Adventure being the BEST. I love Disney but the theming at IOA is better than any of the theming at the Disney parks, in my opinion. There's plenty of room for the Harry Potter land and it looks like it's gonna be really cool, and I'm not even a Harry Potter fan. Don't hate

I've been looking at the online photos of the construction, and the aerial views on google earth, and the area they talk about developing has tall buildings visible from the construction area. I'm just thinking that having an apartment building or hotel visible from Hogsmeade would be a bit distracting... Also, there's the noise from the highway, sirens going by, etc. I think it would be nicer with a bigger buffer zone, like at WDW.

Just to note - at AKL, you can see/hear the highway from one side of the resort, and I think that spoils the ambiance there as well.

 

[Brewmeister]

My wife is really looking forward to the Harry Potter world, so the good news is that it will mean another trip to Disney in the foreseeable future, even if it means a day or two out to Universal (which isn't in out plans for the upcoming September trip). Looking at the artist concept sketches and such, it should be a really run place to visit.

 

[Nie0214]

I just find it courious that they decided to do it after the last book was written and almost after all of the movies were made.

It would have made more sense to do it a couple of years ago, I would think.

I'm fairly sure they wanted all the details of the books out before they made an area for it, otherwise there would probably be gaping holes when compared to the cannon. The portion of the park isn't being made to promote the books or movies (they hardly need it), it is being made in tribute to the Potter world (and to make money of course).

 

[stitchlover]

When we go to WDW we never leave Disney property. But we figure once Harry Potter opens we will have to plan a day trip over to see it. Our whole family are huge fans of Harry and honestly I would love to go to IOA and ride some of those coasters!

 

[SurfinTX]

I'm fairly sure they wanted all the details of the books out before they made an area for it, otherwise there would probably be gaping holes when compared to the cannon. The portion of the park isn't being made to promote the books or movies (they hardly need it), it is being made in tribute to the Potter world (and to make money of course).

Yeah. There was no way it could have been made before the last book or it would have been an extra expense if a ride or themed attraction had a bit of information that was later revealed to be a plot twist.

The area looks sizeable with Hogsmead taking up 5 acres, a connecting forbidden forest to Hogwarts and grounds which use about 20 acres.

I could say a lot more but I'll go to the Universal boards

 

[troobabiee7]

I've been looking at the online photos of the construction, and the aerial views on google earth, and the area they talk about developing has tall buildings visible from the construction area. I'm just thinking that having an apartment building or hotel visible from Hogsmeade would be a bit distracting... Also, there's the noise from the highway, sirens going by, etc. I think it would be nicer with a bigger buffer zone, like at WDW.

Just to note - at AKL, you can see/hear the highway from one side of the resort, and I think that spoils the ambiance there as well.

I know what you're saying but they'll be able to block the hotels from view and I've never heard traffic in either of the Universal parks

 

[mom2aandj]

My 8 yr old is loving the books o I guess next yr when we go we have to head to universal too....

Thanks!

my 8 year old loves them too, whenever it opens it will be our first trip to Universal. I hope it's before June of 2010 though!

 

[FayeW]

From what I understand, Hogwarts and Hogsmeade will open late fall 2009, and the Forbidden Forest and the ride featuring the Weasley's flying car will open Spring/2010. The plan is for the whole thing to be open by April, 2010. The timing works well for us because we are going to Orlando this Dec, and Dec 2010 sounds like an excellent time to go back.

We always include at least 3 days at Universal and Islands of Adventure. We always seem to have our best day on vacation at Universal Studios while our worst day always seems to be at DHS. Strange, huh?