Holy Diagon Alley Batman!

[canoe86]

look at voyage of the little mermaid in fantasyland. Its not bad, not horrible, but its incredibly second rate, using stale technology. One of the rooms looks unfinished, like they did not even care that you could see the ceiling.

this!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Are there reports yet about how the crowds are for the grand opening today?

 

[jeffbear]

It would appear as universal has now started doing what Disney used to do. I believe they have indeed stolen some of the magic away.

To a degree, but the overall park experience at Universal is completely different than WDW. Disney still does that thing they do pretty well.

 

[FLchick415]

Are there reports yet about how the crowds are for the grand opening today?

Just saw on Twitter that Gringotts is up to a 300 minute wait. Sooo...pretty crowded I'm guessing. lol

 

[JoeA]

There are seven books in the Harry Potter series and each is full of wonderful descriptive details about the Wizarding World. There is enough information in these books that multiple places
could be turned into theme park attractions. London is just one small part of the story.

Avatar on the other hand, has blue people in a blue forest. Really?

256 million for Diagon Alley vs. 1.5 billion for magic bands. Now I ask you, who do you think is going to see a better return on investment?

I am going to go out on a limb and say "Avatar land" will be more than blue people and a few trees.

And while it may seem like a distinction without a difference to some, Disney didn't budget anywhere near $1.5B for "magic bands", and I'm not sure we've even seen the finished product yet.

I think it's great that Universal is growing with "cool toys" but I wouldn't be so short sighted as saying, "Well, Diagon v. Magic bands...games over!"

 

[L&Lfan]

Universal Orlando is definitely a destination for us. We stay for a week at Portofino Bay relaxing and enjoying the 2 parks and City Walk. Although we love the Disney deluxes, we think Portofino Bay tops any Disney deluxe resort. We will be going again in 2015.

 

[FLchick415]

I am going to go out on a limb and say "Avatar land" will be more than blue people and a few trees.

And while it may seem like a distinction without a difference to some, Disney didn't budget anywhere near $1.5B for "magic bands", and I'm not sure we've even seen the finished product yet.

I think it's great that Universal is growing with "cool toys" but I wouldn't be so short sighted as saying, "Well, Diagon v. Magic bands...games over!"

Exactly. The $1.5B (or whatever the cost was) wasn't JUST for MBs. It was for the ENTIRE MM+ system. Yes, they could have built new rides, but they needed a way to manage the crowds they already have before building something that would just make the parks even more crowded. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jon18uk]

You don't have to have a beloved story to make an incredible theme ride. Splash mountain was based on Songs of the South, certainly not a huge hit, and most kids today would not have a clue about that movie, nor most adults I guess. Same thing with Tower of Terror, a classic ride that is themed to the hilt. Disney does not need a fantastic franchise in order to make a fantastic attraction, or a fantastic land. They just need to let their imagineers go, and fund them.

But, Disney no longer does this. Look at voyage of the little mermaid in fantasyland. Its not bad, not horrible, but its incredibly second rate, using stale technology. One of the rooms looks unfinished, like they did not even care that you could see the ceiling. Have not seen 7dmt yet, and can't judge it, but I expect that its going to be better done then VOTLM, but still underwhelming compared to what is going on at Universal.

(I think there is a rebel at WDW imagineering though - he was given the job of doing the bathroom in fantasyland, and said - I am going to do it like Walt would have wanted it done).

Totally agree with this, Disney has become fixated on tying everything to a movie. The best attractions at WDW are originals (Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Everest, the mountains, Tower of Terror). Fantasyland should be fantasy so related back to films, Tomorrowland can link to science fiction but Frontierland & Adventureland should be more about originals!
Universal Studios is a park based on movies so everything should have a tie back to film, Island of Adventures
had onearea not linked to film/comics but most of that is now Hogsmeade!

Oh and I've only ridden Little Mermaid at DCA but agree it is not good, it doesn't take you away to something new, just a cheap retelling of the story.

 

[mousefan73]

This threaf is making me want to add a day at harry potter in our september trip. Will gladly give a disney day up.


I have no other desire for universal except the HP draw. They scored on this one.

Avatarland does ZERO for me. Yes I am sure the finished product will be cool, but the theme tie in NADA. I think alot has to do with a story, series, character being introduced in your childhood. I am a child of the 70's. Star wars. Will always be part of my childhood and a draw foe me. Same thing for harry potter, millions and millions grew up with him, adults too and new generations. There is that emotional tie like star wars has for me.

But Avatar??? I dont even recall kids seeing this movie??? I saw this film with DH it did not blow me away. The 3D and cinematrics were cool, but the emotional story, identifying leads actors to characters was missing. The film focused less on storyline more 3d.

Guys know what I mean?? Ex. Mark hamill is Luke, I dont even recall the lead actors name from Avatar.

 

[DisUniversal]

No one yet really sees US as a vacation destination. They see it as a max 3 day park. At least the vast majority. US just cannot compete on that level with Disney and they know it. It doesn't mean that they cannot increase their share of the theme park pie but they would need to probably add 3 to 5 of these same type of attractions (and one to two more gates) and some more resorts at different levels to even begin to compete with Disney on that level. I just don't think that will ever happen. Or at least not in the foreseeable future.

Not until they add at least one more park and two hotels. Then they will be getting enough guests spending their ENTIRE time at Universal to give Disney pause. Not until then.

So, you need 3 or 4 parks to become a vacation destination. Tell me, when did Walt Disney World become a vacation destination? Couldn't have been when it was just Magic Kingdom and Epcot because that's only 2 parks. Was it when they added MGM Studios? Probably not as it was less than a half a day park at that point (no RnRC, ToT, TSMM, etc...). I guess if I'm following what's being said here, WDW was not a vacation destination until they added Animal Kingdom.

Not sure what the number of resorts has to do with being a destination. If I decide to make a place our vacation destination all I need is one, maybe two rooms to accommodate us.

 

[Suvadoo]

Exactly. The $1.5B (or whatever the cost was) wasn't JUST for MBs. It was for the ENTIRE MM+ system. Yes, they could have built new rides, but they needed a way to manage the crowds they already have before building something that would just make the parks even more crowded. Just my 2 cents.

IMO, disney should have invested in new attractions in AK, Epcot, and HS before they implemented MDE. At least they would've had more than 3 attractions at each theme park that needed FP+. As one person said, Disney is stagnant and I for one am disappointed. The house of mouse is my passion, and I'd like to see it live up to my expectations.

 

[Rileygirl]

Not until they add at least one more park and two hotels. Then they will be getting enough guests spending their ENTIRE time at Universal to give Disney pause. Not until then.

I humbly disagree

You are thinking about who you are, and how you like to vacation, perhaps even a bit about where you live too. Perhaps consider this

What does universal have to offer as a vacation destination
1. Delux resorts with every amenity you can think of, AND they are well maintained
2. An ample and interesting variety of restaurants, all within walking distance of said deluxe resorts
3. Nightlife
4. Amazing pools
5. Location in sunny Florida. ( think about this. You may live in a warm climate, but is that true for everybody? I live in canada where it's freakin cold 70% of the time! and I am going to guess that a lot of hp fans WORLD WIDE do too
6. 2 outstanding theme parks, for entertainment. Notice this is last on the list.

How many people book a vacation and go lie out in the sun and escape the cold? They go to Cuba, st Thomas, Dominican Republic, wherever, for a VACATION. I'm not talking about marketing to theme park junkies, I' m talking about marketing vacations to the world wide population of hp fans who are coming for the sunshine and to see hp. There is more then enough to have an amazing vacation at UO for a week. If universal had half the team that Disney has, you better believe they would have hopped on this train a couple of years ago. Their ticket structure and sales are incredibly bad. It's like someone on the team is secretly employed by Mickey .....

And, if you have never stayed on site and done UO, I'm going to tell you, it's a vacation. The fotl thing is amazing, the amenities are outstanding, and there is little to no preplanning involved. It's relaxing. I like Disney, but I do it first now, and then spend the last part at universal for vacation.

Just my thoughts

 

[grizzy77]

This article states very succinctly what I've been thinking while reading the thread. I'm looking forward to seeing Diagon Alley, even though I am not a Harry Potter fan. Their work on Hogsmeade truly demonstrates that Universal is capable of doing first-class, imaginative work that rivals any attraction that Disney can build.

Disney is a special brand to me and they own something that can't be duplicated. But I'm genuinely happy that Universal refuses to settle for second-class. Disney needs a real nemesis to spur more creativity and investment -- instead of complacency that has led to some fairly soulless un-Disneylike projects in the past. We all will win as a result.

Bingo.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I can't wait to see your trip report. My family was blown away by the details of WWoHP when we went in 2010.We were also frustrated that it was so small. I'm so happy they expanded it. I can't wait to see it!

 

[lugnut33]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'd rather visit an Avatarland over Harry Potter. That's just my preference because I'm into science fiction. The really great thing is all of us can visit both lands if we want to.

 

[FLchick415]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'd rather visit an Avatarland over Harry Potter. That's just my preference because I'm into science fiction. The really great thing is all of us can visit both lands if we want to.

I can't wait to visit both!

 

[Mad Hattered]

5 hour wait for Gringotts right now. Should clear up some space at WDW.

 

[barbaraann]

I have been reading this thread, and definitely resisting the urge to figure out how to get to WWOHP for one day during my upcoming Florida vacation in just 6 short weeks.

Instead, I want a Universal Vacation instead of a Disney one. That way, I can really experience everything at my leisure, and I will be right there at one of the Universal Hotels. My plan is a short Monday to Friday trip to Universal. I did that at Disneyland for an October trip, and it was heaven. I took my time, and had 3 glorious stress free days in their parks. Seeing all the Halloween stuff was a bonus. Normally, I do Disneyland longer, but the shorter trip was heaven on my joints.

I am dying to see all the new Harry Potter stuff. I loved the Books, and saw all the movies, and I did spend 1/2 a day last year visiting WWOHP last year. However, I can see myself finally getting to see and do all that Universal has to offer in a longer vacation on their property.

I've done Disney solo. Now I need to do Universal solo.

 

[jimilla]

I can remember reading either a Bio of Walt Disney, or a book about the Parks (don't remember which), but Disney used to have a concept of PLUS.

The folks at Disney, from the top down would always ask the question "How can we PLUS IT...?" Meaning how can we make it exceed all expectations always.

Here's a attraction idea...How can we PLUS IT...? Here's a restaurant idea...How can we PLUS IT...? Here's a hotel idea...How can we PLUS IT...? Here's a Land idea...How can we PLUS IT...?

From my perspective, I just don't see them doing that much anymore. It seems to me it more of: Here's a attraction idea...How can we make it just GOOD ENOUGH...? Rather than...How can we PLUS IT..."

I think what Universal did with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was try to PLUS everything.

I'm not naive, I know there are budgeting constraints, and cost benefit analysis, but at the same time you have to look at what your competition is doing, and when they are innovating more than you are, you have a problem.

Case in point, BlackBerry. There was a time not long ago when they had a lock on the Smart Phone Market. Everybody and there brother (in the Business World at least) had one, they were so addictive that they were called "CrackBerry." Along comes the IPhone and BlackBerry is hurting.

I'm not suggesting that Disney is close to bankruptcy by any means, their Parks are insanely popular...but on the innovation front at least they are just not what they used to be.

There is a focus on keep share price up (which any good publicly traded Company should do), but at what cost?

Will I stop going to Disney, of course not. Kids are still going to fall in love with the Movies and Characters (Hello Anna and Elsa), and they are still going to want to go to Walt Disney World. However Harry Potter World is make up ground fast.

For our upcoming trip we have cut two days from Disney and are going to Universal. Some my say that this is not a big deal for Disney, there are plenty of people who will take my two days at Disney and then some.

However that fact they we WANT to cut two days from what would have otherwise been a full Disney trip, SHOULD really be a red flag to Disney.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Not until they add at least one more park and two hotels. Then they will be getting enough guests spending their ENTIRE time at Universal to give Disney pause. Not until then.

I agree it's still not a full-week destination, for most people. It's easily a four-night destination, assuming three full park days. If you add in pool days, then you can make it a week, and a very relaxing week at that.

I don't think they need to add another full park and hotels to make it a week though. If they even add that rumored onsite waterpark, then it will easily be a week for us, we're big waterpark fans and having a new waterpark right there will be great for us (and I'm sure it will be themed nicely!)