IMO HP is way overated

[mickman1962]

First never read the books, did see the movies. But really 2 re-themed rides, one new (fantastic) ride, great theming, a few shops that are WAY to small and more fake facades then you can count. Went 2 days (staying at HRH) got in by 7:30 and were done both days by 8:30. Just don't get the hype being thrown around. If the Harry Potter name was not attached to this I am sure it would getting vilified as a waste of money/space.

 

[Kanda]

I didn't really like it either. I can understand where people who are "really into Harry Potter" would love it though. I've just seen a few of the movies, I thought it would have been nice to take a look around the stores, but didn't want to spend an hour waiting in line just to shop. We didn't even go in the stores. We did go into 3 Broomsticks, which was neat, but I wouldn't have waited in line to get in there either.

 

[Metro West]

First never read the books, did see the movies. But really 2 re-themed rides, one new (fantastic) ride, great theming, a few shops that are WAY to small and more fake facades then you can count. Went 2 days (staying at HRH) got in by 7:30 and were done both days by 8:30. Just don't get the hype being thrown around. If the Harry Potter name was not attached to this I am sure it would getting vilified as a waste of money/space.

Well...if the HP name wasn't attached to it, the area wouldn't have been built in the first place...right?

Sorry you didn't enjoy yourself. I haven't been yet but am looking forward to walking around the WWoHP. I know nothing about the books and movies but I'm still interested in the new area.

I also firmly believe there will be an expansion to the WWoHP in the near future so this is just a start.

 

[Phoenix41]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good time either.

Personally, I loved it and fully understand all the hype. It's such a magical place. Universal has worked so hard to make it incredible authentic which is something I think only the people who've read the books can (fully) understand.

I have noticed that a lot of people mention how small the shops are but they are suppose to be that way. It's suppose to be small because it's a village. The size of it is part of the authenticity. I believe it was also one of Rowling's stipulations. It's actually one of the qualities I love about the park. The park also handled the crowd very well (I was there on Grand Opening day) and the only store I really felt claustrophobic in was Filch's Emporium. I'm pretty sure the only reason for that is because that's where the Forbidden Journey exits so there is constant traffic.

As for the lines it's important to remember that it won't always be that way. The lines have gone down immensely even in just the last month. Of course some of them are still lengthy but not as bad as they were. They also dissipate quicker.

Metro - I really hope there is an expansion in the future. It'd be super awesome.

 

[georgina]

That's fine - everyone is entitled to their opinions. There are many things in this world that other people enjoy I think are overrated (Pro sports, NASCAR, broadway musicals to name a few). I can see how if you are not fans, you would not appreciate the architectural and other small details. It's not just about the rides. We ARE Harry Potter fans, haven't been to Universal in 4 years, and planned a trip mostly to see the new area. We will do the other parts of the parks too, but are going because of WWOHP. Arriving in 2 days and very much looking forward to it.

 

[damo]

If the Harry Potter name was not attached to this I am sure it would getting vilified as a waste of money/space.

The whole point is that the Harry Potter name is attached to it. It is a replica of things in the Harry Potter franchise.

The Harry Potter exhibit wouldn't have gotten many visitors either if if wasn't the "Harry Potter Exhibit".

 

[Planogirl]

The whole point is the theme. Otherwise it would just be a bunch of "stuff" with no purpose.

We'll judge for ourselves soon. I can't wait but if I don't like it there's plenty of otherwise great themepark to enjoy.

 

[PHILCT]

I would really like to go to see the Harry Potter "area" at Universal.

I have been to both parks at Universal in the past, and as much as I liked it, I was disappointed on how many thrill rides didn't handle a larger sized guest, where as in Disney I can fit easily on everything.

Well I kind of expected Universal to know that the USA population is getting bigger, wider, etc, and they of course would build any new rides to accommodate large people, like Disney does.

But I am really disappointed that they chose a design for the newest ride FJ that basically eliminates about 20 percent of the USA population. This is a newly designed ride, are they crazy? I am not speaking of anyone half the size of HAGRID even.

So I have no reason to look forward to going to Universal again, because I really don't want to feel like a 2nd class citizen there on the old and new rides I won't fit comfortably on. I will take my partner once, he hasn't been there yet. But it probably isn't going to ever get a repeat business like I do with Disney. I just don't feel "special" there.

(Silently I can imagine someone now yelling at me, Lose Weight and you will fit on the rides !, Maybe I can have a Wizard Shrink Spell performed on me before entering the FJ ride? But at Disney, the Pixie Dust seems to be spread out more evenly to ALL the guests).

The ride I miss the most at Universal/Islands of Adventure is SPIDERMAN !
That was Universal's best design that rivaled even Disney. I just don't get who was in charge or designed the FJ attraction seat sizes. I even wonder if this ride is Handicap accessible?

Okay enough of my Rant !

Phil

 

[damo]

I would really like to go to see the Harry Potter "area" at Universal.

I have been to both parks at Universal in the past, and as much as I liked it, I was disappointed on how many thrill rides didn't handle a larger sized guest, where as in Disney I can fit easily on everything.

Well I kind of expected Universal to know that the USA population is getting bigger, wider, etc, and they of course would build any new rides to accommodate large people, like Disney does.

But I am really disappointed that they chose a design for the newest ride FJ that basically eliminates about 20 percent of the USA population. This is a newly designed ride, are they crazy? I am not speaking of anyone half the size of HAGRID even.

So I have no reason to look forward to going to Universal again, because I really don't want to feel like a 2nd class citizen there on the old and new rides I won't fit comfortably on. I will take my partner once, he hasn't been there yet. But it probably isn't going to ever get a repeat business like I do with Disney. I just don't feel "special" there.

(Silently I can imagine someone now yelling at me, Lose Weight and you will fit on the rides !, Maybe I can have a Wizard Shrink Spell performed on me before entering the FJ ride? But at Disney, the Pixie Dust seems to be spread out more evenly to ALL the guests).

The ride I miss the most at Universal/Islands of Adventure is SPIDERMAN !
That was Universal's best design that rivaled even Disney. I just don't get who was in charge or designed the FJ attraction seat sizes. I even wonder if this ride is Handicap accessible?

Okay enough of my Rant !

Phil

We've already got a few ranting threads on this very topic for you to read. You aren't alone. Yes it is handicap accessible.

Here is a good thread that is just a few posts down from this one, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2489210 about people posting their sizes and their experiences and trying to help others with their information.

 

[Purseval]

If the Harry Potter name was not attached to this I am sure it would getting vilified as a waste of money/space.

And if it had the Disney name attached to it I'm sure it would be the greatest thing since the invention of the theme park, even if it was total garbage

 

[phamton]

But I am really disappointed that they chose a design for the newest ride FJ that basically eliminates about 20 percent of the USA population. This is a newly designed ride, are they crazy?

I waited in line for 90 minutes and didn't see one person who wasn't able to fit on the ride. 20% sounds very high to me. With that percentage, I would have expected to see at least one in 5 people refused. My husband is no skinny minnie. He weighs close to 275 lbs and was able to fit and he has a large tummy. I also have a big tummy. My midsection is as big as when I delivered my twins who were both 7 pounders each. I had no problem getting on the ride. I saw at least two hundred people board before me and not one was too big to fit. Some were even larger than my husband.

 

[fairyprincess88]

First never read the books, did see the movies.

And there you go. That is the reason you most likely didnt get the hype. The hype is not because of the rides(although FJ is stunning), but it is about those small shops, those fake facades, Hogwarts, Three Broomsticks ect. What is so amazing about the WWoHP is that it allows fans to walk through, eat and shop in Hogsmeade. Of course that wont mean much to those who are not true Potter fans, and sure they may see it as a waste of space but to the fans, it is worth all the hype.

It's hard to explain to those who only know the movies and not the books, because Harry's world was always shown to them in vivid color and special effects. But the books were published years before the movies and many of us had only our imaginations and JKR's words to show it to us. Those who only know the movies wouldn't understand why being able to sip a butterbeer in the Hogshead is so special, they wouldn't understand why standing in front of the fake facades and seeing a quill write on it's own or stepping into Ollivanders would make someone tear up. Most of the adult fans you see walking around the WWoHP with wide eyes and who are hyping this place up have grown up with Harry in his world, and now we finally get to step into it with him. So yes, it is because it is connected to Potter that makes these small shops and rethemed rides so special, because that is the whole point in it. I can honestly understand why some people just dont get it, but that doesnt mean that it is not worth the hype it is receiving. For someone just going for the theme park aspect of it all, they wont understand how someone can spend hours just looking at every widow, get giddy at the idea of standing in front of Hogwarts or just be content to sit in the Owlery and take it all in. For the Potter fans it's not about the themepark, it's about a day out in Hogsmeade, a day we really never thought we'd get to experience. And that is where the hype comes from.

 

[Purseval]

20% sounds very high to me.

He's probably thinking of obese. According to government data, about 66% of people in the USA are now either overweight or obese, which is defined as 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight. Morbidly obese, 100 lbs or more overweight and the type of body with the smallest chance of getting on the ride, is about 6%. However the reason you may not see many people turned away is that the morbidly obese average less than 2500 steps a day (the recommended amount is 10,000) and are sedentary over 99% of the day. So most wouldn't even make the effort to get there.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325162634.htm

 

[indimom]

And there you go. That is the reason you most likely didnt get the hype. The hype is not because of the rides(although FJ is stunning), but it is about those small shops, those fake facades, Hogwarts, Three Broomsticks ect. What is so amazing about the WWoHP is that it allows fans to walk through, eat and shop in Hogsmeade. Of course that wont mean much to those who are not true Potter fans, and sure they may see it as a waste of space but to the fans, it is worth all the hype.

It's hard to explain to those who only know the movies and not the books, because Harry's world was always shown to them in vivid color and special effects. But the books were published years before the movies and many of us had only our imaginations and JKR's words to show it to us. Those who only know the movies wouldn't understand why being able to sip a butterbeer in the Hogshead is so special, they wouldn't understand why standing in front of the fake facades and seeing a quill write on it's own or stepping into Ollivanders would make someone tear up. Most of the adult fans you see walking around the WWoHP with wide eyes and who are hyping this place up have grown up with Harry in his world, and now we finally get to step into it with him. So yes, it is because it is connected to Potter that makes these small shops and rethemed rides so special, because that is the whole point in it. I can honestly understand why some people just dont get it, but that doesnt mean that it is not worth the hype it is receiving. For someone just going for the theme park aspect of it all, they wont understand how someone can spend hours just looking at every widow, get giddy at the idea of standing in front of Hogwarts or just be content to sit in the Owlery and take it all in. For the Potter fans it's not about the themepark, it's about a day out in Hogsmeade, a day we really never thought we'd get to experience. And that is where the hype comes from.

I LOVED the books (this is the only series I ever read that got me out at midnight to pick up a new book) and am looking forward to going and exploring the area to the fullest. It's definitely not about the one new ride for me.
It took me three years to get DD to attempt to read "those huge books." Now that she has, our family has 3 out of 4 potter fans. I'm going to work on DS next, so when we do get to IOA again, we can all appreciate the little details that go into it. Hopefully in 2011!!!!!

 

[Phoenix41]

And there you go. That is the reason you most likely didnt get the hype. The hype is not because of the rides(although FJ is stunning), but it is about those small shops, those fake facades, Hogwarts, Three Broomsticks ect. What is so amazing about the WWoHP is that it allows fans to walk through, eat and shop in Hogsmeade. Of course that wont mean much to those who are not true Potter fans, and sure they may see it as a waste of space but to the fans, it is worth all the hype.

It's hard to explain to those who only know the movies and not the books, because Harry's world was always shown to them in vivid color and special effects. But the books were published years before the movies and many of us had only our imaginations and JKR's words to show it to us. Those who only know the movies wouldn't understand why being able to sip a butterbeer in the Hogshead is so special, they wouldn't understand why standing in front of the fake facades and seeing a quill write on it's own or stepping into Ollivanders would make someone tear up. Most of the adult fans you see walking around the WWoHP with wide eyes and who are hyping this place up have grown up with Harry in his world, and now we finally get to step into it with him. So yes, it is because it is connected to Potter that makes these small shops and rethemed rides so special, because that is the whole point in it. I can honestly understand why some people just dont get it, but that doesnt mean that it is not worth the hype it is receiving. For someone just going for the theme park aspect of it all, they wont understand how someone can spend hours just looking at every widow, get giddy at the idea of standing in front of Hogwarts or just be content to sit in the Owlery and take it all in. For the Potter fans it's not about the themepark, it's about a day out in Hogsmeade, a day we really never thought we'd get to experience. And that is where the hype comes from.

That was beautifully written. That's exactly how I feel. I totally understand how some people just don't get it. However, for the true Potter fans its so incredibly special and well worth the hype. Only someone who has been completely immersed in Harry's world can truly understand how incredible it is to step into a replica of the world readers have been a part of for so many years (since I was 9). Most of us grew up with the characters and relate to them in so many ways.

What you said, "For the Potter fans it's not about the themepark, it's about a day out in Hogsmeade, a day we really never thought we'd get to experience," really sums up exactly how I feel.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Please don't make this another thread about being fat.

Universal made an attraction unlike any other and because of the new technology, it's going to have restrictions.

I'm not trying to be insensitive but that's the way it goes with almost any attraction that provides any kind of thrill.

For the latest omnimover and decades-old nighttime parade and 3D film, please visit the Walt Disney World Resort.

 

[giftcard]

And there you go. That is the reason you most likely didnt get the hype. The hype is not because of the rides(although FJ is stunning), but it is about those small shops, those fake facades, Hogwarts, Three Broomsticks ect. What is so amazing about the WWoHP is that it allows fans to walk through, eat and shop in Hogsmeade. Of course that wont mean much to those who are not true Potter fans, and sure they may see it as a waste of space but to the fans, it is worth all the hype.

It's hard to explain to those who only know the movies and not the books, because Harry's world was always shown to them in vivid color and special effects. But the books were published years before the movies and many of us had only our imaginations and JKR's words to show it to us. Those who only know the movies wouldn't understand why being able to sip a butterbeer in the Hogshead is so special, they wouldn't understand why standing in front of the fake facades and seeing a quill write on it's own or stepping into Ollivanders would make someone tear up. Most of the adult fans you see walking around the WWoHP with wide eyes and who are hyping this place up have grown up with Harry in his world, and now we finally get to step into it with him. So yes, it is because it is connected to Potter that makes these small shops and rethemed rides so special, because that is the whole point in it. I can honestly understand why some people just dont get it, but that doesnt mean that it is not worth the hype it is receiving. For someone just going for the theme park aspect of it all, they wont understand how someone can spend hours just looking at every widow, get giddy at the idea of standing in front of Hogwarts or just be content to sit in the Owlery and take it all in. For the Potter fans it's not about the themepark, it's about a day out in Hogsmeade, a day we really never thought we'd get to experience. And that is where the hype comes from.

Totally agree! I can also understand why some people don't get it but there are tons of people who do. And, IMO, that's who the WWOHP is truly for -- the fans. It's the only series I have ever attended a midnight release for (in costume, no less!) and something I have read many, many times. In fact, I'm rereading Deathly Hallows right now and cried on my dinner break at work. The books are so captivating and inspire such devotion (and emotion) from fans -- I am soooooo excited to spend a couple of days there and experience some Harry Potter magic!

 

[derekburgan]

The number of people that can't ride FJ seems to be completely blown out of proportion here on the Dis. If 20% of the people were not being allowed to ride, we'd be seeing complaints everywhere, and that's just not happening. In my experience, Americans don't like being told they are too fat for anything (no matter what their weight), so if a large percentage of riders were not being let on, we'd see tons of tweets, Facebook updates, complaints on other message boards, and even blogs ripping Universal up and down. There just seems to be some sort of weird entitlement in this country with certain things, and that's one of them. I'm not saying everyone is riding, but it's a heck of a lot more than we were being led to believe here.

What I'm most confused about is the Dis' own Pete Werner's experience. Pete has said several times about not being able to ride and saying he was (I'm pretty sure) 5'10, 230lbs. Now maybe the test seat wasn't calibrated correctly. Maybe Pete didn't pull down on the harness hard enough. I don't know the answer, but I can say I am 100% convinced that if we walked with Pete Werner onto FJ today, he'd have no problem getting onto the ride. There is just too much other data confirming this.

As for the original poster being underwhelmed, I can understand someone saying they didn't enjoy the area, especially someone who isn't a Harry Potter fan. I'm a huge Jurassic Park fan, and that part of the park is technical pretty amazing as well, but it doesn't do anything for me. I can't explain why. I do have a hard time believing that everything in the WWoHP can be fully experienced in one hour, though, even if the area was completely empty. It seems pretty much impossible unless you were ignoring just about everything except for walking onto the next ride or blowing through a shop, and that entire area is designed for the complete opposite experience.

 

[phamton]

I don't know the answer, but I can say I am 100% convinced that if we walked with Pete Werner onto FJ today, he'd have no problem getting onto the ride. There is just too much other data confirming this.

I totally agree with this. My husband outweighs Pete by 40 lbs. and was able to ride. I am thinking he just tried the test seat outside. I am sure if he went to the ride seat, he could get on. Many people have had the same problem. I wonder if they made the test seat a little less forgiving so that people wouldn't get the green light if they were a little iffy about fitting. I bet Universal would rather turn away people at the test seat rather than have someone have to unload from the regular ride seat.

 

[SeeJackRunn]

And transitioning from the fat wank, I kind of agree with the OP. I mean in reality they built one ride, did a little re-themeing in an area that was originally double the size it now is and what we are left with is a bunch of people raving about cream soda and overpriced chocolates they waited an hour to get. I understand people's excitement, and it looks as though Universal did a great job, but it's nothing new and i still don't get the hype.