London Telegraph columnist miffed WWoHP is in Orlando not London

[Mouse Skywalker]

I love this line. It reminds me of something Pete would say...

"I want you to know that I have nothing against Orlando, though you are, of course, far more likely to get shot or robbed there than in London."

Here's a link to the whole article if you're interested. It's a fun read.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/borisjohnson/7807589/Now-heres-a-wizard-idea.-Why-not-bring-Harry-Potter-home.html

 

[aggielawyer]

Interesting article...and comments to the article.

I don't know of the crime rates of London v. Orlando, but I'd guess London is higher. I think he's confusing Orlando with the wild west.

 

[DSNY4ever]

But the UK has the REAL Harry Potter stuff! We just went there and saw some of the castles used in the movies, the spot where Hagrid's cottage was (they took it down after filming), we also went to Oxford where some clips were shot and the dining hall was also based on the dining hall there- In Scotland you can even ride the train used in the movie and go over that really pretty bridge (it wasn't open yet, when we were there).

We aren't even major Harry Potter fans, but it was really fun. We were just touring on our own, but you can sign up for actual Harry Potter tours of Scotland and England to see all of these places.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I thought about this when WWofHP was announced by Universal. Not that I thought Universal should/would build HP in England, but I was a little surprised JK Rowling didn't want it built in England. I have heard she really wanted only British actors for the movies and she has said the story is about British children when asked why there were no American students at Hogwarts. She didn't write them in "American" way, she used British terms and words, ect...I even thought maybe she couldn't find anyone that wanted to build it in the UK. I wonder if she tried that route first and it didn't work out so she went with Universal.

 

[mom2knk]

I found this part of the article to be interesting:

On the 18th of this month they are unveiling a vast 20-acre attraction – a theme park – that will be called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the word in the industry is that it is gonna be huge. There will be animatronic whomping willows and exhilarating interactive quidditch-style rides, and vast latex-covered Hagrids rolling bonhomiously down the street.

He's going to be REALLY disappointed when he arrives at WWoHP to see the "theme park" with the (multiple) animatronic whomping willows and (multiple) exhilarating interactive quidditch-style rides, don't ya think??

The podcast review should be required listening for all those across the pond before they book their airfare. They deserve to know exactly what they'll find when they arrive!

 

[lugnut33]

Why should Boris Becker care?

 

[DisneyKevin]

Why should Boris Becker care?

The tennis player?

I'm not sure he does. He hasn't weighed in on Harry Potter's location.

Boris Johnson...the person who wrote the article...seems to care.

 

[corky441]

I'm still confused as to why Universal would put themselves in such a terrible position to fail ???

They have hyped this all over the globe as being a "theme park" and eventhough the set design elements are going to be awesome to see - they alone can't begin to carry the area. One major ride ( for non-pooh sized people ) - one double roller coaster for adults and one mini-coaster for children.

They will still be cleaning up the bad press long after Harry Potter is past it's prime as a viable attraction...

 

[luke]

Boris Johnson...the person who wrote the article...seems to care.

Boris Johnson is actually Mayor of London, and a politician of almost comical reputation for being an oaf very prone to putting his foot in his mouth.

I have other personal reasons for disliking him anyway, but this kind of article is exactly the kind of rubbish he generally spouts so I wouldn't look too deeply into it (and I imagine most readers in the UK won't either)

 

[nixieh]

Boris Johnson is the mayor of London and yes I wld love to have WWOHP here in London, it would save me a fortune in fares!

 

[luke]

Boris Johnson is the mayor of London and yes I wld love to have WWOHP here in London, it would save me a fortune in fares!

Although London is 4 hours drive away, Florida is 9 hours flight, and I've still been to Florida more times in the last two years

 

[Racey]

we discussed this in our office today after reading a very small article in a free newspaper handed out in london last night. All it said was that boris johnson was looking at tenders of who could finance HP theme park in london, not that he thought the one and only theme park dedicated to HP should be here. There were mixed views, but most people said that it would probably work in london

im still unsure if it would work, but cant really put my finger on why I think that?

I wonder if he actually had a researcher look into crime rates between the two so he could back up his comments?

The UK definitely needs a new theme park as the biggest two: Alton Towers and Chessington world of adventures are old and dont have as much updating as the like of those in orlando. Perhaps it is a good idea?

I definitely go to it though

 

[Racey]

I thought about this when WWofHP was announced by Universal. Not that I thought Universal should/would build HP in England, but I was a little surprised JK Rowling didn't want it built in England. I have heard she really wanted only British actors for the movies and she has said the story is about British children when asked why there were no American students at Hogwarts. She didn't write them in "American" way, she used British terms and words, ect...I even thought maybe she couldn't find anyone that wanted to build it in the UK. I wonder if she tried that route first and it didn't work out so she went with Universal.

I would have though that Universal saw the potential market and approached her. I doubt any theme park in the uk could match what universal offered JKR, the profit that each park make compaired to those in the uk probably arent even in the same ball park!

 

[luke]

I would have though that Universal saw the potential market and approached her. I doubt any theme park in the uk could match what universal offered JKR, the profit that each park make compaired to those in the uk probably arent even in the same ball park!

Very true. The major parks we have here are more akin to the likes of a Six Flags - lots of rides, not so much theming.

Plus, if you've been, look at Alton Towers' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride - not the best thing, to say the least!!

 

[Cyrano]

What a tosser . I would have even less chance of seeing WWoHP if it was in London.
Today's paper will be wrapping tomorrows fish and chips

 

[luke]

What a tosser . I would have even less chance of seeing WWoHP if it was in London.
Today's paper will be wrapping tomorrows fish and chips

Agree with all of that!
I only started reading and watching Harry Potter in preparation for coming to Orlando this August, no way would I have bothered had they opened something based on it in that there London

 

[wishspirit]

I thought about this when WWofHP was announced by Universal. Not that I thought Universal should/would build HP in England, but I was a little surprised JK Rowling didn't want it built in England. I have heard she really wanted only British actors for the movies and she has said the story is about British children when asked why there were no American students at Hogwarts. She didn't write them in "American" way, she used British terms and words, ect...I even thought maybe she couldn't find anyone that wanted to build it in the UK. I wonder if she tried that route first and it didn't work out so she went with Universal.

Two reasons why a Harry Potter theme park will not work in Britain?

The weather and space!

They built Eurodisney in the Valley of the Marne, where it is at least as cold and drizzly as it is in London – and it has been a triumphant success.

This is where Boris meanders into untruthfulness yet again! Firstly it is Disneyland Paris, and has been for donkeys years! Secondly it has NEVER been an success. It only started turning a profit just before the recession, and now is back at making a loss! For the money you spend, why not go to the warmer and larger version? Secondly, we just don't have the land available to do it! Most land that large is protected green belt, and would take years of battling with local and national government to get anywhere!

Although apparently Leavesden studios (where it was filmed) is going to turn into a perminant homage to Harry Potter, so there will be one place!

The tennis player?

I'm not sure he does. He hasn't weighed in on Harry Potter's location.

Boris Johnson...the person who wrote the article...seems to care.

Our rather dim-witted Mayor of London I'm afraid! World renowned for his ability to talk absolute rubbish!

Boris Johnson is actually Mayor of London, and a politician of almost comical reputation for being an oaf very prone to putting his foot in his mouth.

I have other personal reasons for disliking him anyway, but this kind of article is exactly the kind of rubbish he generally spouts so I wouldn't look too deeply into it (and I imagine most readers in the UK won't either)

My sentiments exactly Luke!

 

[gr8leg8]

Don't you just love it when our UK peeps
say things like tosser and rubbish??!!

continue...

 

[kbelle8995]

There is so much to do in London and the UK in general and you can go to real locations they used for the movie and JK Rowling used for her books so I understand the cultural aspect if not the reality. Although I have a greater chance of going to Orlando than I have of ever getting back to the UK.

When I was there the pound was a lot stronger than the american doller.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

This is where Boris meanders into untruthfulness yet again! Firstly it is Disneyland Paris, and has been for donkeys years! Secondly it has NEVER been an success. It only started turning a profit just before the recession, and now is back at making a loss! For the money you spend, why not go to the warmer and larger version? Secondly, we just don't have the land available to do it! Most land that large is protected green belt, and would take years of battling with local and national government to get anywhere!

That's the first thought when I read it! And for the money you spend, I like visiting Disneyland Paris, it has its own charm to it, and there is quite a price jump between the two. I can't even afford to go to DLRP anytime soon, let alone WDW.