Lost Continent to become Hogwarts?

[damo]

My whole family thinks it would be great, especially my 9 year old son! What about Poseidon's Fury becoming The Chamber of Secrets?

They could do something really neat with Poseidon's Fury.

 

[cardaway]

I think it's a great idea. Like the others I think they could do some great things with the attractions already in place.

Sinbad could easily become a a new show with HP characters fighting it out.

Poseidon's Fury could easily become a themed show, maybe even a tour of Hogwarts.

Dueling Dragons could get a make over to theme it to the dragon riding in the Goblet of Fire.

 

[friendnc]

I guess we're some of the few who are not happy about the LC change. LC is our favorite land. I can see an attraction, but the whole island? We have no interest in HP and there's another whole island dedicated to one single book series, SL. It just our opinions, not putting down anyone. We just hate to see such a great place be changed so much. Our family isn't interested in SL or HP. So after the change, I doubt it'll be worth us getting annual passes to US/IOA anymore.

 

[damo]

Here is the latest from Screamscape.
A Screamscape source has confirmed to us that the IOA project is indeed a real Harry Potter project. No more false rumors claiming “letters of intent” from J.K. Rowling to Disney and all that nonsense, it seems that Universal has sealed the deal at last. This has been a long time coming too since Universal has been trying to gain Harry Potter since way back when the first film was still being shot.

 

[FayeW]

Great. Just great. Just when I think we can stop spending our money going to Universal theme parks, they pull a stunt like this. Now I have to start saving for a trip to Florida in 2009. DAAAMMMMNNN YOUUUUUUU Universal Studios!

 

[SaratogaShan]

If they do this, they will need to retheme the whole island or it would not be in keeping with the "islands" concept. I can't see how adding just a "Harry Potter themed section to an existing island would be very imersive or consistent with the themeing of the other sections.

If it's going to change, I think the whole island should change....JMHO

 

[damo]

If they do this, they will need to retheme the whole island or it would not be in keeping with the "islands" concept. I can't see how adding just a "Harry Potter themed section to an existing island would be very imersive or consistent with the themeing of the other sections.

If it's going to change, I think the whole island should change....JMHO

I think the plan is to retheme the whole Lost Continent Island. Some parts won't require much change where others will. I can see them completely changing Poseidan's Fury to the new ride. It takes up a lot of room and has a lot of potential. Dragons can stay as is, as can Mythos and Enchanted Oak. They could leave Flying Unicorn or give it an overhaul or completely remove it and use that area and the extra space beside it for a new ride.
to the new theme. I don't think they would have to change the front of Sinbad much but I think the front of Poseidan would need a bit of work. The storefronts and games wouldn't need a lot of change.

 

[patster734]

I don't think they would have to change the front of Sinbad much but I think the front of Poseidan would need a bit of work.

Just replace the hand holding a trident with a hand holding a broom!

 

[yaytezIOA]

The games will most likely get changed a bit, and you will see more a "diagon alley" feel to it. Dragons will get changed a bit....just not that much, and Unicorn is going to pretty much stay.
In other related news:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows goes on sale July 21st...at least in the UK....or as it will be known the JK. I think Universal will wait until that day to officially announce it, and it will push for a big new ride in late 08.

 

[F-L-A]

Don't like the idea one bit. Nope. They would be abandoning the long-term potential of the island's current theme for a quick buck (any resulting attendance increase will not last.) I'd hate to see the only original part of the park become commercialized. They touch Poseidon's facade and I revolt.

NO BROOMS!

 

[Jason71]

Just to add fuel to the fire...

Jim Hill--the original source for the "Disney has a letter of intent for HP" rumor--is hedging his bets, but still sort of standing by his story. (Yeah, his credibility is on the line on this one, and he admits he's waffling.)

He suggests that the books in question may not be HP, but the Wizard of Oz. Apparently, Universal is building an "Oz" land at is Japan park, while the company with the US rights to build a theme park (planned for NY state) has done next to nothing.

Personally, I think people associate Oz with the movie far more than the books, which would make the wording of the originial story on About.com kind of weird. Also, not sure how any existing LC attractions could be quickly reworked into "Oz" (at least there are unicorns and dragons in HP). Finally, in my experience, Screamscape has a better track record than Hill. But I thought this should be thrown out there.

 

[damo]

Oooh contraversy....love it!

I'm getting used to the whole HP idea. I think that the HP theme can be ridden for a good 15 years minimum with the number of movies that still need to come out. I think the series will be a classic and it will be huge for the attendance at IOA. The whole HP series is not based on a bunch of made up fantasies but builds on the timeless fantasies that already exist. This is what will allow the Island to still be attractive to those people who aren't into the whole Potter thing.

 

[diseyore]

The whole Oz Theme was scrapped due to attendance and money. They are not doing what is in Japan. This has been confirmed and announced.

 

[Metro West]

Oooh contraversy....love it!

 

[Thematic]

Well, whatever happens, I'm interested.

 

[Nellas Elensar]

Yeah!!! I'm 23 and a huge HP fan. I think UO is doing a good thing with this retheming thing of LC. I would definitely revisit IOA just to see this land (I have not been to IOA since 1999, when it opened).

Nellas Elensar

 

[DisneyExplorer]

it is a bit disappointing if LC goes but you know the IOA designers will create something equally amazing! i'm 21 and i don't care coz i feel like kid at any themed area! its all good!! (i'm sad aren't i?)

 

[patster734]

NO BROOMS!

What about wands?

 

[damo]

Jim Hill's latest: http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_h...-mousewatch-you-ll-believe-a-car-can-fly.aspx

He's giving in!

 

[robvia]

USF already had a rumor about a ride with the robotic arm technology that was "taken off the drawing board."
Personally, I don't see any fun in that robotic arm simulator stuff. How many people does each arm hold? Two? Need more capacity. They could make it 4 across in a row, but I have yet to see a version of the robot arm that rides on a track.
I consider it a "flat ride" and those don't interest me. I want coasters, where you go from point A to point B very quickly.

And the reason I think JK turned down Disney, is because she wanted an entire island theamed and Disney would have to start from scratch. LC is fairly close to the HP look right now.

They need a coaster, something like The Mystery Mine they're putting in at Dollywood, but theamed after HP.