I don't disagree with that, but that's a bit different than what you initially claimed. I was just pointing out that, honestly, the part I bolded from you earlier is probably the best example of what someone means when they say "Disney apologist". Not only are you defending Disney (which is fine), but you then throw in something slightly negative and, in this case, not exactly accurate directed at Disney's biggest competitor.
In the context of the conversation, though, it was a valid point. Someone said that Universal kept going after WWoHP, as if HP opened and then -- boom! -- six months later, there comes something else. I was saying that no, they didn't. They stopped and rode the crest of WWoHP. It was two years later before they opened a big attraction. It wasn't a negative, by the way. It was simply saying that "the thing you're criticizing Disney for is something Universal does too". Kind of a "take a second look, because they both operate pretty much the same".
At any rate, that's really not the point. I think the reasons people are wanting more from Disney are (1) first and foremost, even many die-hard Disney fans are very underwhelmed with the FLE thus far and (2) Disney is capable of so much more. From most objective opinions I've read, there really is no comparison between FLE and WWoHP.
It depends on what you're comparing. And THAT, I think, is really the point.
WWoHP has Forbidden Journey, possibly one of the best theme park rides I've ever been on (although I still like Spiderman best). The queue, the ride, the theming is amazing. The rest of the land is magnificently done. Every single bit of it is spot-on perfect to what you see on the screen. It is the Harry Potter movies come to life with a big ol' thrill ride in the middle and a lot of other stuff (butterbeer!) sprinkled on top. Wands pick you, frogs sing, owls deliver the post. It was designed for and appeals to Harry Potter fans of all ages.
FLE is not that. It has no thrill rides, no high-tech simulators. Even when 7DMT opens, that ride will not compare to Forbidden Journey. The rides that are part of FLE -- whether new, reworked or imported from California -- are made for little kids and families. They tell stories. There are no-queue queue lines to keep kids busy while they wait. There's a water play area because little kids like those. The land is designed for and appeals to people of all ages who love to be immersed in the classic Disney stories, and it is heavily skewed towards families with little kids.
The detail work in BOG restaurant, throughout Storybook Circus, and in all of Belle's and Ariel's lands is just as magnificently done as the detail work throughout Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. And I defy anyone to say otherwise. Both lands are stunning.
Maybe FLE doesn't appeal to you because you don't have a princess crazed daughter or you're not a fan of Circuses or it's too much "little kid stuff" and you prefer a little edge to your theme park rides. But even if there's nothing there you like, it doesn't mean that the land is underwhelming to everyone. It doesn't mean that Disney shouldn't get credit for building it just because there's no thrill ride. Disney told us from the beginning what was going to be there, and they delivered on pretty much exactly what they said. People continue to say that FLE is underwhelming or disappointing because there's nothing there like Forbidden Journey. But there wasn't ever supposed to be.
