Not a HP fan

[cschaaf]

My wife is a big HP fan and her daughters all like it. I saw the first movie in the theater and it wasn't for me. Didn't see any after that.

We all really enjoy the HP areas and rides - although 3 out of 5 of us have had enough of FJ. It's just too rough for us.

We like both Disney and Universal, but we've chosen to go to Universal more often than Disney (I think 5 to 2 at this point).

I don't know half of the Disney movies, but still enjoy the themeing - I just like things that are done well. Give me a good ride and I will like it - regardless of it it's themed to HP, Toy Story, or any other property. And a bad ride is a bad ride, doesn't matter what the theme is to me.

 

[Alicefan]

I'm going to tell you like I had to tell myself and my best friend. I was like you and wasn't the least bit interested in HP but I thought to myself, "okay, you're going to Universal/IOA in 5 weeks, the big new thing is HP and it's a HUGE deal in the parks....you'll want to know what your looking at so make it a challenge to read all of the books and watch the movies before you go!" I did just that and crammed all of those books in in that 5 weeks and after each book I watched the movie to see how they portrayed it on screen and it ended up being the single most bestest thing I have ever done!!! I was so in love with it all that I cried at the end of the Forbidden Journey ride! I made my best friend do the same thing. I BEGGED her to do this and that she wouldn't regret it. She VERY reluctantly caved and she was so immersed in those books that she kept calling me and telling me how much she loved them and now she's a bigger fan than myself! When we got to the parks she also got teary eyed and she said, "Thank you soooo much for making me read those books!" I promise you won't be disappointed! One warning though....if you only decide to watch the movies, which is better than nothing I guess lol....it won't be NEARLY as impactful. For me, I had seen the first movie because an old boyfriend made me watch with him and I thought it was nothing more than a scooby doo mystery for kids lol. It's all about the detail in the books that make the movies fun to watch. Please please do this! I'm all excited for you now! LOL! I just got back yesterday from the Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal lol. We have gone 3 years straight and act like kids every time.

 

[Alicefan]

I’ve never read the potter books
Tried to watch two of the potter movies on tv

It’s not my thing


But every time I’m at the darkside. I spend a lot of time in both of the potter sections

I find it delightful and entertaining

You don’t have to be a fan to have a good time in the potter sections

The ambiance is amazing
There is nothing to compare it to
So many details in shops, buildings, characters merchandise, music, etc

Food and drinks are unique and worth trying something different

Live entertainment is top notch

The designs in these areas are fabulous and unique
You feel like you are in another world when there

All the TM’s stay in character which I found very unique and entertaining
No way to get bored there

It’s a place to use your imagination and just enjoy yourself

I usually have a friend that interprets for me so I have more background info in following the potter theme

Heck, even if you have no idea of what Potter is all about, you’ll still enjoy the sections
It is unique and one of a kind section in the parks

My thoughts as a muggle....

So cute!!! You sound like the perfect candidate to read the books. I'm issuing a challenge! A wizards duel if you will! lol I think you would LOVE the books just for the sake of reading along and seeing something that you've seen in the parks and having it all click! Just the fun of "OH I remember that! So THaaaat's what that was!" Please please please for meeee??? I promise with all that's in me that you will thank me! It is just so much fun to read and immerse yourself in that world and wish so much that it really existed! I was a HUGE hold out and thought it was silly when my sister was reading the books and getting all into it. She's 10 years younger so of course everything she does is dumb hehehe! I was so late to the party but now I plan my entire vacation around the Wizarding World!

 

[EveDallas]

Makes sense. Try the books. Way better. I know some super fans who won’t deign to watch the movies at all. If you can get your hands on the British audiobook version with Stephen Fry reading it, I hear it’s amazing.

I've read all the books and watched the first three movies. I just couldn't watch any more of the movies because they were having to cut SO MUCH from the books to fit movie length.

 

[EveDallas]

Not in my opinion. The shows are much better at WDW and there is much more variety of rides than at Universal. The food quality at WDW is also much higher, IMO. Also, character meet-and-greets are few and far between, and when you do find them, they're poorly organized and there's rarely anyone taking photos.

Aside from a few okay roller coasters and the Jimmy Fallon ride and HP (which you already ruled out) I don't find much "special" about Universal. Certainly nothing "magical" like at WDW.

Can I ask why you're even on the Universal boards if you dislike it so much?

 

[Alicefan]

I've read all the books and watched the first three movies. I just couldn't watch any more of the movies because they were having to cut SO MUCH from the books to fit movie length.

I enjoy the movies just because it was fun to see the cast grow up. I thought it was super cool that they used all of the same actors throughout except for when it couldn't be helped.

 

[EveDallas]

I enjoy the movies just because it was fun to see the cast grow up. I thought it was super cool that they used all of the same actors throughout except for when it couldn't be helped.

The movies were very well done, and I enjoyed the first few, but the book purist in me just started cringing when the skipped over major pieces of the books. Which I know couldn't really be helped because the books got longer and longer.

 

[JaxDad]

I enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean for many, many years before any movie came out...

 

[Alicefan]

The movies were very well done, and I enjoyed the first few, but the book purist in me just started cringing when the skipped over major pieces of the books. Which I know couldn't really be helped because the books got longer and longer.

I totally understand that! Especially in book 4 when the movie started and I yelled, "That isn't even the plot of the book!" I get editing for time but I don't get the point of changing the story in it's entirety?? I kind of look at it now as having two different worlds to indulge in...the book world in my head and the movies to me are a totally different fandom in itself.

 

[bchbetha]

I totally understand that! Especially in book 4 when the movie started and I yelled, "That isn't even the plot of the book!" I get editing for time but I don't get the point of changing the story in it's entirety?? I kind of look at it now as having two different worlds to indulge in...the book world in my head and the movies to me are a totally different fandom in itself.

I’m right there with you. I love both worlds.
Just saw #5 again last week for the 10th time and complained the whole time. How can they not go to St. Mungos (along with many other complaints )

 

[macraven]

So cute!!! You sound like the perfect candidate to read the books. I'm issuing a challenge! A wizards duel if you will! lol I think you would LOVE the books just for the sake of reading along and seeing something that you've seen in the parks and having it all click! Just the fun of "OH I remember that! So THaaaat's what that was!" Please please please for meeee??? I promise with all that's in me that you will thank me! It is just so much fun to read and immerse yourself in that world and wish so much that it really existed! I was a HUGE hold out and thought it was silly when my sister was reading the books and getting all into it. She's 10 years younger so of course everything she does is dumb hehehe! I was so late to the party but now I plan my entire vacation around the Wizarding World!

Sorry but I'll take a pass on the challenge, but thanks for the offer.
Very sweet of you.

I'm good with having 'translators' around me when i do Potter if i have questions .
I find it is easy to figure out the basics in potter land

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The OP said, she hadn't read any of the books, or seen any of the movies. She didn't say that she disliked the HP books/movies. It feels like some folks maybe either missed that part, or are projecting their HP attitude/feelings onto the OP. So while I'd say it is perfectly possible to enjoy Universal without knowing HP, the first HP movie is only a few hours long (2hrs 39min).

(The books start out at approximately a 5th grade reading level (880 Lexile score), so reading the first book also wouldn't take very much time.)

In my opinion, a little background knowledge goes a long ways.

One of the strengths of Universal, is how well their attractions capture the essence of their stories. For me, I tend to appreciate all attractions more if I know something about the characters/story before I go on that attraction/show. That doesn't mean I love every movie/character, just that knowing the characters a little makes it easier to enjoy the attractions.

So I kind of feel like have to turn this question around a bit, if you can find a few hours.

 

[andyw715]

The movies were very well done, and I enjoyed the first few, but the book purist in me just started cringing when the skipped over major pieces of the books. Which I know couldn't really be helped because the books got longer and longer.

Skipping parts for time is one thing, but they then create new content. I have no idea how they can think the movies are canon.

 

[gunderda]

I've only seen one HP movie, I have no interest in it at all. BUT when walking into the HP areas at Universal it was pretty impressive. But to me it's only a small portion of the parks. I think i read that some people say you can spend all day in there. That wasn't true for my family (who did have some HP fans). So you won't have to worry about spending a ton of time in there but it is really neat to check out.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

One thing I'll add about HP, is that IMO, both HP QS dining locations are among the better quality/healthier options in the parks if you want to get away from typical fast food-style QS.

Many of the sweets are fun, if not always inexpensive or healthy.

If you will be hopping or have an annual pass, the Hogwarts Express is also sometimes a convenient way to go between the parks, depending on the wait time.

Oh, I highly suggest browsing the little gift shop that's next to the Mystic Fountain. (very close to HP) While the merchandise has changed over the years, we recently were surprised to find it currently offers all kinds of art! What a surprise!