So, we know *nothing* about Harry Potter

[heatherenae71]

Wait - Quiddich (sp?) - that's the game they play on broomsticks, right? haha

I read the thread with spoilers about Forbidden Journey - and while it sounds *awesome* and I can't wait to ride it - yeah, I don't understand any of it.

I'm not a reader, so do you think if we watch the movies then the ride (and well, whole WWoHP) will be good enough? Do we need to see all the movies - just the first or second one? I'm told after I see the 1st one I'll be hooked and WANT to see all of them - so who knows!

Anyone been to the WWoHP, knew nothing about it and been just fine?!

 

[offtoseemickey]

Watch them all!!!

I've read all the books, but my boyfriend has only seen the films - he totally understood and loved the rides and the land. Get stuck in! They're such a fun series of films!

Enjoy!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

If you watch the first movie, you will have enough background to get most references. I don't think anything in the park is past Book/Movie 4.

My thought on movie-based rides is that you generally don't have to really understand the movie behind it, though it might add a little to the experience. I haven't seen The Mummy, for instance, but the ride was still good.

That said, the HP movies are worth watching on their own.

 

[Tink2Day]

I'd say watch up through the 4th movie and that will make you aware of just how close they got the experience to the movies AND the books. JKR said the movie sets matched VERY closely to what she imagined in her books. (Get 1&2 before they're off the shelf)

I went with someone who hasn't seen but part of one movie and the impact was definitely NOT the same.

 

[IdesOmarch]

I have never got around to the books either and have watched all but maybe 1 of the movies. THey are very good, I really like them, you do have to be kind of a sci-fi, fantasy movie type fan though, so like if you hate Lord of the Rings or Star Wars type movies, you might not like it. But yes I would advise you to watch the first 2 movies at least, you can skip the next 2 and watch Goblet of Fire which is one of my favorites, then the new one is really good too IMO. Unless you have the time then watch them all, they are very unique and interesting, great fantasy films, also good family entertainment.

Also, I would advise you at a minimum to at least watch the first movie if you can't do the rest, to at least give you some background, IMO it will make a much bigger impact on you when you visit the parks.

 

[Tink2Day]

Comparison to Lord of the Rings, yes. Star Wars? Not IMO.

However, I was a big fan of the LOR books, not so much the movies and the same with Chronicles of Narnia.

WWOHP has a small part of the 1st movie/book and a BIG part of #3 and 4.

 

[cigar95]

. . . .then once you've seen the movies and seen the WWoHP, going back to read the books will blow you away. So much of what made the books so amazingly popular just doesn't translate particularly well to a 21st century movie. A number of elements in WW are things that were unique to the films. (This comes just from photos and reports - once I'm there at the end of the month, I may discover even more.)

 

[Tink2Day]

I think more than anything the films left things out so whatever is on display can be found in the books since JKR had so much input.

I think the books come through a lot in WWOHP, at least what I imagined things would look like after reading and before the movies.
Some things reminded me a great deal of Trinity College Dublin.

 

[jump00]

We went as a family in June (2010) and I knew very little about Harry Potter.
It was fabulous!!!!! I've watched all the HP movies and now we are going back in June again (HRH club level) so I can really appreciate it!!!!!
Enjoy!!!!!

 

[cigar95]

I think more than anything the films left things out so whatever is on display can be found in the books since JKR had so much input.

An example of things I'm thinking of would be the frog choir from the third film and the Beauxbatons/Durmstrang "performance teams" from the fourth film - those are show elements at WWoHP that one doesn't find in the novels.

On the other hand, one can enjoy Dragon Challenge with absolutely no knowledge of Harry Potter, since I enjoyed it a number of times back when its name was Dueling Dragons.

 

[heatherenae71]

Oh yeah...I still think of that coaster as Dueling Dragons...Fire and Ice!! (I'm a total coaster junkie!!!)

Thanks for the input everyone!!! I'm a *little* excited to see the movies now

 

[MagicMomma]

I would DEFINITELY see the movies! My DH has only seen the movies, and still loved it. My kids and I have read all the books, and got a whole lot more out of it. For example, he would point out something he thought looked cool, and one of us would tell him what it was... But the movies are a good start! I'm not sure it would be nearly as awesome if you have no background at all... Have fun!!

 

[Best Aunt]

I listened to all of the books on CD in my car. The only problem was that I didn't want to get out of my car to go into work -- I wanted to keep listening.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Not a Harry Potter person at all here, have never even gotten through one of the films, and I had a BLAST at the WWOHP. Oh, and I can't do thrill rides, either, so Dueling Dragons and Forbidden Journey are out. And I still had a wonderful time. Bought a red/yellow scarf, as a matter of fact, and wear it everywhere. It's a great, warm, long scarf, and strangers in my hometown are always hollering at me, "Griffyndor" or "Potter!!!"

I'd say my favorite part of the entire experience was just enjoying the village with an adult beverage. The music, the fake snow, the lights (I'm speaking of going when it's dark). Seriously, I can't wait to go back. We had our choice to go see Manheim Steamroller one night or just sit in Potter village with frosty beers and take in the scenery, and we opted for Potter village.

I hope you love it as much as I do

 

[Metro West]

Oh yeah...I still think of that coaster as Dueling Dragons...Fire and Ice!! (I'm a total coaster junkie!!!)

Me too.

 

[Planogirl]

If you never see a single movie or read a single book, you will still see a wonderful castle and an amazing town area. Reading the first book or watching the first movie will enhance your experience but isn't strictly necessary IMO.

 

[Lucky4me]

We watched all the movies before we went to WWOHP, then watched the newest one when we came home.
I think it helped me on FJ and touring the castle. There was a lot I wouldn't have understood. I was never a big HP fan like my daughter who has read each book at least twice and has seen every movie even more than that.
She was in heaven at the park. Especially since we went during a quieter time. She said it was everything she imagined it would be and more.
She's already asking when we can go again. I told her "she" could go anytime she wanted-she's going to be 25 years old, and next time she can take me instead of me taking her.

 

[wings91]

I also knew nothing about HP. So as a little prep, I watched the first movie. Didn't care to see any more, but it was a MUST in order to fully experience the ride and all of Hogwarts.