Star Wars Land to be WDW's answer to Harry Potter?

[Davey Jones II]

Tell me more, please! What are these rumors? Do you have any links?

All I know is that (rumor has it) the next Potter land will be Ministry of Magic. And when I mentioned it on a thread at Theme Park Insider, someone who claims to have insider info said that this second Potter expansion may open by 2019-2020. Not much to go on, but, from what I've heard, it seems to be a go.

EDIT: Okay, here's a link explaining how this rumor got started:

http://themeparks.about.com/od/Wiza...xt-to-the-Wizarding-World-of-Harry-Potter.htm

 

[Planogirl]

I hope that it's a good answer. However I'm sold on what Universal is capable of because I've enjoyed it. It has been a while since I've seen what I know Disney is capable of.

 

[lovethattink]

I was watching Revenge of the Sith with some of my Star Wars geek students on the day we got out for Christmas, and I cannot remember exactly where they were, but I did make the remark, "I want to GO there!" It was just, you know, a really cool city with really tall, futuristic looking buildings and little space cars zipping around. LOL. (I love Star Wars, but I'm not cool enough to know all the locales and such).

I think Star Wars and Harry Potter both appeal to many of the same folks. I love them both. I've not been to Wizarding World yet, even though I'm a huge fan of the books and movies. I'm not sure if I ever will. That's really the only draw to Universal for me, and it's not so much for the rides but just to see the theming of those parts of the parks. I'm not sure I can justify the money to go just for that. Star Wars land (or whatever the heck) will give me even more incentive to return to Disney in a few years. Love it already, and will love it even more with the new additions.

That would be Coruscant where the Jedi Council was located.

 

[seashell7290]

The reason j.k. Went with universal is because she had complete creative control over the project. She had a vision and wanted to see it through. Clearly it made a difference with the small elements of theming. Disney wasn't comfortable with that. Now that Disney has the rights to the Star Wars films they should be able to run wild with immersive theming. We shall see.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Hmm, Universal is able to create amazing product in a short time frame. Even the merch in HP is unique! Harry Potter is a great example - immersive area, they use a ride as an actual transport to the park, huge fire breathing dragon, great shops and new rides using new tech - and everything makes you feel like you are walking onto the exact set of the HP universe. And it went up in 1/2 the time of Fantasyland! I don't care if Disney was also working on other projects and spreading their workforce thin - they should take the time to focus on one project, do it well, and then move to another so they don't 1/2 butt it.

Anyway, I think the new SW franchise is trying to attract all demographics (I even saw a commercial for SW make-up last night - cover girl, I think!) So, just like HP, it will be for everyone. Just as long as it isn't 2 rides, several shops, 1 major restaurant, and that's it. Hopefully, imagineers will get lots of freedom. And wont get forced (ha!) to dump major ideas that they had (like the imaginary animal section that was supposed to be in AK)

 

[MJ6987]

There's been plenty of threads talking about Disney's pitch to JK Rowling and how unimpressive it was,where Disney wanted to build a Potter attraction Universal pitched a full immersive land that was chosen by Rowling.Disney hasn't been the top dog in creating themed attractions for close to a decade.Expedition Everest is the last attraction that was on par of what people expect from Disney.

and yet it's main "USP" the Yeti has been broken for years!

 

[JimmyV]

The reason j.k. Went with universal is because she had complete creative control over the project. She had a vision and wanted to see it through. Clearly it made a difference with the small elements of theming. Disney wasn't comfortable with that. Now that Disney has the rights to the Star Wars films they should be able to run wild with immersive theming. We shall see.

I actually think it is the reverse. Disney had the opportunity to "run wild" with HP theming, which is what JKR wanted. It was Disney that refused to go "all in". So I'm not sure why that now leads to the conclusion that Disney is ready to go all in with SWL (unless it has learned its lesson.) In other words, if Disney runs wild with SWL, it won't be because it wanted to with HP but didn't have the rights. It will be because it now realizes just how pig-headed they were in kicking HP to the curb, only to try to put an Avatar Band-Aid on that wound.

 

[JimmyV]

I'm not sure I want attractions like the Harry Potter lands have. I have friends who won't ride them because of motion sickness which seems to be exacerbated by the screens. went over there with some friends to ride Gringotts and they found the restraint system so uncomfortable that we only rode it once. But everything is beautiful for sure.

For Star Wars I am not looking for the rides so much as I am for the level of theming in the area.

And this is exactly why I think that SWL will be cool, but will never be what HP is over at US. I understand completely what you (and BrianL) are saying about not wanting virtual reality motion rides. And I suspect Disney does too. Indeed, it has been said a million times on this board by Disney enthusiasts that they do not go over to US because US is more of a "teen park" and not a "family park". And "family" is Disney's sweet spot. So when Disney shoots for the middle-of-the-road family theming in its new SWL, it risks missing the mark for all the reasons that larryz laid our earlier. While his tongue was planted firmly in his cheek, there is the chance that he is more right than we know. US wouldn't build a Dumbo/Triceratops/Magic Carpet type ride for its HP lands. But don't put it past Disney to do that since it already has a 3D virtual reality motion simulator ride with a SW theme. US wouldn't build a ride-through clamshell attraction for its HP lands. But Disney might. All in the name of "family fun." Since Disney already has the motion ride, the next obvious choices to add to the land would be the types of attractions larryz suggests, .... or an awesome roller coaster. And again, there have been countless threads here where people have voiced their displeasure with the idea of Disney building a hyper-coaster. So I don't think you will see one. Maybe we'll get another 25 mph family-friendly coaster. And a Twirl-a-Round ride. I just don't think that is the best way to capture the essence of SW, and I certainly don't see that as a challenge to the immersiveness of HP. As for theming that goes beyond rides, how worked up can people get about building an immersive atmosphere that looks like this:

 

[GPC0321]

That would be Coruscant where the Jedi Council was located.

Yes! I didn't know the name, but it's definitely where the Jedi Council was located. Looked like a cool place to me!

 

[BrianL]

That is one thing about Star Wars, nearly all the planets are real holes, just lousy places to live or even visit. Also, a planet can only be one thing: desert, ice, forest, etc. There are no various climates on the same planet in SW! Naboo is about the only planet that seems nice to love on, and even then there are monsters in the water (and Gungans!).

I think the best thing is really not to build such an immersive "land" but rather a set or locations. The SW location I want to visit most is hands down the Death Star. One attraction building could be like that, while the restaurant can be the Cantina, and Star Tours can still be the platform on Endor.

The types of rides I'd like to see would be either a roller coaster, or an EMV type ride, but with more real sets/animatronics than screen (think more like DL Indiana Jones/Dinosaur, less Transformers/Spider-Man - Actually, Spider-Man is a GREAT ride, TF a bit less so). There should also be at least one ride good for smaller kids (no height requirement), though I have no ideas on what that could really be, but not a spinner.

 

[starjazz]

Rowling needed control - she didn't turn down Disney. They turned her down. And I don't think HP went up faster than NFL. They both took 2-3 years.

I think the notion that high speed thrill rides is not what Disney is, makes the most sense. Disney is smart in that they get kids hooked at such a young age, because there's SOOOOO much for them to do. In the very young eyes of children, it truly is magical. Once they're hooked (like I was as a young kid), they tend to stay hooked for life (like I am). Good thinking and planning.

We took babies to Disney. I won't take my kids to Universal until they're 10-12 or so. That's a long time to miss out on in the life of a kid.

 

[Bluegrrl]

OMG, Jimmyv, when you said a "twirl ride" all I can think of is a Dumbo-esque X-Wing ride!

 

[mellyf]

Rowling needed control - she didn't turn down Disney. They turned her down. And I don't think HP went up faster than NFL. They both took 2-3 years.

I think the notion that high speed thrill rides is not what Disney is, makes the most sense. Disney is smart in that they get kids hooked at such a young age, because there's SOOOOO much for them to do. In the very young eyes of children, it truly is magical. Once they're hooked (like I was as a young kid), they tend to stay hooked for life (like I am). Good thinking and planning.

We took babies to Disney. I won't take my kids to Universal until they're 10-12 or so. That's a long time to miss out on in the life of a kid.

Thank goodness! WWoHP and Diagon Alley are spectacular.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I would love to hang around Tatooine. although we are far more likely to see Mos Eisley than Luke's homestead.

Agreed, that expecting a high-speed intense thrill ride is probably not going to pan out at Disney.

 

[Planogirl]

People have described some of the supposed interaction between Universal and Rowling. Rowling knew basically what she wanted the Harry Potter area to be but Universal designed it and then sold it to her. I once heard that when they introduced Butter Beer, she tasted it and smiled and Uni knew that it was a winner.

Cameron is supposed to much like this. It would interesting to be a fly on the wall when they have their meetings.

 

[jesse8931]

Ask this question again in 5 years. We all hope it will be fabulous. They have the technology. They have the capability. They've outdone themselves before - but that happened at Tokyo Disney Sea. Can the Imagineer's vision escape the death by a thousand cuts from the bean counters? We can only wait and see.

you can not compare Disney World to Tokyo Disney as it is not owned by the Walt Disney company.

 

[BrianL]

you can not compare Disney World to Tokyo Disney as it is not owned by the Walt Disney company.

You are correct in that the Tokyo parks are not owned by Disney however all of the Imagineering is still done by WDI under contract.

Of course, it's a matter of how much money the owner wants to throw at it, but the tech is all available through WDI.

 

[minnie mum]

You are correct in that the Tokyo parks are not owned by Disney however all of the Imagineering is still done by WDI under contract.

Of course, it's a matter of how much money the owner wants to throw at it, but the tech is all available through WDI.

Exactly. That was the point I was trying to make.

 

[DOOM1001]

All I know is that (rumor has it) the next Potter land will be Ministry of Magic. And when I mentioned it on a thread at Theme Park Insider, someone who claims to have insider info said that this second Potter expansion may open by 2019-2020. Not much to go on, but, from what I've heard, it seems to be a go.

EDIT: Okay, here's a link explaining how this rumor got started:

http://themeparks.about.com/od/Wiza...xt-to-the-Wizarding-World-of-Harry-Potter.htm

Well,they got the land for a third or even a fourth park now!!!


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...niversal-orlando-purchase-20151223-post.html#

 

[bumbershoot]

I think SW is also a huge draw for men who are 30-mid 40s who grew up with the movies and the toys.

Hey now!

they are going to make a killing on all the merchandising they'll do.

Not with the elimination of weapons they won't. Or at least not as big as they would have done.

Will any of this be done in 2016?

Oh gosh no.

But you could get out to Los Angeles for the opening of Universal Hollywood's Wizarding World.

"It's a Small Universe," a tranquil boat ride through the wilds of Naboo, with hundreds of Gungan children arrayed on each side, singing an irritating refrain over and over...
"Soarin' over Tatooine," a pod-racer simulator based on an erector set that puts YOU in the action during Anakin's famous pod race with Sebulba...
"Coruscant City Racers," a giant slot-car ride where guests are subjected to Universe-famous Coruscant's rush hour traffic...
"Han Solo's Bounty Hunter Spin," where guests control the movement of their gun pods to shoot laser guns at Hans' infamous intergalactic foes and their ships...
"Jammin' with Jar-Jar," an audience-interactive stage show where the now-famous Gungan answers audience questions and cracks Naboo classic jokes...

With a little more time, I could think up many more...

You terrify me.

I'm a huge fan of the books and movies. I'm not sure if I ever will. That's really the only draw to Universal for me, and it's not so much for the rides but just to see the theming of those parts of the parks. I'm not sure I can justify the money to go just for that.

Gasp! Go! Go to Universal! Have you ever just wandered Epcot for a day? If so, you can justify it.

We went to Uni thinking we would only love Wizarding World. We were wrong wrong wrong. Loved the whole place.

Indeed, it has been said a million times on this board by Disney enthusiasts that they do not go over to US because US is more of a "teen park" and not a "family park".

And that is so sad.

DS went first time at 6.5 years old. By 6 months later we had APs for Uni that we have kept since then. We have NO teens in the house, and we have a mom who doesn't much love going on the big rides, and a hubby who is still size-challenged enough to not be able to go on the rides he desperately wants to go on, and still we LOVE the place.

It *is* our family park.

Maybe we'll get another 25 mph family-friendly coaster.

Wouldn't mind that. Although I love Uni and WW, I feel so cheated with Gringott's it's impossible to even think about. I can't watch the *real* escape from Gringott's scenes without nearly crying for *what could have been*, roller coaster-wise.

The SW location I want to visit most is hands down the Death Star.

Ah but they'd ruin it from day one. How? Railings. They would have to put in railings. And there goes the reality of the Death Star.

We took babies to Disney. I won't take my kids to Universal until they're 10-12 or so. That's a long time to miss out on in the life of a kid.

It IS a long time. Why won't you take them???? Like I said above, DS was 6 and a half, and he loved the place! Go go go!