The rumors appear to be true...

[Flyin2MCO]

Harry Potters US theme park
Apr 16, 2007
The Sun - UK - HARRY Potter fans will soon get to experience the magic of Hogwarts — at a THEME PARK.

Universal Studios is close to finalising a deal to build Harry Potter World at its amusement park in Orlando, Florida.

It will include rollercoasters and rides based on the plots of JK Rowling’s novels.

Universal are confident of success as the Harry books have so far sold 325 million copies worldwide, while the four films have earned £2billion.

They also plan a Simpsons ride at the park, America’s third largest.


'Harry Potter' theme park in the works
By Indo Asian News Service

Los Angeles, April 15 (IANS) Universal Studios Florida is close to putting the final touches on a deal to set up a Harry Potter World theme park on an unused portion of Orlando amusement park.

As early as 2005, Walt Disney Co. reportedly wanted to create a 'Harry Potter' theme park in Singapore with rides based on the Harry Potter stories. At that time, the company was said to be in negotiations with J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers to acquire theme park rights, but the project never came to fruition, reports www.hollywood.tv.

Now it turns out that Universal is negotiating with Warner, and while they both agree to the idea of a 'Harry Potter' theme park in principle, the terms of the deal are still being hammered out.

The books and movies together have generated all sorts of video games and merchandise but never the idea of a theme park.

The six 'Potter' books published to date have collectively sold more than 325 million copies and have been translated into 63 languages.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', the final instalment of the seven-volume series, is set to hit bookstore shelves July 21. Warner Bros turned the first four books into highly popular films that earned an estimated $4 billion in total worldwide ticket sales.

The fifth film, 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', will be seen in theatres July 13.

 

[robvia]

Yes, there's links on Screamscape which lead to more articles with background on the story.

Apparently, JK Rowling wanted the version at Disney to be like a movie, where each guest would tap a brick to get into Diagon Alley. Sounds good in theory, but to make it happen for millions of people would be impractical. So it's going to be interesting to see what Universal comes up with.

 

[yaytezIOA]

A preshow feature. You choose someone from the audience and they tap the bricks.....

 

[Amity 3]

*** is 'tapping the bricks' ?

 

[damo]

*** is 'tapping the bricks' ?

Just a little magic. Reading the first book may help!

 

[goofie4goofy]

I think if it is done right and enough $$ is invested it will be great.

I was never a fan of "super heros" or comic books but I love Spiderman and the Hulk attractions and that whole area. It's just like walking in a comic book. I never saw The Mummy movie, but love the ride....

I think it's all about the ride and the theme is the vehicle for imagination.

 

[damo]

I think if it is done right and enough $$ is invested it will be great.

I was never a fan of "super heros" or comic books but I love Spiderman and the Hulk attractions and that whole area. It's just like walking in a comic book. I never saw The Mummy movie, but love the ride....

I think it's all about the ride and the theme is the vehicle for imagination.

I've never seen the Mummy movies either, or Terminator or anything Jimmy Neutron and I do enjoy all of those attractions. I don't know anything about Dr. Doom and not much about Popeye or even Dudley. I don't think it makes much different.

Potter theming should appeal to anyone.

 

[Flyin2MCO]

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070405/BUSINESS/704050341/1003

A paragraph from the linked article:

"In its regulatory filing, Universal said: "During 2006 and 2005, we spent $41.4 million and $30.4 million, respectively, on capital expenditures, and estimate our capital expenditures, including intellectual property rights, to be between $100 million to $120 million during 2007. A large portion of this cost relates to the design and construction of multiple new attractions that are currently being negotiated that we anticipate opening during the next few years."

----------------

I know there are a lot of concerns among fans of the "as is" US and IOA, but I think change and evolution is exciting. It's great that UO is actually doing (or at least planning on) SOMETHING to improve and expand the parks.

I've never seen or read the Harry Potter stories, but I'd embrace the additions. Just hope that some of the old "faves" in terms of rides and architecture survive, but that's all outside of our control.

 

[Amity 3]

Just a little magic. Reading the first book may help!

that's not going to happen, it had better be explained in the ep queue.

 

[lovetheparks]

Guess I should try to read (or at least watch) Harry Potter becuase right now, the idea doesn't appeal to me personally.

 

[macraven]

Just a little magic. Reading the first book may help!

too many words............won't be reading it.

not into soccerey or how ever it is spelled.

just give me the ride. and make it a good one.




damo........you don't know who DR. DOOM is?????

 

[natenapril]

I think the crowds are really going to RUN to US now. I know my daughter we be dying to go see it. THe books and movies were a hit and I for one am thrilled with the plan.

 

[Jason71]

"Harry Potter World theme park" implies a bit more than a new ride, or even a new island at IOA. Maybe something was "lost in translation" (English being the common language that divides the US and UK), but it almost sounds like a third park for Uni. The news about roller coasters is new, too, isn't it? (Unless they mean Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn.)

Jim Hill mentioned that Disney was considering using HP as the basis for a "Discovery Cove"-like park, with high admission prices and a limited number of guests. I think that might be the only way JK Rowling's vision could work. If only 1,000 people per day are allowed (roughly 250-300 families), and if you know they will only show up within a certain time frame, then allowing each family to knock on the bricks before entering becomes a possibility. Curious to see if Uni goes down this path.

 

[ChrisFL]

"Harry Potter World theme park" implies a bit more than a new ride, or even a new island at IOA. Maybe something was "lost in translation" (English being the common language that divides the US and UK), but it almost sounds like a third park for Uni. The news about roller coasters is new, too, isn't it? (Unless they mean Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn.)

Jim Hill mentioned that Disney was considering using HP as the basis for a "Discovery Cove"-like park, with high admission prices and a limited number of guests. I think that might be the only way JK Rowling's vision could work. If only 1,000 people per day are allowed (roughly 250-300 families), and if you know they will only show up within a certain time frame, then allowing each family to knock on the bricks before entering becomes a possibility. Curious to see if Uni goes down this path.

there's a few things to think about...first, the "theme park" could all be marketing, plus the budget isn't enough for this year, $100-120 million to put in the BTTF replacement AND a HP theme park won't work unless they're budgeting over a few years to do it.

 

[FayeW]

I think Harry Potter is just thing to battle the "nostalga" market that Disney has a strangle hold on.

UO are already my favourite parks...adding Harry Potter, to me, is the ultimate icing on the cake!

Amity3 and Macraven, I urge you not to be closed minded about reading the books. It's not like you have to invest a lot of time or effort to read the first couple (the last few are much longer and more intense), and it would give you a great background for whatever rides, shows and attractions they build. I am sure they will be fabulous, but what's the harm in reading some very popular, funny (at times) and well written stories?

 

[keishashadow]

great scoop! Meet me in Diagon Alley, brings lots of cash to buy wizard stuff.

so where's the link to the following info? didn't see it in your quote...

They also plan a Simpsons ride at the park, America’s third largest.

 

[robvia]

The closest thing to Diagon Alley at IOA right now would be the shops next to the talking fountain. That's where people gather, watch coins being made, and the fountain makes people laugh.

Tapping of the bricks refers to how people get into Diagon Alley from the regular (muggle) world to the magic world. It's hidden behind a brick wall. To get in, bricks are tapped and the wall opens up. Once inside the characters visit magic shops, a book store, candy store, and a bar.

The nine and three quarters platform refers to a train station. JKR wanted people to pass thru a wall just like the characters do in the books. Then ride a train to a castle.

It looks like JKR wanted the robot arm technology used for the flying car. In the movie, the car is chasing a train. Think BTTF but with the car riding along a track.

I agree, the movie stuff sounds great and would be good as a preshow, but what people want are rides.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Could be great could be a bust.

The big problem I see is investing in a new land as it were based on something that is about to end. I mean the last book is nearly out, the movie will follow, Harry will probably be dead, Rowling doesn't want/need to write anymore...I don't know, it could be risky.

On the other hand the imagery in her storytelling is great, the opportunities for attractions of ALL kinds are endless and it is a dearly loved phenomenon. Perhaps worth the risk.

Who knows...Personally I hope they take the risk and then I hope they don't cheese it up (or go cheapo).

 

[Flyin2MCO]

Good points, but I think HP has broad and deep appeal, with all of the books, movies and related merchandise (although again I must admit I've never read the books or seen the movies). Besides, the folks "across town" have managed to keep old characters and storylines alive and well in the other parks

At the risk of appearing blasphemous, I'd suggest that UO needs to consider a mega "value" resort on-site...I love the current properties and will frankly not stay anywhere else when visiting UO, but there is a big part of the population that will not pay or cannot afford to spend what is required to stay on-site. There is a good amount of "pull" for offsite guests with the parks and CityWalk, but more diverse or affordable on-site resort options could be another way to drive better attendance. The selfish part of me would rather that UO remain behind the pack in terms of attendance, but that's not necessarily smart for the long-term viability of UO. Just some thoughts...

 

[robvia]

HP can't die, that would ruin the series. The story must have a happy ending or all the little kiddies won't read the books anymore if Harry dies.

Think about the Matrix, Neo died at the end, a sacrifice. That 3rd movie was so depressing, you don't hear about the Matrix these days. Now, if that 3rd movie had a happy ending where they win, then it would do better in re-runs and DVD sales. Americans like happy endings to movies.

Think Lord of the Rings, they were also getting their butts kicked in the 3rd movie, and magically saved by the tree people. The movie has a happy ending where everyone says bye and goes their separate ways.