To get an idea of the size of the WWOHP "Theme Park"

[DrMomof3]

I'm a huge HP fanatic. I've read all the books (on release day and many more times), seen all the movies, etc. I've been really looking forward to this new "theme park" as a place that I could take my family. We certainly weren't planning to go this summer (it crossed my mind briefly) but I was thinking maybe next year we could do our 1st trip to Universal. Thankfully I'm a loyal podcast listener (thanks Pete for "managing my expectations!").
I now think that's unlikely for several reasons. It's likely that I would be the only one in my family who could ride Forbidden Journey. My kids will only be tall enough for one of the 3 rides in WWoHP. And there is no way I would even think about enduring crowds like this with 3 young children (and a DH who likes HP but hasn't consumed the kool-aid).
I have to say that I'm very, very disappointed. We may eventually get to Universal (a child-free 40th bday trip is still possible next fall but I'm pretty sure I'll choose F&W over WWoHP) but it won't be anytime soon.

Amanda

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I guess I thought it was going to be another theme park. I didn't realized it was a "section".

Interesting...

That is a BIG thing that bothers me about how Universal has been promoting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Time and time again they have stated "theme park". It is NOT a theme park, but a land within Islands of Adventure. There's a big difference. I'm sorry Disney couldn't come to an agreement with J.K. Rowling. The WWoHP "land" would have been a great and well-needed addition to DHS.

It looks to be about the same size as Mickey's ToonTown at Disneyland. Also, the entrance is narrow and reminds me of the entrance to Animation Courtyard at DHS. Which can get clogged on busy days. I assume they will open or have opened the second entrance to the WWoHP "land"???

There isn't enough money in the world to get me at WWoHP today. I don't like crowds to begin with, but add the heat ... Yuck!!!!

We have already ruled out visiting Universal for our upcoming trip to Florida in December. It is "penciled" in on the itinerary for December 2011. We'll see ...

Kevin - Thanks for the photos link. I have to admit, I browsed through all of them.

Jennifer

 

[Kimberle]

Wow, thanks Kevin! We love US!! We'll wait a good year until the hype dies down before we go.

 

[PeterPan09]

Yikes...those overhead crowd shots are horrifying. I've read all the books, seen all the movies and love the world Ms Rowling created....but thankfully I live here in FL and I can wait until the crowds die down to visit PotterLand.

 

[vegetablegirl]

Now, I feel like I can handle a long line and a crowd, but NOT that level of madness. I actually tried to organize a trip down there for this weekend, but I am so thankful that my friends and I are all poor college students and couldn't afford it!

 

[kaligal]

I think they must be switching up the pics because I scrolled all the way to 166 and it was a pic of some staff person. One of the others was of random people standing in a line and the 3rd was some other non-sizey thing.

But I get that everyone is disappointed that it isn't bigger. It's been mentioned about 500 times now. It's too small. It's too crowded. Some people can't ride the FJ ride. Universal sucks. If they couldn't do a bigger and better HP thing, they should have done nothing. Disney would have done a better job.

Got it.

My expectations are now so low for this thing that I'll probably be super-impressed when I see it in the fall, lol.

 

[Dian-er]

Did any happen to take a gander at the LINES in the oeverhead shots? 6 across all the way from the parking to Islands. Looks like they hold them up in spots too. Ick!!! I was given passes to Universal/Islands by a friend, my daughter & grandsons are coming in Aug. Think we''ll take advantage of those lines & go to the Universal side, probably get more done the cause of the lines at Islands.
Definitely put Harry on hold til the furor dies down & it will die down.
Thanks for the link.

 

[jpeka65844]

Flipped through the pics. HP doesn't really float my boat but some of those fellas have grown into right, nice looking chaps. Rawr.

Wait....are they all over 18. Can I say that????

 

[disney david]

here a story of a women almost being sent to the hospital
cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/6/20/wizarding_world_visit_almost_lands_woman_in_hospital.html?cmpidr

 

[peanut1967]

Looking at it, it doesnt even cover as much area as fire and ice ( or whatever it is called now).

Angie

 

[jcb]

If I have done this right, the two links below should pull up Google Maps views of WWoHP and the Magic Kingdom at the same scale. (If I have not done it right, the scale is in the lower left corner and you can adjust it yourself).

I believe that Hogwarts Castle is the large white roofed building in the left hand side of the first link.

WWoHP:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=28.472652,-81.470109&spn=0.003527,0.009892&t=h&z=18

MK Main Street
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=28.4189,-81.58038&spn=0.003529,0.009892&z=18

 

[kbelle8995]

There's not much to the area. It is tight. And when it rains (which it did while I was there) everyone crowds under the owlery.

 

[left_arm]

I applaud Universal Studios for the size of the "Wizarding World." They held true to JK Rowlings vision instead of simply putting in Harry Potter themed rides and jumbo gift shops with expansive shelves of "I rode a roller coaster" mugs. Yes, it was touted as a theme park. Yes, potentially they could have bought half of Florida and recreated every bit of Great Britain featured in the films, creating a large enough area to please the critics. But that isn't what the idea of this area was. The goal was to capture the essence of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley in a themed area. These aren't sprawling locales. Like many European towns, there is a more intimate feel. The shops are intended to replicate the shops from the books and visualized in the movies. Is there a gargantuan "Wand-mart" in the movie? No. So why blow everything out of proportion.

Yes, as a business, Universal would want to allow everyone to buy everything for sale at the shops (and with the fans of the series, they easily could buy everything in a Walmart sized Harry Potter gift super center). But also, they realized that, one, Mrs. Rowling wouldn't approve of a larger scale, and, two, there isn't a need for a larger area. Yes, the overhead shots of crowds and the 5 hour waits to enter the "land" seem to dictate the need to accommodate for a larger crowd, but will that need be there in 3 years? No. Over time, this hysteria will die down, and everything will be appropriately sized. There will always be a steady level of interest in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so Universal Studios is wisely thinking about the long term. Even if there were dozens more roller coasters and dozens more shops, induced demand still suggests significant crowd sizes and wait times for the near future.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is about immersing one's self in the intimate world that JK Rowling created. Universal Studios succeeded in maintaining this. Every time I hear a mindless rant on the podcast begin, my fast forward button gets a little more use. If the Wizarding World is too small for one's liking, there are plenty of other lands and rides to accommodate larger needs. Congratulations Universal, you still have my business.

 

[jcb]

If when the "hysteria . . . die down, and everything [is] appropriately sized" will Universal consider WWoHP a lasting success? If the crowds are so small that they are comfortable in the small shops and area, then WWoHP will not be the draw Universal hopes.

But I think the point about the relative size of WWoHP was to show that it is not a "world" or a separate "theme park" as universal had at least implied in the advertising.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I guess the essential problem for Universal is--the area is too small for sure. But if they expand and the Potter thing loses its drawing power over time, then they are left with a large goose egg.
So what to do????

 

[left_arm]

[W]ill Universal consider WWoHP a lasting success? If the crowds are so small that they are comfortable in the small shops and area, then WWoHP will not be the draw Universal hopes.

But I think the point about the relative size of WWoHP was to show that it is not a "world" or a separate "theme park" as universal had at least implied in the advertising.

I foresee families still solely venturing to Orlando's other theme park 5, 10, 15 years from now as children read the books and want to experience the Wizarding World. I don't believe any of the brass at Universal expect there to be 5 hour waits 15 years from now, but I believe they know it will still be a reason to capture a day or two of a family's vacation. Which is a success. There are roller coasters much closer than Orlando to so much of this country, so why spend 100 dollars a ticket when Six Flags is cheaper and more convenient? Because part of that 100 bucks is the opportunity to get lost in a fantasy world found nowhere else. Every person brought through their gates because of Harry Potter makes it a success.

Yes it was overly advertised as a "Theme Park", which by definition should have several individually themed lands. But, I never thought it would be a brand new chunk of real estate. Maybe I am not as delusional as some, and yes I did imagine all the potential rides (I'm still bummed there isn't an underground Gringott's roller coaster), but the overwhelming amount of information available with details of the "theme park" made it clear that behind the title, it wasn't going to be a large area. No one should feel duped that the size doesn't match the title, those who do should have paid more attention in the few years leading up to the opening.

It may not be the size of a "world" but is the Lost Continent anywhere close to the size of even the smallest continental landmass? Universal's advertising department demonstrated that they are on the same level as any "enlarged to show detail" picture of a granola bar in a grocery store. But should people be surprised about the actual size? With any quick internet search, they shouldn't be.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I don't think the majority of Potter fanatics were paying attention to anything EXCEPT get this thing open so we can ride roller coasters and buy Butterbeer (and Wands, and Brooms, and etc etc).