Universal chief confirms that more Harry Potter-themed parks are a priority

[doconeill]

http://www.movieline.com/2011/11/un...wboys-aliens-land-of-the-lost-wo.php?page=all

While lambasting his studios recent string of utter "crap" (his term, along with stronger but I'm not permitted to post them...), Ron Meyer, president and COO of Universal Studios, touched on the amusement park side of the business very briefly:

Asked if there were plans to build additional Harry Potter amusement parks built outside of Orlando, Meyer would only respond, “Yes.” The tight-lipped mogul couldn’t reveal further details.

From the sounds of it, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter may have been the only thing Universal did right in the past few years....

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Harry Potter has been a huge win for Universal but it's hardly the only thing they've done right in the past few years. Uni/IOA have some of the top theme park rides in the world currently.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Oglet]

I say keep it in Orlando only.. makes people come to a park that was having a difficult time.

 

[nytimez]

I'd rather see them expand the one they have... mostly because I don't see myself visiting any of their other parks...

 

[skiingfast]

I say keep it in Orlando only.. makes people come to a park that was having a difficult time.

USO's market is not shared by USH's or Signapor or Japan. There is only a tiny bit of danger or cannabalizing thier own business.

I'd rather see them expand the one they have... mostly because I don't see myself visiting any of their other parks...

I agree, and once USO business stagnates that will be the obvious choice to get things moving again. Of course are they going to wait until they've lost thier momentum?


Since WWoHP was announced there has been constant chatter about building one in USH. The best thing USH has going for it is Hogwarts could actually be built on a hill, and there is some room and replaceable, dying attractions to squeeze it in.

 

[XGrumpy1]

I think it will be like when Disney opened the Magic Kingdom in Orlando and everyone was asking "where's the Pirate ride", soon that will be happening at all the Universal Parks.

More Harry Potter lands are coming.

 

[Uncleromulus]

For their sake, they best hope Potter-Boy can stand the test of time....

 

[anthony2k7]

For their sake, they best hope Potter-Boy can stand the test of time....

exactly!

To be fair though, I think Potter is now in Star Wars territory of longevity, which of course there are still rumours of Disney building a proper Star Wars land at studios even all these years on.

Although his story is supposedly over now, I can see extra life being pumped into it in the future with the usual re-releases (like Star Wars) of special edition box sets etc, followed by maybe some comics, and then some cartoons etc. Its perfect to follow the Star Wars model really.

 

[Schmeck]

Don't forget the incredible success of Pottermore (1,000,000 beta testers, the site can't handle all the requests, so many people are trying to sign up that they had to stop accepting new emails!) - I really don't think Potter fever is on its way down yet, at least.

 

[Figment632]

Potter 2 and Transformers are coming!