Universal + Harry Potter...It's Official!

[hogwartsdropout]

Being totally Harry Potter obsessed, I sort of like the idea... but I would hate to see people dressing up as Harry and Ron etc. I'm worried that this will ruin the magic for me, but I will go and see what it's like anyway.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

They're not building a WHOLE PARK. It'll just be one land in the Islands of Adventure, like the Jurassic Park area. Each land only has a few rides in it, and I can see plenty of great opportunities from the Harry Potter books and films for rides and other attractions.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Agree 100% with EVERYTHING you just said.
I think a whole park is kind of ridiculous and I'll never go. I also think that WDW will ALWAYS be on top. Its the #1 tourist attraction in the world after all! Plus, nothing, and I mean nothing can beat the Disney experience.

I think some of you really NEED to read what others have posted above you. Its not a whole park, just a part of the pie that makes up a park. Its called Islands Of Adventure. Would you care for some Kool-Aid?

 

[holbear]

"

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be anchored by the most recognizable landmark in Harry Potter’s world: Hogwarts castle. Fans will get the chance to experience some of their favorite locations both within Hogwarts and around the castle grounds when the new land opens at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort are partnering to create the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment based on J.K. Rowling’s books and the Warner Bros. films. Opening in 2009, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will feature rides and attractions, as well as shops and restaurants that will enable guests to sample fare from the wizarding world’s best known establishments.
(UNIVERSAL ORLANDO, UNIVERSAL)
May 30, 2007

I think it sounds fantastic! I've never taken the kids to Universal.. and have never been to IOA myself, either. I've only been to the original park years ago. I would definitely go and my kids are getting older now (my oldest is 10 and has read all the books) and VERY into Harry Potter.

 

[keishashadow]

Just crossed my mind, is this only going in @ U in Orlando?

Was wondering if Hollywood would get it too ala Simpsons ride.

I hope the spiders are banned and the Dementors too!

 

[bytheblood]

Speculation on my part:

JKR has clearly said that she does not want anybody to be able to resurrect HP after she releases book 7. The sure-fire way she can successfully do that is to end the life of Harry in Deathly Hallows. Even with Volde dead, he has followers (Lucius, Bellatrix, Draco, etc) that want HP dead as well. Book 7 promises to be dark and there are to be many deaths, several of which JKR said are MAJOR characters.

So, with that said, if HP is killed off in book 7, I would wager that this will play a large effect on how a HP theme park "section" is taken by HP fans. I have read book 5 and 6 (soon to be 7) and have seen each of the 4 releases, I am far from a die-hard fan. If HP is killed off in book 7, which I believe he will, I will personally have no interest...HP would be laid to rest, end-of-story. How could they entertain the possibily of characters if that charcter, (especially Harry) is dead in the series?

Side note: I would only want to go if there were an oppty to ogle at Daniel Radcliffe!!

If HP survives, then the "magic" of the series lives on and I can see this drawing many fans.

Overall, I do not see that Disney Corporation would have major competition. I would be willing to bet there are more Disney fans than HP fans.

 

[damo]

Just crossed my mind, is this only going in @ U in Orlando?

Was wondering if Hollywood would get it too ala Simpsons ride.

I hope the spiders are banned and the Dementors too!

Yes, Hollywood is getting the Simpsons ride too in their Back to the Future building but they really don't have room for a Harry Potter area.

 

[calgarygary]

I apologize for us vs them. I will go edit.

I don't have the link to the article I read on JK Rowling if that's what you mean? I just was scanning this am... not really filing away for future reference.

There is an interesting article at on the Jim Hill website, but IMHO Jim's "track" record is not something that makes me trust him

Now that's the CarolA that I have found so informative on these threads!

 

[tasha99]

I am looking very forward to this--love Harry Potter and love roller coasters. I hope they make a "car ride to Hogwarts" ride that races the train and has the whomping willow.

As for the last book ending sadly, who knows. I don't think JK Rowling has to worry about anyone continuing the series without her since that would be a copyright violation. Of course, years down the road when it's in the public domain that would be a different matter, but even if Harry died, an author could resurrect him somehow.

 

[macraven]

i am so not into harry potter books and movies...

but if mythos and dueling dragons and enchanted oak are left untouched, i will be happy.

Universal is my first love.
as long as they put in new kewl rides, i'll be there. maybe opening day.
i can live with anything new they put in.



but you will never see me wearing any HP hats...........

 

[baby<3]

I absolutely positively adore Disney. But, I absolutely positively adore Harry Potter too. They are two separate things however. I doubt the addition will hurt Disney at all though. Disney has always been classic and while Harry Potter is becoming classic, it just doesn't appeal to all ages the way Disney does. Harry Potter is more for the older, 3rd grade and up.

However...from a Daniel Radcliffe loving teen girl...if they have look a likes walking around...it will be almost as good as disney...

 

[phamton]

but you will never see me wearing any HP hats...........

I'm going to get you one!

 

[macraven]

I'm going to get you one!

 

[mellowmood]

I have never been to Universal. We always want to go, but never end up with enough time.

Both my boys love Harry Potter and I think we'll have to make the time.

I'm pretty excited, too!

If you stay in the Universal hotel you get some kind of permanent fastpass, right? Like, all the time while you stay there?

 

[TinkRBel_In_Training]

I think the idea is really cool, and I would totally go there. But I think it also has potential to become outdated. Especially since the last book is coming out soon, and after the movies are all done filming....how many years will HP-mania last? It has a broad appeal right now, but I don't know if the movies (and books) will be "passed down" to many generations in the way Disney movies have. I mean, almost all generations going all the way back to the 1930's can relate to and identify a Disney character! But 70 years from now, will kids still be reading the HP books and watching the movies? I guess that has yet to be determined. But like I said, its a cool idea.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I think some of you really NEED to read what others have posted above you. Its not a whole park, just a part of the pie that makes up a park. Its called Islands Of Adventure. Would you care for some Kool-Aid?

With all due respect, things like this,

After much discussion and speculation among DISboards participants over the years, yesterday's press announcement that Warner/Universal are planning on opening a Harry Potter Theme Park in 2009 in the Orlando area has answered the question.

Along with some ambiguously worded articles and announcements in the press may be the things giving people the incorrect impression that it will be a full theme park instead of just a section. And people often post without reading the full thread.

 

[Timmy Boy]

I'm very very excited about this project!!

However, what makes me SOOO ANGRY is the Disney fans saying how "Disney can do it better."

I. HATE. THAT.

It's like automatically assuming that Disney can make anything perfect. "Disney is now President of the United States? War in Iraq? Disney can make it better! Disney is now God. Starvation? Disney can make it better!"

it gets on my nerves SOO much. Monsters Laugh Floor... hmm, craptastic. (But Disney is gonna make it better!!) Hmm... Stitch... suuurreee... (But I bet Disney will make it better!)

Look, I'm sorry, but saying 'Disney would have made it better" and having never set foot in IOA really gets on my nerves!

Also the Disney fans need to get some facts straight. Dragons, Unicorn are staying. It's in the concept art, but they're being re-themed. Another new attractions is being built.

There's rumor about Pirates retheming over in MK. (Saw on other boards). Ok, retheming Aladdin, Tiki Room, Treehouse... isn't that doing the SAME thing! as retheming Dragons and Unicorn?? But it's ok, Disney will make it better.

 

[phamton]

I really, really do not want to close this thread as it deals with what I think is an important announcement. Can we please resist turning this into another thread comparing Disney and Universal?

I understand your frustration but let's keep this thread about the announcement.

 

[Timmy Boy]

You're right. I'm sorry. it just irritates me.

 

[diddldonna]

He is the UK the reports are just one ride at universal?

Donna