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

[snowbunny]

Disney hasn't been able to touch Spiderman or ROTM for that matter.

I haven't been to Universal for a bunch of years, but that's only because I had little kids in the interim as well as a lack of time. The two times I've been there, I loved it, from Back to the Future to the Psycho set. (That tells you how long ago it was.)

From a business and creative standpoint I just think this is a great coup for Universal and a really sad day for Disney. The basis for Disney, which I love, continues to be its history as an animation studio, which is most important to those of us who are old enough to remember seeing Snow White in a movie theater.

Yes Disney adds a major attraction every 5-7 years or so. But with this set of characters and storyline, Universal is poised to eat Disney's lunch for a very long time. Good for them and too bad that Disney was not willing(?) to make the investment needed to satisfy the vision of HP's creator.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Revenge of the mummy sucks first of all.

Dude. Please put down the keyboard before someone gets hurt.

Kool-Aid drinkers on both sides are funny.

Me? I'm Switzerland. I love them both, with Disney just a little bit more (DVC).

 

[ChrisFL]

This is not about who could do it better as it's a moot point. Universal has the contract and I'm sure with the $120 million budget it's been given, will do an extraordinary job with this new theme.

thats just this years budget, expect the same next year.

 

[SamIAm21]

thats just this years budget, expect the same next year.

Cool!

 

[micksterlee]

These boards amaze me ! I honestly think if Universal announced that they would be handing out gold bars at the entrance, someone would jump on here and explain how Disney would never do this because the bars would be to heavy and even though they are worth lots of money Disney would never allow their guests to be burdened with the weight. Please this announcement is not only huge for Universal but look what it will do for the rest of us when it gets built and we have a new reason to go to Florida on vacation.

 

[Claymax]

One of my favorite sites is ScreamScape.com. Link here to their page of North American theme parks. http://www.screamscape.com/html/north_american_parks.htm

They list rumors and speculation but leave it up on their site so you can see how accurate they are. They are usually pretty on target.

I (along with everyone else!) was reading about HP speculation on here for a while before the big news. Check it out.

 

[Claymax]

thats just this years budget, expect the same next year.

I read somewhere where they said they expect similar budgets in 2008,9 and 10.

 

[tlinus]

Finally some back up.

I got ya!

 

[tlinus]

You can't compare Narnia to HP *******. HP has grossed what? 3.5 billion dollars. Narnia's attraction sucked, hell I think any walk through attractions suck, including poseidon's fury.

Disney and Universal are in 2 different leagues. You don't leave Universal with that magical feeling you do when you leave Disney.

When I ranked the parks i ranked them how I liked each individual park seperately. IOA is eye candy and blew me away, I had been to MGM a dozen times so I ranked IOA higher up because right now thats the way it is, if I go to IOA a dozen times my list will probably change.

reported - you have crossed the line with the name calling

 

[PlutoLuvr]

You can't compare Narnia to HP *******. HP has grossed what? 3.5 billion dollars. Narnia's attraction sucked, hell I think any walk through attractions suck, including poseidon's fury.

Disney and Universal are in 2 different leagues. You don't leave Universal with that magical feeling you do when you leave Disney.

When I ranked the parks i ranked them how I liked each individual park seperately. IOA is eye candy and blew me away, I had been to MGM a dozen times so I ranked IOA higher up because right now thats the way it is, if I go to IOA a dozen times my list will probably change.

Name calling. Lovely

 

[mx3man123]

This is the disboards website isn't it? I didn't accidentally link to uniboards.com now did I?
If it wasn't for Disney, there would be no Universal studios in Orlando anyway.

Look at the geography of the area Universal has to work with, it can't be done properly in that location.

You watch, it's gonna suck.

 

[holcomb-mania]

What's the budget stuff again? Is it about $400-$500 million in total investment?

That's incredible. Wasn't IOA in its entirety about $1 billion?

 

[Raider82]

What's the budget stuff again? Is it about $400-$500 million in total investment?

That's incredible. Wasn't IOA in its entirety about $1 billion?

I'm sure a huge part of the budget is going to J.K. Rowling, and Warner Bros.

 

[phamton]

This is the disboards website isn't it? I didn't accidentally link to uniboards.com now did I?

Yes, you did. You are in the Universal/IoA forum.

You watch, it's gonna suck.

Nice.

 

[Nana Annie]

reported - you have crossed the line with the name calling

I reported also. Hopefully it will be more than just a few warning points

Swearing at somebody because they have a different opinion is just plain unacceptable.

 

[ADP]

Anything new coming to the Orlando parks is great news! Most people like more choices and this new themed land only adds to the plethera of choices Orlando already has to offer.

Some news outlets are reporting that this new land is actually a theme park; which is obviously false and misleading information.

 

[Timmy Boy]

This is the disboards website isn't it? I didn't accidentally link to uniboards.com now did I?
If it wasn't for Disney, there would be no Universal studios in Orlando anyway.

Look at the geography of the area Universal has to work with, it can't be done properly in that location.

You watch, it's gonna suck.

Ok, a lot of the Universal Attractions are top notch. When IOA first opened, it didn't have a whole lot, but everything it did have was AMAZING. First B&M launched, first and still only dueling inverted coaster, best raft ride in the world. Everything there was well thought out, and definetly quality. Take the time to wander down paths in IOA. There's a TON of detail and theming there, that no one ever sees. It's wonderful!

With the creative talent behind Harry Potter, it's going to be good. I have a feelings it's gonna be great!

Edit: I feel like if you were to visit IOA, and went to Harry Potter, and saw 1 napkin on the ground, you'd be like "wow that's horrible, Disney would never do that!!!" Then you would be so upset at that, that you'd miss everything around you.

I went to Magic Kingdom the other night. It was messy.

 

[Claymax]

I'm sure a huge part of the budget is going to J.K. Rowling, and Warner Bros.

Well part of it to be sure, that's how licensing works for everyone, but I doubt a huge part. (A huge amount, yes. )

They talk about all of the time and money they're putting into it, I imagine it will be stunning. Will it be everyone's perfect Harry vision? Probably not but I will bet it will be stunning. Remember, GE's at the top and they're not going to budget close to half a billion dollars on something they think might work.

I really think it will be impressive. Oh and get the High Res versions of the park pic with the owl flying overhead here (and other pics and a video of the announcement) http://media.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/

and check it out. There's some pretty good detail in there, accurate or not. Looks to me like DD's entrance may be from the far side of the current castle as shops will be where the current entrance is.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Anybody else think, like me, that Poseidon could go bye-bye and make room for a significant chunk of this plan?

 

[phamton]

The attacks of individual posters and inidividual posts needs to stop. If someone is just trying to start an argument please do not repond to him or her. Be assured that any violations will result in warning or infractions.

If you see a post that violates Dis guidelines, please report it so it can be taken care of.