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

[ChrisFL]

I don't understand the people who think HP won't stand up to the test of time. Makes no sense. Dr Seuss? Betty Boop? Popeye? Sinbad? Since when are they current? HP is a modern classic in my opinion. I think it will equal The Wizard of Oz in terms of longevity.

it's because its relatively new and people are used to movies, etc. being "fads". There's a big difference between quality timeless stories and fads though, HP fits quality, timeless stories (from what I've heard).

Lets not forget that Universal opened King Kong in Hollywood in the 80's and in Florida in 1990 and that movie is from 1933!

 

[damo]

Thanks! I was wondering what the comparison was, you guys are awesome. So now after looking at that dont you think there is usable space surrounding the theatre that can be added to just about compare to spiderman in size? Not to mention that we dont actually know how much space they even need for this new ride.

I just don't think they will tear it down. A theatre is really a necessity and great for changing things up. You can just change the show and leave the building. They can leave the Sinbad show there and in time change it up to Harry Potter or some other Lost Continent themed show.

I really think that the new ride is going on the other side -- in the parking lot unless they are going to use the Poseidan's building and I don't think the Harry Potter area is going to start down that far. That leaves us no space other than the parking lot area. The area beside Flying Unicorn (where i think the castle will be) is also too small for a huge ride and space for the forbidden forest as well. I don't know why they would make a point of telling us that that parking area is going to be developed and then just put some theming over there and a few shops. I think that space is being developed for a good reason -- the new ride.

 

[damo]

I personally hope it is a huge success and people bypass Disney in droves to spend their entire vacation there.

(that way, there will be fewer people at WDW, and we can enjoy the parks with fewer people and shorter waits!)

Hahaha. That is one thing that I am not looking forward to at Universal once this opens. I like the smaller crowds!!!

 

[Metro West]

Whatever happens...it's gonna be fun watching the transformation over the next two years. I'm so glad I live here and can see it person.

 

[damo]

Whatever happens...it's gonna be fun watching the transformation over the next two years. I'm so glad I live here and can see it person.

Can you rent a little plane and take weekly pictures for us pretty please!!!

 

[G8r4evr]

I just read about it on The Leaky Cauldron and came to see if there was any news about it here. There's supposedly going to be a Hogwarts Castle. Curious to see if it'll be as big as Cinderella's castle?!

My husband immediately assumed they are going to revamp the Dueling Dragons castle into Hogwarts.

The press releases confuse me though, as they refer to Harry Potter as a new "park", but if it is going in to the already existing IOA, isnt is just going to be 1 of several islands in IOA?

 

[Metro West]

Can you rent a little plane and take weekly pictures for us pretty please!!!

I don't know about the plane but I could definately take pictures of what I could see and post them for everyone.

 

[damo]

My husband immediately assumed they are going to revamp the Dueling Dragons castle into Hogwarts.

The press releases confuse me though, as they refer to Harry Potter as a new "park", but if it is going in to the already existing IOA, isnt is just going to be 1 of several islands in IOA?

Yes. Here is a post with the conceptual artwork and how my son and I think it will fit into IOA. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18943882&postcount=136

 

[damo]

I don't know about the plane but I could definately take pictures of what I could see and post them for everyone.

That would be so very much appreciated. I really enjoy watching things progress.

 

[luv2nascar]

I have to admit I was to IOA and Universal once for 2 days in 2000. I was not that impressed. We actually had a third days tickets but didn't go back. But with the addition of the simpsons ride and HP park in 2009. I want to go back. We are Disney addicts but this will draw us back to Universal.

we will still go to Disney but add on a couple of days at universal.

 

[captainmattsparrow]

I dont think they will create a 'pirateland' as Jim Hill thinks they might. i think Disney will have a couple of Eticket attractions 'blue-skyed' just waiting to be made and I hope whatever they do come up with is to the high disney standard, I have come to expect. Im sure we wont be disappointed .

 

[loribell]

Umm, they aren't going to have that stinkin' huge spider in the Forbidden Forest area are they? YUCK!

 

[lindalinda]

I think , once it starts we should have a construction thread with pics of the progress. Lets make it mandatory.

When you get back from your trip, all the uni board peeps have to post their construction update pics.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Umm, they aren't going to have that stinkin' huge spider in the Forbidden Forest area are they? YUCK!

Who's afraid of a little spider?
Actually I am! I would hate it if Aragog made an appearance somewhere in the forest.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I think , once it starts we should have a construction thread with pics of the progress. Lets make it mandatory.

When you get back from your trip, all the uni board peeps have to post their construction update pics.

Great idea, starting NOW! I think someone mentioned they started clearing trees already! This cant in any way take place of the food pics we request. It is in addition to.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Well maybe I am the only one that thinks this way, but I am hoping it drives Disney to do more. More incentives to stay on property, more options like free dining, more after hours parties, more family type thrill rides like EE. We just went on a 7 night trip and didn't even go into Disney. We did Universal, Islands of Adventure, Seaworld and Busch Gardens. It was a really thoroughly enjoyable vacation. It was MUCH less expensive than Disney, and the "no flash photography, no eating, no drinking, no smoking, no spontaneous un planned, pre -approved fun" approach of many Disney attractions was pretty nice to miss. Was it Disney...no. Was it a great vacation...yes. I'm all for healthy competition for my money. We will return to Universal, and Harry Potter will be a neat addition. Of course we will also return to Disney (8 nights in 2008) but as my kids get older, they do want more than Disney.


Oh yeah, someone else here brought up what it might do to the typical Disney vacation. Well where i work, and most people around me, we get one week off. Meaning Monday through Friday. Of course you can count the weekends on here as well. I really can't extend my vacations beyond that. I doubt a lot of others can either. i think if the Harry Potter land and Simpsons ride are hugely successful, that it will take away days from my Disney vacation. Suddenly my eight day stay could easliy have three days at Universal/IOA. And if Seaworld and Busch Gardens bump it up a bit more...well then they can all compete over my dollars!!!

 

[loribell]

Who's afraid of a little spider?
Actually I am! I would hate it if Aragog made an appearance somewhere in the forest.

That spider scene is just way to creepy!!!!

 

[Metro West]

Who's afraid of a little spider?
Actually I am! I would hate it if Aragog made an appearance somewhere in the forest.

I HATE spiders!

 

[keypooh90]

While I love HP ( I even role-play as a student at Hogwarts on role-play websites) && love the books && movies, I would never go to Universal, especially for only 3 or so rides.

 

[DisneyGirlie]

Maybe this is just because I never got involved in Harry Potter but I don't see why you would build a whole park on Harry Potter? I could defenitely see doing a big ride or a section of like IOA but a whole park? To me it just doesn't make sense. However, I'm sure Universal has this planned out! It'll be interesting to see what they do with this idea! And as far as Disney and competition goes I think Disney will always be on top, Disney practically invented the theme park, I don't think they'll ever be behind. If nothing else my family will still be just going to Disney

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.