WDW Fans: Will you go see Harry Potter?

[loveswdw]

Yep, we will be spending a day at Islands of Adventure in June so we can go explore WWoHP.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

My DBF and I decided we didn't want to have to rent a car and deal with all of that his first trip to WDW. So we will visit HPW the next time we go down in 3-5 years. Living up in South Dakota I can't go to Disney as often as I would like.

 

[raydurz]

I plan on spending two days at Universal during my trip to WDW this Sept and I am definitely planning to spend lots of money and time there.

 

[Dizneydaz]

If we go in Sept. to WDW this year as planned we will definitely have to check out HP at US. My DD10 is a huge fan of anything HP. I was the first chapter book she read-she started reading them in 1st grade.

I have to admit it's pretty cool and now that she's tall enough for many of the rides and loves all coasters it's a great time for a first trip. She's small for her age so she's only now reached 4' 4" (just tall enough to ride Maliboomer at DCA!-which she loves!)

 

[Barb]

Without a doubt, we will be spending time at USF and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We love Universal anyway and can't wait to see the new addition. In fact, we will be extending our usual 2-3 days there to 4-5 days!

 

[jamstew]

No, I didnt miss it. It was pretty clear. Other than for Harry Potter you wouldnt even entertain going to Universal despite not knowing what it is like.

Right. As I said, there are probably thousands of places I'd enjoy and won't ever go.

You have basically said that other than for Harry Potter you have no interest in going to Universal however you feel qualified to comment on its merits or lack of. Your perfectly entightled to these opinions but likewise others are perfectly entightled to challenge them.

Correct. I have no interest. I certainly haven't told anyone else that they shouldn't go there.

Perhaps so, but that doesnt mean you cant go to other places and enjoy them too.

I have and do go other places. The fact remains that, for me, it's about the Disney theme because of the connection to my childhood. It isn't about the rides so much as the theme. I'm sorry that you can't seem to understand that I don't care anything at all about theme parks or amusement parks other than Disney and that there are many, many places I thoroughly enjoy, so why should I go to Universal? Just to say that I went? OK--I'm going.

My best Disney friend said that I should go Russia with her next summer. I told her I had no interest in going. She didn't then say that I should go anyway because I'd never been and didn't know if I'd like it or not and that I must be afraid I'd like it. She simply accepted that I wasn't interested in going. My sister wants to go to Alaska. I don't and she accepts that. I will go with her to Universal to see HP and check out a few other things, but in all honesty, if it weren't for her I probably wouldn't go at all. Other than Disney, I like to travel to the Caribbean, the National Parks in Utah and the Gulf beaches. Those are places that interest me and that I enjoy.

I'm have no idea what you want me to say, but I've explained it as best I can. I'm done.

 

[Ty_Ty]

Never! I never want to go to universal, I HATE harry potter too.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

We always just go to Disney. We never stray. We have never been to Universal. HOWEVER, DD21 is dying to see Harry Potter, so for our next trip to Disney, we will definitely go to Universal for a day or two. The photos I have seen are amazing.

 

[shelie girl]

I would love to go to Universal for the day next time. DD is 7 now, so I figure in a year or two she will be able to ride most things there and we all love HP!

 

[clkelley]

I do have a question. The answer may have to wait till the place actually opens, but here it is.

I have not read a single Harry Potter book, or seen any of the Harry Potter movies, so will the land mean anything to me?? Do ya'll think Universal is a good enough storyteller for someone with no prior knowledge to "get" the area??

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I am planning my next trip for 2011 and at this point I am undecided if we will even go to WDW or not. When we get closer I will ask my crew if they want to go to WDW or go to the beach. We are huge HP fans. We have all read the books, see the movies as soon as they come out and usually twice, and of course buy the DVD's. My 16 yr old has read the books so many times we have had to replace a few of copies as they were completely worn out. I must say that I am a little underwhelmed with the descriptionsm I have read of the new HP section at Universal. I am hoping that I won't be disappointed or expect too much at Universal. Of course we still plan on checking it out.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We are Christians and love the books and movies and have never found anything religiously offensive in any of the books or movies.

I know alot of Christians are fine with it, we just have an aversion to witchcraft at our house.

 

[Sammie]

I know alot of Christians are fine with it, we just have an aversion to witchcraft at our house.

Which would include Disney too, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.

I will be going to see it love the book, loved the movies, can't wait.

 

[melly]

Correct. I have no interest. I certainly haven't told anyone else that they shouldn't go there. .

I know and I havent said that you have.

I have and do go other places. The fact remains that, for me, it's about the Disney theme because of the connection to my childhood. It isn't about the rides so much as the theme. I'm sorry that you can't seem to understand that I don't care anything at all about theme parks or amusement parks other than Disney and that there are many, many places I thoroughly enjoy, so why should I go to Universal? Just to say that I went? OK--I'm going.

My best Disney friend said that I should go Russia with her next summer. I told her I had no interest in going. She didn't then say that I should go anyway because I'd never been and didn't know if I'd like it or not and that I must be afraid I'd like it. She simply accepted that I wasn't interested in going. My sister wants to go to Alaska. I don't and she accepts that. I will go with her to Universal to see HP and check out a few other things, but in all honesty, if it weren't for her I probably wouldn't go at all. Other than Disney, I like to travel to the Caribbean, the National Parks in Utah and the Gulf beaches. Those are places that interest me and that I enjoy.

I'm have no idea what you want me to say, but I've explained it as best I can. I'm done.

I dont want you to say anything really. I was just perplexed at how you wouldnt try Universal because you dont lie thrill rides. You didnt seem to know that Universal isnt about thrill rides.

As for your analogies with Russia etc.. its not really a like for like comparison is it? To go to Russia would probably mean that year you couldnt or wouldnt go to Disney that year and since you love Disney thats an easy decision to make not to go to Russia. On the other hand to go to Universal is a 7 mile or so diversion for 1 of your vacation days just to try it out and the rest of your vacation can still be spent where you know you enjoy.

Dont get me wrong, its your choice. It just seemed to me that you assumed that you wouldnt like Universal based on info that isn correct (ie its all about thrill rides). Also, dont think Im being critical because Im not. It just puzzles me as a Brit who would do anything to have theme parks over here that are the quality of the orlando theme parks and then you see the natives over there almost refusing to go to great parks just because they have a loyalty to one.

 

[smidgy]

.

Sorry, couldn't resist, since Suess is at US! Actually we are not HP fans for religious reasons, but I think the US hotels look cool and would like to visit there sometime when we are there for a longer visit.

we are also Christians who enjoyed the HP books and movies. yes, Christians should not delve into magic, witchcraft, etc. but there is that huge Sorcerer's hat at Hollywood studios, after all. and witches at disney, fairies, etc etc.


the US hotels are really cool! it is pricey for a long stay, but for 2-3 nights, you get the free expressline, AND free pool hopping!!! try it, you'll like it!

I must admit, we have to do US first, and save disney for second!

Also, I haven't heard much about the details of the Ride itself, but I think the re-creation of Hogsmeade (the wand shop, etc, )would be a bit lost on those who haven't either read the books or seen the movies.

we are waiting for the hype to die down a bit ourselves. (ie, till the ride is included in express line)

 

[smidgy]

just want to add to anyone who thinks that Universal is just about thrill rides: I do NOT like thrill rides. Not a six[flags fan here. I do NOt like rollercoasters. but I love Uni.
(no, not as much as disney, I'll go to Disney and miss Universal, but never done it the other way around).
I fI had to pick between Universl Studios or Hollywood Studios, i would pick US. Islands of Adventure is fun, but up until HP, it was a one day park, easy.
but dudley dorigts water ride is great fun.. Jurrassic Park water ride is great fun.. and Popeye and Blutos water "tub" ride blows AK's Kali River rapids away!! much longer,lots more fun. suessland is just SO whimsical, and bright and cheery!
just like Disney, Uni. is so much more enjoyable if you stay onsite. you can go back and forth between the 2 parks, and you can use all 3 pools. and eat and drink at city walk.. Pat obriens' is a dueling piano bar ,, and you can have chicken wings, sandwiches, a few cocktails, and walk back to your room.

 

[jamstew]

As for your analogies with Russia etc.. its not really a like for like comparison is it? To go to Russia would probably mean that year you couldnt or wouldnt go to Disney that year and since you love Disney thats an easy decision to make not to go to Russia.

That isn't the case. I'm retired and travel several times a year, so I could definitely do both. I've been to Disney twice in the last 2 months and am currently getting ready for a cruise that starts next Sunday.

On the other hand to go to Universal is a 7 mile or so diversion for 1 of your vacation days just to try it out and the rest of your vacation can still be spent where you know you enjoy.

That's exactly what I'm doing.

Also, dont think Im being critical because Im not. It just puzzles me as a Brit who would do anything to have theme parks over here that are the quality of the orlando theme parks and then you see the natives over there almost refusing to go to great parks just because they have a loyalty to one.

OK, I understand.

 

[justgeorgi]

We are headed down in March...so won't be going since it isn't open! But without a doubt this Mickey lover is also infatuated with Mr. Potter. I will be there in January 2012

 

[justgeorgi]

Will not see him here or there, would not see him anywhere.

Sorry, couldn't resist, since Suess is at US! Actually we are not HP fans for religious reasons, but I think the US hotels look cool and would like to visit there sometime when we are there for a longer visit.

I'm very curious about this statement. Please don't take this the wrong way or feel like I'm attacking you, I really do have some questions about your statement and I hope you take them the way they are intended.

I am a Christian, proudly born again many years ago with a born again husband and 17 year old daughter. We are HUGE Harry Potter fans, love him! The books and movies are family favorites. I've heard this argument so many times it isn't funny...that the HP books promote sorcery, witchcraft, etc. In fact most of these same people who have stated these comments are also HUGE Disney fans who travel to the parks every year for their "traditional family vacations."

Now I will ask you these questions.
Do you shield your children from seeing Cinderella's Castle? After all her Fairy Godmother is a magical "witch."

Do you go see Fantasmic? The star of it is Sorcerer Mickey.

Do you allow them to ride Snow White's Scary Adventure? It has a witch and magical poison apples.

Do you realize that MANY of the princess stories are full of witchcraft?

I'm not judging you and I honestly respect your stand. I'm just curious how you justify your stand if you are going to Walt Disney World which is "magical" and full of talking animals, sorcerers, witches and that sort of thing.

I will mention that I too did not think the HP books were a good thing and chose to read the first book because I wanted to be able to back up my argument and what I found was a charming series which promoted family and friendship and caring.

Hope you don't take any of my questions the wrong way, I'm really not pointing fingers at you or your decisions.

 

[heaven2dc]

Wow - all this conversation about whether a Christian should or shouldn't go to Universal Studios or WDW is intriguing! I'm a Christian as well and won't watch the vampire movies that are famous now but not based on my religious beliefs - they just plumb scare me! As far as someone's desire to not visit US based on religious beliefs, I am curious too. And definitely support their decision and understand, just not sure why the diff between US and WDW. Hope the OP clears this up for us and doesn't take offense! (and I hope it gets wrappd up cuz we are getting way off the original OP's desire here )