Wizzarding World of Harry Potter Phase 2 on the way.

[Figment632]

http://www.clubd23.com/forums/showthread.php?t=779

The new section in the short few months that it had been open has already paid for itself. Phase 2 should be on the way soon.

What I hear to include a show and one or 2 d tickets.

 

[nytimez]

Sounds great. I haven't seen phase 1 yet, but it's clearly a big hit for them and that's good for everyone.

 

[Figment632]

Sounds great. I haven't seen phase 1 yet, but it's clearly a big hit for them and that's good for everyone.

Agreed!

Note to Disney see what happens when youn do something innovative instead of cheap!

 

[DemoBri1]

Note to Disney see what happens when youn do something innovative instead of cheap!

Can you tell me what is so innovative about Harry Potter? I mean didn't they actually re-purpose a coaster there and make the buildings so darn small that a group of 10 feels cramped?

 

[nytimez]

Can you tell me what is so innovative about Harry Potter? I mean didn't they actually re-purpose a coaster there and make the buildings so darn small that a group of 10 feels cramped?

I haven't been there myself. But from most accounts, the main attraction -- Forbidden Journey -- is one of the most innovate theme park attractions in a long time. And the stores were built small on purpose to be faithful re-creations of the movie/book locations, not giant emporiums with bits of theming throughout.

So instead of waiting in a line at a cash register, you wait on a line to get in -- and then have a more personal experience when you're inside.

Depends on what you prefer. I will reserve judgment until I see it for myself, but I am certainly looking forward to the chance to go -- and I haven't read a single Harry Potter book, and only saw one or two of the movies. Not really my thing -- but I love a well-themed and imaginative park area.

 

[Galen_50]

Can you tell me what is so innovative about Harry Potter? I mean didn't they actually re-purpose a coaster there and make the buildings so darn small that a group of 10 feels cramped?

I would have to agree. I do not think it was very innovative, smart maybe, but not innovative. They paid for a hot property, one which they did not create, and themed some rides based off of movie scenes and ideas that they did not create. Nothing wrong with it, just not what I would call inovative.

The problem Disney has, is when they want to do the same thing (retheme something with newer ideas), most of the time us fans complain and say we like it the old way or it doesn't fit. I am not complaining about that, it is just a fact of life. And truthfully, Disney does not currently have a francise that could support a whole new land and if they did, it would look out of place because none of the lands at Disney are just one francise. They are a combination of many.


And now, don't get me wrong, I love the Harry Potter books and movies, but I agree that over the long term the Harry Potter land will not be as big of a draw to the park. Harry Potter is really hot right now. We have two more movie that promise to be the best in the series. But after that, unless J.K. decides to write another book, it is finished. Properties like this are only popular like this as long as they have something new. Look at Star Trek. They opened the Star Trek Experience in Vegas which was alot like the Harry Potter land. You could go on the bridge of the Enterprise and shop at the shops on Deep Space Nine, and there was one simulator ride. The place was every popular for years until there was no more new shows to support it. Same as Star Wars, that is why Lucas keeps coming up with new shows and ideas to keep it relavent. When the Lord of Rings movies where coming out, they were as big as the Harry Potter movies. Now, except for the die hard fans, nobody cares if the Hobbit gets made. It is sad, but it is the way society has become. What have you done lately and out of sight, out of mind.

Now I do not think it is going to be a ghost town tomorrow. But give it 5 to 10 years after the last movie it will be just another area that only the die hard fans will care about. The characters and stories do not have the same kind of timeless magic that alot of the Disney properties do. The kind of magic that has a parent excited to be showing their children the movies that their parents showed them when they were their kids age. That is the draw of the Disney properites, and there are not many others like them.

 

[Uncleromulus]

All very true.
Of course NOW Potter World is the talk of the town--the greatest thing since bubble gum. And those who mobbed the first park and gulped down a million gallons of cream soda (oops, I mean Butterbeer) will mob this park as well.

As for me-no interest in either one. When we next do our next regular Universal Trip (we go once every 5-6 years) we'll wander over for a look-see. But that's about it.

 

[Figment632]

All very true.
Of course NOW Potter World is the talk of the town--the greatest thing since bubble gum. And those who mobbed the first park and gulped down a million gallons of cream soda (oops, I mean Butterbeer) will mob this park as well.

As for me-no interest in either one. When we next do our next regular Universal Trip (we go once every 5-6 years) we'll wander over for a look-see. But that's about it.

Well u don't like HP or Universal so I would't expect you care, by the way Forbidden Journey is the most innovative theme park attraction since Indy and TOT.

 

[anthony2k7]

I haven't been there myself. But from most accounts, the main attraction -- Forbidden Journey -- is one of the most innovate theme park attractions in a long time.

yet what I've read (and to be honest that not a lot!) it seems that Forbidden Journey is just a slightly more advanced spiderman type ride?

 

[nytimez]

yet what I've read (and to be honest that not a lot!) it seems that Forbidden Journey is just a slightly more advanced spiderman type ride?

I enjoyed Spider-Man, but I'd be disappointed if that's what it was.

I'm under the impression it's not -- for one, the ride vehicle in Forbidden Journey is a KUKA arm with a full range of motion instead of the usual car-style vehicle with seats and rows, raised and lowered from below and operated on a track, like they use in Spider-Man and other rides. And there are supposedly some very cutting-edge visual effects inside.

 

[Golf4food]

yet what I've read (and to be honest that not a lot!) it seems that Forbidden Journey is just a slightly more advanced spiderman type ride?

Which was the most innovative theme park ride in its time. Forbidden Journey seems more like Spiderman 2.0 than a truly new innovation.

 

[DC7800]

Disney does not currently have a francise that could support a whole new land and if they did, it would look out of place because none of the lands at Disney are just one francise

Cars land, at Disney California Adventure.

Granted, it is a bit odd to see an entire land centered around just one franchise (though arguably the scale and scope of some original Future World pavilions provides some precedent).

 

[ChrisFL]

I'm glad everyone has an opinion on something they haven't personally experienced yet

 

[Uncleromulus]

Figment632:
Innovative only IF you like that sort of innovation. Which I don't. Already said on another HP thread that even if these rides weren't Potter and even if they were in WDW, I STILL wouldn't get on.
But as I say, the new stuff will likely pack 'em in just as the first offering did.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Good post Chris!

HP is innovative and was expensive, two things disney shy's away from these days.

'Forbidden Journey' is far more than just another ride and if you haven't done it, please don't make comment.

Harry Potter is not a fad or a flash in the pan. It has already been around for how many years, with how many fans? The books will continue to be read for generations.

Rowling already has plans to write another HP inspired series (I believe it's about the wizard Dumbledore) which will keep it relevant going forward.

It's OK to not like the Universal parks, they are a little different. It's OK to not like HP, taste is individual. But I see and read too much that sounds like the old Universal vs. Disney inflect, which of course means nothing unless you happen to own one or the other and of course none of us do. It is good for all 'guests' to have the parks be the best they can be and HP is a boon for Orlando theme parks in general.

 

[skier_pete]

I'm glad everyone has an opinion on something they haven't personally experienced yet

Love that comment! It's so totally true. I have no love for Universal, but I will say this, the people from this area that I know have gone (that are NOT people on message boards) thought the Harry Potter stuff was great. Just for us, Universal skews too old for our DD7, especially since she is very timid about rides.

I will make this comment (and I have no inside knowledge): If they are looking at a Phase II by 2012 - you do realize that the likelyhood is that the "Phase II expansion" will involve the re-purposing of the rest of The Lost Continent:
1 stage show - replace Eigth Voyage of Sinbad - check
1 D ticket ride - replace Posideon's Fury - check

Not that getting rid of these two things are any great losses, though I really enjoyed the original Posideon's Fury back in 2000, I've heard it's quite different (for the worse) now. If doing this would expand Harry Potter land from a few hours to 1/2 a day...

After that:
Phase III - Harry Potter uses his magic to bring dinosaurs alive!
Phase IV - Harry Potter vs Spiderman!
Phase V - The Islands of Harry Potter
Phase VI - Potterfino Bay Hotel

SkierPete

 

[nytimez]

Love that comment! It's so totally true. I have no love for Universal, but I will say this, the people from this area that I know have gone (that are NOT people on message boards) thought the Harry Potter stuff was great. Just for us, Universal skews too old for our DD7, especially since she is very timid about rides.

I will make this comment (and I have no inside knowledge): If they are looking at a Phase II by 2012 - you do realize that the likelyhood is that the "Phase II expansion" will involve the re-purposing of the rest of The Lost Continent:
1 stage show - replace Eigth Voyage of Sinbad - check
1 D ticket ride - replace Posideon's Fury - check

Not that getting rid of these two things are any great losses, though I really enjoyed the original Posideon's Fury back in 2000, I've heard it's quite different (for the worse) now. If doing this would expand Harry Potter land from a few hours to 1/2 a day...

After that:
Phase III - Harry Potter uses his magic to bring dinosaurs alive!
Phase IV - Harry Potter vs Spiderman!
Phase V - The Islands of Harry Potter
Phase VI - Potterfino Bay Hotel

SkierPete

Don't forget The Potter-y Barn in Citywalk.

 

[Figment632]

Figment632:
Innovative only IF you like that sort of innovation. Which I don't. Already said on another HP thread that even if these rides weren't Potter and even if they were in WDW, I STILL wouldn't get on.
But as I say, the new stuff will likely pack 'em in just as the first offering did.

Forget the content The ride system is innovative by itself!

 

[Orlando313]

I am also cracking up that people saying WWoHP is not innovative are people that a) don't like or care anything about Harry Potter b) don't like or care about Universal c) HAVEN'T BEEN to experience it and d) would choke on their tongues if they were forced to say anything good about Universal!

Disney will always be my favorite just because of what it stands for, but anyone that denies that WWoHP is not innovate or FJ is not innovate is kidding themselves. The technology is amazing, and the theming is impeccible (sp?).

I would be thrilled with a phase 2 of HP. Anytime I walk through Lost Continent it's always empty. The only people around are people walking TO or FROM WWOHP. I don't think LC would be a big loss.

 

[Orlando313]

Figment632:
Innovative only IF you like that sort of innovation. Which I don't. Already said on another HP thread that even if these rides weren't Potter and even if they were in WDW, I STILL wouldn't get on.
But as I say, the new stuff will likely pack 'em in just as the first offering did.

Just because you don't like that kind of ride or theming doesn't mean that it's not innovative.