WWoHP wayyyyyyy underestimated??

[muffyn]

looking at those pictures of the crowds in line , I wonder if Universal just underestimated how popular this all was going to be?!
really, can you imagine standing in that line? no way would I ever do that. that is just so unreal.
the shops have been reported to be 'tiny' as they are with the previews in the last couple weeks. can you imagine trying to get in with THAT crowd?? impossible..
do you think there are some execs , now, standing around & saying "uh. we should have made it BIGGER!!!!" ????
with all the $$$ any & all this is gonna bring in they could have done it BIGGER!!! plus do extras , like having made the wands interact with the parks ( I really think that is a big lost opportunity, they would be much more appealing.. they sold a ton of My pal mickey for Disney, & I STILL wear my 'light up' pin over in the parks, it still works)
speaking of, do you think they 'might' add on later? do you think JKR has given them any authortization to add on? there are many places they could build, with some rearranging behind DD.

with at least one item being sold out, you wonder how long before the shops are kinda bare! man they must have a HUGE butterbeer facility!

(I'd love to know how much they took in yesterday)

 

[damo]

Things were made to scale. Making them much bigger would have ruined the feel. I can see them making them a bit bigger but organization is a key as well. Things will calm down eventually.

There is lots of time to add things in and on. I would love to see a Shreiking Shack and perhaps some kind of magical creatures thing.

 

[Kazzy1548]

I hope it dies down by August... Ah well at least we have a 7 day pass

 

[Albytaps]

They should have had Diagon Alley too and it would have made it bigger.

 

[Planogirl]

They might have plans to expand in the future. I don't know how much space they have but I can see them adding more as they go along.

From what I understand JK Rowling had a lot of say-so in all of this and I've heard it said that she wanted everything to scale. If true, then that probably has a lot to do with the size of the shops at least.

 

[Metro West]

They might have plans to expand in the future. I don't know how much space they have but I can see them adding more as they go along.

The article in the paper the other day said Universal could and probably would take over the rest of The Lost Continent and expand WWoHP with more rides, restaurants and shops. I really hope they do!

 

[DOOM1001]

The rest of Lost Continent will be replaced to expand Potter,no doubt about that.In fact when they first announced the plans for Potter I think I remember hearing that it will in fact expand,also this could be information that is old or changed but I remember hearing about plans for another major ride taking up the Sinbad show and the parking space behind Sinbad and Dragon Challenge.

 

[Uncleromulus]

They had best hope that Potter has the staying power to accomodate all these plans!!
Right now you are seeing a lot of frenzy and hype from Potter zealots who would go no matter WHAT rides and shops they had. The tale will be told when the initial frenzy ends and those who might have a "casual interest" start to attend..or not.

 

[plutotek]

Negative postings/viewpoints aside, I think that US has hit a home run w/the majority of their attending public. I believe that a majority attendees will be enjoying 1 more new ride experience. In other words, a lot of people go to US/IOA for the attractions, not necessarily the theming (enjoy the Mummy as a coaster, not necessarily because they're fans of the movie).

 

[damo]

They had best hope that Potter has the staying power to accomodate all these plans!!
Right now you are seeing a lot of frenzy and hype from Potter zealots who would go no matter WHAT rides and shops they had. The tale will be told when the initial frenzy ends and those who might have a "casual interest" start to attend..or not.

The ride has enough generic "scary stuff" that it should supersede the Harry Potter storyline.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that if something is fun then it's just plain fun and will attract people.

Look at some of the attractions at WDW for example. I doubt that most people are big fans of the Tower of Terror movie but the attraction seems to do well. There are people that don't care about Aerosmith but like RnR Coaster. And so on.

Besides I suspect that the Harry Potter thing will stick around long after the books are finished. I can see the books becoming classics over time.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just to indicate where I am observing from--never read a Potter book (tried the first, but couldn't make it through the first third or so) and saw only the first movie (gave it a "B").
So the excitement is quite beyond me. The question will be how long it can sustain itself. The kiddies in the movies are growing up and the whole series may have run out of steam.
OF course, it could be as several of you say that a "coaster is a coaster" and people will go just to get on a different ride.

Looks like now everyone is going JUST to see Potter. But that will end soon enough and then it will be folks going to Universal per se who then will also wander over to check out Potter while they are there.

 

[angelmav]

Ummm Uncleromulus, the series isnt running out of steam, they are running out of books! They are about to release a two part finally for the last book.

It has been awhile since Mickey Mouse was in a movie, but I dont see his popularity taking a nosedive.

If your not a fan, you have probably missed just how popular this is. IMO, it will have the same staying power as Star Wars but with so many more directions they can go with the themepark. I see a Gringotts ride in the future as well as a midnight bus!

 

[Colleendoll]

The ride has enough generic "scary stuff" that it should supersede the Harry Potter storyline.

While visiting over the past few days I talked with people there, several people who just happened along and wanted to see the "new" area and some who accompanied a loved one who was a big fan. These non Potter Fans were also REALLY impressed and many had never read the books or even watched the movies!

 

[Colleendoll]

looking at those pictures of the crowds in line , I wonder if Universal just underestimated how popular this all was going to be?!
really, can you imagine standing in that line? no way would I ever do that. that is just so unreal.
the shops have been reported to be 'tiny' as they are with the previews in the last couple weeks. can you imagine trying to get in with THAT crowd?? impossible..
do you think there are some execs , now, standing around & saying "uh. we should have made it BIGGER!!!!" ????
with all the $$$ any & all this is gonna bring in they could have done it BIGGER!!! plus do extras , like having made the wands interact with the parks ( I really think that is a big lost opportunity, they would be much more appealing.. they sold a ton of My pal mickey for Disney, & I STILL wear my 'light up' pin over in the parks, it still works)
speaking of, do you think they 'might' add on later? do you think JKR has given them any authortization to add on? there are many places they could build, with some rearranging behind DD.

with at least one item being sold out, you wonder how long before the shops are kinda bare! man they must have a HUGE butterbeer facility!

(I'd love to know how much they took in yesterday)

While we were there over the past few days, the general practice for keeping crowd control in the stores was to have an employee watching the doors and saying "the shop is temporarily closed. Please take time to explore the rest of Hogsmead and return." Now Three Broomsticks, Olivanders and FJ did have long lines but you had plenty to keep you occupied since you never know what magic might happen while you wait in your queue if you just look around you.

-------------------
Also wanted to mention, opening day was a HUGE, extreamely LONG wait time to get in. On Sunday, we came and went 3 times. The only wait we had was at the opening of the park. We entered the gates around 7 AM and were in the WWOHP at 8 AM.

 

[jarrdisney]

They had best hope that Potter has the staying power to accomodate all these plans!!
Right now you are seeing a lot of frenzy and hype from Potter zealots who would go no matter WHAT rides and shops they had. The tale will be told when the initial frenzy ends and those who might have a "casual interest" start to attend..or not.

Seriously? I've never read the books and thought the movies were descent enough, but I would not underestimate HP. Disney fans have been doing that since they announced plans for the land a while ago. Do you think they'll have anywhere near that many people opening day of the new fantasy land? I think not.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I hope not!!!
I doubt Potter is any real threat to Disney long term---

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

It's going to be crowded just like any brand new theme park land is going to be crowded. But really, what was the last theme park land to be added? The 1-attraction Pixar Place at DHS?

I wouldn't expect grand opening day crowds for the rest of the year and no, it won't be as crowded for your trips September.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I actually think that WWOHP will generate interest in the books and movies from some people who were never that interested before. There is something special about seeing a "magical" land brought to life, especially for those who aren't normally into fantasy literature and therefore had trouble getting into the books. I know that I wasn't interested in the books until I got into the movies - I needed to SEE all that stuff and to fall in love with that world. Once I had a picture in my head, I could then enjoy all the little details from the books that the movies weren't able to show.

 

[Metro West]

Seriously? I've never read the books and thought the movies were descent enough, but I would not underestimate HP. Disney fans have been doing that since they announced plans for the land a while ago. Do you think they'll have anywhere near that many people opening day of the new fantasy land? I think not.

I have no doubt that Disney will have no where near the crowd Universal had Friday and will continue to have for quite a while. The problem is Disney lovers seem to think Disney is the only theme park operator who can create a long lasting attraction. I find it amusing that some people think HP will fade away because Universal did it. However...if Disney had built the WWoHP it would be the greatest thing since sliced bread and no one could ever compete with them. I doubt seriously Universal would have spent the money to invest in a "flash in the pan" series so like it or not, HP will be around for a LONG time to come.