Are things about to get "Harry" at the Disney Park

[lord-of-sith]

Just read the articles posted in this mugglenet.com thread, it'll explain it all.

http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=88028

It's pretty much just a rumor for now, but an exciting one at that!

[AwallaceUNC]

This rumor has been perhaps the most-circulated over the last few years, often fueled by Jim Hill. Unless something substantial has changed in the last few days, there's no substance to it. Just last week I saw a news report saying that Warner had declined both Disney and Universal's bids for attraction rights to the HP franchise and that they didn't plan to license it to Six Flags or develop their own park either. Instead, the Time/Warner spokesman said they weren't interested in doing anything with the rights for the time being.

That said, it's entirely possible (and I would argue even likely) that it will happen. The HP score already plays inside MGM and Disney already owns the TV broadcast rights, not to mention the more successful theme parks (Universal ain't got nothin' on Disney when it comes to that). One or more Harry Potter attractions would be the perfect fit and just what the Dr. ordered for the Disney Studios parks around the world and I would love to see it happen.

-Aaron

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

As Aaron said, a Harry Potter attraction has been rumored to happen in a LONG time. I've heard rumors of it since Chamber of Secrets came out.

A couple years ago, I could've told you that I would think a Harry Potter attraction could happen anytime soon. However, Disney has found their Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, and it grossed more than 3 of the Harry Potter films domestically. So I think if anything, we'll be seeing a lot more Narnia long before we'll ever see Potter in the parks.

But who knows, it could maybe happen sometime after the 7th movie is released.

But if it does come,who wants to bet Universal will try to get the rights to a "Lord of the Rings" attraction.

[Loomis]

A couple years ago, I could've told you that I would think a Harry Potter attraction could happen anytime soon. However, Disney has found their Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, and it grossed more than 3 of the Harry Potter films domestically. So I think if anything, we'll be seeing a lot more Narnia long before we'll ever see Potter in the parks.

I tend to agree. I picked up the film on DVD last night, and as I 'opened it like a book' I imagined a 'dark ride' style opening to a ride that took you through a wardrobe and into a snowy wilderness. I think it could be a terrific dark ride at the very least, although given the size of the franchise, an E-Ticket sized ride is just about due for Disneyland.

After all, it has been 11 years since their last major E-Ticket (Indiana Jones) opened. Sure, we have the Nemo Subs opening next year, but they are being 'reopened' more than debuted.

[Karushifa]

I tend to agree. I picked up the film on DVD last night, and as I 'opened it like a book' I imagined a 'dark ride' style opening to a ride that took you through a wardrobe and into a snowy wilderness. I think it could be a terrific dark ride at the very least, although given the size of the franchise, an E-Ticket sized ride is just about due for Disneyland.

After all, it has been 11 years since their last major E-Ticket (Indiana Jones) opened. Sure, we have the Nemo Subs opening next year, but they are being 'reopened' more than debuted.

I guess "Soarin'" would count if it weren't attached to the stigma of DCA

[Disney-Fan]

This rumor has been perhaps the most-circulated over the last few years, often fueled by Jim Hill.

Typical Jim Hill. Starts something, claiming to know the works from "within", only to later dismiss it with some lame excuse such as legal issues, funding problems... I've grown tired of his active rumor mill. The only articles I love to read are those "back to the past" ones, that review concepts of dead ride ideas. Other than that it's all pretty much meh...

[Loomis]

I guess "Soarin'" would count if it weren't attached to the stigma of DCA

I actually like DCA, but I meant Disneyland park proper. Sure, DCA was only built 5 years ago and has had a Tower of Terror and Soarin' installed, so I guess they are major additions to the resort. I was talkign purely in terms of the original park. Still, Narnia might have an ideal home in the space DCA affords it.

[GhostHost]

DCA failed not becuase it wasn't a new idea, it failed because it was bad. Disney needs to learn that a park needs a lot of great rides, DCA only has two: TOT and Soarin'. I am not considring California Screamin a great ride because well it isn't and you can ride a lot better pieces of exposed steel at Knott's Berry Farms. I read that the Monsters Inc. ride is part of the turnaround for DCA, well if that is the best they can built(even under their restrictions such as budget) then God help them.

[Maerj]

I think that re-themeing the park and turning it into Disney Studios California themepark would be a better idea. It doesn't need to be a clone of WDW's version, it could have different movie themed rides. Just my opinion on that. Gotta say also that I would much rather see a Narnia attraction than a Potter one.

[Loomis]

DCA failed not becuase it wasn't a new idea, it failed because it was bad. Disney needs to learn that a park needs a lot of great rides, DCA only has two: TOT and Soarin'. [...] I read that the Monsters Inc. ride is part of the turnaround for DCA, well if that is the best they can built(even under their restrictions such as budget) then God help them.

DCA hasn't "failed" as that would imply that they opened it, it didn't work, and they closed it again. Since its opening it has been building up steadily, largely in response to consumer complaint. I haven't been on Monsters Inc, so I can't say whether it is a saving grace on not, but it is certainly not where the changes are going to end. Now that John Lasseter has a hand in things, apparently many changes are in place for DCA. It has only been around for 5 years - give it a go. Really, it only NEEDS one or two more BIG rides and a couple more Monsters Inc-sized attractions to make it a more valuable enterprise, as it is - by even my generous standards - a fairly patchy endeavour at the moment.

Also, just for the record, DCA has been selling out the last few weekends. This is possibly the result of a 2fer offer, but it is encouraging to see people are discovering the park beyond its reputation.

[Karushifa]

DCA hasn't "failed" as that would imply that they opened it, it didn't work, and they closed it again. Since its opening it has been building up steadily, largely in response to consumer complaint. I haven't been on Monsters Inc, so I can't say whether it is a saving grace on not, but it is certainly not where the changes are going to end. Now that John Lasseter has a hand in things, apparently many changes are in place for DCA. It has only been around for 5 years - give it a go. Really, it only NEEDS one or two more BIG rides and a couple more Monsters Inc-sized attractions to make it a more valuable enterprise, as it is - by even my generous standards - a fairly patchy endeavour at the moment.

Also, just for the record, DCA has been selling out the last few weekends. This is possibly the result of a 2fer offer, but it is encouraging to see people are discovering the park beyond its reputation.

The one time I visited DCA (I'm an East Coaster and don't get out to SoCal much ), I remarked to the people I was with that it seemed a little strange and perhaps unfair that the admission price was the same as for the regular Disneyland park, when there was (at the time, 2003) much less to do. So it's good to hear that improvements are being made.

Over on the "Abandoned Concept Art" thread in the theme parks section, there is a sketch of a Wild West River attraction that looks as if it would be something appropriate to DCA (since California has a long history of explorers, ghost towns, and the like). Perhaps Disney could re-visit this idea.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Typical Jim Hill. Starts something, claiming to know the works from "within", only to later dismiss it with some lame excuse such as legal issues, funding problems... I've grown tired of his active rumor mill. The only articles I love to read are those "back to the past" ones, that review concepts of dead ride ideas. Other than that it's all pretty much meh...

Jim Hill isn't always wrong. Remember, he started rumors of Mission: Space and Expedition Everest. Sure a lot of them don't come true, but then that's because, they're rumors. I'm also wondering if the "Gemini" rumors will come true some day.(I doubt it would happen any time soon)

As for DCA, one problem I have with that park is that they are poorly themed. I mean most of it is just stuff scattered all along California. Now it's great if you aren't from California, but the people who go to these parks are Californians.

Sure it's got a few great rides, but it doesn't have the magic Disneyland has.

[Karushifa]

Jim Hill isn't always wrong. Remember, he started rumors of Mission: Space and Expedition Everest. Sure a lot of them don't come true, but then that's because, they're rumors. I'm also wondering if the "Gemini" rumors will come true some day.(I doubt it would happen any time soon)

Jim Hill is akin to sports analysts who routinely make informed predictions, from playoff winners to who will go pro from college. Some of the predictions pan out, some don't. Until there is certainty, such predictions must be taken with a grain of salt, instead of as gospel.