Disney Parks to get "real" competition?

[ajmrowland]

I was just reading an article about the erection of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter park, which is due to open next year at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure and It mentions, and I quote:

May 31, 2007, was a “big news day” for theme park fans. The speculation and rumors gave way to an official announcement. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” was coming to the Universal Orlando Resort.
On the Internet, some Disney theme park fans were thrilled—not because they were glad Universal won the rights and the plans were spectacular, but because now Disney would need to make equally spectacular enhancements to Walt Disney World to remain competitive. This article looks at how Disney’s “World” is responding to the “World” of the Wizards.

The press release included two conceptual renderings, a poster image, and a logo. Both renderings were spectacular. As conceptual renderings, the artwork conveys the mood and approach, but doesn’t necessarily provide an accurate representation of what will be built. In the rendering, Hogsmeade looks huge. Still, if Hogsmeade in Orlando ends up looking anything like the rendering, it will truly be “second-to-none.”
Conceptual rendering of Hogwarts © Universal Studios
Hogwarts castle is perched high atop a rugged mountain.


Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom is huge compared to Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. It appears that Hogwarts castle will be huge compared to Cinderella Castle. The rendering suggests that the rocky base on which the castle sits will serve as a show building for a major attraction.

What do you think about it? I'm almost certain that Disney would find some way to counteract any loss in visitations to their parks.

Full article can be found here: http://www.yesterland.com/harrypotter.html

[xxhplinkxx]

I don't know how much of a "competition" it will be, but I'm sure it's gonna be crazy when it opens.






You said erection... hehe.

[ajmrowland]

I don't know how much of a "competition" it will be, but I'm sure it's gonna be crazy when it opens.






You said erection... hehe.

Actually, I just read a little further in the article, and it predicts that Disney won't suffer, especially since half their plans are to keep you in one park.

[Disneykid]

Well, supposedly Disney's Imagineers have a lot of great new attraction ideas to help freshen up WDW in the face of Harry Potter, but that the higher-ups are stifling them due to the economy. It's gotten to the point where either the ideas are severely downsized, or they're eliminated all together. I don't know if all that's true, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I do think The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will give Disney some stiff competition when it opens, but I don't think it'll be enough to hurt them in the long-run. Despite all the amazing things I'm hearing about it, The Wizarding World sounds like a one-day park. So for a tourist who wants to experience all of Universal, they can spend a day in the main Universal park, a day in the Wizarding World, and a day at Islands of Adventure. Compare that to spending a day each in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Studios, and Animal Kingdom, not to mention Disney's water parks and and special programs.

So while I don't think Disney's in trouble, I do think it's time they start adding more worthwhile attractions, especially in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. Some of the supposed ideas (The Little Mermaid dark ride, the Seven Dwarfs coaster) sound really exciting.

[ajmrowland]

Well, supposedly Disney's Imagineers have a lot of great new attraction ideas to help freshen up WDW in the face of Harry Potter, but that the higher-ups are stifling them due to the economy. It's gotten to the point where either the ideas are severely downsized, or they're eliminated all together. I don't know if all that's true, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I do think The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will give Disney some stiff competition when it opens, but I don't think it'll be enough to hurt them in the long-run. Despite all the amazing things I'm hearing about it, The Wizarding World sounds like a one-day park. So for a tourist who wants to experience all of Universal, they can spend a day in the main Universal park, a day in the Wizarding World, and a day at Islands of Adventure. Compare that to spending a day each in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Studios, and Animal Kingdom, not to mention Disney's water parks and and special programs.


So while I don't think Disney's in trouble, I do think it's time they start adding more worthwhile attractions, especially in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. Some of the supposed ideas (The Little Mermaid dark ride, the Seven Dwarfs coaster) sound really exciting.

Well, from what I hear, it's a little more like a two-day park. They've still got rides that are going in it, in addition to walk-throughs and shops. But, the stuff you mention sounds exciting. I'd love to see both parks, personally.

[Siren]

In the end, neither park is gonna put the other one out of business. The first few weeks the Harry Potter section open, Disney will likely be pretty dead. But once the novelty of it being brand new wears off, it will all get back to normal really. Disney really should put some money into making some things new there to off set it, but if they don't, they aren't going to go under because of it.

[David S.]

Well, supposedly Disney's Imagineers have a lot of great new attraction ideas to help freshen up WDW in the face of Harry Potter, but that the higher-ups are stifling them due to the economy. It's gotten to the point where either the ideas are severely downsized, or they're eliminated all together. I don't know if all that's true, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I do think The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will give Disney some stiff competition when it opens, but I don't think it'll be enough to hurt them in the long-run. Despite all the amazing things I'm hearing about it, The Wizarding World sounds like a one-day park. So for a tourist who wants to experience all of Universal, they can spend a day in the main Universal park, a day in the Wizarding World, and a day at Islands of Adventure. Compare that to spending a day each in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Studios, and Animal Kingdom, not to mention Disney's water parks and and special programs.

So while I don't think Disney's in trouble, I do think it's time they start adding more worthwhile attractions, especially in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. Some of the supposed ideas (The Little Mermaid dark ride, the Seven Dwarfs coaster) sound really exciting.

Good points, Disneykid!

I personally am really hoping the Little Mermaid dark ride for Fantasyland gets green-lit because that would be a perfect fit for FL and give the section a strong replacement for the long-dormant 20K Leagues area - prime real estate for major attraction/s.

Fantasyland is my favorite section in my favorite WDW park due to it's charm factor and connection to the DACs, and I've always felt this was one area where Aneheim has really outclassed Orlando (with the extra dark rides, Matterhorn, Casey Jr., Storybook Land, etc.)

Other interesting rumors I've heard include the possibility of new country/s for World Showcase and/or attractions for some that don't have any (such as Japan); a possible new section for Animal Kingdom (either Beastly Kingdom or a new continent such as Australia or South America); a possibile Monsters Inc Coaster for the Studios in Pixar Place; a possible new film for Star Tours; the possibility of the original Tiki Room show replacing Under New Management in time for WDW's 40th; and the possibility of Dreamfinder rejoining Figment in the Imagination ride.

I would love to see and experience at least some of these great ideas the Imagineers have developed... like you said though, with the economy, everything is up in the air and I have heard pretty much the same thing.

Hopefully, some good competition from Potter may help fast-track at least some of these plans - the one I am most interested in is Mermaid for MK-Fantasyland.

[I am the Doctor]

In the end, neither park is gonna put the other one out of business. The first few weeks the Harry Potter section open, Disney will likely be pretty dead. But once the novelty of it being brand new wears off, it will all get back to normal really. Disney really should put some money into making some things new there to off set it, but if they don't, they aren't going to go under because of it.

I don't think having Harry Potter at Universal will change the status-quo all that much. Having been to Florida twice, it's nearly impossible to do all of the various theme parks unless one has an entire week (and a whole lot of money, of course) to do so.

Having Harry Potter might draw some to Universal who otherwise might not even look at visiting the Universal parks. However, considering the costs (and the ticket plans of both Universal and Disney), it's much more cost-effective to either spend one's entire time at Disney or at Universal/Sea World (the two park chains offer an Orlando FlexTicket to offset Disney's multi day ticket packages). Spending a single day at one park just isn't very cost effective.

The only way this really effects Disney is if tourists opt for the Universal/Sea World package over the Disney packages because of Harry Potter. That will happen some, but I don't think it will be enough to put Disney out of business.

[Flanger-Hanger]

Sure there are lots of "plans" but they mean squat without any actual construction. Don't expect anything major at WDW until at least 2011/2012. maybe another idiotic/meaningless celebration but that's it. No, World Showcase will not get another country, Star Tours 2.0 has been delayed again, despite the film begin done. Monsters Inc coaster is on hold. Littler Mermaid has still not been green lit, Imagination 4.0 may not happen, etc. I've read about this topic forever now and it's extremely depressing is all I have to say.

But hey, Hall of presidents is getting a major overhaul.

[ajmrowland]

I'd love to see both. They(Universal) are converting the Dueling Dragons ride to something more themed around the Triwizard Tournament's First Task.

I'm sorry, but as a Potter fan, I'm really excited to see all of this! I'll no doubt be visiting WDW, too, but the wait is killer!:D

[Dottie]

All the ideas sound pretty good, but the thing I like most is the original Tiki Show replacing "Under new management". The original one has so much charm and I really don't like the new one either.
I guess a TLM ride would also be a great idea and they could finally realize the concept that was on the PE DVD. That would make one great ride.

I also don't think that the HP park will hurt Disney, since they both appeal (partly) to different audiences, Disney especially to the younger ones.
WDW just has so much to offer I don't think that a Harry Potter park can beat that in the long-run. There might be more people there in the beginning, but only until the novelty wears off and things will go back to normal with people visiting both parks. Much the same way it already is.

[David S.]

Ajmrowland - Yes, I'm looking forward to Potter as well!

All the ideas sound pretty good, but the thing I like most is the original Tiki Show replacing "Under new management". The original one has so much charm and I really don't like the new one either.

Yes, I completely agree. That original show is one of my all time favorites so I would be EXTREMELY happy if it ever came back. Very heartwarming and charming.

The thing I dislike the most about UNM is when Iago makes fun of the original show. Funny thing is, the Tiki gods always defend the original show and teach Iago a lesson, but then a few minutes later, when the next show starts, he disrupts the show all over again!

I understand that they want to change things and keep things "fresh", but now that UNM has had a run of about 10 years, they could "freshen" things again and bring back the original classic!

[ajmrowland]

Ajmrowland - Yes, I'm looking forward to Potter as well!

All the ideas sound pretty good, but the thing I like most is the original Tiki Show replacing "Under new management". The original one has so much charm and I really don't like the new one either.

Yes, I completely agree. That original show is one of my all time favorites so I would be EXTREMELY happy if it ever came back. Very heartwarming and charming.

The thing I dislike the most about UNM is when Iago makes fun of the original show. Funny thing is, the Tiki gods always defend the original show and teach Iago a lesson, but then a few minutes later, when the next show starts, he disrupts the show all over again!

I understand that they want to change things and keep things "fresh", but now that UNM has had a run of about 10 years, they could "freshen" things again and bring back the original classic!

Run for 10 years? I don't recall seeing Iago and Zazu when I saw the show in 2003.

[David S.]

Yep, UNM opened in April, 1998, so it's almost 11 now! I remember it well because it was around the same time as the Mr. Toad closure controversy and the loss of the original Imagination ride:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enchan ... anagement)

[ajmrowland]

Come to think of it, I think I vaguely remember the characters being in the show, but it's apparently a very forgettable appearance.

[PrincePhillipFan]

I personally wouldn't be too worried. I'm sure there are a lot of Potter fans who will go over there once it opens, but in the long run, Disney probably won't be affected that much. I know I'll probably it'll probably be one of the first things to do on my future trip when it opens (I'm a huge fan of Islands of Adventure park in general, and the new technology sounds incredible), but it still won't affect me visiting WDW, nor will I think many other tourists.

Also, the thing I keep feeling many people are overlooking is that this is simply going to be a land (albeit a very incredibly large and detailed one) inside the prexisting Lost Continent land within the Islands of Adventure theme park. So while many people might flock over there to see it, it still will be a two theme park resort regardless. Personally, I'm very sad to hear so much of the Lost Continent will be torn down to make way for it, as it's my favorite land in Islands of Adventure, focusing heavily on mythological medieval England, and anicent Greece and the gods and goddesses. However, I'm still happy they're keeping much of the ancient Greece architecture and the Poseidon's Fury attractin in Lost Continent. So while it's rather bittersweet for me personally, I'm still looking forward to seeing how Harry Potter will eventually turn out.

[AwallaceUNC]

Do I think Disney needs to respond to the Harry Potter attractions with something new and exciting of their own? Yes. But I don't think we're looking at a dire threat to the Disney parks' vitality, nor do I even think daily attendance is going to suffer much in the early run of the Harry Potter land's opening. People who visit Universal often visit Disney too -- if anything, more tourists coming to Orlando to see the Harry Potter attraction might mean that same influx of tourists coming to Disney World too.

-Aaron

[Prince Charming 12]

I just visited both theme parks a few months ago, after a four year hiatus, and I am very comfortable stating that Disney has nothing to worry about! The only new major attraction was the Simpson Ride (remodeled from Back To The Future) in Universal Studios. Although, I did see the construction of a new roller coaster in this park set to open in May (I think). These parks barely changed from my last visit, but Disney has added several new attractions over this same time span which I feel equates to more frequent visits.

I think Islands Of Adventure desperately needs a new "island" and this should be a nice fit for that park. However, I am skeptical about the longevity of the brand "Potter". They are sinking a sizable investment into this project, on a theme that might be already running out of steam. With the construction running probably another 1.5 years and only two movies left to release, is this attraction really a sound long term investment?

[Owlzindabarn]

It's so dumb; the Harry Potter park will open just in time for the last movie to come out. Afterwards, kids will care less and less about it. They're already on to "Twilight" anyway lol. I don't think the park will be a flop, but it will hardly matter to Disney in the long run. Disney has plenty of competition in Florida already and the world hasn't ended.

The only real problem is that Florida is getting theme-parked out of existence. There's so much going on. And the economy is so bad, and probably people won't be spending a lot of money in the future. So all the land given over to theme parks is kinda stupid.

[CampbellzSoup]

Any new pics?