Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[GGGhost]

JP has no literary books,

Just thought I'd point out that Jurassic Park was a book before it was a movie.

EDIT: and The Lost World

 

[Frogki]

Just thought I'd point out that Jurassic Park was a book before it was a movie.

Indeed it was I liked the book as much as the movie but John Williams score won me over as a fan of the movie xD

 

[Teebin]

Just thought I'd point out that Jurassic Park was a book before it was a movie.

EDIT: and The Lost World

Good point... shows my ignorance in the moment of passion. I will argue that my ignorance is not totally untrue in this regard. Argue the seven books and the eight films. Star Wars had many films too. Did they get better or worse? Hmm.

 

[mantaguy]

Hated your edit jmercer, but loved your original final quote. Thus I quote it. Capitalism and inspiration are not always separate things, sometimes they are slaps in the face that shout MORE. Good thing, we have a company that is willing to put its balls on the line and a woman that will accept nothing but the best. If you didn't see the Oprah interview, then you missed her opinion on the current park.

I lied to a friend in the theme park industry today and asked him of what he thought of what someone said, "the product designers/developers had to trash tons of great stuff because the knew they did not have the shop space to display and sell it." His answer was "true". So, we have overcrowded shops with lines to get in, we have merch flying off the shelves to the point of ridiculous.

Then we have many here saying it is a phase. It is SEVEN books! Books do not die. Ask JR Tolkien and Dr. Seuss.

JP has no literary books, Star Wars has no literary books. A park based on a series of books and then movies that get better and better and better is something to hang onto. Like Tolkien and Marvel and Seuss. HP will grip for many many decades beyond the youngest here.

Then why not expand Marvel or Suess? They've both already proven the test of time. While Id o think it will, HP has yet to prove it. Note: I do not agree with expanding Marvel or Suess, nor is there the slightest possibility they will, but my point is that no franchise deserves more than another.

 

[Teebin]

They are already expanded versions of themselves. By design from my knowledge.

 

[mantaguy]

They are already expanded versions of themselves. By design from my knowledge.

I'm sorry? :huh:

 

[Hatetofly]

A little off topic here but does anyone know when the last quarters attendance and guest spending numbers are released. I know they don't release exact attendance figures but they do release % figures. I think once the numbers are posted it will be easier for some to understand this expansion from a business point of view which is exactly why this expansion is being tossed around. This is a business and the number one goal of any business is to make money. Which Potter is making ten fold over any other section or land of both parks.

 

[Teebin]

A little off topic here but does anyone know when the last quarters attendance and guest spending numbers are released. I know they don't release exact attendance figures but they do release % figures. I think once the numbers are posted it will be easier for some to understand this expansion from a business point of view which is exactly why this expansion is being tossed around. This is a business and the number one goal of any business is to make money. Which Potter is making ten fold over any other section or land of both parks.

Good point Hateto. These numbers are very secret. It is usually overall park numbers and then company numbers. Complicated stuff for both you and I and everyone.

 

[Splatter]

Good point... shows my ignorance in the moment of passion. I will argue that my ignorance is not totally untrue in this regard. Argue the seven books and the eight films. Star Wars had many films too. Did they get better or worse? Hmm.

They definately got worse with the prequels. Most fans will tell you that but they were still huge hits and the bigger picture is they spanned over 3 decades.

Potter films 1.

I am not saying that it will drop in popularity but I am saying that they did put in all they possibly could knowing this was a true test. It is a smash hit, will remain a smash hit for years and by the time attendance does fall there will likely be new stories or concepts to focus on and they will not justify doubling the size. Merch may and will change and you will see more of what sells and less of what dosen't. You will see seasonal themed celebrations to compliment and make IOA more popular for Christmas than ever.

But expanding the island itself..doubtful.

I am open minded but I also realize Universal is a business first and foremost. They are happy making the same amount of money they would make if they added more potter stuff within the next two to three years. The fans will return for fun and conventions for years to come with money to spend just the same. It is the same reason Disney can get away with not adding things in long periods of time.

I said it was healthy to be open minded with the dream concepts at the end of my post and you brush the second half of that same post claiming you are not even going to acknowledge it for it was closed minded. Nicely done.

 

[Hatetofly]

They definately got worse with the prequels. Most fans will tell you that but they were still huge hits and the bigger picture is they spanned over 3 decades.

Potter films 1.

I am not saying that it will drop in popularity but I am saying that they did put in all they possibly could knowing this was a true test. It is a smash hit, will remain a smash hit for years and by the time attendance does fall there will likely be new stories or concepts to focus on and they will not justify doubling the size. Merch may and will change and you will see more of what sells and less of what dosen't. You will see seasonal themed celebrations to compliment and make IOA more popular for Christmas than ever.

But expanding the island itself..doubtful.

I am open minded but I also realize Universal is a business first and foremost. They are happy making the same amount of money they would make if they added more potter stuff within the next two to three years. The fans will return for fun and conventions for years to come with money to spend just the same. It is the same reason Disney can get away with not adding things in long periods of time.

I said it was healthy to be open minded with the dream concepts at the end of my post and you brush the second half of that same post claiming you are not even going to acknowledge it for it was closed minded. Nicely done.

While I do agree with alot of what your saying my only problem with it is that Universal does not get the same repeat business Disney does. They really have to take advantage of this and capitalize on one of the greatest fictional stories every told.

 

[Jymmymack]

It seems to me that people are arguing over whether or not the Harry Potter "deserves" more land. The simple fact is that it will eventually get an expansion because it is drawing huge numbers to the park. In the eyes of the folks sitting around in the grand offices at Universal, this park is making money and is therefor "deserving" or more money/an expansion.

It seems to me that people are trying to fight off HP because it stands to take over the LC. I love the LC, but the fact is that HP is pulling in way more business. Trying to argue that HP is a fad and will eventually die out is pointless. It's popular, it's global. Children all over the world have read the books. It's the highest grossing film series of all time. But that all is irrelevant, because this sucker is making tons of money. The LC has been reduced to an amazing facade holding a lackluster special effects show, a large amphitheater that holds a lackluster stunt show, and one of the greatest theme park restaurants currently in operation. At least two of those things are on the chopping block.

 

[Frogki]

It seems to me that people are arguing over whether or not the Harry Potter "deserves" more land. The simple fact is that it will eventually get an expansion because it is drawing huge numbers to the park. In the eyes of the folks sitting around in the grand offices at Universal, this park is making money and is therefor "deserving" or more money/an expansion.

It seems to me that people are trying to fight off HP because it stands to take over the LC. I love the LC, but the fact is that HP is pulling in way more business. Trying to argue that HP is a fad and will eventually die out is pointless. It's popular, it's global. Children all over the world have read the books. It's the highest grossing film series of all time. But that all is irrelevant, because this sucker is making tons of money. The LC has been reduced to an amazing facade holding a lackluster special effects show, a large amphitheater that holds a lackluster stunt show, and one of the greatest theme park restaurants currently in operation. At least two of those things are on the chopping block.

Thank you, once again, I totally agree. I think you guys (and I don't mean this in a bad way) are letting your love for LC get in the way of what Universal is: A business. And fans will not return just the same because "There's a brand new product at the WWoHP!". They will return because "Diagon Alley is now fully envisioned at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Complete with Gringotts experience and dining at the Leaky Cauldron, come once again to experience the magical wonderful wizarding world of harry potter!". And trust me to the person who said "They are happy making the same amount of money they would make if they added more potter stuff within the next two to three years.", they aren't. They never will be. Because the fact is if they expand Potter they can make more money once again. And they are going to ride that for as long as they can...

--- Update ---

Then why not expand Marvel or Suess? They've both already proven the test of time. While Id o think it will, HP has yet to prove it. Note: I do not agree with expanding Marvel or Suess, nor is there the slightest possibility they will, but my point is that no franchise deserves more than another.

Yes but Harry Potter has sold QUITE a lot more than Dr. Suess has in any short amount of time. Deathly Hallows (the final book) flew off the shelves when it was released, and there were lines which could give FJ a run for it's money last June. And Suessland and Marvel would never get the amount of merchandising sales that Potter is getting RIGHT now...

 

[mantaguy]

Yes but Harry Potter has sold QUITE a lot more than Dr. Suess has in any short amount of time. Deathly Hallows (the final book) flew off the shelves when it was released, and there were lines which could give FJ a run for it's money last June. And Suessland and Marvel would never get the amount of merchandising sales that Potter is getting RIGHT now...

Yeah thanks for reading my entire post. *sarcastic* Take a look at the last sentence.

 

[violarum]

For some reason, it feels as though Universal has already been through these conversations. It's pointless now to debate on speculation. Just speculate for the point of speculation. Well, until Universal decides to present to us its newest projects.

 

[Frogki]

Yeah thanks for reading my entire post. *sarcastic* Take a look at the last sentence.

Sorry but I've addressed it before: It wouldn't be larger than the LC other than Hogwarts.

 

[mantaguy]

Sorry but I've addressed it before: It wouldn't be larger than the LC other than Hogwarts.

However LC was basically 3 islands in one.

 

[Teebin]

For some reason, it feels as though Universal has already been through these conversations. It's pointless now to debate on speculation. Just speculate for the point of speculation. Well, until Universal decides to present to us its newest projects.

Good point. Why not we instead speculate on.... V!OLAPLAYER!. What is this person up to, what is their Modus operandi? Why do they come in the name of a fiddle and then speculate on a theme park? I speculate that he or she has a thing for VIOLAS! The curvy holes on the sides tells us bunches. The cat gut strung tight over wood and screw. My conclusion!!! This is a person that is turned on by Tigers playing the Violin. Evil and wrong, evil and wrong I say.

 

[mantaguy]

Good point. Why not we instead speculate on.... V!OLAPLAYER!. What is this person up to, what is their Modus operandi? Why do they come in the name of a fiddle and then speculate on a theme park? I speculate that he or she has a thing for VIOLAS! The curvy holes on the sides tells us bunches. The cat gut strung tight over wood and screw. My conclusion!!! This is a person that is turned on by Tigers playing the Violin. Evil and wrong, evil and wrong I say.

A little over the top no? Well here's my speculation of you v!ola: Because you've said you've died so often, you must be a Hogwarts ghost that died once, came back and "died" over and over but you didn't really die again. So you're dead. And you're a wizard because you're a Hogwarts ghost. XD

 

[violarum]

Oh my gosh Teebin, lmao. Yeah, I think I got the message. xD

Phew, gave me a good laugh there. By the way, I'm a guy, you can check out peoples' profiles here, ya know.

"...turned on by tigers playing the violin." Can I just...? :'D

Lol, Mantaguy. Why ever would you say that? :look:

 

[Teebin]

A little over the top no? Well here's my speculation of you v!ola: Because you've said you've died so often, you must be a Hogwarts ghost that died once, came back and "died" over and over but you didn't really die again. So you're dead. And you're a wizard because you're a Hogwarts ghost. XD

What can I say... as ever I wait for real news as my sources appear as dry as the withering bosom of Hermione. Was just trying to entertain the thread ala SNL. Please forgive me. (btw, that line in the movie is still kills me to this day. That actress saying that so straight forward just sent me into hysterics just thinking about it) (That is a great actress when I know her name and I cannot remember it for the line she spoke so deadpan.) I am still in hysterics.... oh god.....