Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[QueerRudie]

Granted, I'm not a Potter fan...

I think this is the biggest problem with Potterdump.

 

It seems like you have to be a Potter "fan" to really appreciate it. (ok, yes, obnoxious people, please post that you're not a Potter fan but you still enjoy it...but you know what I mean.)

 

For example, I'm not a Winnie the Pooh fan...but I *love* Pooh in Tokyo. I'm not a Star Wars fan, but I enjoy Star Tours. I'm not a Spiderman fan, but I like the attraction. People who aren't Jurassic Park fans don't need to know anything more than "Hey, there's a dinosaur" to get the attraction.

 

With Potter, I felt completely lost and the entire land meant nothing to me.

 

I went through it once, it didn't appeal to me, and I'm done. That's it. I personally don't have any reason to go back because I feel they designed that land for people who are casual Potter fans and up.

 

For the random person who hasn't seen the movies or read the books, it just doesn't play well to those people, and the responses you hear from the non-Potter fans even on this forum kinda reflect that.

 

I'm all for building a $200 million dollar ride and the equivalent expansion. But build something I can appreciate, even without having seen any of the movies.

 

That right there is my biggest issue with the Potter lands.

 

--Robb "It's built for the fans, not for everyone." Alvey

 

Robb- you have said what is my biggest beef about these new projects for IOA/USH/USF.

 

Sorry, PotterHeads, but some of us have NO interest in these attractions. They do not interest some of us. You will have to deal with it. My problem with any park expansion is the target demographics should be studied- as well as the GENERAL PARK OUTLOOK. Sadly, Universal sees that whole bunches of kiddies are screaming for Mommy and Daddy to take them to IOA and drop 400.00 in a day to please the kids- and bore the craters off the parents. Those parents will remember that they found IOA to have things for the kiddies, but not for the parents- and how bored they were with the park. They will then choose to go to Disney or Busch or SeaWorld instead, where there attractions that the whole family can enjoy- not just one aspect OF the family.

 

Sorry, IOA. Two strikes. Let's see if you go for a third.

[Gnome]

IOA has been in decline for years, potterverse just put a decent bandaid on it.

 

I think this largely sums up a lot of my thoughts about IOA. I don't think Potter is totally to blame for the lackluster nature of IOA today, I think it more has to do with a decade of indifferent management and virtually zero investment. At least with Potter someone cares about the park again, and we can at least *hope* to see exciting things in the future.

 

Also, how many different conglomerates have owned Universal during IOA's life span? It started with Seagram's, then it went to GE, who I'm sure had little interests in the parks, followed by Comcast who now only cares because they see how well the market is responding to Harry Potter. If you are looking for something new outside of harry potter in the coming years, I'll suggest to look else where as its only going to get worse before it gets better. IMO, HP is one trick pony Universal. But once everyone has come and seen the place, then what?

 

It's possible Universal sees the current huge demand HP is recieving right now as short term so they're trying to capatalize on it now while they still can before the park attendence starts trickling back down to its previous numbers.

[Erik Johnson]

As someone who has read all the books and seen all the movies I was somewhat confused the first few times that I rode Forbidden Journey. It really is a VERY chaotic, random ride. I think it was by the 4th time I rode the ride, I figured out the general idea of the ride's storyline. I can not imagine how difficult it is to follow the storyline for someone who does not know a thing about Potter. I like the ride, but I honestly think that this a huge problem. I sure hope that they can improve on the narrative for USH's version as well as drop the frequency of the movie sections. Three of these sections is simply too much IMO.

 

 

This would be my original review here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=37453&p=906256&hilit=universal#p906228

Edited December 7, 2011 by Erik Johnson

[Wes]

Sadly, Universal sees that whole bunches of kiddies are screaming for Mommy and Daddy to take them to IOA and drop 400.00 in a day to please the kids- and bore the craters off the parents. Those parents will remember that they found IOA to have things for the kiddies, but not for the parents- and how bored they were with the park. They will then choose to go to Disney or Busch or SeaWorld instead, where there attractions that the whole family can enjoy- not just one aspect OF the family.

 

Uh have you been to IOA? If anything the park is far more teen/adult centric than kid friendly. Like...your argument makes no sense.

[swiver]

The worst part about the expansion going to Amity is that the taint of Universal Orlando - Sinbad and Poseidon - will remain. Ew.

 

Not necessarily. The way I envision all of this happening is that Amity and the rest of Lost Continent will be removed to make a "entrance" and "exit" for the monorail. Wizarding World at Islands is already a pretty small area, and Lost Continent is pretty desolate now. I feel like making the rest of Lost Continent into Diagon Alley would be pretty sweet.

 

Maybe for now Lost Continent will remain, but you never know, Phase 3 could be the rest of that area going down.

[atem122]

Sorry, PotterHeads, but some of us have NO interest in these attractions. They do not interest some of us. You will have to deal with it. My problem with any park expansion is the target demographics should be studied- as well as the GENERAL PARK OUTLOOK. Sadly, Universal sees that whole bunches of kiddies are screaming for Mommy and Daddy to take them to IOA and drop 400.00 in a day to please the kids- and bore the craters off the parents. Those parents will remember that they found IOA to have things for the kiddies, but not for the parents- and how bored they were with the park. They will then choose to go to Disney or Busch or SeaWorld instead, where there attractions that the whole family can enjoy- not just one aspect OF the family.

 

Sorry, IOA. Two strikes. Let's see if you go for a third.

I feel like the insane boost in attendance IOA received last year completely negates this argument...

[Bryce232]

Sadly, Universal sees that whole bunches of kiddies are screaming for Mommy and Daddy to take them to IOA and drop 400.00 in a day to please the kids- and bore the craters off the parents. Those parents will remember that they found IOA to have things for the kiddies, but not for the parents- and how bored they were with the park. They will then choose to go to Disney or Busch or SeaWorld instead, where there attractions that the whole family can enjoy- not just one aspect OF the family.

 

 

I'm pretty sure Disney is the most kid-centered place in Florida. Universal is definitely a park for the entire family with its abundance of different rides. It has two B&M masterpieces, world-class water rides, indoor rides, and two kids areas. Even though Harry Potter is centered more for the kids and teens, that's not the entire theme park (although the GP may think it is). If anything, IOA is tied with BGT as the most thrilling park in the state because of all the different experiences it offers.

[larrygator]

As someone who has read all the books and seen all the movies I was somewhat confused the first few times that I rode Forbidden Journey. It really is a VERY chaotic, random ride. I think it was by the 4th time I rode the ride, I figured out the general idea of the ride's storyline. I can not imagine how difficult it is to follow the storyline for someone who does not know a thing about Potter.

 

I've never seen a Harry Potter movie or read a book.

With Forbidden Journey, I was confused about the characters, but I knew it was a magical journal when some chick blew dust on my bench and made it fly.

 

I've only seen the original Star Wars movie and that was over 30 years ago, and never seen any of the others.

With Star Tours, I know I'm flying through space on some mission some two character, but I was just as confused as I was on Forbidden Journey.

 

I had no interest in Harry Potter before or after visting WWoHP, but still enjoyed the area.

 

I'm very confused with people arguing about Universal not studying the target demographic. A park doesn't increase attendance as much as IOA without connecting to their target.

 

WWoHP haters are like Intamin fanboys, you can't argue with them.

Edited December 7, 2011 by larrygator

[timfreeman]

I think people put too much disinterest into Potter and overlook the theme and environment. If it's strictly due to the Forbidden Journey, I can't comment as I've never ridden it. I know nothing about Greek mythology, but the Lost Continent was one of the best themed areas in any park. My biggest issue with Potterville is the crowds. There were way too many people crammed into 1/3 of 1 park while the rest of the areas were essentially empty. While I'd much rather have Transformers, Kong, BSG, Flash Gordon, etc....spreading out all the people in WWOHP can't be a bad thing.

 

WIth that said, I doubt I'll be visiting the parks anytime soon. Passes expired in April and I have no reason to buy them anytime soon.

[Kingsislandfreak]

As much as I like Harry Potter, I feel it should just stay in it's own realm, in IOA. I mean it seems like Universal Studios is slowly turning into Harry Potter World, whatever happened to the magic of making movies theme?

[BeemerBoy]

With Forbidden Journey, I was confused about the characters, but I knew it was a magical journal when some chick blew dust on my bench and made it fly.

Wait, wasn't this also the backstory of Nights in White Satin?

[larrygator]

With Forbidden Journey, I was confused about the characters, but I knew it was a magical journal when some chick blew dust on my bench and made it fly.

Wait, wasn't this also the backstory of Nights in White Satin?

 

No, with Nights in White Satin some dude blew smoke at me and it made me hungry.

[O-Town77]

Sorry, PotterHeads, but some of us have NO interest in these attractions. They do not interest some of us. You will have to deal with it. My problem with any park expansion is the target demographics should be studied- as well as the GENERAL PARK OUTLOOK. Sadly, Universal sees that whole bunches of kiddies are screaming for Mommy and Daddy to take them to IOA and drop 400.00 in a day to please the kids- and bore the craters off the parents. Those parents will remember that they found IOA to have things for the kiddies, but not for the parents- and how bored they were with the park. They will then choose to go to Disney or Busch or SeaWorld instead, where there attractions that the whole family can enjoy- not just one aspect OF the family.

 

Sorry, IOA. Two strikes. Let's see if you go for a third.

I feel like the insane boost in attendance IOA received last year completely negates this argument...

 

But, Harry Potter is a fad..... And this new area probably won't be ready until 5-6 years after the last film hit theaters.

I'd bet Potter won't have the appeal 5 years from now.... Just like everything else fades with time.

 

Personally, I think the media is getting confused about projects -- I think that Universal is talking about the brand new Potter area being built in California. Because -- it makes very little sense to build 2 different Potter Lands in Florida. Especially since this franchise has already ended in both books and films.

 

There are plenty of long-running film franchises with future projects in the pipeline that would make a great area -- they don't need to pick one that has already been ended by its author. I think Transformers or Star Trek (Star Wars is already taken by Disney) -- have fan bases as big if not bigger than Harry Potter.... And will last longer as film franchises.

 

It just seems like a bad decision if true. Seriously, the Harry Potter actor will have gray hair and a receding hairline by the time this land is finished.

I realize they want to build on their success, but I think interest will wane by the time they finish building it.

[O-Town77]

As much as I like Harry Potter, I feel it should just stay in it's own realm, in IOA. I mean it seems like Universal Studios is slowly turning into Harry Potter World, whatever happened to the magic of making movies theme?

 

+1

 

I agree. I think they would be losing their way.

Have they completely run out of ideas -- that they are forced to build the same theme at two distinctly different theme parks?

[Bryce232]

As Potterheads always say, "It's never over!"

 

Isn't most of Universal based on movies that are really old? Harry Potter will be the same in 10 years. The movies have only been over for a few months but it's being kept alive by things such as Pottermore and Universal. I don't think the franchise will end anytime soon because of its impact on my generation. When we're all old and gray-haired, we'll read the books to our kids and show them the movies and bring them to Universal for the full experience. Toon Lagoon is based on comics that I've never heard of in my life, yet I still LOVE the water rides in the area. Harry Potter will eventually be old news too, but still popular because of the way Universal has brought it to life. I trust that Universal will expand the area into something beyond our imagination. Only time will tell.

[coasterfreak101]

As someone who has read all the books and seen all the movies I was somewhat confused the first few times that I rode Forbidden Journey. It really is a VERY chaotic, random ride. I think it was by the 4th time I rode the ride, I figured out the general idea of the ride's storyline. I can not imagine how difficult it is to follow the storyline for someone who does not know a thing about Potter.

 

I've never seen a Harry Potter movie or read a book.

With Forbidden Journey, I was confused about the characters, but I knew it was a magical journal when some chick blew dust on my bench and made it fly.

 

I've only seen the original Star Wars movie and that was over 30 years ago, and never seen any of the others.

With Star Tours, I know I'm flying through space on some mission some two character, but I was just as confused as I was on Forbidden Journey.

 

I had no interest in Harry Potter before or after visting WWoHP, but still enjoyed the area.

 

I'm very confused with people arguing about Universal not studying the target demographic. A park doesn't increase attendance as much as IOA without connecting to their target.

 

WWoHP haters are like Intamin fanboys, you can't argue with them.

 

Thank you. I don't understand this argument. I can understand if you don't understand the backstory behind the ride. But I don't really understand how that makes the entire area pure garbage. And clearly people are going there, so what's the big problem with it? I doubt that all of the people enjoying this section of Islands of Adventure are diehard fanatics. We're just coaster enthusiasts prone to complaining about an addition twenty times more than the general public, who really want a ride to ride and a place to do new things.

[Jew]

Jedi to Star Tours was four years, Last Crusade to DLR Indy was six....so Harrywood Potter actually seems par for the course.

[larrygator]

As someone who has read all the books and seen all the movies I was somewhat confused the first few times that I rode Forbidden Journey. It really is a VERY chaotic, random ride. I think it was by the 4th time I rode the ride, I figured out the general idea of the ride's storyline. I can not imagine how difficult it is to follow the storyline for someone who does not know a thing about Potter.

 

I've never seen a Harry Potter movie or read a book.

With Forbidden Journey, I was confused about the characters, but I knew it was a magical journal when some chick blew dust on my bench and made it fly.

 

I've only seen the original Star Wars movie and that was over 30 years ago, and never seen any of the others.

With Star Tours, I know I'm flying through space on some mission some two character, but I was just as confused as I was on Forbidden Journey.

 

I had no interest in Harry Potter before or after visting WWoHP, but still enjoyed the area.

 

I'm very confused with people arguing about Universal not studying the target demographic. A park doesn't increase attendance as much as IOA without connecting to their target.

 

WWoHP haters are like Intamin fanboys, you can't argue with them.

 

Thank you. I don't understand this argument. I can understand if you don't understand the backstory behind the ride. But I don't really understand how that makes the entire area pure garbage. And clearly people are going there, so what's the big problem with it? I doubt that all of the people enjoying this section of Islands of Adventure are diehard fanatics. We're just coaster enthusiasts prone to complaining about an addition twenty times more than the general public, who really want a ride to ride and a place to do new things.

 

 

What are you talking about, I liked the area. I never said it was pure garbage.

[O-Town77]

From the Hollywood Press event just now...

 

Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion for Orlando is CONFIRMED!!! No details yet, though.

 

That's not a big shock.

But, I'm pretty sure that they will completely update the remaining sections of Lost Continent to

evolve into Potterverse.

 

Nothing official for the Jaws replacement -- but from what they've stated, parts of Amity's theme

will remain intact and I don't see how that is compatible with Harry Potter.

 

Another rumor I've read is that King Kong will be coming back to Universal Florida based on the

new technology of the Hollywood 3-D version. Time will tell.

[O-Town77]

As Potterheads always say, "It's never over!"

 

Isn't most of Universal based on movies that are really old? Harry Potter will be the same in 10 years. The movies have only been over for a few months but it's being kept alive by things such as Pottermore and Universal. I don't think the franchise will end anytime soon because of its impact on my generation. When we're all old and gray-haired, we'll read the books to our kids and show them the movies and bring them to Universal for the full experience. Toon Lagoon is based on comics that I've never heard of in my life, yet I still LOVE the water rides in the area. Harry Potter will eventually be old news too, but still popular because of the way Universal has brought it to life. I trust that Universal will expand the area into something beyond our imagination. Only time will tell.

 

I disagree.

As someone who has seen countless fads like Harry Potter fade....

 

In my time, I've seen similar "hits" like Potter fade like Masters of the Universe, Dungeons & Dragons, Never Ending Story, etc.....

The Potter universe has ended. No more books and no more movies. J.K. dead-ended the series because she was sick of writing it.

No matter how much I liked the movies or books, there are several franchises that will have far more longevity.

 

Just like the current crop of vampire TV Shows/Vampires will fade eventually. These things are cyclical. I remember the last fad of Vampire films when Interview with the Vampire started a similar trend. Expanding the existing IOA section, sure. Building a second new area for something already fading..... Kinda silly.

Edited December 7, 2011 by O-Town77

[coasterfreak101]

What are you talking about, I liked the area. I never said it was pure garbage.

 

Larry, I'm agreeing with you. On everything you said.

[Jew]

^^So by that logic, Disney never should have built Indy 6 years after the final movie?

[O-Town77]

Jedi to Star Tours was four years, Last Crusade to DLR Indy was six....so Harrywood Potter actually seems par for the course.

 

....And both of these theme park attractions were based on active film franchises.

Indy 4 / SW: Epiosde 1 were already in the works.

 

Harry Potter has completely ended with very little chance of ever getting another book or film. I think it's a great idea

to convert the rest of Lost Continent, because it just looks like an afterthought now. But the Jaws real estate would be

better suited for other uses.

[O-Town77]

^^So by that logic, Disney never should have built Indy 6 years after the final movie?

 

Final movie? They made an Indy movie after Disney opened their attractions (the last movie came out in

2008) and another film is in development. Also note that Disney opened their attractions around the same time

that Young Indiana Jones was an ABC TV series.

Edited December 7, 2011 by O-Town77

[BeemerBoy]

The Potter universe has ended. No more books and no more movies. J.K. dead-ended the series because she was sick of writing it.

Michael Crichton's dead. Does this mean Jurassic Park will be razed?