Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Everything you've read is true ... and then some. This doesn't just raise the bar of attractions in O-Town, it flat out creates a whole new level. Easily one of the top themed areas in any park in the world. Easily compares to some of the best in parks like TDS and DLP. And its feature attraction is simply worth a trip to the vast wasteland that is O-Town all on its own. Bottom line: if Disney ignores this or thinks small scale projects like 'new' Fantasyland (yes, I do believe it is small scale as it uses absolutely NO NEW land, so no expansion, beyond two retention ponds) and new DVC and resorts are the answer, they are going to be in decline for a decade to come. Really. Much more to come at some future time ... P.S. Butterbeer is addictive!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmm, big praise indeed. Shame I would not be able to fit on the main attraction, therefore I am unlikely to make a special trip.
Originally Posted By Longhorn12 Good news to hear. I may have to start saving for a trip at some point.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Glad to hear you loved it, Spirit. Ready for the expansion? And yes...butterbeer is fantastic! What else did you eat/drink?
Originally Posted By SeventyOne <Butterbeer is addictive! > You should try it with a shot of Pinnacle Whipped Cream vodka. <did you try the draft version?> I believe that's the only version. Only the Pumpkin Juice comes bottled.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox If you don't finally get your butt over to Tchoup Choup during this trip, Spirit, there will be heck to pay. Oh yes! Heck to pay!
Originally Posted By bayrr326 I am not a huge Harry Potter fan but I will never forget the first time I walked thru the arch into Hogsmeade. I had to pick my jaw off the floor. I have never seen a land that is so perfectly themed as this one. Universal has simply created the most amazing land I have ever seen in any park I have ever been to. The level of detail is amazing and even after all these months there is still new stuff I notice everytime I go there. And if anyone doubts how much of a success it is just stand by one of the cash registers in the gift shop at the end of Forbidden Journey and see how much people are spending there. I have never seen anything like it. Glad you enjoyed it Spirit.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct <<<< Easily compares to some of the best in parks like TDS and DLP >>>> Wow, powerful words. I know you mean them too. It holds a lot of weight from me knowing you have been to both TDS and DLP. I look forward to hearing more. And I thought butter beer come frozen or regular. You asked once how long can this Potter fever last after the final movie? Well, personally I finally bought all the books and am reading them now. After this last movie I had so many questions that I felt compelled to finally read the books. Perhaps others will feel the same way. I am more interested in Potter now than ever. I think Potter fever will continue. It's brilliant. Maybe Universal Studios will give up some sound stage area or other parts of their park so Potter has enough room to grow as it spills into the studios park. I look forward to visiting. And it is more affordable. Two people with a four day park hopper at Disney was 600. Bucks. And a four day pass at universal is 300. A big difference.
Originally Posted By Longhorn12 Speaking of Potter a recent poll in Britain showed Harry Potter as the number 1 book to pass on to the next generation.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Potter has enough room to grow as it spills into the studios park.>> Potter isn't going to the Studios. It's just going to expand in IoA.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I agree that Harry Potter is an amazing place and Forbidden Journey is fantastic. I agree about the cash registers. Have been going to and working for theme parks for 30 years and have never seen anything like the merchandise flying off the shelves at IOA. It is amazing. The merchandise alone is making Universal a mint. I also have never seen an Orlando theme park be as busy as both Universal parks have been during a January.
Originally Posted By dshyates Here is a statement about Potter's merchendising numbers: "Universal set all-time quarterly records in attendance, operating revenue, operating profit and net profit during its fiscal third quarter, which ended Sept. 26. The biggest gains came from Potter souvenir sales, as Universal's merchandise revenue skyrocketed 104 percent from a year ago to $48.7 million. Universal says it has created more than 600 unique products for sale in Wizarding World based on the fanciful items found Harry Potter's magical world." <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/os-universal-harry-potter-results-20101105,0,6780868.story" target="_blank">http://www.orlandosentinel.com...68.story</a>
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct <<Potter has enough room to grow as it spills into the studios park.>> <<<Potter isn't going to the Studios. It's just going to expand in IoA.>>> I was hoping the expansion would be so extensive that some of the studios real estate would be needed can't wait to see this place grow
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<If you don't finally get your butt over to Tchoup Choup during this trip, Spirit, there will be heck to pay. Oh yes! Heck to pay!>> Doubtful, skinner (even if you send me the money to pay for it!) This is largely a business trip (didn't even set foot in a park today) and I have plans for meals the next few days, so we'll see ... I may be back here next week again, after leaving here for a few days, so we'll see.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<So how many more did you drink? and did you try the draft version?>> Um ... ah ... let's just say several! And, nope, frozen all the way ... those things are just very, very, very, very good.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh <You asked once how long can this Potter fever last after the final movie?> If I was WB, I'd wait a year after the last movie came out, then start production on the TV series. It would be great to have a whole TV season to expand on each book in the series, rather than have to condense it to fit into a movie. That would give the franchise another 7 years.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Glad to hear you loved it, Spirit.>> Not nearly as much as me <<Ready for the expansion?>> If it's anything like what's there now, then bring it on. This isn't like Disney ... where the pavement at EPCOT was so bad they had to do emergency repaving or else they couldn't hold the marathon in January ... or Disney where at the GF they have massive lights out on the top of the buildings, at their priciest resort ... and have you driven thru the most depressing foreclosure joke that is Celebration? ... Oh, and the $39 pizza at Via Napoli is now $41 because really where is the profit on a $39 pizza, right? <<And yes...butterbeer is fantastic! What else did you eat/drink?>> One phenomenal (as usual) lunch at Mythos ... a filet for $15.95 BEFORE the 15% discount ... $5 bar drinks ... they clearly must be losing money, right ... at the same time, the appetizer 'side' salad at the Poly's Kona Cafe is now $8.49 (yes, you read that right!) ... anyone want to apologize for Disney?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I agree that Harry Potter is an amazing place and Forbidden Journey is fantastic. I agree about the cash registers. Have been going to and working for theme parks for 30 years and have never seen anything like the merchandise flying off the shelves at IOA. It is amazing. The merchandise alone is making Universal a mint. I also have never seen an Orlando theme park be as busy as both Universal parks have been during a January.>> IOA was not really crowded Tuesday at all, to be fair ... but neither was EPCOT (where we went when IOA closed) and that was the ONLY Disney park open until the late, late hour of 9 p.m. But merchandise at IOA was amazing ... never so glad I just returned from months in Asia and a week in Vegas so I had very little to spend because I could have gone nuts there and I am not a big Potter fan. Disney just keeps selling the same crap (and nice to see Mousegear looking more like Walmart after its rehab ... gotta love the carpeting!) ... and great retro crap for the fanbois ... but would someone let the merchandise designers know that 'Tiki Room Under New Management' was not an E-Ticket opening day attraction despite being listed as such on the A-E Ticket magnets they are selling. (Blank) like that just shouldn't happen. But neither should $9.29 club sandwiches at Gasparilla's at the GF ... this is quick serve, get real.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 One quick note since I forgot to mention, but we rode FJ five times Tuesday (could have easily done more) no waits longer than 15 minutes ... did see Spidey go to 35 (must be over fanboi rumors that the Sheriff is going to force UNI to give Spidey to the MK!) ... will write more about Potter itself soon! Thanks for reading! And please save your donations, give them to bloggers so they can go on a second free Disney Dream cruise.
