Originally Posted By kennect Spirit, I understand that Disney is more than about the fab four...Don't even throw out the idea about 20,000 Leagues being borrowed...Only a complete simpleton would think that everything Disney has done has been original....You want to seem to think I am some sort of moron that doesn't understand what is going on here....I am beginning to wonder if you know what is going on....You are the one that claims to know all of these WDW exec's and yet say that WDW keeps a file on you....So Joe told you that BK isn't going to happen...Big deal...I know Joe also if I want to brag on the fact that I talked with him one day briefly....I am sorry to hear you don't think Disney has enough own material to build on...I still think that Star Wars isn't something they need to go after...You questioned my suggestion of the Little Mermaid attraction....Well, Disney seems hell bent on making a fortune off the princess's and it seems to be working so why not some princess attractions? With the new Broadway production coming up of "The Little Mermaid" it is going to be with us for years to come...Revealance? When is the next Star Wars film going to open? What I am really most surprised with is the idea that Universal didn't go after a major "Wicked" type thing....There are a ton of Potter fans for sure but "Wicked" has also become cult status....I sort of think that a lot of folks that have read the Potter books will never have a chance to visit IOA in Florida....Certainly it will be a huge draw for the park but not something all people will get to see that would like to....
Originally Posted By Skellington88 I just want to say that I haven't gone to Universal Studios since I moved down to florida two years ago but this news about a Harry Potter land coming soon has motivated me to now go out and get Annual passes to Universal so I can watch the construction with anticipation and be sure to be there opening day!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Gee Phil Holmes sure has been inside the park lately. And he's been really nice too...>> Hah ... too funny. Maybe he'll try and plant a story in the O-Sentinel about the Mansion's upcoming redo and how, since he got he start as an hourly on that attraction, HE personally made sure the rehab would go thru to restore it to its opening day condition ... yeah, that's the kind of PR move I'd do if I was desperate to save my behind!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Spirit, I understand that Disney is more than about the fab four...Don't even throw out the idea about 20,000 Leagues being borrowed...Only a complete simpleton would think that everything Disney has done has been original....You want to seem to think I am some sort of moron that doesn't understand what is going on here.>> No. I really don't. Don't assume things because you feel a certain way. I assume you, like everyone else here, is intelligent if/until they prove otherwise. I've never felt that way about you. I just asked some questions because you do seem to have a mindset that many Disney fans have ... that Hercules is kewl, but Woody and Bullseye aren't ... that Jack Sparrow is Disney, but Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker aren't ... that DuckTales is quacky but Nemo tales are wacky. You did sidestep the questions I asked. <<...I am beginning to wonder if you know what is going on.>> I only know what I know. No more, no less. <<...You are the one that claims to know all of these WDW exec's and yet say that WDW keeps a file on you.>> I never said I know all of WDW's execs because I don't. I do know some ... and some that used to be ... quite well. I also never said WDW keeps a file on me but that certain high-level officials do keep tabs on me, and I believe that to be true. I've been told as much. <<...So Joe told you that BK isn't going to happen...Big deal...I know Joe also if I want to brag on the fact that I talked with him one day briefly.>> Do you think you may just be taking an online Disney debate a bit personally? Just a thought ... And I have spoken to Joe on numerous occassions. Not once when I happened upon him in DAK and bent his ear for 5 minutes. Is he a friend of mine? No. Is he someone who would know me and take my call if it came in? Damn straight. That's not bragging, btw. Even though I admire Joe greatly as an artist and a visionary, there are many more powerful names I could drop here if I wanted to impress you (or anyone else) with what spirits cross paths with me on a regular basis ... unlike many, I don't wet myself with excitement when an Imagineer talks to me (of course, I'm not a 16-year-old fan boy either). <<...I am sorry to hear you don't think Disney has enough own material to build on>> I never said that. <<...I still think that Star Wars isn't something they need to go after...>> Fair enough. We disagree. Star Tours is being redone in a major way. Let's move on. <<You questioned my suggestion of the Little Mermaid attraction....Well, Disney seems hell bent on making a fortune off the princess's and it seems to be working so why not some princess attractions? With the new Broadway production coming up of "The Little Mermaid" it is going to be with us for years to come...>> I actually agree with you on this after thinking about it ... Mermaid does have legs (pardon the pun), but it still isn't happenning and believe me, I wish it would have been built in one of the parks it was proposed for. <<Revealance? When is the next Star Wars film going to open?>> I'll let the franchise's popularity speak for itself. One of the times that Disney-MGM does its best numbers annually is during Star Wars weekends ... what does that tell you? <<What I am really most surprised with is the idea that Universal didn't go after a major "Wicked" type thing....There are a ton of Potter fans for sure but "Wicked" has also become cult status....I sort of think that a lot of folks that have read the Potter books will never have a chance to visit IOA in Florida....Certainly it will be a huge draw for the park but not something all people will get to see that would like to....>> So? Many people don't ever get to Disney parks ... or the ones with attractions they'd like to experience. Such is life. I also believe, but have no inside info, that Uni will put Potter themed shows/attractions in some of the three international parks they intend on opening this decade.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>What I am really most surprised with is the idea that Universal didn't go after a major "Wicked" type thing....There are a ton of Potter fans for sure but "Wicked" has also become cult status....<<< With 10% of the population, maybe. And for some reason the Japanese wanted it over there. But you can't seriously think that it would be a huge PR gain for Universal to put WICKED into one of their stateside parks. That play is very successful - but again, it's REMEMBERED by a certain segment of the population that really lives for musicals, and that's about it. It's a show inspired by a book that's inspired by an old movie and an even older series of books. It has the taint of "old" beyond the whole Broadway/traveling tour niche success. Spirit's right. MERMAID would be a delight and very popular in the parks if built today, but as a major PR "event" - it's missed the window by 15 years.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror And as to when the next Star Wars movie is coming out - There's TWO TV series in the works, and lots of rumors as to more movies (which I don't believe will happen). In Merchandising alone, Star Wars has easily 20 years of life left. If it were to cross over into REAL virtual reality, via a whole "land" in the parks, that's a whole NEW method of entertaining that's really barely been played with to date. Imagine JEDI ACADEMY, not in the Tomorrowland Terrace, but in the courtyard of a real Jedi Palace... a short walk takes you through the catwalk-like terraces of an Ewok tree village. The possibilities, without actually having to FLY anywhere, are so robust - it staggers the imagination. A WHOLE lot more to play with there, than the entire Harry Potter bag of tricks.
Originally Posted By kennect Spirit, A promise to you from me...After this post I will never ever again comment on anything you say....That will make life easierfor both us....The connection I have with Joe is through Zoo Atlanta....It isn't anything major but I got a really nifty backstage tour one day at AK as a result...Trust me though, I am not of the mindset that Hercules is cool...It was and is anything but cool in my personal opinion...I have just come to the conclusion the less I say to you the better...So enjoy the idea you won't be hearing from me in the future.... For Ohana, I wouldn't be so quick to dimiss Wicked...Trust me, there will be a day when we see it in the parks here in the US...By any chance have you seen the show? Or I guess I should ask are you a fan of the show....When I first read the book I could never imagine how such could become so popular on the stage...Now that we have three permanent companies across the US doing it I think it is going to be here for some time...Trust me Universal parks here will get around to doing something with it before it is all over and done....In reality it is really too early for it to happen now...And yet my final question...Wasn't this also another property that Disney passed on? If so, I am glad they did...I absolutely love the stage version we got...For once in my life it is something that I love in book form as much as the sugar coated stage presentation....
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>For Ohana, I wouldn't be so quick to dimiss Wicked...Trust me, there will be a day when we see it in the parks here in the US...By any chance have you seen the show? Or I guess I should ask are you a fan of the show....When I first read the book I could never imagine how such could become so popular on the stage.<<< Haven't seen it, but have seen long portions of video of the show. About a third of my friends are gay, and they have subjected me to the songs, the videos, etc... and I get their passion for it, but it's also, basically, another Broadway musical with a clever hook. It won't come to Universal Hollywood because it's running here already in Los Angeles for an extended stay. It "could" go to Florida in the future but that doesn't mean 1) it'll be any PR event draw or 2) that it would constitute a good idea for the park. I don't know if Disney passed on it or not. Given how many projects they develop internally from existing owned properties, my guess is they wouldn't have given it much consideration. Given their strong track record, I think that's a sound idea. Why spend the extra money? >>>I have just come to the conclusion the less I say to you the better...So enjoy the idea you won't be hearing from me in the future....<< Boy I hate to get into this - but just as an outside observer - that sounded very ninth grade. Really... kinda tacky.
Originally Posted By ladypirate I can't wait for Harry Potter. I will love to see a big corporation like Disney take a slight fall possibly, who wants a monopoly. I wish I could see more theme parks in other states. Competition is good.
Originally Posted By kennect Blue, You have to keep in mind that Disney held the rights to the original OZ stories...I am sure they looked over Wicked and gave it some consideration...Am I am not talking about the mini show running in Japan..I am referring to the potential of major attractions based on the story and characters...It is very obvious that the Japan park did what it did considering that they are getting a permanent production there and this is a way for them to promote it while it is being finished up for the opening...Sadly though that theme park show gets no where close to representing the theme or story of the show...Sorry your gay friends have forced you to be subjected to it...Apparently you feel about Wicked the same way I feel about Star Wars...Just not my thing...No problem... About being so ninth grade...You know in reality sometimes it is really easier just to drop things...There isn't anything junvenile in such behaviour...I just think it is the best thing to do...I simply was trying to explain my personal feeling to the character involved as opposed to lurking off into some corner and never reappearing...I wasn't being tacky, I was being up front....
Originally Posted By ToonKirby ><<Me too, I just think that Harry Potter would have been too overwhelming. >> How so? (I'm curious)< Overwhelming in the sense that if HP came to WDW it would be everywhere much like pirates and princess stuff is now (much like Pooh stuff before). I can put up with pirate and princess and Pooh stuff 'cause I liked the pirate and princess and Pooh movies. Can't say the same too much about HP. And just my opinion, but HP seems to "fit" better in IOA, although I'll hate to see the Lost Continent area strip-mined for it. I wouldn't mind at all more Star Wars and Indiana Jones stuff now, but I really don't think that these days Disney needs to go outside for properties, they certainly have enough to draw on now and for the future.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Well, if anyone's keeping score, please add my vote to the "Harry Potter's appearance at Uni is not going to cause the financial ruin of WDW" column. A few people on this thread have said, "I've never been to Uni/IOA before, but now I'll check it out." Okay. That's perfectly predictable. We knew that HarryLand will attract new visitors. And there's no population more likely than Disney-website-posters to say, "Yeah, we'll detour from WDW for a day or two to scope out Uni now." That hardly spells doom to WDW for me. I think many here have been too quick to dismiss the point that the maligned Disney exec made: "What's good for Central Florida is good for WDW." Sure, IOA may now cut into the vacations of some regular WDW visitors. But it will also cause numerous people who are not in the habit of vacationing in the steambath to visit the Orlando area for the first time. Maybe the first time in years, maybe the first time ever. And as long as they've driven or flown all the way from Iowa or Ohio or Vermont or Ontario to Orlando, they're not going to leave without visiting Disney World. I do think the idea of offering optional time in Uni/IOA on a Disney travel packages is a very good one.
Originally Posted By Labuda Well, I'm a BIG fan of musicals, LOVED the Wicked book, but the musical? Honestly, I fell asleep. And HATED the ending. None of the songs in it really struck a chord with me. Just didn't like ti at all. But, hey, if it wasn't for that musical, I'd have never seen Hollywood, and at least I've done that. And got to see the Disney soda shop there, too - nifty!
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<Just didn't like it at all.>> But! But! But! But Labuda, you've always been such a good Ally! How can this BE?!
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>About being so ninth grade...You know in reality sometimes it is really easier just to drop things...There isn't anything junvenile in such behaviour...I just think it is the best thing to do...I simply was trying to explain my personal feeling to the character involved as opposed to lurking off into some corner and never reappearing...I wasn't being tacky, I was being up front....<<< Then you might want to re-read what you right before you post it, so it's not vindictive and snippy. It would have been very simple, had your choice been to merely "drop it" without aggravating or adding insult, to say this: "I choose to not discuss this issue further." See how easy that was? And it doesn't make you look like you're a 14 years old cheerleader with a need to dig the competition.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror Re: HP could overwhelm like the Pirates and Pooh... Very much in accord on that point. We don't need any more pod-people-like absorption of existing theming at the parks... we need FRESH ideas, even non-movie tie-ins, and an imaginative, distinguishing concept.
Originally Posted By dshyates "I do think the idea of offering optional time in Uni/IOA on a Disney travel packages is a very good one." I was the first one who mentioned this back in post 47, and it took 5 pages before someone said something. Shocking because I do think this will be their subtle yet profitable response to a flock of new tourists needing accomadations in the general Universal area. "Our rooms have coffeemakers, hair dryers, safes, and 4 world-class theme parks."
Originally Posted By dshyates Shall I go on? There is noone and I mean noone poised to profit more from a bump of tourism in central florida. They have the rooms, (maybe now isn't the time to outsource on-prop rooms...hmm, we'll have to talk about that later), the shuttles, and the marketing. Disney will profit from their weakness, NO ROOMS. Mickey knows magic, and the villians invented the dark arts. The Biwizard Tournament has already begun.
