Originally Posted By CaptainMichael <<<They win. End of thread. Just got back yesterday, and they are doing everything Disney hasn't been doing for the past 10 years. That makes me incredibly sad. But then I realize that quality like this is still possible, and that's a fantastic thing. Hope Disney competes....because they are getting slaughtered now.>>> With this I am well pleased.
Originally Posted By -em Thats almost a good as the MK fireworks being delayed cause some guest called 911 to report smoke from the castle... -em
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Thats almost a good as the MK fireworks being delayed cause some guest called 911 to report smoke from the castle... <<< And I was there for that, too! I SERIOUSLY have bad luck with theme parks this summer. But I got to see a huge Kuka arm, a Omni dome, and a set of Hogwarts, to I am happy. LOL.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Except that J.K. Rowling is getting nearly all of the merchandise revenue. << Exactly where are you getting that information Sport Goofy? Below is an article by Jason Garcia of the O Sentinal. Why would Uni put so much effort into the HP franchise merchandise plus open an online store if they weren't reaping the profits. That just doesn't make sense. If what you read is correct Mr Garcia completely blows it in the first sentence. By Jason Garcia Orlando Sentinel Staff Writer Universal Orlando, which is reaping a windfall as magic wands, chocolate frogs and more fly off the shelves inside its month-old Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, has launched an online store to peddle many of the same souvenirs. The online store should help Universal further capitalize on the huge demand for Potter memorabilia that it has experienced inside Wizarding World, where lines to get inside the area's themed-merchandise shops have been as long - and, in some cases, longer - than the queues for some of the rides. Universal said Wednesday is still in the early stages of the online site's rollout. "We will spend the next few days making sure the online experience is exactly what we want it to be - and what our consumers want it to be," Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said. "Our guests, and many others, have told us they would like the opportunity to shop for and purchase Universal merchandise online - and we're excited to give them the opportunity." Demand for Harry Potter merchandise has been so strong that Universal has at times struggled to keep items in stock. Wands, flying broomsticks and pygmy puffs - pink, stuffed animals sold inside Zonko's joke shop - have all disappeared from shelves at different times since Wizarding World opened last month inside the Islands of Adventure theme park. Schroder said Universal has seen "enormous excitement" surrounding its Potter merchandise. The resort, working with Potter author J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. Entertainment and various toy, apparel and confectionary vendors, says it created more than 600 unique products for sale in the Wizarding World, based on the fanciful items found in the Harry Potter universe. "The strong demand means that there are occasionally times when we sell through our stock for some of the most popular items," Schroder said. "We are working very hard to keep up with demand. In fact, new merchandise arrives each day." Now many of those items - including all 13 varieties of Ollivander's magic wands - are for sale on the Internet in the resort's online store. The site, which is also peddling souvenirs based on many of Universal's other in-park properties, such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Jurassic Park, includes a subsection devoted entirely to Wizarding World merchandise. Universal is banking on Wizarding World to help lift its overall souvenir sales, which slumped during the global recession. Spending on food, beverage and merchandise sales in the resort's two theme parks sank 18 percent - to $177 million - from 2007 to 2009, compared with a 7 percent decline - to $419 million - in ticket revenue. <a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/with-demand-strong-for-harry-potter-merchandise-universal-791696.html" target="_blank">http://www.palmbeachpost.com/m...696.html</a>
Originally Posted By MPierce >>>^^Bummer. Did you guys get a functioning ride in?<<< >> Yep. One. In the morning. When we came back at night is when it went down. We made the news, too... << <a href="http://www.wftv.com/news/24375...ail.html" target="_blank">http://www.wftv.com/news/24375...ail.html</a> Lee, was EE the one who caled 911?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Heh! That was the joke. I was actually pretty happy to be stopped mid ride to see all the workings of it. Also... the ride isn't bad. At all. It's very smooth, and fast. Sure, you roll and dive a lot, but it's handleable. I thought I would get disoriented, I wasn't at all.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> One. In the morning. When we came back at night is when it went down. We made the news, too... <a href="http://www.wftv.com/news/24375...ail.html" target="_blank">http://www.wftv.com/news/24375...ail.html</a> << Saw that story at the top of the Sentinel website (dunno why that qualifies as major Orlando news), and wondered if you guys were on the ride when it broke down.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer It was hysterical, because I could feel my phone going nuts in my pocket...A bunch of people texting me if we were stuck. I just could not reach it. LOL.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I would have rather had a second ride, myself. I don't want to see the 'magic' ... how things are done. When I finally got walked off DL's Mansion about 3-4 years ago, I kept my eyes straight down at all times. Just not interested in taking the magic away ... but I would like to see a MAGIC lose a few posters to the LP (wanna bet how long it takes for this to get to Steve's inbox?) ~Hello, Ghosts!~
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>I would have rather had a second ride, myself. I don't want to see the 'magic' ... how things are done. When I finally got walked off DL's Mansion about 3-4 years ago, I kept my eyes straight down at all times.<<< Really? I love seeing how they do things. That understanding makes the "awe" effect so much greater for me. And that ride is SO damn good. I can't stop thinking about it.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << Exactly where are you getting that information Sport Goofy? Below is an article by Jason Garcia of the O Sentinal. Why would Uni put so much effort into the HP franchise merchandise plus open an online store if they weren't reaping the profits. That just doesn't make sense. If what you read is correct Mr Garcia completely blows it in the first sentence. >> If you read the article you posted, you will clearly see that the only figures cited for Universal are increased sales and revenues, not profits. Universal's goal all along has been to create a rising revenues situation so that they can find a way to sell their parks operation of pass it along to shareholders in a public offering.
Originally Posted By SeventyOne Behind the Thrills has HHN construction pics up--taken in extended queues that haven't been used for their respective rides in quite a long time. The need to do this implies that crowds are up and exceeding expectations even at the non-Potter half of property.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Potter at HHN...Hmmm...I wonder if they'll add some seasonal entertainment. If they are smart...and they are...
Originally Posted By dshyates HHN is over at the studios. J K Rowling insisted that it not be in TWWOHP. But I have heard that there will be seasonal events. Roaming death eaters and dementors and stuff for Halloween. And strolling carollers for Christmas. Of course they may hold off on implementing the seasonal stuff until next year since all indicators are that this year it will still be packed.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ Really!? Or are those just rumors? Because...WOW. I'd LOVE to see that.
Originally Posted By SeventyOne No HHN in Potterland (the widow Seuss and a general lack of capacity probably played as much of a role as Rowling), but my point was crowds are up this Summer even at the Studios. I think it's safe to assume that means guests are taking at least 2 days at Universal. And since TDO's goal for the past half-decade or so has been keeping guests on-property for length of stay, that is not a good sign for the Mouse.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Fantastic. I reeeeally hope Disney starts to compete...and Universal continues to raise the bar.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo We hoped that when Spiderman opened. But still, I am trying to be optimistic about it all.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer This might be bigger than that. This is just one ride doing the "pulling", not a whole park.
