Originally Posted By Rosso11 The more I think about this the more I wonder, why did he leave Universal at this point. The more I find out about Harry Potter the more I realize how much of a monster this project is. Scott was one of the main forces behind this project. So now I have to wonder what did Disney offer him to leave. Was is simply more money, or was it something bigger? Was it possably a project of similar calibar comming to Florida? Something top secret even the internet hasn't found out about yet?
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << The more I think about this the more I wonder, why did he leave Universal at this point. >> In the big picture, people usually don't leave their jobs unless they have some sort of dissatisfaction in their current position. It could be money, the quality of projects, work environment, co-workers, or any number of factors. The bottom line is that people don't uproot themselves from thei job all that easily unless there is some underlying dissatisfaction. It's hard for me to think that money is a primary motivator here. I'm sure Universal paid adequately for the Orlando market, and Disney is not likely to grant someone a major windfall for this sort of position. The incomes are healthy, but not spectacular. I suspect that the plans for Harry Potter World aren't all they were cracked up to be, or things weren't progressing as smoothly as they could towards development of the project. Those are the sort of dissatisfiers that would make someone likely to leave a position.
Originally Posted By dshyates Inside of the Hogwarts castle there will be several things. The Wand scavenger game, with several classrooms like potions and herbology filled with things to find zap. The game may also extend into town. A food court in the great hall complete with storm clouds projected overhead. There is also rumored to be an AA filled Defense Against the Dark Arts Lecture show. My guess, a nervouse substitute fills in and when dealing with bogarts and whatnots somthing goes humorously awry. In town there should be Olivander's Wand Shop, nevermind that it is actually in Diagon Alley not Hogsmeade. So he's starting a chain of wand shoppes, no biggie. Of course filled with the wands for the game. And the many wand toppers, and bangles and stones that can be used to adorne the wand. Holsters on belts to carry the wands. The sashes in the different house colors to display the level pins. And other school related items. And the 3 Broomsticks selling butterbeer and snacks. Honeydukes sweet shoppe. Care of Magical Creatures Class ride (flying Unicorn) complete with Hagrid's hut. The rethemed Deuling Dragons with new actual stopandwatch preshow. And of course the Forbidden forest flying magical living car ride. All in all, it sounds like it will suck.;-)
Originally Posted By jonvn Totally agree with post 31. They really don't seem to know how to build things like they used to anymore.
Originally Posted By dshyates My guess is Disney is impressed with the size and scope of the Potter project. Respect what he has done for Uni. Creative. And made a lucritive offer with lots of creative license and promised financial support. Regardless of the dissing of Mummy and all thats not Disney, Disney obviously sees a talent on a world class level for him to step in as VP of R&D for WDI. And as far as salary I'm sure its in numbers I can't even spell.
Originally Posted By jonvn Maybe they feel that the people they have are a bit...tired...and need new blood with new ideas.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Finally, I think that a single new franchise at a park will increase attendance, but not by 300%.>> I agree. There will be a significant in attendance (especially during the first year) but not 300%.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << And made a lucritive offer with lots of creative license and promised financial support. >> Sorry, but the position described does not warrant that sort of an offer. If that were the case, Disney would set a very bad precedent for other mid-level managers/dept heads/executives in Imagineering in terms of compensation. << And as far as salary I'm sure its in numbers I can't even spell. >> I think people have a lot of misconceptions about what sorts of salaries these positions command or how these sorts of positions are filled.
Originally Posted By dshyates Whatever SportGoofy. VP of R&D@WDI is hardly middle management. mid-level executive, yes. And after working at Kings Dominion, MGM, and USF, I have a vague idea how not only the Disney empire works but have a realistic view of things off property. I understand your view that BGE is a scrub pine covered wasteland and IOA is a parkinglot carnival and DCA is a fine example of Disney magic. I simply disagree.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>Something top secret even the internet hasn't found out about yet?<< There's a lot of that out there...
Originally Posted By DlandDug Mr. X! You mention in one post what I believe are the two greatest non-Disney themed attractions: Star Trek Experience (Las Vegas) and Spiderman (Uni Florida). I, too, am concerned that WWoHP will be another Mummy. Big announcements, much discussed on the internet (we have someone right here who is already describing the place in glowing detail), a massive, massive opening, and then the inevitable let down when everyone sees what Universal hath wrought. And even if it is an initial homerun (it could happen), will Uni follow their usual path, and let the whole thing sort of stagnate? Time (and the ever vigilant fans on the internet) will tell.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad bring back Eisner! *waves at Michael* (pssst...when do I get my lifetime supply of Topps baseball cards?)
Originally Posted By dshyates As glowingly as I have described the plans: "and let the whole thing sort of stagnate?" This is a real concern. UniFL has a horrible record of non-activity in the folo-up dept. if they wait 10 years to follw up this current expansion project, which includes 2 new hotels and an expansion to the Royal Pacific, it will lose its helpfulness. At the HP opening they should roll out the new E-Ticket plans for USF.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris Sorry but am I the only person who is sick of expansion plans including information about hotels? I DO NOT go to places like WDW, the DLR or TDR for six new hotels or a new wing on the Contemporary. I go for THE ATTRACTIONS DUMMY!!!!! I couldn't give a flying crap if the WDC or Uni is opening a new hotel or twenty in the coming decade. I can only stay in one freakin hotel at a time anyway and during a trip to one of the Disney resorts my precious time is NOT going to be spent oohing and aahing the lighting sconces in the hotel corridor. I have noticed a running theme with Americans and the prestige they seem to garner as they boast about which resort they stayed at or whether they stayed concierge or not. Are your own homes that horrible you feel the need to escape to some accommodation wonderland for five nights and then tell the whole internet community about it? I would like a moritorium placed on announcements of new E's and other rides to NOT include information on bloody new HOTELS!!!!!!!!!
Originally Posted By dshyates To be fair, Uni hasn't announced the hotels. All they did announce so far is the Simpsons and Harry Potter. But the hotels are on the way to accomadate the Potter fans and I would expect an announcement about them in the somewhat near future. I am interested in the themes, and the price level of the new moderate they are building. I would expect it to be between $85-$100 a night. Which will make it the cheapest hotel with ExpressPass.
Originally Posted By mickey_ring All this wondering about Harry Potter and The Mouse goes and does this: Capitalizing on the record-breaking release of ''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,'' Warner Brothers has sold the basic cable and broadcast television rights for the film, and the next in the Harry Potter series, to the Walt Disney Company in a deal worth at least $130 million, the companies said last night. Details remained somewhat sketchy as executives fine-tuned the deal, in which Disney would show the film on its ABC network as well as its family-oriented basic cable outlets, ABC Family and the Disney Channel.
Originally Posted By dshyates Didn't this happened several years ago before NBC/Universal got involved? I bet the rest of the potter films go to NBC as will Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber when the current deal expires.
