Harry Potter Park

[Frogman]

Looks like Disney WAS after the Harry Potter books but Universal won out after Disney wouldn't allow Rowling to have input.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline=welcome-to-potterland&method=full&objectid=18947099&siteid=66633-name_page.html

WELCOME TO POTTERLAND
Rowling in theme park deal

FANS of Harry Potter could soon be riding broomsticks at a theme park dedicated to the boy wizard.

Author JK Rowling is just about to sign deal to build a £250million park in Florida.

Universal Studios are set to add a Potterland to their Islands of Adventure park after two years of negotiations. The deal could add £9million a year to the writer's £576million fortune.

Peter Alexander, a former vice president of Universal Studios, said: "I would ask for 5 per cent of the gate fee.

"With an attraction like that getting around six million people a year paying £30 a head, that's £180million."

Rowling had talks with Disney but walked away because they wanted total control of the project. Potterland could be built in as little as 18 months once the deal is finalised.

Details emerged as bookshops gear up for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The last book in the series hits shelves on July 21 - eight days after Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix goes into cinemas.

Industry experts are confident that a theme park would continue to pull in crowds keen to experience the Hogwarts lifestyle even when Harry's adventures are over.

But they think it is a good idea to incorporate it into Islands of Adventure, which also houses areas themed on Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park and Marvel comic superheroes.

Alexander said: "Harry Potter has legs - he won't be less popular in years to come."

[Tagrel]

I can see an entire land themed as HP at IOA... It will fit in nicely! Hope they do a good job with it, and I'd go back to try it out! :yes:

As to Disney wanting full control - go figure! ;) And they probably wanted Rowling to pay them to do it too! :lol:

[WDWJo]

Wow that's interesting. I think Harry Potter would fit in better at IOA than it would at Disney anyway! Looking forward to see what they come up with!

[LeiasMom]

Hmmm. Would you sign the deal before knowing if he will live or die in book 7? Hoping this makes it more likely he will live.

[WillCAD]

Dangit, this was rumored several months ago, and the rumor was that IOA's Lost Continent, one of my favorite lands in any theme park, will be trashed and replaced by the Potter stuff.

I love Harry Potter and I'm really happy to hear that Universal will be building HP themed attractions, but I will miss the Lost Continent.

[Robin]

http://www.cgrobin.com/images/smileys/basics/VictoryDance1.gif
http://tagrel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17757

[kathleena]

While I would be excited to see a Harry Potter theme anywhere, I'm less excited for it to be IOA/Universal!!!

And I would bet there is a lot more to the story than just Disney wanted total control. They would have to be very stupid to let a huge deal like HP walk out the gate over total control vs collaborative control. There must have been some other issue.

I am always skeptical of the details in any article that doesn't name sources and supply direct quotes anyway. It's pretty obvious the Universal rumor is getting close to a confirmation, but all the speculation about why it wasn't Disney without having a direct source confirm it is just speculation.

[Topaz]

Very true, Nancy. Disney is not that dumb to lose out of those millions of dollars.

Looking forward to see what Universal comes up with.

[Robin]

One difference between Universal and Disney, is that Universal has an existing land that can be easily retrofited to an HP theme. Disney does not.

When you look at Disney's 'lands' none of them are restricted to one theme. The closest might be the Star Wars attraction, but even that is only one ride and one gift shop.

For what the rights are probably costing, they'd need more than few attractions to justify the cost. I don't remember seeing if merchandising is part of the deal. Disney just spent a small fortune buying Pixar. They also bought the rights to the Muppets and haven't done much with them yet. Add the partnership they have with Lucas Arts and the really do have quite a bit of raw material to work with. No one is going to really miss 'MGM' at the Studios.

While I'd have loved to see HP at Disney, let's face it. They are control freaks. So if JK Rowling. Can you say, Roger Rabbit?

[Frogman]

I don't think the Disney control issue is that absurd. JK Rowling made sure she kept her say in the movies down to who got cast. She is pretty savy when it comes to keeping the right amount of control on "her" products, especially when you consider they are still not finished coming out with new books. Disney is certainly big enough, and wise enough, to make a Harry Potter land but I don't see them having ANY attraction where a single outsider can veto their ideas. As much as HP would MAKE them millions it would have cost them millions as well. It isn't like they are having any problems filling the park as it is, so that conclusion seemed logical to me.

That being said I don't think Universal will do a great job. HP is a theme that must emerse you and I think they are going to try a cheaper effect to save time and money.

[Tagrel]

That being said I don't think Universal will do a great job. HP is a theme that must emerse you and I think they are going to try a cheaper effect to save time and money.

I don't know... When they do it right, Universal has some outstanding attractions. Men in Black is a fantastic attraction, and WAY beyond Buzz Lightyear that it is often compared with. Mummy is a great and HIGHLY themed ride. Spiderman is also amazing and even the Cat in the Hat ride is well done.

When I compare Winnie the Pooh and all its 'cardboard cutouts' I'm still disappointed that Disney seems to take the 'cheap' way out more often than not anymore... Don't even get me started on the Stitch makeover... But they CAN do things right when they want to. The Captain Jack additions to POTC were very well done...

If Universal has any money left for the attractions themselves they could be excellent. And if they AREN'T word will quickly spread and those big bucks for rights will get them nothing in return!