Wizarding World of Harry Potter Already Disappointing

By

Hailey Eber

January 28, 2010

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Already Disappointing So the amusement park Wizarding World of Harry Potter hasn't even opened yet--it's due to at some unannounced point this spring--and we're already disappointed. A "sneak peek" of Universal's new theme park is offered in today's USA Today, and it's pretty meh.

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(’ DiggThis ’)The “sneak peek” is “an exclusive arrangement with USA Today,” and the whole process is tedious and annoying. You get a paper “augmented-reality” map with the print edition of the paper, which you probably only get if you’re staying in a mid-level hotel. You can also print out the map yourself, but don’t waste your ink cartridge. If you did, like me, you can then go to a special website where you hold up the silly map to your web cam and some shit awkwardly pops up and you can vaguely see some stuff. It tries to be cool, but really it’s just looks bad. It’s like if Cameron would have tried to make Avatar in the 80s. Next time gang, just show some pictures of renderings or construction.

Thankfully, the actual USA Today article reveals more about the place. The key phrase is this: “The majority of Harry’s world consists of venues in which to eat, drink and shop.” Wow, doesn’t that sound totally magical. “Harry’s world” might be just another place in Orlando to buy overpriced barely edible food, albeit a more thoroughly themed one. A Universal exec insists that “dining will be an ‘experience,’ and shopping will be ‘retail theater.’” One can only hope.

The main ride sounds pretty good. “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will be housed in the 150-foot-tall Hogwarts castle. Robotic arms will move passengers around as they pass through scenes from the movies in darkness. The other two rides are existing roller coasters that will just be re-themed for Harry. Again, meh.

Still, industry buzz on the new park is strong. “The advance word on this is that it’s fabulous,” says one theme-park exhibit designer. We just hope there’s some kind of magic feature there that eliminates the need to wait in line for two hours to go on a roller coaster.

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Travel, Hailey Eber, Harry Potter

Comments (5)

Posted by anonymous on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 03.12 pm

#1

Well, I think you're underselling it a bit. First, the park is not its own separate park, it is part of Islands of Adventure, so calling it an amusement park is like calling the Fantasyland section at Disneyland an amusement park. The shops are unique like Ollivander's, which features "the wand selects you" concept with live actors and special effects. The dining is in the Three Broomsticks, which features park-only specialties like Butterbeer, which were specially designed with Rowling's input and approval. There is a Honeydukes which will again feature specially designed treats from the film. The queue for the ride itself, which is rumored to be one of the longest in the world, will work its way through special effects laden full-scale replicas of rooms from Hogwarts.

Posted by anonymous on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 03.18 pm

#2

Oh yeah, and they already released a ton of renderings like 5 months ago.

Posted by anonymous on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 03.20 pm

#3

Who wrote this article, some snot-nosed 12 year old? How can it be "already disapppointing?" The park was designed by the same people who built the sets for the films, including the special effects and all the interactive attractions. J. K. Rowling herself has given it a thumbs-up and Warner Brothers has done their very best to make it as exactly like the films as possible. If you find anything "disappointing" about this park, then you are not a true Harry Potter fan.

Posted by anonymous on Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 01.24 am

#4

Then, by all means, do not visit the park! I don't think you'll be missed!

Posted by anonymous on Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 01.38 am

#5

I find it really annoying that this writer can blatantly dimiss something that they have never even seen or experienced. Get over yourself and your cynicism. Why does excitement and enthusiasm have to be so unfashionable? 'Meh' is so unattractively ignorant and rude.