WSJ: Second 'Potter' theme park coming to Universal Hollywood (updated x2) • Hypable

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WSJ: Second ‘Potter’ theme park coming to Universal Hollywood (updated x2)

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by Andrew Sims
@Sims

Posted on 7:56 pm,
November 30, 2011

The Wall Street Journal has just revealed that Universal will soon announce that their Hollywood resort will play home to the second Harry Potter theme park!

UPDATE: The Los Angeles Times reports that a contract is to be signed within the next few weeks and the park is likely to open no earlier than 2015.

UPDATE 2: A Los Angeles Times writer says – very surprisingly in our opinion – that Disneyland was in talks to get the Los Angeles park, but those talks fell through following Universal’s strong success in Orlando.

Quotage:

NBCUniversal is planning to expand its Los Angeles theme park with a section devoted to the “Harry Potter” franchise, according to people familiar with the matter, hoping to repeat the success of a similar attraction at NBCU’s Orlando, Fla., resort.

The new “Harry Potter” addition in the Los Angeles park, Universal Studios Hollywood, will likely resemble the one in Florida, these people say, which includes a Hogwarts Castle, roller coasters, and several Potter-themed restaurants including the Hog’s Head tavern, which serves butterbeer, as in the books.

If the new section succeeds, more “Potter” attractions could open in other parts of the world where Universal has theme parks, including Japan, Singapore, and Spain, say people close to Universal.

We’re very excited to hear Universal’s announcement, and even more excited to see where exactly they’re going to put it. Universal Hollywood currently lacks much room to expand, so it’s going to be a tight squeeze unless they build outside the current confines. A quick check of Google Maps reveals what we’re talking about:

View Larger Map

Potter crew members have recently hinted at plans in the works for a second Potter park, and now those murmurs are finally starting to make sense.

View the latest stories about Harry Potter

Erika Vega

OMG!!!!! I’m SO EXCITED! I Live SO CLOSE to Universal Hollywood! I use to have an annual pass for The Simpsons Ride but now I will definitely get one for Harry Potter! I CANNOT WAIT! I LOVE IT!!! We have much better weather than Florida, also. YAY! :D

Anonymous

I’m going to Orlando for the second time this December. I live 25 minutes from hollywood. If this news is true I will be so happy. I’ll get a pass and go when ever I feel sad or like I want to be reminded of the best part of my childhood

Leviosaaax3

Same here!

sarah

Whoo this is exciting considering I live in Arizona and this will make it driving distance! way better than Florida.
Tom

I’m not sure I like this. Having a second Potter park in the same country will detract from the original and neither will be as special. The current one is like the Holy Grail for Harry Potter fans. Having two might sort of spoil the magic, in my opinion.

TheHamburglar

Agreed. This is why I hope they are updating the current one in Orlando sooner rather than later.
http://www.facebook.com/heather.smith07 Heather Smith

i agree. it should simply expand to other countries, other than the arrogant USA.

castle

arrogant? universal building harry potter theme parks in the USA makes the USA arrogant?
Anonymous

You call Americans arrogant. I say those who do hide behind their own hypocritical pride in their own humility. Some Americans are arrogant. Many of us take things for granted. What would you if you came home to find you didn’t have a bed? I grew up without one. I would sleep on the floor, and probably wake up feeling better than I do after a night in a bed. Don’t presume to call us arrogant when you’ve got the arrogance to judge others and insist you, by definition, are somehow better.

Eoin

Sounds so babyish but. Oooooooooo. You just got buuuurrrnnned!
Hermione

Of course Americans are arrogant. Not necessarily each individual, because we all have our own stories. But as a country we definitely have a superiority complex that astounds me even now. We (as a country) have been like James Potter, picking on the “weaker man” just because he exists, and I don’t think any justification we have given holds any truth. My father grew up in a rural village of India without electricity or any of the comforts we know now, and he (and his family) are probably the most critical people of America I know.

TheHamburglar

Bagged milk seems pretty arrogant to me.
Kitster_kosh

Thanks Heather, I love it when my country is considered arrogant based on Mr. Universal’s decisions. Although admitedly, if it wasn’t for Mr. Universal (who is an American) we wouldn’t have ANY Harry Potter theme parks. And of course, Universal’s decisions define all of us USA citizens

Tom

Lol, I don’t think Heather said this solely based on this information. I expect she formed her opinion long before she read this article. And you gotta admit, there are lots of other reasons why America as a whole could be seen as arrogant from the rest of the world’s perspective. (I’m not saying you as individuals are arrogant, so please don’t shout at me :P)

http://www.facebook.com/heather.smith07 Heather Smith

thank you, america is arrogant for far more reasons than this.

Hermione

Arrogant?! I see jealousy! Sometimes people only put other people down because they are jealous. You know, things can’t always be in your reach, you can’t always get what you want. If you want to visit a Harry potter park save up some money and get your butt to Florida. It’s not our fault it’s built here, it’s not our fault it’s expensive, and yet you have the nerve to call us arrogant? I don’t think so! If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it or you’ll get replies like this. I had to say this to defend the Potter fanbase in the United States. If you live in Britain you have freaking Leavsden Studios and kings cross. Not to mention all the Otherlaces they filmed at. I’ll probably never go there because I live here. So stop putting other people down and go visit one of those places.

http://www.facebook.com/heather.smith07 Heather Smith

good try, but I’m canadian, and i’m definitely not jealous of the US. but thanks everyone (:

Guest

Oh, you’re Canadian. It all makes sense now.
http://twitter.com/ConnectxDots Emily

They aren’t building a second theme park in Britain for two reasons. 1. There is no current Universal theme park in Britain. 2. The climate would not allow the park to stay open all year long. Japanese tourism has taken a hit due to the earthquake and tsunami. No other countries that have a Universal theme park draw in the same number of tourists. Hollywood is a good testing ground for a second theme park.
Eoin

Thank You! I don’t think the US is arrogant not just because I am an american. Universal is based in America so it is first and foremost easiest to build where it is already near. Just like Emily pointed out.
Hermione

If you’re Canadian just take a drive or hop on a plane. It’s not as far away as England or Japan is so really you shouldn’t be the one complaining. And the thing about sharing…. Yeah sharing rocks, but the fact is that the park is open to all. We can’t just pick up Hogwarts and bring it over. They can’t just build one randomly. Do you even know how much money it takes to build these places? If they don’t have property in canada it would be even more expensive. People come from across the world to go to Hogwarts. If you really want to go
to universal, stop complaining and save up the money yourself, or if you a kid, wait until your old enough to get a job, then work! It may take awhile, but Hogwarts isn’t going anywhere. And if you don’t think that there is a massive fan base in the u.s. think again because you’re wrong.
Hermione

So just because she lives close enough to potentially come to the US, that means she can’t express disappointment that two parks are being made in the US? There is this little thing called money… I live the farthest away from Florida of any state, so I haven’t had the chance to go there, and I think it’s cool it will be so much more accessible in California, but at the same time I completely understand everyone’s complaints that it should be built somewhere else, but obviously Universal is only doing it for money. But if it was built in a different country it would seem that it would still keep its uniqueness while becoming more accessible for people around the world.
Cora

this is getting confusing… 2 different hermione’s? And no matter what, coming from anywhere it’s expensive. It’s only going to benefit a small amount of people by opening in California.
PotionWillow207

Ummm, Harry Potter isn’t limited to the US. You want to complain about theme parks, but no one has said anything about the fact that England has Leavesden Studios where the movies were actually filmed, and that they are now basically a museum set up for touring the actual film sets. So…why would England need a theme park?
Anonymous

Poor Heather Smith. Can’t afford gas money to drive all the way to Florida to go see Harry Potter? Can’t afford the plane tickets and park tickets and a hotel room for long enough to enjoy it? Quit complaining, this just means you’re on the same level as so many of us arrogant Americans. The character may not be American, but the franchise is definitely Americanized. Warner Bros split Deathly Hallows in two for the money. The second park, built by an American company, is going to be built in America because the company knows for a fact that they will make massive amounts of money off this venture. They’re not doing it for Americans, they’re doing it for themselves. And I’m okay with that, because a California WWoHP gives so many people a chance to see Potter when otherwise that wouldn’t happen.
Also, the fact that the second thing that you use to define yourself after being Canadian is that you aren’t jealous of America – when your previous posts insult Americans because we will, someday, have two of something you don’t have at all – suggests nothing but jealousy. And anger that we see through your cheap charade of superiority.

Emily below brings up a perfect reason, as well. You complain because there will be two parks in America. There will likely NEVER be a Canadian WWoHP, because the typical Canadian climate might allow the park to be open half a year. Not much more. So for half a year, the park is losing money.

Cora

lol jealousy? I’m pretty sure this is the arrogance Heather mentioned..

Hermione

Arrogance was thrown at us. Jealousy that the wizarding world isn’t in her country is what I get from her comments
Anonymous

Accusing someone of being jealous of you isn’t inherently arrogant. Especially not when the one accused of being jealous is complaining because someone else has something she doesn’t.

Kitster_kosh

I agree to what you say to some extent. But I think it depends. It could be like Disneyland vs. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. They are similar, but surprisingly different. Not all the rides are the same. Disneyland has Indiana Jones while Disney World has Monster’s Inc etc. Also the rides themselves bear the same names but the tracks, scenery, and carts are different. I love them both, and they are different enough that I enjoy both.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=752203253 Kendra Baird

YES! Now I might actually be able to go!
Eoin

Really????!!!! They announce this and begin planning right after I visit California. I know it still be a year or two but still. Grrrrrr
Anonymous

I disagree. I can’t travel across the country to go to the Florida Potter theme park – in the military, with the few bills I do have to pay, I just don’t make enough money to fly there and be able to stay for enough time to make the trip worth it. If I saved for a year, I might have enough. If there’s one in Los Angeles, I can drive there (less than $20 worth of gas) and go to the park as often as I please. I can do it over the weekend instead of taking vacation time, as we’re required to do (no matter how long I’m gone, because of the distance). Having a second one may seem to ruin the magic to you, maybe because you live nearby or can afford to travel. For those of us who have neither advantage, a second Potter theme park is just what the doctor ordered. I won’t feel any less excited going to it than the Florida one, any more than a kid would cry because his parents drove him one state over to Disneyland instead of flying across the country to Disney World.

Tom

Please don’t make assumptions. I live in the UK and have not much money so it will be kind of impossible for me to get to either :/ They should leave just one in the US and that can be the Holy Grail for fans in the American continents. Then they should build one in the UK to be the Holy Grail for European fans, and maybe African fans. And they could build one in Asia for Asian and Australasian fans. Of course, I know they don’t do it for the fans, they do it for the $$.

Anonymous

It’s not a question of whether they’re doing it for the money. Everybody knows that’s why they’re doing it. The fact is that Americans are willing to spend more money if less of it is spent on travel. But the final Potter film was split into two for financial reasons, and the film was infinitely better because of it. They state in the article that if a second Potter theme park is successful in a fairly controlled situation (in one of the largest cities in America, it’s a guarantee it’ll have millions of customers a year) then they will take the risk and build Potter parks elsewhere – Japan, Singapore, and Spain are specifically mentioned. Spain is in Europe and close to Africa, so it’s practically a double whammy. Singapore is in southeast Asia – so you have greater Asia, the Middle East, possibly eastern Africa, and the south Pacific area being served a heaping helping of Potter right there. Japan, likewise, serves for northern Asia and Siberia. If your complaint is that you want it in the UK, then gather like-minded fans and petition Universal for one to be built closer.

Tom

My complaint isn’t that I’m bitter and I want one closer to home, my complaint is simply that I think having lots of parks could make the experience at any one of them much less special. I don’t begrudge them for building the original in Orlando, I think that was the right place for it. If they want to build another HP park, it shouldn’t be in America. I’m not saying this for selfish reasons, I just fear the quality and the novelty will suffer.

ProudtobeaBumblebee

Yeah. Now saying “I went to WWoHP” will be like saying “I went to McDonald’s.” Okay, not really, but it’s kind of the idea.
Kristenk423

I completely agree. I like the idea of one park just because it is special. It’s Hogwarts. Now there’s two and I think that it just won’t be as magical because it is not the only Hogwarts.
bigfoot

I understand the whole idea of Florida’s location being unique, but seriously it won’t really make a difference. Yeah, sure it would be great for it to be available to those who live closer to LA! But I’m sure everyone will still want to travel to the one in Orlando. It’s like Disneyland–the one in California is probably a very different experience compared to that in Orlando.
Anyways, I think this is really awesome, I’ll finally be able to get a wand!

Kister_kosh

Agreed. And too true.

Hermione

Look, I thank you for being in the military and serving our country but just listen. If they build a second one it won’t be as magical. It’s not the real one, it’s just a replica. You don’t get the full experience unless you go to Orlando. I know because I’ve been there. I was lucky enough to go, which is great because I live in Ohio! And is anything like Harry potter or Disney theme parks ever built in Ohio? No. I think we all saw this coming as a second location option, but dude do you know how expensive it is to get into the park, not to mention the merchandise? If you think you can go to the park as often as you please, think again. Four or five visits to the park would total the expenses for a plane ticket to Florida to see the original home. I love Harry potter as much as the next person but from what I get from your comment, it seems as if you think the travel is the only thing that matters. But seriously, the park is expensive, so choose your words and spend your money wisely if it comes to your town. And your not the only person in this world. Millions of Americans will not be able financially to travel to either place because of how expensive it is. Things are always built in those popular areas, never around here. So have fun, while most Americans watch the glorious images on YouTube.

http://twitter.com/SlySound Brett H

Everyone thinks like a bunch of children, lol. I guarantee if you go to either park that you’ll forget all about there being another one. The actual experience once you are there will take over. Orlando’s park is just the first “Hogwarts” and that doesn’t make it the real one (as there isn’t a real one). No doubt there will be parks opened in other countries as well. Shouldn’t they building a park in Scotland? That would be closer to a “real” Hogwarts.
PotionWillow207

That doesn’t really make sense. Is Disneyland any less magical because you’ve been to Disney World? Absolutely not, because they are different parks with different entertainment options. Just because they are both Disney and both have a castle doesn’t make one less magical than the other. In fact, most people I know think that Disney World is better than Disneyland despite the fact that “land” was built first.

So you can’t make the argument that the Los Angeles Harry Potter world will not be as magical. First of all, you have no idea what they plan to do since right now we only have very rough, very general ideas. Second, even if it was an exact carbon copy, fans would still go there, and no one would complain.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=531808242 Courtney Gibson

I wouldn’t be surprised if they put diagon ally there… put different things instead of the exact same attractions in orlando. then to get the whole experience you’d have to go to two places :/
http://hypable.com John Thrasher

I’m actually annoyed they’re making it a replica of the Orlando park. That park was THE place to go for Hogwarts, and its attractions. As big as the Potter universe is, they couldn’t do something different?

alys

Not all of us Harry Potter fans live in Florida, and not all of us can just hop on a plane willy-nilly to visit the park that we would all like to go to but can’t.

Anonymous

I see your point Alys, but I agree with John. I think it loses its uniqueness as being THE Hogwarts. What if they made the other wizarding schools? Like Durmstrang or Beauxbatons? OR have the Weasley’s and the Lovegood’s house?! I just think there should only be ONE Hogwarts

Bestheverhappy

because to people who aren’t fans like us, the other schools pretty much do not exist; and therefor it would not sell well. Dont get me wrong I think that fact is disgusting, people really need to read
Josiah

I agree, book fans would be elated about a school like Salem or such, but those other Wizarding schools aren’t recognizable like Hogwarts. I’m not against building another Hogwarts, we West-coasters haven’t all got a chance to go to Orlando :D

Al

NOT ALL OF US HARRY POTTER FANS LIVE IN FRIGGIN AMERICA! >.< THEY SHOULD MAKE ONE IN ENGLAND TOO, I'D GO THERE.

PotionWillow207

Yeah, but you have Leavesden studios. Not all of us can just hop on a plane and see where the movies were filmed.

PotionsMaster007

i dont live in either england or the usa. they need to make someting in aus, we ahve a huge fan base here(lots of money to be made) besides all the CGI was done here so we have some kind of link to the movie.
Lauren

YESSSS!!!! A flight between England and America cant be too long whereas a flight from Australia to America can take 24 hours!!!

Lauren

Britain is where Harry Potter is set!!! Its where the REAL Diagon Alley would be…they definitely need to make one in England!

Andromeda

I totally agree. I was a bit upset about it being in Orlando when I first heard about it because to make it the most realistic it should be in England. But after going to it and seeing that it is AMAZING I realised that the Florida weather actually means you’re more likely to have a good day. But i don’t think they should do another one in the same country. I know they’d never put one in Australia because we’re just so far away from everything :( but probably in England would have been better.
Also having two themeparks kinda ruins their magic a bit.
Lucas Iddings

It didn’t say it was going to be an exact replica. They said it would be similar (which is kind of a given). In orlando, one of the rides is the dragon challenge rollar coaster. This coaster was built long before the Harry Potter park and all they did was remodel the exterior, so maybe in Hollywood they will have a differently themed rollar coaster (perhaps gringott’s) considering they don’t already have one to re-model. I think it will be great.
PotionWillow207

Who said they were making it a replica? The article says it will “resemble” the Orlando park.

Kyra

umm… where are they going to put it?? I’d rather expand the current one, or add a new one where there’s more space than have a new one where it’s all cramped.
Erika Vega

It makes sense to be in Los Angeles because they’d put it with their Universal Properties. That’s how they’ll decide locations. The Hollywood site is the original so I’m glad it’s getting to share in the Harry Potter goodness. It may not have as much room as Orlando, but they’ll figure out a way. Maybe they fit it within the Hollywood hills somehow? It would be pretty cool to see Hogwarts coming out of the mountain right there. I personally like Hollywood better than Orlando (besides the temperature) because it is a legit working studio and not just a phony facade. You’re visiting the actual sets used for various productions. The tram ride is never the same because there is usually some kind of filming going on which makes it exciting. I don’t care if there are two parks, now maybe conventions will take turns visiting each coast. Technically I would only call the London tour the original Hogwarts. This news makes me really happy.
Helene

I live in the Northeast, so neither theme park is easy/affordable to get to for me. I think it’s great news though!
http://twitter.com/Tarah94 Tarah

Why two? It’s gonna be a Disneyworld vs. Disneyland again. Isn’t one enough? There are too many people saying “good, it’s too far from -enter state name here-”. Imagine living in a completely different country. They deserve a first one way more than we deserve a second. It’s much more expensive for them to get over here than it is for a US citizen to get there. I drove over a thousand miles to get to the one in Florida. If you want to go badly enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen.

PotionWillow207

It’s never been Disney World v. Disneyland. They’re two completely different parks, just like this will be.

scar1026

This is really good. Universal obviously has amusement parks all over, and they’ll expand Wizarding World there, it’s great that they’ll do it in LA. Really exciting news!
Anonymous

Knock the whole park out! Start from scratch! I want a full size version of Hogwarts, Weasleys Wizard Wezes, and Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor!
Sujay

fuck offf Universal…
Whts the deal with two theme parks in USA…. It means florida will
loose soo many customers to LA…. its gonna divide the revenue….
Its not at all a smart move…. People all over from USA used to go
to florida and now half of them and the ones near to LA will go to
Hollywood……
How is JKR allowing it…… It should be in England or somewhere in Asia like INDIA so ppl dont hve to come from far away…..
LA is not going to generate more customers…. For example i live in
england, i cant spend sooo much to come to either florida or LA… But
if it opens in UK or even Paris, i m gonna surely go….
Its actually not a good idea to open in London as the Leavesden is
opening soon but surely Paris to compete with Disney or even in Asian
countries…..

Anonymous

Disneyland generates a descent amount of guests every year. I cant see the wizarding world struggling if they come to Hollywood!
Hermione

Language!

Sujay

Also 2015????? woah.. ppl not having money right now might have it in 2-3 yrs to go to florida….. they will obviously go to LA…. This is surely gonna piss off florida’s revenue
Anonymous

Hell yeah!!!!! This is the best news I’ve heard in years!!
Fravit

Every time there’s an article about Wizarding World, the same complaints show up about building one in the UK. You guys still don’t seem to understand. This isn’t about pleasing fans. It’s about competition. Universal’s biggest competition exists in Orlando, that’s where the stand to gain the most. After that, SoCal. After that, I’d predict Singapore, where they have an existing property already. The logistics and risks involved building a whole new resort in the UK is simnply too great for Universal to sign off on. Sure it sucks if you live far from any of these places. You need to understand how the world works. I honestly doubt we’ll be seeing a Wizarding World in the UK anytime soon, if ever.
http://twitter.com/ConnectxDots Emily

This kind of ruins the magic for me a bit, to be honest. There’s only one Hogwarts.

senor42

Actually there’s only 0 Hogwarts. I don’t see what the problem is…

RealForMe

Apparently since you don’t think there is a Hogwarts you are a muggle…. You don’t believe in the magic. I feel bad for you…
http://twitter.com/ConnectxDots Emily

How nice of you to point that out as if I didn’t know that, you clever clever you. It doesn’t bother you that Hogwarts castle, such an iconic symbol and place for Harry Potter fans, is going to be duplicated… maybe even multiple times? It’s possible that they’ll build a Hogwarts at many of the current and future Universal theme parks – Japan, Singapore, Dubai, South Korea. Six Hogwarts castles, potentially. It cheapens it for me.

http://twitter.com/when_she_smiles lindsay

I think that’s stupid. They are replicas of Hogwarts. It will be just as magical no matter where you are, and possibly less money. Not that that matters, since as we all know, every Harry Potter fan is a millionaire.

Seriously, I am so in favor of them building more. If more Harry Potter fans can go enjoy the park, which is incredible, then it’s fantastic.

http://twitter.com/ConnectxDots Emily

I’ve slept it off and I feel a little bit better about this. However, I do not think it will be just as magical in Hollywood for me as it is in Orlando. It’s hard to explain what I felt like when I saw the WWOHP for the first time. For one very brief, beautiful, illogical moment, I honestly thought I was staring at the “real” Hogwarts. It was one of the most magical moments of my life, even better than the first time I saw Cinderella Castle as a kid. Sure, after an hour or so, the magic wore off a little bit. Some of the shopkeepers spoke with American accents. The snow wasn’t melting in the hot Florida sun. But even when I returned a second time and walked through that archway again, I felt like I was transported to the world of my childhood. For me, the WWOHP in Orlando is the original and will always feel more magical to me. The one in Hollywood will just be a replica. But I realize that for people who can’t make it to Orlando, Hollywood will feel authentic and I truly hope they get to experience that same feeling I felt.

PotionWillow207

Does the fact that there are multiple Disney parks also cheapen those for you? Does it make them any less magical? Of course not. So why is Universal any different?

http://twitter.com/ConnectxDots Emily

I said in another post that Disney World and Magic Kingdom have enough differences to make them seem like two different parks. They don’t even have the same castle. Even so, when I visited Disneyland for the first time, I was kind of disappointed by how similar some of the lands were. I realize I am in the minority. These are going to be even more similar. There won’t be a Dragon Challenge ride, there probably won’t be a Flight of the Hippogriff ride either (apparently they shoot films at Universal Studios Hollywood and don’t want sounds from outdoor rides to interfere with film shooting) but otherwise, the park will likely look the same. There will definitely be a Hogwarts castle. They can’t make a Harry Potter park without Hogwarts. It’s one of the few buildings in the Harry Potter universe recognized even by people who aren’t fans of the books and movies. There will likely be Hogsmeade, too, since that’s where all the merchandise is and they know how popular Hogsmeade has been in Orlando. We’ll see once they release the concept art. If I’m wrong, great.
PotionWillow207

The shops don’t have to be Hogsmeade. Diagon Alley, anyone? And the article says that the new park will resemble the one in Orlando, not that it will look the same.

Also, you’re complaining that the parks will be too similar and then you turn around and complain that there won’t be a Hippogriff ride or the Dragon Challenge coaster. Make up your mind. Do you want them to be the same or don’t you?
http://twitter.com/ConnectxDots Emily

I can’t respond to your post below for some reason (what the heck is up with this comment system, Hypable?) so I am replying up here. It would be great if they made Diagon Alley. I just don’t think so because they already have the blueprints and everything for Hogsmeade, which has been totally successful in Orlando (minus crowd control problems, which they will probably account for in the new park) so why mess with a good thing? Also, as I’ve said, I think that Hogwarts is kind of essential to have at a HP theme park and Diagon Alley isn’t located next to Hogwarts; Hogsmeade is. Jo wants to stay true to the books, right? I think Diagon Alley might be an expansion at WWOHP in Orlando eventually, though. Once again, if I’m wrong and Diagon Alley will be out in Hollywood, cool!

I am not complaining about the fact that there won’t be a Hippogriff ride or the Dragon Challenge. I am saying that that’s pretty much the only way I see the parks being very different. You have been comparing this to Disneyland vs. Disney World, and my response is that there are enough differences between Disneyland and Disney World to make them feel like two different parks. The only MAIN differences I think will come from this are that two rides will not be included in the one in CA, which isn’t enough to make me excited about this “new” park. I am just speculating, I realize this. From what I’ve seen on this Theme Park Enthusiast website that I visit for news about TWWOHP, copying park sections is common in the theme park industry and I think that could be the case here.

We will know for sure very soon, it sounds like.
PotionWillow207

@Emily’s below comment: But the park in Orlando isn’t true to the books. There is no “Filch’s Emporium of Stolen Goods” in Hogsmeade, nor is there an Ollivander’s Wand Shop in Hogsmeade in the books. Also, if this were truly Hogsmeade there would be a Hog’s Head Tavern as well as the Three Broomsticks.
Hermione

@potionwilllw207 comment below. Obviously you don’t know what’s Universal because, DUH, there is a hogs head and a three broomsticks. I ate in both of them.
Hermione

Yeah the Disney park in California isn’t as good as the one in florida, just sayin. Everyone has their own opinions and in mine it will just be a replica if they don’t add anything new

Love Hp Forever

SOOO HAPPY!!!! I live 30 minutes from Universal!!!! My life is complete !!! :D
Mia

It doesn’t really matter to me. I think it’s dumb if it’s similar to the one in Orlando. They should make the one in Hollywood have the things they don’t have in Orlando. For example, a train to take you to Hogwarts. I’m blanking on other ideas. I live in the midwest, so I’ll have to make vacations for both trips. Personally though, I can’t wait to make the trip to the UK for the studio tour because that is where the magic all happened!
Leviosaaax3

I live in southern california myself and I’m super excited, but i doubt it’ll be as amazing as the original one in Florida and I have no idea what they’ll do about the space since there isn’t much room in Hollywood but we’ll see :)

Ii really feel bad for the people who can’t afford to travel halfway around the world to visit the parks :(. I really wish they would build a park in the UK. It would be way more authentic :)

Anonymous

Maybe they will tear down some existing park within it, or maybe take some studio space, like some of the back lot!

Pahe13

YES! We’re finally going to Hogwarts, who knew it would be so close! Love, love, love! Maybe now we can get conventions and all of the Harry Potter goodness we’ve been mission out on! I think it’s a great idea, Universal Hollywood needs to be updated and I’m glad this is it! I’m sorry to those that find it unfair, but if you can come on down to SoCal where the weather is simply perfect! :D
Annie Moose

I don’t know why people are complaining that another park with make the first one less magical. It’s not like Disneyworld makes Disneyland less magical. I might actually be able to go there since I live in California.
Personally, I’d like the 2nd park to be different from the 1st park. Maybe it can be Diagon Alley.

http://twitter.com/ConnectxDots Emily

Disneyland is not as similar to Disney World as these parks will be to each other. The castle isn’t even the same. One is Cinderella Castle, the other is Sleeping Beauty Castle. This sounds like it will almost be a carbon copy of the other park because it has been so successful. I hope I’m wrong.

PotionWillow207

Who said anything about it being a carbon copy? The article said that it will “resemble” the one in Orlando. That doesn’t sound like a carbon copy. That sounds like the way Disney World resembles Disneyland.

http://twitter.com/ConnectxDots Emily

We’ll see what it looks like. I will willingly eat crow if it ends up being that different.

Eoin

There are the rumours of the Hogwarts express though which alone would make this park a million times different and better.

jp

YAY! I was expecting it somewhere out of the states.BTW to u ppls argueing about how it should be in the UK you guys will have leavsden studios in 2012! but if i was living england i’d be pretty pissed too.
jp

2015 its gonna open. gotta tell my cousin ( lives in ireland) to start saving up now!
dobbyrules127

I kinda wish they would expand on the current park instead of making a new one… I feel like that would be a better use of money.
Morgan May

I don’t think that this is that amazing or even that good of an idea. In Florida, that was where Hogwarts was. Now, there will be at least one more Hogwarts and it won’t feel the same. If they’re going to spend a crap load of money somewhere, I say they expand the park in Florida or make a park out of the states. I’ve been to the one in Orlando, and it was amazing. I feel like people who don’t live in the states should have the same opportunity without having to travel a long ways. I know that Universal is doing this to make money, but still. Building a park outside of the states would have been better for the fans, and Universal.And I’m not saying I think that people who leave near California are selfish, I would be happy too if I lived near there, but looking at a world perspective, this was not the right choice.Sorry for the rant.
Rose

There is *so* much uncalled-for rudeness in this thread. I’m not pointing fingers, just saying. It’s only a theme park, for goodness sake.

Personally, I live in the middle of Texas, and with my budget, Florida and California might as well be on the moon. And I’m not upset that they’re making a second park, simply because the first didn’t hold much appeal to me anyway. There’s no way I’d pay money just to look at a shell of Hogwarts. However, I am happy for those of you on the West coast who want to go.
Cori

They must be taking down old attractions like Backdraft or Jurassic Park. There is no room! The could also potentially re-work the skywalk into park space instead of just escalators. How awesome would it be to build a Hogwarts on the Hollywood Hills overlooking LA?

Alazear2

I doubt that Jurassic park will be one of the rides to close. It still gets a decent enough amount of visitors that they can justify keeping it. plus steven spilbergs announcment at comicon that the 4th movie has finally started moving means renewed intrest in the ride. and backdraft was already removed to make room for the Transformers ride.

Eliza

I completely agree with everyone. I haven’t had a chance to go to the one in florida yet and now I feel like when I go my experience won’t be as special. It’s not THE hogwarts anymore. I just wish these companies would ask the fans what they think once in while… I know that a lot of people are excited but it seems like the majority of us are dismayed.

I’m American, and I don’t even think florida was the right place to put it to begin with. Potter should stay in the UK.

PotionWillow207

I hate to break it to you, but it was never THE Hogwarts. First, because Hogwarts is fictional and does not exist. Second, even if it were real it would be in the UK not in Orlando, FL.

People need to get over themselves. This is a marketing scheme put together by a company to make more money. It has very little to do with pleasing the fans.

Hermione

Yeah, well its the only hogwarts we’ve got so it seems like the hogwarts to me.

Alazear2

It seems weird that they would build a complete park in california. Islands of adventure makes sense for an entire land, as the whole premise of that park is to give you different “lands”. In california the park is focused more on the studio tour and the rides and less on creating themed areas. It would make more sense for them to do a ride but an entire section of the park dedicated just to potter seems a little off for the Universal studios (dont get me wrong, anything potter is fantastic in my books).
as for those people who I know are going to complain becuase its not in great britain, Im sorry but that is unlikely to happen. It makes little to no sense for Universal to open up a whole new resort (that is exactly what the parks are complete with hotels and the works) in europe. Building a second one in america was the best choice in the monetary sense, since Orlando and Florida are currently their most populated parks. most likely the first out of United states park will be in either Dubai or south korea (where they are planning on opening up two whole new parks). I would say Japan but the tsunami has taken such a major toll on them and their tourism revnue, that right now it makes no sense (besides those resources should go to rebuilding, and reenforcing current structures not building a theme park). secondly the climate is not suitable for a year round theme park. It would make no sense for them to build a year round theme park. Besides the UK is getting the Studio Tour, something that I’m sure many U.S. fans would love to see (yes I am aware that the studio is there, Im just making a point).
http://www.facebook.com/people/Gena-Marie-de-Leon/1051215151 Gena Marie de Leon

Universal please please bring WWOHP to Singapore!!! It’s the closest country to me that has a Universal Theme Park. I can go there anytime I want and it would be really really WONDERFUL and MAGICAL if Asia has a Hogwarts too. Although having a lot of Hogwarts sorta defeats the whole point, there is still the fact that not everyone can afford to go to Orlando, Florida.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Joey-Mangum/1820064015 Joey Mangum

I think that they should scrap this B.S. and just build an entire theme park based upon HP and let it be that… Then, they could include more stuff in one location, and maybe build an actual Hogwarts, but treat the common rooms like hotels or something… Then there’s the Leaky Cauldron… The Three Broomsticks has a couple of rooms in it, and I’m sure the Hog’s Head does too… (Granted, who would want to sleep in the Hog’s Head knowing how nasty it is there because of Aberforth’s goats?)

At the very least, they could start with Hogwarts and include games in the castle like Exploding Snap or Gobstones… Make the Great Hall a more upscale buffet… I’m sure that they could come up with some attractions in the castle while they build the other shops and rides and such outside…
Simon

About two months ago I calculated how much it would cost me to spend three days at the theme park (including plane tickets and so on): a little bit over 3.000$. Going to the second one would cost even more. And as much as I’d love to go there, I don’t think that spending so much would be worth it.
Therefore can completely understand those people who are annoyed about the fact that the second theme park is going to be built in the USA again.
jhood93

OMG this would be awesome if they made it each theme park a different school like Durmstrang or BeauxbatonsxD
Tomas

AGAIN IN THE US?!!!! PUT IT IN THE UK, CLOSER TO BELGIUM!!!!! I CAN NOT AFFORD A TRIP TO THE US!!!
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liz

well maybe if this park does well they might think about making a new and even bigger one in England. It would just be 1 park devoted to Harry potter though.

PotionWillow207

England has Leavesden Studios. But it’s not likely that they would get a park there because I don’t think Universal owns any property in England. What they are doing with the LA and Orlando parks is converting already-owned property into something new.

http://twitter.com/GinnysHex Melanie Joannides

First off I live in Australia and any flight that usually comes from Australia to America you usually have to come through LAX, I think the only other direct flight is to New York and it is more expensive. I think that it is great that they are opening a new park in LA and I would definitely go there.

We don’t have a Universal park here in Australia but we do have a Warner Brothers one and it is not overly popular at the moment. I have always thought that they should convert part of the park to be a HP themed area and I know just the right spot to. There is a Wild Wild West ride and old west area at the rear of the park that would make a great Diagon Alley or even Hogsmeade area.
FloridaGirl

Some of you are thinking way too much into this. So what if there are two Hogwarts? So what if there are two in America? There are two Universal parks in America, one on each side of the country, and so it really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that they want to bring the Wizarding World to both. And as for the new park detracting people away from the original, Good! Maybe I’ll actually be able to enjoy the park in Orlando then. Last time I went, I could barely move because of all the people.
Manne

I hate this. I want ONE potter-place to dream about.
Harry Potter

Harry potta! Harry Potta! Harry Potta!
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http://twitter.com/ConnectxDots Emily

@e992d23587b5aafec06aad5f55dc67ad:disqus You’re right about it not being completely true to the books (as Hermione said, though, they do have a Three Broomsticks and a Hog’s Head tavern). I still don’t think Diagon Alley will be at the one in CA simply because they already have the blueprints for Hogsmeade and they know it’s successful. If Diagon Alley is going to be somewhere, I feel like it will be at IoA. I’m really tired of this debate, me conceding fair points made by you and you conceding nothing. It’s exhausting and makes me feel like I’m being backed up against the wall just for having a different opinion. They’re announcing on Tuesday. We’ll know then.
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Josiah

Pros and cons.
Pros: I live in the Bay, so Universal Hollywood’s but 6 hours away. I haven’t yet been to Universal Orlando for the WWoHP (I told myself I’d go right when they made an expansion, but now that these new stories have unfolded, I’m torn between two potential lovers).
Cons: If it’s a replica of Orlando, Universal wouldn’t have reached their potential of expanding on the Potter universe. (Cons of this con: I’d then feel obligated to see the different wonders of the Orlando park). The only other con I think is that it’s too long a wait. And I’m poor. And I really want to see both parks. (The Orlando expansion rumors are fantastic, I pray they’re true)
andromeda zhivago

i am so exited. i want to go to the one in florida, but i dont mant to fly over there. i would jurt rather wait the 4 or 5 years for it to open.