Dude Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I like the series as much as the next guy but a billion dollar theme park based on Harry Potter seems ridiculous. Potter author gives blessing to US theme parkAFPPublished: Thursday May 31, 2007 Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has given her blessing to a US theme park based on the hugely popular schoolboy wizard, to be built in Florida, the people behind it said Thursday. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is expected to open in Orlando in late 2009, as a joint venture between Warner Bros Entertainment -- producers of the Harry Potter films -- and Universal Orlando Resort. "The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed," she said, according to a statement received in London. The park will include rides and attractions featuring the key locations and figures from the best-selling books, including Hogwarts school and the village of Hogsmeade. The Times newspaper reported that the project could cost an estimated one billion dollars (750 million euros). Warner Bros boss Barry Meyer said: "Over the years we've received thousands of letters from fans around the world wishing they could visit Hogwarts and the wonderful locations described in each of J.K Rowling's beloved stories." Production designer Stuart Craig, who worked on the blockbuster Potter films and who is helping the theme park project, said visitors would not be disappointed. "Our primary goal is to make sure this experience is an authentic extension of Harry Potter's world as it is portrayed in the books and films," he said. The seventh and last Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is to be published in July, capping a series that has sold 325 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 64 languages. The books have made Rowling an estimated one billion dollars richer. The first volume appeared in 1997. Those involved in the printing of the new book have been asked to keep its plot a watertight secret until July 21, when the English version makes its debut. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I'm pretty sure the theme park is going to become irrelevant not long after it opens. The last book comes out this year (two years before the park opens), and the last movie should be around, what, 2011? What happens then? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I'm pretty sure the theme park is going to become irrelevant not long after it opens. The last book comes out this year (two years before the park opens), and the last movie should be around, what, 2011? What happens then?I don't necessarily disagree, but on the other hand, I imagine you could probably open a Lord of the Rings park now and it'd be slammed, constantly. Or a Narnia park, or a Star Trek park... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dude Posted May 31, 2007 Author Share Posted May 31, 2007 Well, the fact is J.K. Rowling NEEDS MORE MONEY. The billion she got from the books, movies, merchandising, etc. is NOT ENOUGH. Apparentlly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Why do you hate disgustingly rich people? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dude Posted May 31, 2007 Author Share Posted May 31, 2007 Why do you hate disgustingly rich people? As long as they bury J.K. Rowling's cryogenically frozen head beneath the It's a Small Hogwarts After All ride, I'm a happy camper. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I don't necessarily disagree, but on the other hand, I imagine you could probably open a Lord of the Rings park now and it'd be slammed, constantly. Or a Narnia park, or a Star Trek park...Eh. Maybe if you combine all of these into different "lands" within a park a la Disney. Theming an entire park to a specific book/movie series is probably a pretty lousy idea in the long run since it becomes tough to re-invent itself when the whole Harry Potter thing loses some of its cultural-relevance, which is inevitable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Theming an entire park to a specific book/movie series is probably a pretty lousy idea in the long run since it becomes tough to re-invent itself when the whole Harry Potter thing loses some of its cultural-relevance, which is inevitable.I'm sure they can just remake the movies every ten or fifteen years, like they did with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but that's exactly what I was getting at... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WilcoFan Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Coming from a person who only reads books that involve unicorns and wizards I would have to say, "Yes the world really needs a Harry Potter Theme Park!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 SNICKWICH KILLS BRUTENFULSH IN THE NEW BOOK!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Coming from a person who lives in a land that is populated entirely by unicorns and wizards I would have to say, "Meh." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WilcoFan Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 You're probably right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
deepseacatfish Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I'm thinking I could probably come up with a better way to spend a billion dollars, just putting it out there. And yes, I think this is going to be a quickly dated theme-park. I mean seriously, lots of people got into Harry Potter, but will it last without the constant hype of the next book/movie? I dunno, I certainly doubt it will have the same cultural footprint in 10 years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mrs. Peel Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 As a person who just returned from Disney and Universal.....I don't think it matters so much in the long run whether the books and movies will stop being made. Last week I went on rides/attractions based on Jurassic Park, ET, Toy Story, Star Wars, Men In Black, Jaws, The Twilight Zone, Aerosmith(!!!), Tom Sawyer, Swiss Family Robinson, Honey I Shrunk The Kids, The Muppet Show, Indiana Jones..... If the rides and the theming are good enough, they will outlive what they're based on. Granted, a few of the attractions I mentioned are showing their age, but the majority of them are still as popular as ever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Aerosmith? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I'm sure they can just remake the movies every ten or fifteen years, like they did with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but that's exactly what I was getting at...Why remake, when you can just re-release? In the re-released version, maybe Lucas will make it look like Dumbledore fired first. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mrs. Peel Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 "Rock N Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith" at MGM Studios Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 "Rock N Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith" at MGM StudiosNot nearly as exciting as the Groupie Simulator I was expecting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 "Rock N Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith" at MGM StudiosNext up: WilcoWorld Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ction Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Why do you guys hate fun? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dude Posted May 31, 2007 Author Share Posted May 31, 2007 Aerosmith also have a coin-op arcade game called Revolution X. Valuable neurons in my brain are being wasted by hanging onto this bit of information. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I get the feeling this is a rhetorical question. Translated into 64 languages? Over 300 million copies sold? In Florida? It'll be a huge success. It'll probably be a huge success for awhile, too. An amusement park could be successful with a Huggy Bear theme and no one would care, as long as it has the cool rides, gimmicks, geegaws, and whatnot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
deepseacatfish Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Why do you guys hate fun?Fun just isn't fun anymore. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Elixir Sue Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Building an entire park dedicated to Harry Potter definitely seems like overkill...I'd be happy with one Quidditch-themed rollercoaster somewhere, though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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