I do think there is a huge difference between building something based off a property audiences don't know or are indifferent to and one that they actively dislike. It's a much bigger hurdle to overcome but it can be done. I dislike Michael Bay's Transformers films but I really like the ride, but it's just one ride which I think makes a big difference, if I had to go through a full Michael Bay Transformers land. where that aesthetic was applied to everything around me as I walked around, and the characters and music were all over every shop and restaurant, I'd probably be unhappy and I think my enjoyment of the ride would go down. I don't even have that much of a problem with those movies because Transformers as a whole doesn't matter to me, but no one enjoys being surround by something they don't like.
Universal can absolutely make a great Fantastic Beasts ride (They shouldn't include Johnny Depp and should probably avoid Ezra Miller's whole character) it can be done, but I remain unconvinced that they can put me in a full land based off the worst part of one of my favorite things and not bum me out, where the thrill of "I'm standing where Harry once stood" is replaced with "I'm standing where it was revealed that the cool snake is actually a sad circus performer" and not have me wanting to just go back to Diagon Alley instead.
Let me be clear, I hope I'm wrong, I hope I love this land, I hope I love Fantastic Beasts 3: We're Sorry About The Last One, I hope Epic Universe is the best Theme Park ever built. I totally understand why Universal added FB to the plan, Potter has been so great to them but every addition since Phase One has come with dealing with the hurdles of the films being over and the cast ageing out, moving on, and dying. That a whole new series of Wizarding World movies written by Rowling herself that would be in production throughout construction of the park must have seemed like a godsend to Universal, but I am still shocked that after seeing the films, especially the second, and the audience reaction to them, they still thought "Yes lets give this a quarter of our new park, that's what the people are demanding!"
Gah I'm so negative.
I love Universal, I love Harry Potter, I can't wait for Epic Universe, powers that be please prove me wrong!