Well they did start covering up the show building so, we no longer have a large white building in the background, and its not as obvious anymore (thank god!), but they've already shown that distance is not a big deal to them. The train station is also much closer to Hogworts than where it is in the park, smack dack in the middle of Hogsmeade. Their goal is bringing these places to life with as much realism as possible. Sometimes that reality has to be stretched a little bit to be brough to life. And one of those would be having Diagon Alley outside of Hogsmeade or even having the Burrow, the Forbidden Forrest or something right outside the gates. Some reality has to sacrificed in order for it to be done.
Exactly, and well said. It's a friggin theme park! If Violaplayer's idea was the case then we would have to fly by helicopter down a deep ravine next to a cascading waterfall to get to the main JP building. Animal Kingdom visitors do not want to walk 5000 miles from Asia to Africa to "make it feel real". If they want to do that then they will go to Africa and start walking (and swimming). In a themepark, anything can be where it looks best and works for the visiting public. Sorry to yap and argue... yet it is soooooooo me to do that very thing.
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However... I will agree with the most basic premise of what Viola said. It is very difficult to suspend your disbelief that you are on an island off the coast of Costa Rica with a Scottish Castle looming overhead. Uh uh girl, don't you be trying to sell that load of junk to me!!! *wags finger*