Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[violarum]

Goodness gracious, it's blatant that it will happen, I know that, but it at least has to stay between the walls of canonical boundaries.

Yes, I realize Hogwarts isn't all on two floors, but the castle is always changing, and in there, the magic is so concentrated that in there what you all see as muggles may not be what it is in reality.

Yes, I realize that Hogsmeade probably isn't that close, but Jo never said it wasn't, so we can't be sure.

However, Hogsmeade is not and will never be steps away from Diagon Alley. It is a long train ride (literally hundreds of miles) away, so the best that can be done is what I said: a train simulator, or a 'mass muggle floo system' for evacuation purposes.

 

[ReelJustice]

But, and I hate to say this just because it will make me seem crazy, LC is completely different than the WWoHP. Like I said, HP has some insane fans, that get upset over the tiniest little detail, and you'll have to listen to them complain for a long, long time.

I'm a Potter fan, but I'm level headed. You have to be because if not, you will always be disappointed. I've witnessed this recently with the release of Deathly Hallows Part 2. If you step back for a second, and take a deep breath, you'll enjoy the film because it's brilliant. If you go in there clutching your annotated copy of Deathly Hallows, you will find a reason to be disappointed.

My advice, enjoy it for it will be. A pretty faithful (minus geography which has already been shot to hell because it's a theme park) recreation of Diagon Alley which will likely include a unique location we haven't seen on film: Florean Fortescue's. Put down your atlas and be excited. As we've seen with the films and books, the ride doesn't last forever. Enjoy every second!

 

[JungleSkip]

But, and I hate to say this just because it will make me seem crazy, LC is completely different than the WWoHP. Like I said, HP has some insane fans, that get upset over the tiniest little detail, and you'll have to listen to them complain for a long, long time.

No, they're the same. they're lands in a theme park.

And honestly, the insane fans aren't going to stop Universal Creative or JK from doing this. As you said, they get upset over the tiniest little detail, so why bother with them? No matter what they do there will be complaints.

If people complain about another land with the same or better quality as Phase 1, they're crazy.

Exactly. I doubt 99.9% of the Potter fans that would go to Phase II would complain at all that Diagon Alley is next to Hogsmede. most would just be psyched that another iconic area from their favorite franchise has come about.

 

[TheDecemberists]

What do you think they're replace Olivanders with if it moves to Diagon Alley?

 

[TSSD]

However, Hogsmeade is not and will never be steps away from Diagon Alley. It is a long train ride (literally hundreds of miles) away, so the best that can be done is what I said: a train simulator, or a 'mass muggle floo system' for evacuation purposes.

I think your "mass muggle floo system" is the best solution. It pleases fans (And Jo) and wouldn't be as annoying as a required train simulator. But, to point out my major flaw with DA, it would be the same as Hogsmeade. A bunch of HP shops leading up to a main building and a ride or two.

 

[JungleSkip]

What do you think they're replace Olivanders with if it moves to Diagon Alley?

The problem with olivanders is it's so bloody small. I'd like to see the tea shop put there, but I doubt there's enough room.

A bunch of HP shops leading up to a main building and a ride or two.

Which is the exact reason Universal will love it. Another profit center, and it will give fans even more unique merchandise.

 

[TSSD]

Which is the exact reason Universal will love it. Another profit center, and it will give fans even more unique merchandise.

But what different unique merchandise? Ice Cream? There's just no way to make it much different than Hogsmeade, and that will be what fans will mainly be complaining about.

 

[AcidPop]

Am I unique in that I don't really mind any issues with Diagon Alley being next to Hogsmeade, or other geographical "errors?" I mean, I'm a hardcore HP fan. And yet it really doesn't bother me. Because it's a theme park. They can only do so much. I'd just be grateful that I get to walk through Diagon Alley, etc. Y'know?

Geographical inaccuracies don't bother me much, because they're pretty hard to get around. I can deal with them. It would be nice if they attempted to address that (the Floo Powder idea is great), but...

 

[JungleSkip]

Am I unique in that I don't really mind any issues with Diagon Alley being next to Hogsmeade, or other geographical "errors?" I mean, I'm a hardcore HP fan. And yet it really doesn't bother me. Because it's a theme park. They can only do so much. I'd just be grateful that I get to walk through Diagon Alley, etc. Y'know?

Geographical inaccuracies don't bother me much, because they're pretty hard to get around. I can deal with them. It would be nice if they attempted to address that (the Floo Powder idea is great), but...

Nope. That's exactly how I feel. It's a park who's story is that the lighthouse can teleport and create magical places. The geographical distances mean nothing.

 

[jtsalien]

I think your "mass muggle floo system" is the best solution. It pleases fans (And Jo) and wouldn't be as annoying as a required train simulator. But, to point out my major flaw with DA, it would be the same as Hogsmeade. A bunch of HP shops leading up to a main building and a ride or two.

I agree. Which is why I don't want more Potter, but who I am to keep Universal from ridiculous profit from fans? I'll deal if they push the limits with the rides though. Experiencing the Kuka Arms in FJ is worth it. Hopefully they can blow me away with whatever new rides this phase has. Because I will not be buying $10 Potter Ice Cream. And I don't want more shops I won't go into. But I'm biased, and I openly admit that.

 

[Tbad556]

We're seriously already back to the multiple shops and one or two rides arguement?

WWoHP: 3 rides, 1 restaurant, 1 bar, 5 shops
Seuss: 4 rides, 4 restaurants, 4 shops
Current Lost Continent: 2 shows, 3 restaurants, 6 shops,
Toon Lagoon: 2 rides, 1 seasonal show, 4 restaurants, 4 shops

And so on. Why do we act like WWoHP is the only island with shops and a few rides?

 

[AcidPop]

We're seriously already back to the multiple shops and one or two rides arguement?

WWoHP: 3 rides, 1 restaurant, 1 bar, 5 shops
Seuss: 4 rides, 4 restaurants, 4 shops
Current Lost Continent: 2 shows, 3 restaurants, 6 shops,
Toon Lagoon: 2 rides, 1 seasonal show, 4 restaurants, 4 shops

And so on. Why do we act like WWoHP is the only island with shops and a few rides?

I agree 100%. And do any of the non-HP shops provide a show/experience like Ollivanders does?

 

[Tbad556]

Nope.

To further my point, when was the last time you saw a shop outside of the WWoHP that was actually crowded? Even with more shops, WWoHP will still have larger crowds in the shops than any other stores in IoA.

Not only that, but why do is it a big deal that WWoHP Phase II may have some repeat merchandise while most if not all of the other islands' shops already do this?

 

[violarum]

What would grant much more space for the Gringotts coaster is if Diagon Alley was just one large queue for the main attraction with interactive storefronts with actors in some of them.

Can't offer too many reasonable suggestions on this though because they might get put off.

 

[TSSD]

We're seriously already back to the multiple shops and one or two rides arguement?

WWoHP: 3 rides, 1 restaurant, 1 bar, 5 shops
Seuss: 4 rides, 4 restaurants, 4 shops
Current Lost Continent: 2 shows, 3 restaurants, 6 shops,
Toon Lagoon: 2 rides, 1 seasonal show, 4 restaurants, 4 shops

And so on. Why do we act like WWoHP is the only island with shops and a few rides?

I never complained that there would be too many shops, I was just saying that the layout would be the exact same thing. A long row of shops leading up to a main location with a ride inside, along with maybe one or two other rides.

 

[Tbad556]

I was just saying that the layout would be the exact same thing. A long row of shops leading up to a main location with a ride inside, along with maybe one or two other rides.

So what? Why does it matter where in the island the rides are? As long as the ride is excellent and Diagon Alley is lined up accurately, I could care less if it has a similar layout to Hogsmeade.

 

[JungleSkip]

I never complained that there would be too many shops, I was just saying that the layout would be the exact same thing. A long row of shops leading up to a main location with a ride inside, along with maybe one or two other rides.

....

:look:

You basically just described every land in every theme park.

 

[TSSD]

....

:look:

You basically just described every land in every theme park.

But... but.... but it's HP! IT should be different! In all seriousness though, not every land is like that. For example, EVERY other land in IOA.

 

[JungleSkip]

But... but.... but it's HP! IT should be different! In all seriousness though, not every land is like that. For example, EVERY other land in IOA.

You're kidding...right?

Marvel has shops/eateries all along the main length. Toon Lagoon's entire entrance is shops and restaurants with the rides at the end. JP is different. LC is ALL shops and restaurants basically at this point. Suess has a row of shops as you enter from LC leading up to the attractions.

 

[TSSD]

You're kidding...right?

Marvel has shops/eateries all along the main length. Toon Lagoon's entire entrance is shops and restaurants with the rides at the end. JP is different. LC is ALL shops and restaurants basically at this point. Suess has a row of shops as you enter from LC leading up to the attractions.

I'm not saying only shops. I'm talking about a long, straight path leading up to a MAIN BUILDING, with a ride, at the end. That is NOT the case with the other lands. Maybe I'm just crazy, but that's how I feel.