The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade (Orlando): Part 2

[Bryan]

not sure. probably not. usually they only have news clips online

 

[Jmaff]

Departing tomorrow morning at Newark airport for my 3 day trip to Universal Orlando Resort. I'll be sure to take pictures and videos! And I'm bringing my laptop so I could upload everything nightly right away! Any last minute advice?

And Teebin left?! You made the anticipation for the WW very interesting and you won't be forgotten. Stop by every so often lol.

 

[Jymmymack]

Jymmy, I'm sorry to inform you, but.....the Triple Threat no longer exists. :cry:

I still ask everytime I go, but alas, it has not returned

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't been since I reached drinking age. At least I'll still be able to ride Island Skipper Tours and see the Water Vortex...

 

[Jymmymack]

Hey guys check out this (highly negative) review from Slate. http://www.slate.com/id/2258081/ WARNING, there are spoilers in there about FJ. In short, the reviewer found Ollivander's and FJ to be very good but felt the entire world wasn't immersive and was lifeless. They were mad that they couldn't go in the rooms at the Broomsticks, that they couldn't go in all the shops in Hogsmeade, that they couldn't tour Hogwarts freely, and that there were "no actors" walking around doing "magic tricks". Oh, and they also thought Disney would've done better:

It's hard to believe that Disney's Imagineers wouldn't have found ways to pack every corner of their version of PotterLand with surprises and wit, both of which are sorely lacking in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. One imagines motion-sensitive animatronic goblins taking your tickets, or Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts mucking up the rides, or a Mirror of Erised showing each visitor a picture of himself surrounded by bags of money. I'd love to see a Disney-built version of Diagon Alley, with drunken warlocks passed out on the street like the rum-guzzling Pirates of the Caribbean.

And then the guy went on to say that they sent their daughter away for the weekend so they could read the seventh book "in peace." He decided not to bring his kids to the park, either:

We'd left our children at home; they just would have cramped our style.

 

[Frogki]

Hey guys check out this (highly negative) review from Slate. http://www.slate.com/id/2258081/ WARNING, there are spoilers in there about FJ. In short, the reviewer found Ollivander's and FJ to be very good but felt the entire world wasn't immersive and was lifeless. They were mad that they couldn't go in the rooms at the Broomsticks, that they couldn't go in all the shops in Hogsmeade, that they couldn't tour Hogwarts freely, and that there were "no actors" walking around doing "magic tricks". Oh, and they also thought Disney would've done better:

It's hard to believe that Disney's Imagineers wouldn't have found ways to pack every corner of their version of PotterLand with surprises and wit, both of which are sorely lacking in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. One imagines motion-sensitive animatronic goblins taking your tickets, or Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts mucking up the rides, or a Mirror of Erised showing each visitor a picture of himself surrounded by bags of money. I'd love to see a Disney-built version of Diagon Alley, with drunken warlocks passed out on the street like the rum-guzzling Pirates of the Caribbean.

And then the guy went on to say that they sent their daughter away for the weekend so they could read the seventh book "in peace." He decided not to bring his kids to the park, either:

We'd left our children at home; they just would have cramped our style.

Is he a Disney fanatic, or is this just some guy who didn't like Wizarding World and expected them to do something spectacular with these 20 acres (which they have done, but I digress)...? I read part of page 1 and stoppe,d angry. Then I read part of page 2 and the same thing happened. Universal has done a wonderful job. There are people who walk around and actually talk like they are witches and wizards (they hired witch and wizard couples who would walk around Hogsmeade talking to eachother about their day at the ministry or Honeydukes). Grrr, that guy annoyed me. They had to cut a lot of stuff because of WB, and Disney, IMO, would have done a very cheesy kiddie park (which is probably why Rowling walked away from them). But, I will stop talking, seeing as I haven't been there and therefore, am only talking based on reviews. Does anyone else think that this guy was annoying?

 

[JungleSkip]

Hey guys check out this (highly negative) review from Slate. http://www.slate.com/id/2258081/ WARNING, there are spoilers in there about FJ. In short, the reviewer found Ollivander's and FJ to be very good but felt the entire world wasn't immersive and was lifeless. They were mad that they couldn't go in the rooms at the Broomsticks, that they couldn't go in all the shops in Hogsmeade, that they couldn't tour Hogwarts freely, and that there were "no actors" walking around doing "magic tricks". Oh, and they also thought Disney would've done better:

It's hard to believe that Disney's Imagineers wouldn't have found ways to pack every corner of their version of PotterLand with surprises and wit, both of which are sorely lacking in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. One imagines motion-sensitive animatronic goblins taking your tickets, or Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts mucking up the rides, or a Mirror of Erised showing each visitor a picture of himself surrounded by bags of money. I'd love to see a Disney-built version of Diagon Alley, with drunken warlocks passed out on the street like the rum-guzzling Pirates of the Caribbean.

And then the guy went on to say that they sent their daughter away for the weekend so they could read the seventh book "in peace." He decided not to bring his kids to the park, either:

We'd left our children at home; they just would have cramped our style.

I seriously can't imagine this review is serious. And if it is, well, the guy has unreasonably high standards.

 

[Frogki]

I seriously can't imagine this review is serious. And if it is, well, the guy has unreasonably high standards.

I agree, as stated in my post above

 

[Jymmymack]

Is he a Disney fanatic, or is this just some guy who didn't like Wizarding World and expected them to do something spectacular with these 20 acres (which they have done, but I digress)...?

I've been looking up his work. He was famous for writing an article about how John Lasseter was wrong for shutting down the direct-to-dvd sequel division and how he felt Lady and the Tramp II, Cinderella III and other films were well-made and were worthy successors to the originals. And having looked through some of his other work I think it's safe to say that he specializes in Disney entertainment, which isn't a bad thing. I love Disney like you wouldn't imagine, but I also don't pretend to think that they can do no wrong either.

 

[Frogki]

I've been looking up his work. He was famous for writing an article about how John Lasseter was wrong for shutting down the direct-to-dvd sequel division and how he felt Lady and the Tramp II, Cinderella III and other films were well-made and were worthy successors to the originals. And having looked through some of his other work I think it's safe to say that he specializes in Disney entertainment, which isn't a bad thing. I love Disney like you wouldn't imagine, but I also don't pretend to think that they can do no wrong either.

He's probably like that one site that reviewed Forbidden Journey and said it was an average dark ride... lol... But WWoHP is my favorite place and I haven't even been there yet, so it upsets me when people say bad stuff like that about it >

 

[rinacee]

not sure. probably not. usually they only have news clips online

Oh well That's too bad...I was hoping my Pygmy Puff naming thing would show up on it, because the guys looked like the same ones I saw later on in the day from Local 6...If anyone is in Orlando and is going to watch it, please let me know if they show a Pygmy Puff being named Perry.

 

[emily7793]

Hey guys check out this (highly negative) review from Slate. http://www.slate.com/id/2258081/ WARNING, there are spoilers in there about FJ. In short, the reviewer found Ollivander's and FJ to be very good but felt the entire world wasn't immersive and was lifeless. They were mad that they couldn't go in the rooms at the Broomsticks, that they couldn't go in all the shops in Hogsmeade, that they couldn't tour Hogwarts freely, and that there were "no actors" walking around doing "magic tricks". Oh, and they also thought Disney would've done better:

It's hard to believe that Disney's Imagineers wouldn't have found ways to pack every corner of their version of PotterLand with surprises and wit, both of which are sorely lacking in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. One imagines motion-sensitive animatronic goblins taking your tickets, or Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts mucking up the rides, or a Mirror of Erised showing each visitor a picture of himself surrounded by bags of money. I'd love to see a Disney-built version of Diagon Alley, with drunken warlocks passed out on the street like the rum-guzzling Pirates of the Caribbean.

And then the guy went on to say that they sent their daughter away for the weekend so they could read the seventh book "in peace." He decided not to bring his kids to the park, either:

We'd left our children at home; they just would have cramped our style.

I'm sure he also expected the frogs in the frog choir to be real and for Filch's to sell real Polyjuice Potion.

 

[TSSD]

I'm sure he also expected the frogs in the frog choir to be real and for Filch's to sell real Polyjuice Potion.

He probbly wanted the brooms to fly and wands cast real spells too.

 

[rinacee]

So that guy was a fan?
Seriously, any fan of the series should be thrilled with this place. There's a limit to what can actually be executed with this kind of thing, you can't actually expect it to be magical. It felt magical, and that was enough for me.

--- Update ---

This article is making me laugh and also making my blood boil. What did this person expect? I mean, he says he expected something special from an ATM...seriously? And Moaning Myrtle is also in the men's room, wizards do roam the streets having coversations...If he hadn't had a publicist walking him, maybe he could have really felt immersed and noticed all the little details.

 

[TSSD]

Well, I read the entire article (minus FJ spoilers) and I have determined one thing. This guy is INSANE!!!!!!!

 

[soyouthinkyouknow]

Speaking of buying Teebin some booze, on a lighter note I wanted to say that I am planning to have an IOA pub crawl. You start with a Triple Threat of Extinction at the Watering Hole, hit up a Potion of the Gods at Mythos, and then tie a few on over at the Hog's Head until Aberforth kicks my ass to the magical curb!

They'll make you a Butterbomb at Hogshead if you get a nice bartender. i don't like the butterbeer soda version, but a butterbomb is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

 

[Roll N Fear]

There are plenty of ignorant remarks on the DisBoards regarding the WWWOHP. Just check out this thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2490701

 

[emily7793]

People are so uninformed (I'm primarily talking about those DISboard members, but many who commented on the article). If I read another post trying to claim that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is just one ride, or that it's in Disney, I will break my computer. If you're truly going to criticize something, at least take the time to learn about it or know what it's about.

 

[Jymmymack]

They'll make you a Butterbomb at Hogshead if you get a nice bartender. i don't like the butterbeer soda version, but a butterbomb is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

A Buttterbomb, you say? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

 

[TSSD]

I hate ignorant people.

 

[IzzyB]

Hey guys check out this (highly negative) review from Slate. http://www.slate.com/id/2258081/ WARNING, there are spoilers in there about FJ. In short, the reviewer found Ollivander's and FJ to be very good but felt the entire world wasn't immersive and was lifeless. They were mad that they couldn't go in the rooms at the Broomsticks, that they couldn't go in all the shops in Hogsmeade, that they couldn't tour Hogwarts freely, and that there were "no actors" walking around doing "magic tricks". Oh, and they also thought Disney would've done better:

It's hard to believe that Disney's Imagineers wouldn't have found ways to pack every corner of their version of PotterLand with surprises and wit, both of which are sorely lacking in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. One imagines motion-sensitive animatronic goblins taking your tickets, or Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts mucking up the rides, or a Mirror of Erised showing each visitor a picture of himself surrounded by bags of money. I'd love to see a Disney-built version of Diagon Alley, with drunken warlocks passed out on the street like the rum-guzzling Pirates of the Caribbean.

And then the guy went on to say that they sent their daughter away for the weekend so they could read the seventh book "in peace." He decided not to bring his kids to the park, either:

We'd left our children at home; they just would have cramped our style.

Wow, this guy is unreal. The owls do move and the men's bathroom has moaning myrtle in it. I think it is AWESOME and I think Disney would have done a ride and that is it. Maybe one store to sell stuff.

Oh, and he must be a jerk too. Because this park was meant for the young and old. When I have kids i can't wait to see their faces when they go into parks at different ages. Like when they are 3 to 5 and seeing Cinderella castle and then later when they are into Harry Potter, taking them there. So for him to leave his kids at home, that just tells you something right there.