Harry Potter "Wizarding World" coming to Universal Islands of Adventure

[NJGIRL]

This is great news!!!! I can't wait to see the new area.

[mel]

I wonder if the ford anglina ride will be similiar to rock and roll roller coaster

[Goofy Pluto]

I think this will be really cool. We haven't been to Universal since 2000. IOA was starting to look tired and they really have not been doing anything new there for a long time. This will give them a new boost. We won't be going there this coming trip, but when we go back again next time (5 years?) we'll have to fit in Universal to check this out.

I also wanted to mention, with this big announcment and everyone talking about Disney's response, anyone think that MAYBE this will be the thing that FINALLY gets Beastly Kingdom built at Animal Kingdom? I can only hope!

[thejens]

I must say the idea of Disney doing a Narnia land makes me laugh!!! Has anyone been to the Narnia, um, "attraction" in MGM??? I love HP and have never been to Universal, but definitely plan to do a Universal trip instead of Disney when it opens. I hope they really capture all the rich detail communicated in the books and not just a few rides. I think Universal is smart because they are doing what Disney does best which is to start with a wonderful story. That's what makes it magic. Maybe DW should find the story before it becomes the movie, before it becomes the park...

[automation85]

Maybe it's just me, but Universal is not even close to the standard expected at Disney. Their upkeep in the parks (let alone adding new attractions) is pretty much absent. And as for an immersive experience, I feel that Disney hires cast members while Universal hires employees. Therefore, I can't see very many british accents and believable shows. Just like everything else at IOA, the rides will be rides. They say they will try their best to keep it true to the books and movies, but I say that looks good on paper, but I won't put any money on it.

As for Disney, there is always something in the pipeline, and right now they have a lot of refurb and plussing to worry about to focus most of its energy on a counter point. Ideas like Beastly Kingdom are still floating around and may resurface again, but I really think that Disney will wait to see how much of a hit they actually take before making any decisions.

As for Narnia, I can't possibly see how a whole area can be devoted to it. Have a small attraction is fine, since it was a display of memorabilia, but just think about how many shows you can make on the movie(s).

Just my thoughts.

[MindyMouse]

I was really hoping that Disney was going to pick up on the Harry Potter thing. Disney and Harry Potter in the same area would have been great

Since it wasn't meant to be, I will have to force myself to visit IOA. I've never been there, so I'll have to add it to the plan.

If given the choice, though, I will always choose WDW.