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AUGUST 18, 2003 at 1:05 PM
Posted by GRAE
Source: Jim Hill media via The Leaky Cauldron
As we reported earlier, AOL Time Warner has claimed that they own the rights to any possible Harry Potter theme-park attractions. But is this really the case? According to Jim Hill media, it may or may not be
.
The show proposal that Universal Creative put together was reportedly a special effects filled extravaganza, loosely modeled after that theme park's "Wild Wild West" stunt show. This meant that the arena would have been loaded up with practical effects. Cauldrons that would suddenly bubble and smoke, brooms that could actually fly around, etc.
But the real highlight of this proposed "Harry Potter" themed show would have supposedly been the show's finale. Where Harry, Ron and Hermoine found themselves face to face with Lord Voldemort.
Sometime during this magical duel, Potter was going to get the upper hand in this effects filled battle. And -- with a wave of Harry's wand -- Voldemort would burst into flames. Fully engulfed in fire, the dark wizard was to have writhed in agony and screamed curses as Potter and his pals as Voldemort slowly sank from sight.
So that sounds like a pretty good new show for the Universal theme parks, doesn't it? Well, it's just too bad that Universal Creative never actually got the opportunity to present their proposal to J.K. Rowling. Why for? Because -- when they approached Rowling's reps to set up a meeting -- Universal was reportedly told "Thanks but no thanks. We've already awarded the theme park rights to someone else."
Now Universal executives -- Bob Gault included -- have always assumed that the "someone else" that J.K. Rowling's representatives were talking about must have been the Walt Disney Company. Which -- given that Universal and Disney are in almost constant competition these days for supremacy in the theme park arena -- that just makes sense.
Anyway ... even if Disney really does have the theme park rights for the Harry Potter characters all "wrapped up," the smart money is on Mickey sitting on these rights for a while. For a couple of years, anyway. At least until J.K. Rowling finally finishes up telling her epic tale (and what a sad day THAT's going to be for those of us who have loved reading and/or listening to the "Harry Potter" books. I'm really not ready to leave Hogwarts just yet. Are you?)
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Metamorphmagus
Points: 37939
tonks black says:
"(and what a sad day THAT's going to be for those of us who have loved reading and/or listening to the "Harry Potter" books. I'm really not ready to leave Hogwarts just yet. Are you?)" I so agree with that quote! I wont ever leave hogwarts.:( Atleast i dont wanna.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 1:29 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1856
Rupert Baby says:
I think it would be cool to have a harry potter attraction and as for me I'm glad it is supposedly in the hands of Disney cause id rather it be theres then universal! but hey thats just me
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 3:20 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
Slytherin_Punk says:
I will never be able to leave hp so i'm glad that they will make a atrraction. I just wsih the left it to Warner Bros.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 3:34 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1037
Fred and/or George says:
Doesn't Warner Bros. already licenses it's characters (more specifically, the Loony Toons, Batman, and Superman) to Six Flags Theme Parks? It seems that they would similarly have dibs on any Harry Potter attraction.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 3:49 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 423
ApplebyArrows says:
I agree with SaphirePotterHarrysSister. It would be too much of a dissapointment if another person continued the books in the same universe because it wouldn't be the same. Nobody thinks exactly the same, so why would anybody think that somebody thinks like J.K.R.?
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 4:06 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2875
Chogiiiirl says:
I don't really care about a HP ride. I just want to read the books, and then again, and then again, and then again...
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 5:20 PM EST
Witch
Points: 712
harryroxmysocks says:
I never want HP to be over, I wish she could just keep going!
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 6:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
I love disney so I hope Disney has it, but I have rotten luck I'm never gonna be able to go to Disney World... but Universal's plan sounded pretty cool.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 7:09 PM EST
Witch
Points: 742
TigerEyez says:
Psh, I don't think I would go to a Harry Potter theme park because it's so childish, and the books have become more for adults than for children
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 7:39 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1782
Juno Puddifoot says:
I'm just going to say that I don't want to leave Hogwarts yet either :) Just have to savour the anticipation waiting for Book 6 ...
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 7:47 PM EST
Witch
Points: 959
Alcestis1 says:
In my humble opinion, I think once Book 7 is over, it's all over...the idea of a Harry Potter theme park does something queasy to my stomach. Disney is TOO big, TOO overwhelming, TOO commercial and Harry Potter deserves better.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 7:55 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23483
KT Lady says:
I am definitely NOT ready for Harry to finish...I dont want to think about it...it makes me sad :( lol That would be so awesome if Universal made a Potter ride...or even Disney, Orlando is so close that I could go see Harry's show every weekend!
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 8:32 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
Lerah99 says:
Alcestis1,
I agree that giant mouse in Orlando is too much. I love all things Harry Potter, but I fear what Disney would cook up. :o)
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 10:00 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1186
Godric11 says:
The play thing...it sounds bad...i've seen things like that at parks and they suck...i hope whatever comes of this doen't ruin HP and it's great story...sheesh..voldemort bursts into flames...cool, but corny.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 10:23 PM EST
Transfiguration Professor
Points: 2990
Choralee says:
One author - JK Rowling. Unfortunately seven books is all we have been promised. As much as I would love to read about Harry's continuing life after Hogwarts - can it really go on without the school? If someone became a professor - maybe.
As far as an HP theme park attraction - anything to hokey or theatrical will not be a turn on for me. I want realism, with a sense of "So they can do it!"
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 11:19 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 502
Padfoot05 says:
I think is a very good idea to open a harry potter theme park it will be vry good and it will atract a lot of people to the disney parks.
Posted Aug 19, 2003 at 12:07 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 91
Sookie says:
Universal or Disney I don't really care as long as they make the attraction in the FL locale of the theme parks! ah, the joy of being FL resident with theme park passes. =)
Posted Aug 19, 2003 at 12:34 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1227
Prongs150 says:
I, too, wish that JKR would write more than seven books, but it is as it shall be. The theme park could be good or bad. Personally, I'm not a theme park person so it wouldn't matter to me. Just give me the books and a cozy place to read them.
Posted Aug 19, 2003 at 1:00 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
Charlie'sMum says:
Well, if I owned a theme park, and the rights to create a theme park attraction, I think I would do a sort of combination rollercoaster/fun house type thing. Like, You'd start out going to a vault at Gringotts, and that would be the roller coaster bit since basically that's what the ride to Harry's vault in SS was like. Then The Fun House could be Hogwarts and you'd have to go past the big snake and Fluffy, and ghosts would fly around and suchlike. And then there would be this bit where there'd be one of those big movie things that make you feel like you're there - IMAX, that's it, and you would be playing Quiddich, OH and you could be in the Forbidden Forsest with the big spider...
Anyway. That's what I would do. I wouldn't want to sit through a show. I'd want a RIDE!
Posted Aug 19, 2003 at 10:02 AM EST
Witch
Points: 609
Aravis says:
I will never be ready to leave Hogwarts! Um, I tried to post my message once and it wouldn't let me. "Too many repeating characters." So I deleted my highly wonderful (snigger, snigger) post and much keep this very short. I hope they let me keep this part in...
Mickey Mouse with a lightning bolt scar...be very afraid!
Posted Aug 19, 2003 at 11:24 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1660
siriusgyal says:
Trust Disney to exploit and ruin the whole Harry Potter expierence for us that have been fans since jump! The nerve!What next Harry Potter the series rediculas people! What are we gonna do when the books finish? (besides cry)
Posted Aug 19, 2003 at 11:41 AM EST
Animagus
Points: 19544
Sirius-Ella says:
That'd be so awesome
if they did build a
Harry Potter world
I'd loooooove to go
there! I'd buy alot
of tourist junk lol!
Harry Potter is AWESOME!
YEAH!
Posted Aug 19, 2003 at 12:12 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 463
Madam Hooch says:
I actually don't' care very much who gets the rights. The only thing I want to know, is when we'll be able to get on the ride! lol
Posted Aug 19, 2003 at 12:52 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1092
Lord Grindelwald says:
I wish the harry potter series will never end.
Posted Aug 21, 2003 at 1:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 697
kaela987 says:
I think if Harry Potter was made into a themepark ride.. it would only ruin it. (And as for Disney making the ride?? as aravis said... "Mickey Mouse with a lightning bolt scar...be very afraid!") I hope they don't make it an amusement park ride
Posted Aug 21, 2003 at 8:50 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2229
Ms.MikhailBlack says:
I would die. I would want to be a tester for the ride.
Posted Aug 22, 2003 at 12:29 AM EST
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