I, too, was tempted to make a trip there this Summer but knew it would be too crazy. So we're trying to hold onto our enthusiasm until next August. Don't know if we'll be able to hold out that long though.
Why?
Cause I've always love Universal and I think the Universal creative people is just insanely good. But still Disney gets what seems as, all the guests. So i really hope Universal gets a lot of customers so they keep adding new and exciting things. Man! If the World Cup wasn't on till July i would need some medication to calm my anxiety! Lol.
Will there be the same coverage and giddiness when the new Fantasyland open? I am going to guess not. Sorry, I just have been wanting to say this for awhile. I am really thinking people are making a bigger deal out of it!
Good Report though!
The latest omnimover from Disney and some princess meet and greets will in no way make the theme park industry bat an eye.
Potter is a big deal not only because of the ride, but because fans are still in the midst of their love affair with the story, although the book series has come to an end as of now, and because the wildly popular and extremely profitable film franchise has yet to complete it's theatrical run, with two movies yet to be released. Think what it would have been like if the Star Wars saga was in full force, and the movies continued the story of the original trilogy with episodes 7, 8, 9. Then while all that was going on, Disney not only builds a game changing ride, but drops the ride in the middle of a brand new Star Wars land, as well as numerous other attractions, shops, shows and restaurants. We're not talking a ride building jammed into DL's Tomorrowland or a tiny section or area like at DHS, at one of their theme parks, but a full on world unto itself, offering an immersive experience for Star Wars fans, the likes of which have never been seen before at any other theme park ever. That's what all this coverage and giddiness equates to for me.
Potter fans are very fortunate to be able to have this type of opportunity at a time where most franchises take years to see some form of killer attraction, they still have a chance to be a part of this world while it has yet to finish unfolding, at least cinematically. Hell, the first Potter book was published in 1997, the first movie released 4 years later in 2001, and now nine years after that there is a land at a theme park. It took all of 13 years, a very quick turnaround. Compare that to The little Mermaid, which was written in 1837, released as a Disney movie in 1989, and now 22 years later Disney gets around to making a ride. Am I looking forward to it, surely, do I really care about it at this point, not really. It's long overdue, and only because it's Disney do they get away with waiting so long. Any other animated feature would need a theatrical sequel to warrant an attraction after lying so dormant for so many years.
Now that IOA has the greatest attraction in the world of theme parks, it should focus on improving the rest of its dwindling park. Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, The Incredible Hulk, and various other attractions look terribly dilapidated. It's not a difficult fix - a fresh coat of paint and some technical refurbishments - but it's something that is required if IOA wants to be considered the world's greatest theme park.
With a fresh influx of cash, I'd look for Universal to begin quick refurbishments of all its attractions, once the crowds diminish enough to allow that.
Leave it to Universal to be the first to build a real Spider-man killer. I cannot wait until next May... Universal, here I come!
Oh, thanks Robert for keeping us apprised, and for posting a review that details the attraction without detailing the surprises!
(PS -> Star Tours II is rumored to be opening at DHS on May 17, 2010...next May is gonna be a wonderful time for the next Rao Family Adventure!).