[Ryan C.]

Sneak Preview: It's the hottest new theme park opening in a decade: Universal Orlando Resort's Islands of Adventure park is putting the finishing touches on its feverishly anticipated The Wizarding World of Harry Potter section. This Sunday, Feb. 7, the world gets a sneak peek at the new 20-acre attraction when a top secret commercial airs during the Saints-Colts Super Bowl battle. Among the surprises: Daniel Radcliffe himself appears as Harry Potter to promote the opening, which was designed with the full cooperation and approval of series author J.K. Rowling. Guess what, Potterheads?

Universal Orlando is one of the elite group of American businesses that have been able to pay $2.5 to $3 million for a 30-second ad on this year's Super Bowl. That's a pretty big chunk of change, and it doesn't include what it cost to secure Radcliffe or produce the ad itself. But it's nothing when you consider the fact that millions of American families are likely to visit the new Harry Potter land on one of their upcoming vacations. It's officially the biggest new draw in Orlando.

Super Bowl ads are a marker for where we're spending our money. This year, Orlando is fervently praying that means more of us will be spending our money there. It desperately needs the magic Harry may bring: New York City recently toppled the city from the top of the list of the most-visited American tourist cities.

The arrival of Harry Potter also gives Universal a huge lead on its biggest rival, because Walt Disney World's next big expansion doesn't come for another three years. That's when Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom balloons to incorporate a new Little Mermaid ride and two Dumbo rides.

Florida's tourism industry is overjoyed at President Obama's promise of high-speed rail, which would deliver huge numbers of foreign tourists from Miami, a major international air gateway, to Orlando. That may be just the magic wand Harry Potter needs to create new jobs and beef up spending again.

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[drcorey]

and the funny thing is, Disney was offered the franchise first and declined it. saying it was just a fad and didn't think it was worth the millions it would cost to build. I hope Disney is right. otherwise some heads will roll when they relize the mouse just shot himself in the foot.

[Winkster]

Originally Posted by drcorey

and the funny thing is, Disney was offered the franchise first and declined it. saying it was just a fad and didn't think it was worth the millions it would cost to build.

I wonder if it's Universal that have made an error.

Back to the Future was a huge film with big sequels but eventually fell out of fashion resulting in the Universal ride of the same name being replaced.

Harry Potter is already reaching the end of the franchise in the movie theaters so unless JK Rowling comes up with something to keep the stories in the public eye, I can see it all going the same was as Back to the Future - only this time there's been an enourmous investment in building an entire new land - not just a new ride.

I like the HP films but I'm not sure they have the staying power of something like Star Wars - and even the Star Tours ride is looking faded now.

[drcorey]

so maybe the mouse is wise beyond his years.
How old is Mickey now anyways, like 85 or so?

[Winkster]

True - although I think there's a few more options with Disney than there are with the Harry Potter franchise.

After all, WDW is based on far more than one mouse. Look at all the Disney films (which must run into hundreds - admittedly of varying quality!), cartoons and characters. Harry Potter has nowhere near that - essentially, it's just one film with one set of characters.

Even with Pixar Place, WDW has the opportunity to develop, grow and improve by adding new attractions based on Monsters Inc, Cars, Wall-E and all the rest. What can Universal do with a franchise that's almost at it's end with seemingly little opportunity for sequels, prequels or spin-offs.

I just hope that in 5 or 6 years time (let alone 10 or 15 years!) people will still love Harry Potter and remember what the films were all about. If not, Universal may find they have one huge white elephant on their hands!