Good Idea, Bad Idea - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

So I know that Matt did a post on the WWoHP, but that's what's on my mind this week as I have been out there three times and only now managed to get on The Forbidden Journey (the new themed ride in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter).

Good Idea - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This place is awesome. If you've just seen the movies and are looking forward to the new ride, you won't be disappointed. However, if you're an avid fan and reader of the books, you will love how every detail is matched to the book and really immerses you in the books that we love. From the interior of the Three Broom Sticks to Honeydukes, you'll feel like a student on weekend in Hogsmeade. Walking through Hogwarts to get on The Forbidden Journey has so many elements to be noticed that one trip can't possibly let you see them all. And the ride itself? Well, there are just no words to describe (but I'm going to try anyways). It is a fully immersive experience bringing you through some of the coolest parts of the Harry Potter universe. Best described as Spiderman on crack.

What makes this park so awe inspiring is the deal that J.K. Rowling made with Universal Studios. It basically stated:

1. We, at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL agree to pay you a large yacht full of unmarked large denomination bills.
2. You must approve every last detail so that it is exactly how you want it. Literally, we give up all creative influence to you.

Every detail is correct. Unlike other parks where its just sorta neat, this park fully encloses you in the theme. Like when you walk through the Lost Continent there are random dinosaurs poking out and making cheesey picture spots. There's nothing like that in WWoHP. It becomes hard to remember where you are, except inside Hogsmeade Village.

Bad Idea - #potterwatch

Ok, so for those of you that don't know, #potterwatch is the hash tag used on Twitter to keep up with updates on the Wizarding World soft launches. Its really a grassroots kind of thing with other guests at the park posting what they notice and whether its open or not.

Actually, #potterwatch itself is a good idea. The bad part is the way Universal is handling the soft launches. I understand that the park doesn't actually open until June 18th, but by having it open at certain times, people start to expect it to be open. As everyone comes in the gates, we run to the right, straight to WWoHP. Tourists see the movement and join in, as is natural. Then when its not open, they start to get angry. However, this group isn't really the problem. The people who are loyal, all the #potterwatch-ers, are getting annoyed at what seems to be random opening times. These are the people that will be spending money at the park. These are the people that will be back again and again for butterbeer and to eat at the Three Broomsticks.

When I say random, I mean really random. It was open at 9:30 on Wednesday for about 2 hours, 9:56 on Thursday for 4 minutes, right at 9 on Friday for about 3 hours, right at 9 on Saturday till about noon, and closed completely on Sunday. Open for a few hours on Monday and closed completely on Tuesday. Today, they didn't open till 11:30 or so, but stayed open later than ever.

So we have assumed that the goal is to test the park and make sure it can handle loads of people. Since Forbidden Journey goes down pretty regularly, this makes sense. Usually the random opening/closing times are based on its downtimes, but it was up most of the day on Sunday and it never opened. Same thing on Tuesday.

Today, we're just over a week away from the grand opening, and its the first time that it has stayed open past noon. The first time that The Three Broomsticks has served lunch (which is way better than normal theme park food). The point being, they don't seem to be getting much testing going on.

The solution? Open Hogsmeade and only change whether Forbidden Journey is open or closed. Let the hotel guests into Forbidden Journey (the ones that are supposed to be there for the sneak peak). People would be able to see the park. Three Broomsticks could serve three meals a-day like it should. The shops could let people in and have them spend money (making money for the park, which at $9.95 for one chocolate frog is their obvious goal).

So, anyways, I know this isn't the funniest of all posts (or even funny at all), but that's what's on my mind right now, and isn't that the point of BluePrints Blog?

Even Better Idea - Taking a Nap After Being at IOA for 8 Hours

No real explanation necessary. It was just an awesome nap!