Harry Potter is No Disney Fan
It looks like it that Harry Potter is going to go to Universal after all (even with the rumor that floated the webs a couple of weeks ago that Disney might still have had a hand in it). If the rumors are correct Universal is planning to add Harry Potter in an unused area, both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure have possible free areas, with the second one being the top possibility (if rumors are indeed correct).
So did Disney lose on this deal? Some might think so but I don’t. I admit, the following might be a bit of a personal look at the situation, but I can’t help myself thinking that this was the best deal for Disney. Yes you read this right; I did say best deal for Disney.
Just look at the deal itself and what it comes with. Harry Potter is a trademark that will be controlled by its creator and owner J.K. Rowling giving whoever owns the rights to build something a little less freedom. While I do understand that Harry will bring in some new guest (and might even steal a couple from Disney) to Universal, overall they are stuck with the rules that comes with it. Of course Universal already has these kinds of issues with other copyright material they use. Seuss Landing for example; the island, over at Islands of Adventure, formed after the creations from the Theodor Seuss Geisel books are in control by his widow Audrey Geisel. Any changes or special events need to be checked with her, hence the empty feeling it gets when Halloween Horror Nights used to run at IoA. Except for some eerie music no scare actors or houses where allowed in this locations as it never got approved. The same problem with Marvel Island (again at IoA), very protective of their creations, Marvel will never allow another 2002 Island Under Siege Halloween scare zone where Marvel Characters where used. I loved the zone but (if rumors and news is indeed correct about this) Marvel wasn’t very happy.
It is the right of the owners to be involved and control their product, but it must be hell sometimes for the creative team of the park. The same will be for Harry Potter; while it might sound like a great deal and a winner for Universal, they now have another copyrighted product they can use but with the extra burden of checking everything with the owner first.
Like I mentioned before, some might think Disney lost on this one, but I don’t think so. They are far better of without it and can now look to add things to their parks where they are the license owners of. It will give them a lot more creativity control.
One great deal struck by Universal however is the sole rights to use the Kuka Robotic Coaster Arm for a period of 10 years. This technology might well be the next big thing in theme park thrill entertainment. Disney lost big time on this one… for now. While the Kuka System has been something I have been following for a while now it still has to install its first full Theme Park experience. US will be doing this of course with the rumored Project Strongarm where guest might be part of the Harry Potter world in the flying car sequence. Sounds good (even to me) and will get guests in… and, yes, will be a winner for US. Disney lost on this one and will have to look elsewhere for new ride technology. How about Pandora’s Box from Vekoma? Disney likes Vekoma, so I am wondering how this new ride system isn’t something they have added to a deal yet. And exclusive deal with Vekoma for this system might be the answer (for more on Pandora’s Box visit the Vekoma site)
The real winners however to these deals are the guests and theme park fans and also the Disney park fanatics are coming out on top. Why is that? Well, first of all we will get new rides in IoA, but second of all Disney will have to give a good answer to the ride and update in Universal. I am sure the Managers and Imagineers will come up with something to put Walt Disney World back into the main spotlight and will have an answer ready on the Potter deal. I am looking forwards to see, together with all the other Disney fans in the world, what it will be.
Harry Potter will not bring me to Universal Studios (I am no Harry Potter fan and even think that the movies are overrated – Oh I am going to get flamed over this) but the Kuka system will! So Disney, let us know what you’re battle strategy will be against this… we are waiting 
April 20th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Nice thoughts, Andy. We ae watching Universal’s dvelopment of this idea with great interest and are eagerly awaiting the official announcement either next week (at the big Pow-Wow travel convention in LA) or in early May (when they have a ‘major event’ around May 8). It will be fascinating to see how they achieve this, but it could well give their parks the big shot in the arm they badly need right now. And, as you say, whenever Universal do something big, Disney usually have something to counteract it. Interesting times!
(Mind you, SeaWorld’s dramatic new Aquatica water park has so far brought no response at all from Disney, and you would think that would be a major competitor for Blizzard beach and Typhoon Lagoon)