Harry Potter and the Sweaty, Piggish Tourists

Harry Potter and the Sweaty, Piggish Tourists

May 31

I kid, I kid.

Universal Resorts out here Orlando way announced this morning that they will be bringing a themed section of Islands of Adventure to life as “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”

In other words, it’s Universal and not Disney who has landed the fattest golden goose on the market, maybe in the history of theme parks.

I don’t think you can possibly discount the significant impact this development will have on the action here in Central Florida. One would assume Disney has to be kicking themselves in the mouse ass after this one, since the clout of Harry Potter could quickly and easily eclipse the allure of any of their existing intellectual properties and/or attractions.

One would also assume that Disney already has some fairly beefy contingency plans in the works to bring new rides and lands to their parks in an effort to combat the Potter allure.

Then again, Disney often makes incredibly short-sighted and stupid decisions, so it’s possible their plan is simply to release a limited-edition pin and be done with it.

Anyway, I’m excited. Islands of Adventure is a vastly-underrated theme park, assembled by former Disney Imagineers with an incredibly high level of detail and theming. It’s got great rides and immersive lands. So Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, and the rest should be in very good hands.