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Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Topic Started: June 25, 2010, 7:52 am (159 Views)
Blue Phoenix
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The new Universal theme-park section based on the Harry Potter movies has arrived! And here's the best part of it:

'The Park That Should Not Be Visited' by Slate writer Dan Kois
 


A group of tourists reverently entered the attraction based on Ollivander's magic-wand shop. After the sunlight and noise of the park outside, it was a shock to be in such a tiny, dark space, magic wands in handsome boxes stacked all the way up the walls, a serious-looking older man bustling about. He spoke to the 20 or so nervous children and parents in a plummy British accent. "Welcome to Ollivander's," he said, "makers of fine wands since 382 B.C."

Suddenly the man fixed his gaze on one boy. "You are in need of a wand," he said.

The boy nodded. He looked about 10. His name, he said, was Brandon. He wore Crocs and a white T-shirt. The old wizard pulled a box from the wall and peered at the boy over his desk. He handed him the wand and asked him to try it out. "Point the wand at that ladder, Brandon," Ollivander instructed, "and say, Accio ladder."

Brandon pointed the wand, his eyes wide. "Accio ladder," he said, putting on a British accent of his own. All at once a wall full of drawers shook violently open and shut behind the ladder. The boy jerked his arm back, and Ollivander gently took the wand from his fingers. "Not quite right, it seems," he said.

Eventually, of course, just as Harry Potter's wand "chose" him, a wand chose Brandon—accompanied by a light show, a puff of wind, and a John Williams musical cue played over the shop's speakers—and his family was ushered into the adjacent souvenir shop to buy that wand for $30. (Families whose children weren't plucked out of the crowd by Ollivander could buy other wands—Harry's! Voldemort's!—or wait in line for another chance to have Ollivander hand-select one for them.)

Yes, the rather bald aim here was to move souvenirs. But for one moment, Brandon had been able to imagine himself a resident of J.K. Rowling's world, where magic is real. And so had I.




I have to say, the lack of interaction and weaving of magical events around the guests is a major disappointment to me; this is probably the one place i'd spend a fortune to immerse myself. Read the entire article HERE and see what you think...


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GC Rust
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It's slightly underhanded how that attraction ropes parents into buying a wand for a child. At the age of 10, the boundaries between fantasy and reality aren't established.

I'm not sure who I feel more sorry for. The parents for being manhandled into forking over $30, or the kid who is quickly going to find out the wand is useless and will never produce a display like the one witnessed while "trying it out".
Edited by GC Rust, June 25, 2010, 9:59 am.
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Blue Phoenix
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my problem with them is not especially the price, although that's bad enough... but these are basically STICKS that kids will play with and point at each other. Someone will get hurt, sooner or later; and the thing will break, it's just a thin stick!

...i've seen them in catalogs, and if i wanted to feel like i was a witch i'd buy one, certainly. But for kids? Someone will get hurt... Still, wish i'd had such cool toys to add to my own imagination when i was young.


as for the amusement park... it doesn't sound like there's much to do when you get there. Rowling wanted Disney to provide a real train ride like Hogwarts Express, and to enter Diagon Ally by tapping the moving bricks and such. When Disney couldn't do that and make a good profit, their deal fell through and she went with Universal instead. i'd still like to see it.



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GC Rust
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Blue Phoenix
June 25, 2010, 2:16 pm
Still, wish i'd had such cool toys to add to my own imagination when i was young.
I used sticks. :lol

Indeed, my father has one giant branch that fell during the last storm that I might pilfer to create into a Rune Staff for my Renfaire Outfit. It's nice and sturdy, yet crooked and natural. Shave off the bark, widdle in some norse and celtic runes, paint the runes red and yellow, then stain the whole bit...I'd probably have a nice looking staff.
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HolyIbanez
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I agree, you would definitely have a nice looking staff. Post pics!
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GC Rust
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HolyIbanez
June 25, 2010, 3:26 pm
I agree, you would definitely have a nice looking staff. Post pics!
Taken out of context, that statement is wildly hilarious.
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Blue Phoenix
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*ROTFL* :foflol

ummm... yes, you should post pictures of your staff after you paint and stain it. *eyes cross, trying not to say anything suggestive*



it DOES sound like a great idea. Finish it with some sort of sealer around the painted parts so they don't chip easily.
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HolyIbanez
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GC Rust
June 25, 2010, 3:27 pm
HolyIbanez
June 25, 2010, 3:26 pm
I agree, you would definitely have a nice looking staff. Post pics!
Taken out of context, that statement is wildly hilarious.
Indeed.
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