Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expansion Announced - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Florida Destinations Beyond Walt Disney World > Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-06-2011, 03:23 PM   #1
Dave Marx
PassPorter Guide Author

PassPorter Author


PassPorter's Club Passholder
What's this?

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Dave Marx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Ann Arbor, MI USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 14,427

Post Thanks / Like
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expansion Announced

Universal Parks and Resorts and Warner Bros. have announced that they plan a "significant expansion" of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. No further details were revealed.

The announcement was made concurrently with the announcement that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will also be coming to Universal Studios, Hollywood.
__________________


Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions

http://www.passporter.com/
My Countdown Counting down to: Disney Magic Post-Drydock
My PassPorter Bookshelf <table width=100% height=75 border=0><tr><td style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/shelf8.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/club/bookshelf.php?member=8&name=Dave Marx' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=100% border=0></a></td></tr></table>
My Previous TripsToo many to recall!
Dave Marx is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2011, 03:29 PM   #2
MBUS
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
MBUS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Boston
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 3,356

Post Thanks / Like
Great news! I am not sure where they have the room, but I think adding a non-thrill ride for people who can't/won't ride them would be a good addition! Let us know when you have more details, Dave.

Beth
__________________
NYC-Canada Cruise Sept 2012
My Countdown Counting down to: Back to Disney World!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsBWV/Disney Fantasy/BCV April 2013, Disney Magic NYC-Canada (20th Anniversary!) Sept 2012, BLT/BVW/Royal Pacific June 2012, BWV/Disney Dream Jul 2011, Universal/AKL/Disney Wonder Aug/Sept 2010, BWV/BLT Oct 2009, POR May 2009 (DOD), BWV Oct/Nov 2008, AKL Feb 2008, BWV/Caribe Royale Oct 2007, POR Feb 2007, BWV Nov/Dec 2006, Disneyland Paradise Pier Sept/Oct 2005, BWV Oct 2004, BWV Nov 2003, CSR Jan/Feb 2003, BWV Oct 2002, CBR May 2002, CR Oct 2001, Dix Lndgs May 2001, OKW Nov 2000, Dix Lndgs Oct 1999, Poly May 1998, WL Oct 1997, Dixie Landings Oct 1994, Disneyland (offsite) Jan 1994, POFQ/WL/Dis Institute Oct 1992 (honeymoon!), Poly 1991, Poly 1989, CR 1988, offsite 1987, offsite 1986, Poly 1984, Poly 1980 or 81, CR 1976, CR 1973
MBUS is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2011, 05:13 PM   #3
DopeyGirl
Dopey's biggest fan!
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Legend
 
DopeyGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: China Spring, TX
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 26,975

Post Thanks / Like
This definitely explains the closing of Jaws!

Beth, the rumor mills (and Screamscape) are predicting that the expansion will be the "London" side of the Harry Potter universe, including King's Cross Station where you'd go to Platform 9 3/4 to board the Hogwarts Express that would then take you to Hogsmeade.
__________________
Sarah- PassPorter Guide to:
---
DL: Planning Your Disneyland Adventure
--- DL: Getting There (and Back!)
--- DL: Staying in Style: The Hotels
--- DL: Touring the Lands: Disney Parks

Multi-Theme Park Destination Specialist with Ears To You Travel
Sarah@earstoyoutravel.com
My Countdown Counting down to: Oldest's Graduation Celebration and DH and My 20th Anniversary!
Summer fun!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsToo many trips to list! Disneyland since 1977 . . . WDW since 1996!

Last edited by DopeyGirl; 12-06-2011 at 06:16 PM.. Reason: spelling
DopeyGirl is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2011, 05:27 PM   #4
Pax
Community Rank: Scout
 
Pax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dracut, MA
Posts: 4,748

Post Thanks / Like
... maybe Diagon Alley?
__________________
--Sean
My Previous TripsWDW July 1985 (offsite) ;; WDW January 2001 (ASMo) ;; WDW January 2009 (POP) ;; WDW January 2014 (AoA)
Pax is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2011, 06:03 PM   #5
Steph K
Community Rank: Wayfarer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: South Yorkshire, England
Posts: 193

Post Thanks / Like
i really hope so, i cant wait for more announcements
__________________
My Previous TripsOrlando visits: Nov 2000, Aug 2005, Dec 2008, Sept 2010
Steph K is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2011, 01:33 AM   #6
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Very interesting and I did wonder if that had something to do with the annoucement about Jaws closing, although looking at Google maps, I can't see how they'd link the two, without demolishing a heck of a lot of buildings.
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2011, 06:53 AM   #7
Steph K
Community Rank: Wayfarer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: South Yorkshire, England
Posts: 193

Post Thanks / Like
I too went on google maps to scope it out, and all i can see are a lot of buildings between the two
__________________
My Previous TripsOrlando visits: Nov 2000, Aug 2005, Dec 2008, Sept 2010
Steph K is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2011, 10:36 AM   #8
Dave Marx
PassPorter Guide Author

PassPorter Author


PassPorter's Club Passholder
What's this?

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Dave Marx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Ann Arbor, MI USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 14,427

Post Thanks / Like
Bad Humor Alert






(Don't say I didn't warn you!)

No problem re-purposing the Jaws lagoon... they'll transport everyone to Hogwarts using the Durmstrang ship. Or maybe portkey. Flue Network? Side-along apparition? Enchanted motor vehicles? Kestrels? Knight Bus? Flush toilet? (JKR has quite a thing for novel modes of transportation, doesn't she?)

Too bad Disney didn't get the HP franchise. It would have been so easy to re-theme Wildlife Express to Rafiki's Planet Watch into Hogwart's Express to Hagrid's Hut (Care and Feeding of Magical Beasts and Herbology would fit perfectly) and update Triceratop Spin with hippogriffs and kestrels. Soarin' Over Hogwarts would have been E-ticket all the way.

It's a world of witches a world of charms
And a Potter spell only stuns or disarms
Where the dragons take flight
And the basilisks bite
It's a Wiz World after all!
__________________


Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions

http://www.passporter.com/
My Countdown Counting down to: Disney Magic Post-Drydock
My PassPorter Bookshelf <table width=100% height=75 border=0><tr><td style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/shelf8.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/club/bookshelf.php?member=8&name=Dave Marx' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=100% border=0></a></td></tr></table>
My Previous TripsToo many to recall!
Dave Marx is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2011, 01:13 PM   #9
mom2twingirlies
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
mom2twingirlies's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 2,799

Post Thanks / Like
I really need to read these books - as most of this thread all sounds like goobly gook to me!
__________________
Lisa
My Countdown Counting down to: Finallly!!! A new WDW vacation January 2017,
We're living the magic!
My Previous TripsWDW January 2012 - Saratoga Springs, WDW Jan/Feb 2011 - Summer Bay Resort, WDW Jan/Feb 2010 - Pop Century, Jan 2009 - Cypress Pointe Resort, WDW Feb 1995 - Vistana, WDW 3 times (1974-1980)
mom2twingirlies is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2011, 02:15 PM   #10
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by mom2twingirlies View Post
I really need to read these books - as most of this thread all sounds like goobly gook to me!
Don't worry, you're not alone in that... although I'm with Dave - it would've been amazing if Disney had got the franchise and I can see how Rafiki's Planet Watch would've worked out perfectly for that.
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2011, 03:17 PM   #11
HiddenMickey
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
HiddenMickey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Chapel Hill, NC USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 36,592

Post Thanks / Like
DH and DD pointed out that Jaws is in one park and WWoHP is in the other. How could they make new HP stuff in US and connect ( we figure by train) without everyone having to have park hoppers? No more single park tickets?
__________________


PassPorter Guide for the Staying in Style forum
HiddenMickey is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2011, 09:23 PM   #12
Dave Marx
PassPorter Guide Author

PassPorter Author


PassPorter's Club Passholder
What's this?

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Dave Marx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Ann Arbor, MI USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 14,427

Post Thanks / Like
I suggested in another thread it'd be like boarding the Disneyland Monorail in DTD - use your park pass to access Platform 9 3/4. Maybe they'd all become two-park tickets, but I suspect that, if they essentially turned two parks into one, folks would say, "Why should we pay $120 to go to Universal, when one day at Disney is so much cheaper?" I suspect Disney could have a marketing field day with this one - picture of Cinderella Castle on one side, with a big $85, and a picture of Hogwarts on the other side, marked $120. Captioned: "Walt Disney World Resort: More Magic per Galleon!" In the end, you can only experience so many attractions in a day. It comes down to, "Do I want to pay $140 extra so my kids can ride the Hogwarts train?"
__________________


Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions

http://www.passporter.com/
My Countdown Counting down to: Disney Magic Post-Drydock
My PassPorter Bookshelf <table width=100% height=75 border=0><tr><td style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/shelf8.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/club/bookshelf.php?member=8&name=Dave Marx' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=100% border=0></a></td></tr></table>
My Previous TripsToo many to recall!
Dave Marx is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2011, 12:10 PM   #13
BeatlesBran
Community Rank: Traveler
 
BeatlesBran's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Kissimmee, FL
Posts: 213

Post Thanks / Like
I've heard from a friend that works at IOA (and local rumor mills) that they will be doing away with the Sinbad and Poseidon's Fury area of the park to expand the WWoHP. Whatever they do, it will be epic, because WW is amazing.
__________________
Brandi


Bakelins chillin' at the pool after a fun week at Disney!
BeatlesBran is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2011, 10:36 PM   #14
Luvsun
Wishing I was at WDW!
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
Luvsun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Southwestern Florida, USA
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 39,153

Post Thanks / Like
I have got to get there to see the World of Harry Potter - SOON!
__________________

Luvsun ~ Passporter Guide for~Making More Magic, Going Behind the Scenes, Feasting and Snacking, and The Sunroom
My Countdown Counting down to: Spring fun at WDW!
Enjoying the Flower and Garden festival at WDW!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsChristmas 1971 first visit for our family, 1978 River Country and MK (honeymoon), March 1989 first WDW visit for my three sons, Jan. 1996 Poly, Jan. 2000 AS Sport and Disney Institute Bungalows ( now SSR), April 03 AKL, Aug. 04 Pop, April 05 AKL, Aug. 05 Pop and BC, April 06 WL, Sep. 06 POFQ, April 07 Poly, August 07 BWI, October 07 POR, Dec. 07 OKW. Feb. 08 CS, April 08 WLV, June 08 OKW and AKLV, Nov. 08 AKLV (solo trip!), Feb. 09 SSR, May 09 SSR (DoD tour - solo!), Oct. 09 BCV, Jan. 10 OKW for my birthday!, April 10 AKLV, Aug. 10 WLV, Dec, 10 WLV and ALKV., April 2011 POFQ, June 2011 AKLV Club level and Kidani Village, Nov 2011 OKW, June 2012 AKLV, Oct. 2012, CBR, April 2013, BWV, Oct. 2013 VWL, AKL Kidani Village May 2014, WL Aug. 2014, Art of Animation Oct. 2014, Dec. 2014 WLV, May 2015 OKW, July 2015 BLT, Oct. 2015 AKL Kidani, Sep. 2016 Polynesian Villas/Beach Club Villas, Dec. 2016 WLV, May 2017 BCV, Sep. 2017 All Star Movies, Nov. 2017 AKLV Jambo House, Feb. 2018 WLV, May 2018 WLV
Luvsun is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2011, 11:45 PM   #15
ilovedisney247
 
ilovedisney247's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 15 Minutes from the House of Mouse!
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 13,838

Post Thanks / Like
I'm glad to hear they are expanding because WWoHP is the only thing getting me to go to US/IOA next year. I'm wondering where they are going to put the new area at US Hollywood . . .
__________________
My Previous TripsWDW 1985 off property, WDW 1987 Contemporary, WDW 1989 Poly, WDW Sept. 2006 Pop, WDW Sept. 2007 CBR WDW Aug 2008 ASMu Dec 2008 SSR, May 2009 SSR, June 2009 SSR/VWL, Oct 2009 AKVC, Dec 2009 AKV, June 2010 SSR, Oct 2010 BWV, Nov 2010 CR, Dec 2010 ASp, April 2011 AKVC, June 2011 SSR/ASM, July 2011, ASp, Oct 2011 AKVC, Dec 2011 VGC
ilovedisney247 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:09 AM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger