A Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry Is Opening Near Montreal

cbenoi1 · Apr 15, 2018

A Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry Is Opening Near Montreal

https://www.mtlblog.com/news/a-hogwarts-school-of-witchcraft-and-wizardry-is-opening-near-montreal

There has been a recent announcement about Disney opening a theme park in Toronto ( link )
[*], so an Harry Potter-theme event some 500 km away was not that far-fetched.

Okay. What's the catch?

If this had been any other event I would not have bothered to post it. But this is Harry Potter. A book character for Pete's sake. I keep wondering how much money was poured into this. I assume a lot. How many people are expected to attend? The venue is fairly small and this is a one-shot deal. This got me puzzled.

And we're not done with Harry this year. Check this out:

The "Harry Potter" Live Concert Experience Is Coming To Montreal This Spring ( link )

What is going on with Rowling? Is this is also happening in other cities?

-cb

[*] Ha! April Fool's Day!

frimble3 · Apr 15, 2018

Well, the one-time thing might be to see what the demand is like. As to it spreading further, I guess that depends on the number of disused monasteries they can find. (Finding that location might have been key - not having to build a dramatic setting from scratch is probably what makes it feasible.)
I wonder if it was purchased or merely leased, until they see if the project takes off? It could be a heck of an alternative to summer camp!

Enlightened · Apr 15, 2018

Last year, Disney spent a lot of money, I think I heard $60+ billion USD, for 21st Century Fox. They've been on a spending spree. Not sure what Disney is doing, if they want another theme park. They bought Marvel Comics, Pixar, and numerous other companies. I wonder if they'll ever offer Rowling a complete buyout of everything Harry Potter, like they did George Lucas and Star Wars.

blacbird · Apr 15, 2018

In any case, it is a certainty that J.K. Rowling is going to get even richer.

caw

frimble3 · Apr 15, 2018

Enlightened said:
Last year, Disney spent a lot of money, I think I heard $60+ billion USD, for 21st Century Fox. They've been on a spending spree. Not sure what Disney is doing, if they want another theme park. They bought Marvel Comics, Pixar, and numerous other companies. I wonder if they'll ever offer Rowling a complete buyout of everything Harry Potter, like they did George Lucas and Star Wars.

Not a bad deal, if she's written all she wants to in that world, and is waiting for people to make deals for the properties, why not go for one big buyout? The risk is all Disney's, if something newer and hotter comes along.

Duncan J Macdonald · Apr 17, 2018

Enlightened said:
Last year, Disney spent a lot of money, I think I heard $60+ billion USD, for 21st Century Fox. They've been on a spending spree. Not sure what Disney is doing, if they want another theme park. They bought Marvel Comics, Pixar, and numerous other companies. I wonder if they'll ever offer Rowling a complete buyout of everything Harry Potter, like they did George Lucas and Star Wars.

Then they'd have to buyout Universal Studios.

Kaiser-Kun · Apr 19, 2018

Well, they already own Marvel and Star Wars. I'd say they can start buying countries now.

Enlightened · Apr 19, 2018

Kaiser-Kun said:
Well, they already own Marvel and Star Wars. I'd say they can start buying countries now.

With Marvel and Star Wars, maybe the entire universe.

blacbird · Apr 19, 2018

I've been reading the Stephen King Dark Tower saga, and I think Disney needs to put together a Dark Tower Theme Park. Have your kids menaced by ravenous giant lobsters that can slice off your fingers, cross the creaky rusted failing railroad bridge without falling to your death, fight off the slimy slow mutants who glow in the dark, enter through the doors to a new world . . .

caw

frimble3 · Apr 19, 2018

Why not? Every year people build increasingly complex 'haunted houses' and people pay money to go through them. Why shouldn't the pros show them how it's done? Disney does have a dark side.

Enlightened · Apr 19, 2018

Knott's Berry Farm started doing Knott's Scary Farm decades ago. I think they changed the name to Knott's Halloween Haunt. In the 80s, I went as a kid. I remember they had a lot of tall and scary looking guys and gals in full halloween regalia. They carried cans with a stone or metal ball in each. They'd walk around the park. When they saw you not pay attention, they'd shake the cans and look menacing. Great fun. Disney does a Halloween thing, but mostly decoration (pumpkins, Jack Skelton, etc.). With Star Wars Land, I'm not sure Disney has the real estate for a Haunted House, or has the desire to scare little kids or those who do not want to be scared.

Sam Artisan · Apr 20, 2018

Frick man I'd want to visit that

*helplessly shoves more money at J.K. Rowling*

frimble3 · Apr 20, 2018

Enlightened said:
I'm not sure Disney has the real estate for a Haunted House, or has the desire to scare little kids or those who do not want to be scared.

That's why you make it a separate, clearly marked, land. And, put something big'n'scary right at the front, so people don't get in too deep before they understand how bad it might get. Not for everyone, but something for the more adventurous.

Kjbartolotta · Apr 20, 2018

blacbird said:
I've been reading the Stephen King Dark Tower saga, and I think Disney needs to put together a Dark Tower Theme Park. Have your kids menaced by ravenous giant lobsters that can slice off your fingers, cross the creaky rusted failing railroad bridge without falling to your death, fight off the slimy slow mutants who glow in the dark, enter through the doors to a new world . . .

caw

You didn't mention the choo-choo ride.

A Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry Is Opening Near Montreal

cbenoi1

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

Enlightened

Always Learning

blacbird

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

Duncan J Macdonald

Plotting! Not Plodding!

Kaiser-Kun

!

Enlightened

Always Learning

blacbird

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

Enlightened

Always Learning

Sam Artisan

Held captive by angry blue elves.

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

Kjbartolotta

Potentially has/is dog