Criticisms of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Orlando

 Criticisms of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Orlando

As long as this blog has existed, I have been writing my concepts for the improvement and creation of new lands within theme parks. Today however, I would like to discuss my own thoughts and criticisms of the Wizarding world of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Orlando resort. 

I love this land, since I was a young teen and Harry Potter was still making new films and exciting. This was before the glamor of the theme park was really something I was looking into, before my interests of Transmedia Storytelling, and expertise in the subject came to life. 

This land is 100% immersive, the perfect Transmedia Storytelling experience, but there are very few issues I have had as I grew older, that may just be me, or I may be correct about. 

KNOCKTURN ALLEY

As a slytherin and a fan of the Dark Arts, if I were born into the Wizarding World I most likely would have teamed up with He Who Must Not Be Named(also if I was born in the right year (Haha), I love Knockturn Alley, however, it is so Dark in there, that upon my first visit to Diagon alley, my Father thought it was cave where people were using their wands, when i realized it was Knockturn alley, I was bewildered at how dark it is inside of this area, and congested now that the new interactive wands are being used. 

As mentioned in a previous article Team-members at universal need to be more available and vocal especially in Knockturn alley to assist with these new wands, as the Tourists who don’t know any better, are clogging the dark tunnels of this area and videoing and attempting to use Generation 1 wands on the Dementor Duel area, waiting in line and getting restless, only to be told this is for Generation 2 wands only. 

Upon my last visit I was almost run over by a Scooter and witnessed several guests need to use flashlights to walk through this area, due to it’s darkness, and I decided to write this article as it takes most guests 5-10 minutes for their eyes to adjust when in this area, not to mention guests being lost in this area, that is completely just too dark.

There is a tunnel just next to the Dementor “Incendio” location, please place a lamp, even a dim lamp, on this location or give the new Interactive wands, the Lumos Charm when bluetooth places them in Knockturn alley.  

Rides and Lockers

I personally love, Forbidden Journey, and Gringotts, as well as Hagrid’s Motorbike adventure, however, I am always annoyed about having to put my wand, and backpacks into lockers, when they can easily be stowed in a pouch or at my feet when on most attractions(Rip Ride Rockit, the Hulk, Velocicoaster and Hagrids being the obvious outliers here) I would argue that Universal should look into installing pouches for many attractions or making it more in the way if lockers are still needed similar to how Disney does Tron. 

Perhaps in the future for Harry Potter attractions Wands, can have a holster within the ride vehicles for Hagrids, with enough space and padding to retrieve their wand and lock it down while they are on the attraction after knowing well that guests who attend their parks will be purchasing these items, and their rides should accommodate for them. 

More family orientated Attractions

Now I know Universal’s focus is on Thrill rides and more Teenage and older experiences, however, my niece is 5 years old and she loves Harry Potter, and upon their last visit to Universal, they had nothing to do, within the wizarding world. And my sister(being less knowledgeable about theme parks than me by alot) was upset by the crowds and her daughter's inability to go to any of the Harry Potter Attractions. 

On my last visit to Universal I also saw a child around the same age as my Niece be picked up by their mother to use their wand in the window, because they were too short. First off Wands, should be given an age of 8+ and team-members in merchandising should explain the complexity of using the wand to guests, as I have seen even some adult guests confused as to how to use their wands, including teenagers. Perhaps a baby proof (idiot Proof) wand will need to be made for these younger guests and frustrating adults in the future. 

Crowd Control

Everyone  I know says Universal is too crowded, and the crowds aren’t being controlled well. Be it the people who are stopped down the center of Diagon Alley to take pictures and videos of the Dragon, or the guests who walk in front of windows where other guests are trying to use their wands many trying to complete adventures, to the nonsensical way that Butterbeer lines, can go in any direction in Hogsmeade central stand, even some guests enter the Leaky Cauldron through the exit. 

Universal, while they fail at controlling the path by which guests walk through the parks, do an exceptional job at creating areas such as the Carkitt Market and Knockturn Alley that pulls guests out of the main street of Diagon Alley, but I hope in the future despite J.K. Rowlings Mettling with the way attractions must be for the Ministry Universal considered these issues in crowd management, so guests aren’t shoulder to shoulder on the busier days of the year. 

While the Dragon is cool, I’d argue it breaks immersion as it’s a permanent fixture, and doesn’t move, that can be seen from the street near transformers, across the water. And the Windows where Guests cast spells should be watched by wand specialists who can assist guests in spellwork across Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Perhaps more windows and variety of windows to cast spells on across both Parks especially for those completing Adventures on the App can be created, with similar outcomes and spells to unlock, just in different locations run through an algorithm in the app to determine how many guests are at each location to create space within the park, and providing more variety to guests. 

Guests also need more direction with Wands, as mentioned previously there is still a problem with Gen1 wand users attempting Gen 2 locations, clogging congested areas, but they also must learn how to use their wand and using the shapes on the ground to cast their spells, I had to assist countless guests the other day who didn’t understand how to use their wands. And some of the guests with lesser ( and I mean extremely Idiotic negligence in terms of) intelligence thought that my girlfriend's wand was a dark magic wand when it made different things happen than what their Gen1 wand was doing. 

Why do I keep getting identified as a Park Manager or Employee?

This isn’t a criticism on Universal, but on Guests themselves, due to my wearing of a lanyard and collared shirt, as I also do at Walt Disney World, I am constantly tapped on the shoulder or spoken down to by other guests, who think I am an Employee, this is a criticism on Universal because it’s frustrating how I am in a dark green collared shirt, fanny pack, backpack and hat and I am still confused as a person who works in the parks, which in all honesty shouldn’t be something that happens, regardless of where I am in the parks. I would assume a lot of adult guests come in more costumed type clothing than I do, and yet I am somehow still mistaken as a park manager or employee, by the stupidest of Park Guests, and while I won’t criticize Universal’s lack of Dress Code in areas outside of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the guests need to be able to identify guests from Passholders more easily. Even if they are as helpful at times as I can be sometimes.

My girlfriend mentioned to me all team-members (Including management) wear name tags, but my lanyard is being confused for a name tag, and even when other Team-members are standing nearby i am asked, tapped on the shoulder or spoken down to by other guests, who don’t realize I do not work at Universal Orlando, despite my professional appearance.  

Conclusion

I give the Wizarding world of harry potter 9/10 in terms of transmedia studies awareness, and immersion but Universal as a whole still has a long way to go in terms of controlling guests and assisting guests needs and services in order to surpass Disney. 

What do you think, have any of you have similar experiences to me in the parks? let me know what you think.