So Disney should get credit for Star Wars? eg: someone else's design?
They are building an entirely new land inspired by an existing IP. So, yes - Disney will deserve pretty much complete credit for the success (or failure) of the new Star Wars land. I don't say it to take away from Uni's accomplishment, but they pretty much literally re-created an existing movie set, and IIRC they had the people who designed the initial set helping them do it.
Uni deserves kudos for HP, no doubt. 100%. It is incredibly well-executed. I do not dispute that one bit. It's like a beautiful copy of a masterwork of art, somewhat expanded upon under close supervision from the master (or mistress, in this case) and his apprentices.
SW, Pandora, are more like brand new pieces of art INSPIRED by an existing masterwork but with a brand new, original composition. It is my
belief that they will be executed just as well, and probably better, than Diagon Alley and Hogwarts.
An example: does Kong maintain the same level of amazing as Diagon Alley? I have not personally experienced it, but the consensus seems to be that people were generally underwhelmed. Diagon Alley is Universal Creative under the direction of a master, Kong is Universal Creative left to their own (heavily screen-reliant) devices. Enough said?
I think perhaps another factor in it's success/adulation is that HP/Diagon Alley came during a dry period in the Orlando parks in terms of new attractions/environments and as such was a complete breath of fresh air, and people fell in love. I was so pumped up for Forbidden Journey from what I had heard on the Dis Uni podcast, and when I actually rode it there was a feeling of 'is that all there is'? Sacrilege, I know. It was the budget, haunted house-looking Dementors that really put my over the edge.
I could bang this drum forever, but I've probably already said too much.
(I'm starting to feel the need to insert a Dean Marino-type 'just my opinion' disclaimer on the bottom of my posts
)