Harry Potter
Universal studios Orlando is gearing up for the much anticipated launch of Orlando’s newest theme park within a them park, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The big launch is set for Spring of 2010. No official date has been provided yet.
The advertising and marketing departments are busier than ever at Universal Studios as the first ads are beginning to run on NBC. NBC just happens to be the parent company of Universal Studios Orlando. In addition to the ads running on NBC, a partnership has been formed with one of the UK’s best known travel agencies.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is costing Universal over two hundred million dollars and the main marketing push is expected to start after the new year starts. The Orlando vacation market is very competitive. Vacationers have the choice of going to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot Center, Sea World and Busch Gardens as well as Universals’ theme parks. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the largest addition to a theme park since Disney launched the Animal Kingdom back in 1998.
Universal isn’t spilling any beans when it comes to their marketing approach so Disney will just have to wait and react, if at all, but with a slow economy, vacationers’ dollars are more precious than ever.