Rowling Trying to Cash in on Harry Potter?

Just MHO here, but I'd drive there from Pennsylvania to take my grandkids. We love Harry Potter. I'm very thankful to JKR for writing him. He almost seems like one of the family. And, as for the money ........ more power to her! I don't care if she makes so much nobody would ever be able to count it all! I love when people I care about do well, and I will be just as happy for her for every penny she makes. Again, though, just my humble opinion. And, after reading the last book (for the fourth time) it will give all of us something new to look forward to!

well, I've not seen the movies or read the books but
it seems like if anyone should profit from her creation it should
be the person who created it.
It's the free market, if people will buy it.....

I heard the stories on this today, but there was nothing whatever in the story that said this was Rowlings idea or that she did anything whatever but agree to accept money offered to her for permission to make this park. I don't think she is behind this at all, but merely sign the papers selling the rights to them. Remember, she owns the concept and the characters, etc.

Well, even if she is, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. She was broke when she wrote the first book, and all the success she has had is very much deserved. I know that if I had an idea like she did, and wrote a novel that turned out to be successful, I would milk it for all it's worth. Who doesn't want to be rich?

I have a problem with paying people an exorbitant amount of money for things. Like multi-million dollar contracts for baseball players. Sure Rowling has a right to make money on Harry Potter, but isn't enough enough sometimes? Well, that's my opinion anyway. Atleast make the themepark affordable (which they won't!)

Been to Disney lately? There is no such thing as an affordable theme park...;-)

Its only taking advantage of us when we are told that we HAVE to have something. This theme park is being built for us, who want to escape into the book, but know that we cann't enter that world, until 2009. Everything that we've read will be put in front of us. It'll be amazing. Besides, I think she deserves every penny she gets from all this with all the joy she's brought into people's lives, not to mention the nu,ber of children's she's inspired to love reading... She is contributing to the growing intelligence of our upcoming generations and I thank her for it.

I suspect the theme part will be very successful. It does seem like the author of the book and the characters should benefit from her idea.

I doubt the amount she makes on the theme park admissions will be a major part of the cost of each admission, anyway .... it takes a lot of people and technology and insurance to run a theme park!

I think the theme park is a wonderful idea. My sister and I use to always say it would have been awesome to go to Hogwarts for school and now in 2009 you will be able to. I agree with Carolyn G said. I think JK just gave them permission to use her creation for the park, I believe it was Universal that came up with the initial idea. It is no different than the people of Universal making a Jurassic Park and Jaws theme ride...so Harry Potter's Wizarding World will be its own park, it will be awesome to go fresh out of seeing all the books and probably all the movies. It will also be wonderful to share that with one day my children then my grand children. Any royalities that are paid to her is her money because it was her idea. Just like all the royalities all the Stars get every time their movies are played on cable.

I think the theme park is a great idea. J.K. Rowling doesnt NEED anymore money, but she Will make a LOT off of the theme parks. Maybe it isnt a thing just for money. Many people like to see their creations come to life and let other people experience it for themselves. Look at Disney.

Sarah,

Harry Potter is big business, not just for JKR but lots of others too; publishers, retailers licensed to sell HP merchandise, movie studios, etc. So now that another group wants to try and capitalize on the success of HP ok. She has to give the ok to do it and of course since they will be making money on the scheme it's only fair that she does too.

As for ticket prices they'll be similar to any amusement park these days whether it's 6 Flags, Universal, or Disney. I paid over $800 for tickets this month for 4 people to go to Disney World for 3 days.

Rides, maintenance, and personnel costs are your biggest factors when setting ticket prices. There's actually a pretty game SIM Theme Park that lets you build you own theme park and then stay profitable. JKR is only going to get a very small percentage of the ticket price. But she'll also make money on the merchandise too.

One last comment. I don't think she's taking advantage of us at all. It's not like I'm forced to go to the HP Theme Park or don't go to any park at all. If people go it's because they want to.

Why shouldn't JKR try to cash in on Harry Potter and company? ..... They are all her ideas / creations and she has every right to do what she wants with them regardless of what anyone else thinks, wishes, or feels aobut it ....... As for me -- if there is a theme park that will allow me to experience a 10th of Harry's world -- I'm more than willing to shell it out and go there ...... Happy to see it, and glad that it will be there ....... Cash in all you want, JKR .... you'll be keeping THIS fan happy ...

this theme park thing sounds awesome!
i am soooooooo going to it when it comes out.

Where will it be anyways? hope it isn't too far away... and they make more than one