Runi's Rant: Universal Studios

So, today I read this and I'd like to reflect on two things. What it means for Universal, and what it means for the future of the Potter franchise considering that and Universal Hollywood Horror Night's other mishaps, so look here after the break!

So, in the article linked above, three girls, around age 13 were called a myriad of offensive names as part of a "Purge" auction, where individuals are auctioned off as victims to be killed in line with the Purge's theme of all crime being legal for the night. This is my first complaint. Universal, why are you so stupid at times? I do put a good deal of blame on the parents, as there should have been a reasonable effort to vet that sort of activity and realize that Horror Nights may not be appropriate for the girls, but the fact still stands that this happened. This is in part, surprising due to the usual "no touch" rule that most Haunts enforce in part for the safety of guests and for the safety of the scare actors. So the idea that the girls were forcibly brought on stage seems a bit forced, but the ultimate effect is clear, that the auction will most likely be canceled to join Bill and Ted as well as the Bayou of Blood's human sacrifices in the boneyard. And aside from the emotional distress that the girls claim, this is another unfortunate note in a long history of Horror Night mishaps.

I had mentioned some of them here  stating the problem with Potter by comparison with Maximum Carnage but the problem goes further. Universal's other mishaps include, but are not limited to, last year's homosexual joke about Superman in Hollywood's Bill and Ted show leading to it's cancellation, the somewhat disdained Bayou of Blood sacrifices canceled in Orlando from this year, and had references to a missing child in Orlando as part of advertising when abductions were going on (this was due to a rather quick shift in marketing, the child was originally going to be the haunt emblem.

What does all this mean?

That Potter probably isn't going to get any Horror Nights loving any time soon, not in the way that we would like. The most I think any one can expect at this point is a maze confined in Knockturn alley or a possible forbidden forest/fantastic beasts area. Rowling, if she sees this, which undoubtably she would, may be a bit hesitant to let them use for any horror night activity what-so-ever. This is especially unfortunate as Potter is possibly the only way for Orlando to go back to a 2 park haunt format, with scare zones in both parks as we now have the train to go from Hogsmede to King's Cross, and from there, the respective parks. So Rowling is possibly the ONE person that needs to be convinced, and if things like this keep  happening, it's unlikely to occur.

So good luck to you Universal. Goodness knows, you need it.