Muggles to be able to Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando at Universal Studios
According to the Today Show:
"Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort plan to open The Wizarding World of Harry Potter within Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park in 2009, Tom Williams, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts, announced Thursday on TODAY. The “theme park within a theme park” is the first fully immersive Harry Potter-themed environment based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and the blockbuster feature films."
According to the Press Release:
J.K. Rowling, says "The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans
of the books or films will be disappointed."
Expected to open in late 2009, the new environment will feature
immersive rides and interactive attractions, as well as experiential shops and restaurants that will enable guests to sample fare from the wizarding world's best known establishments. Also debuting will be a state-of-the-art attraction that will bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in an exciting way that guests have never before experienced.
The Academy Award-winning production designer Stuart Craig, who has worked to bring the world of Harry Potter to life in all of the feature films to date, leads the creative design for the area to ensure it remains faithful to the look and feel of the films.
"Our primary goal is to make sure this experience is an authentic extension of Harry Potter's world as it is portrayed in the books and films," said Craig. "I am very excited to be working closely with the
Universal Orlando team to bring the area to life."
Universal has setup a website with some FAQs and more information. Visit www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter for more details.
Although the press release didn't mention anything specific about what rides and areas might be there, here are some of our common sense speculations as to what you might find there:
- Weasley's Wizard Weezes Joke Shop
- Gringotts Bank Roller Coaster Ride
- The Forbiden Forest Ride
- Hogwarts Express Ride
- Azkaban Ride
- Ministry of Magic Restaurant
- Quiddich Field / Ride
- Hogwarts Castle Ride (Maybe even a Hogwarts Hotel)
- Shriking Shack Ride
- Diagon Alley Shops
- Knockturn Alley Shops
- Hogsmead Shops
- Olivanders Wand Shop
Any other interesting ideas of what you might expect to see?
More Resources / References:
- The Today Show - Harry Potter theme park set to open
- The Disney Blog - Harry Potter goes to Universal
- Orlando Sentinel - Harry Potter to come to Universal Orlando
- Geeks of Doom - Harry Potter Attraction at Universal Studios?
I can't wait to see if they might a ride out of the Knight Bus, I am sure that would be an awsome ride in Harry Potter Land...
Posted by: Lilly | June 01, 2007 at 08:51 AM
I've always read the books assuming a theme park would come. Womping willow ride, flying car ride, brookstick travel (across the park, probably, as well as like the peter pan ride at Magic Kingdom), 'experience' of invisibility cloaks, visual effect of apparating and portkeys, DADA competitions versus a virtual competitor (Ginny, Neville -- I'm NOT going against Hermione i.e., would lose!). Entering the Ministry of Magic through a 'wall' of water/air plus telephone booth (MAGIC is the number to hit), St. mungo's (meet more characters, place coins in fountain). WIll obviously sell lighters (but won't take street lights out, bummer), quidditch team shirts and posters, etc, orbs of prophecy, can take tests for OWL and NEWTs. Get Sorted as enter park, eat meals as member of a house.
I mean, these are some of the things I would do if I were on the team!
Posted by: Lynne | July 05, 2007 at 04:03 PM
OH MY SEVERUS! Sorry... I am so excited I'm in tears! I think there should be a ride that takes you through the forbidden forest with Hagrid!
Posted by: Amanda | July 09, 2008 at 11:14 AM