It's hard to believe anything good could come out of Draco Malfoy's mouth but today in a media webcast, Draco (aka actor Tom Felton) let us know that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a 20-acre "fully immersive" theme park attraction would be opening at the Universal Studios Orlando in Spring 2010. Muggles and Wizards rejoice!
Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks and Resorts was joined by Harry Potter films production designer Stuart Craig and show producer Alan Gilmore to give out a special sneak peek of the most anticipated theme park attraction since...hmm...maybe since Disney World opened? You all know how nutty HP fans get over the newest books/films. But imagine what they'll do to experience riding a Hippogriff or sending owl mail or exploring forbidden rooms in Hogwarts Castle?
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is part of the Universal Islands at the park where it will be its own sort of theme park within a theme park. All the rides, shops and dining experiences will be straight from the world of Harry Potter. Most importantly, it will be "truthful" to the visual images experienced through the films of Harry Potter.
"Everything will be scaled to size with an incredible level of detail," said Williams.
At the entrance to the Wizarding World, Hogwarts Express will be "billowing steam" and blowing its whistler to signal your arrival into the Hogsmeade station. From there, visitors can begin walking through Hogwarts Village, stopping into Zonko's Joke Shop, Honeyduke's Candy Shop, The Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head Pub. Word is that Three Broomsticks will serve traditional British fare and butterbeer but we're sure they'll have some cheeseburgers and fries as well.
The Wizarding World will also include an Owlery, a sort of open village meeting space where actual owls will rest in the space overhead. Ollivander's Wand Shop will feature an interactive wand shop where the wand will "choose" you much like it does in the Harry Potter books.
As for the rides, a high-speed rollercoaster inspired by the Tri-Wizard Tournament will be running as will a Hippogriff roller coaster where Hagrid teaches you how to "properly ride a Hippogriff."
But the biggest attraction for Harry Potter fans will be the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey experience within the towering Hogwarts Castle. This attraction will allow you to see some of the iconic spaces that exist within the castle. Williams promises visitors will be "swept up into a journey that really captures the great stories, great characters and great experiences from the books and the films." Pretty please say the Room of Requirement will be accessible here!
Upon leaving the castle to go back to Hogsmead, Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods will feature Ministry of Magic and Magical Creatures merchandise, Omnioculars and remote control Golden Snitches. Speaking of merchandise, there will be tons of Harry Potter merchandise available throughout the Wizarding World from Quidditch equipment to Triwizard apparel, Bertie Bott's candy, Extendable Ears, Spectrespecs and Remembralls. The Universal folk also said that the products have been developed specifically for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and can only be bought here.
We're so excited for this experience to open in Spring we really can't control ourselves. Or as Draco Malfoy put it "It's going to blow some serious minds.
{source}
