Following its success at The Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, and at Universal Studios Japan, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set to open at the world’s original Universal Studios Park, in Hollywood, in Spring 2016 (Autumn in Australia, should we get technical). Though this has been known for a while, earlier this month more details were announced about what we can expect from the largest addition to the park in years.
Hogwarts castle will serve as the iconic focal point of the attraction, where the ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will “take guests on a journey into many memorable scenes alongside Harry, Ron and Hermione. Traveling by Floo powder, guests will soar high above Hogwarts, partake in a Quidditch match, narrowly escape a dragon attack and have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow.”
The ride features the newest in ride technology, with “a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects. Sporting Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles, guests will venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.”
Though the ride also features in Orlando and Japan, the Hollywood version will see the ride upgrade to a “dynamic 3D-HD adventure”, with the mentioned Quidditch inspired 3D goggles a first for the attraction. This will make it the fourth 3D attraction at the park, running alongside the Transformers, Simpsons and King Kong rides.
Also featured within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, will be Universal Studios Hollywood’s first ever outdoor rollercoaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff”. In between rides, guests will be able to enjoy Harry Potter themed food and beverage at locations including Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head Pub, the Magic Neep and Butterbeer carts. Eight retail outlets will also add to the experience, including Honeydukes, Ollivanders Owl Post, Zonko’s Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods.
Keep your eye out on Twitter for the tag #WizardingWorldHollywood for more updates on the park, and follow the part on Twitter at @UniStudios. We look forward to checking it out when it debuts in a little under a year!
