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===Opening===
===Opening===
A soft opening weekend was held for the media and reserved guests, starting on 19 March 2010. The park had two opening ceremonies that took place on 16 June 2010 and 18 June 2010. The first opening was reserved for the cast and crew of the [[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter films]] as well as [[J.K. Rowling]], author of the [[Harry Potter|novels]]. Orlando officials also attended along with representitives and media coverage. Composer of the first three films, [[John Williams]], led the Orlando Symphony Orchestra infront of a fireworks display. On June 18th, the area was officially opened to the public which involved actors [[Daniel Radcliffe]], [[Rupert Grint]], [[Michael Gambon]], [[Tom Felton]], [[Bonnie Wright]] and [[James Phelps|James]] and [[Oliver Phelps]]. Orlando representative, Bill Davis, also introduced the park to the audience along with a Hogwarts Express conductor.<ref>[http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2010/6/18/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-opens-to-public-today-live-stream-starts-at-9-am-est June 18] </ref>
A soft opening weekend was held for the media and reserved guests, starting on 19 March 2010. The park had two opening ceremonies that took place on 16 June 2010 and 18 June 2010. The first opening was reserved for the cast and crew of the [[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter films]] as well as [[J.K. Rowling]], author of the [[Harry Potter|novels]]. Orlando officials also attended along with representitives and media coverage. Composer of the first three films, [[John Williams]], led the Orlando Symphony Orchestra infront of a fireworks display. On June 18th, the area was officially opened to the public which involved actors [[Daniel Radcliffe]], [[Rupert Grint]], [[Michael Gambon]], [[Tom Felton]], [[Bonnie Wright]] and [[James Phelps|James]] and [[Oliver Phelps]]. Orlando representative, Bill Davis, also introduced the park to the audience along with a Hogwarts Express conductor.Al Roker and Stephane Abrams also broadcasted live with [[The Weather Channel]] at the park. <ref>[http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2010/6/18/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-opens-to-public-today-live-stream-starts-at-9-am-est June 18] </ref>


==Rides==
==Rides==

Revision as of 14:58, 18 June 2010

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an addition to Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Florida. The area's attractions are set in and around a recreation of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the nearby village of Hogsmeade. The park opened to the public on June 18, 2010. [1]

Background

Previous Potter attraction attempts

The concept of a Harry Potter-themed attraction at a Universal Studios park was first discussed within the company in the late 1990s or early 2000s; however, the original vision was for an elaborate, effects-packed stage show, similar to The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show. The Harry Potter program would have featured Harry, Ron and Hermione in a showdown with Voldemort, culminating in the animatronic villain's spectacular death as he was engulfed in flames. When Universal attempted to broach the idea with Rowling's representatives, they were told that the Potter theme park rights had been awarded to another, unnamed company, which Universal assumed to be Disney.[2] After Universal Orlando president Bob Gualt mentioned in a 2003 meeting that "Disney has Harry Potter wrapped up," leading to rumors that Disney was already developing a Potter project, AOL Time Warner came forward to assert that they owned the theme park rights but had no current plans to exercise or share them.[2][3][4][5]

In late 2006, it was rumored--but denied by Rowling's camp--that Rowling had signed a letter of intent signifying her willingness to move forward with Disney in a partnership for a new theme park.[6][7] Later reports suggested that the venture fell apart over Disney's reluctance to accommodate Rowling's vision for the attraction[8][9][10], which (according to entertainment blogger Jim Hill) would have brought each guest into the park through an experience mimicking Harry's introduction to the wizarding world, as depicted in the first Potter book:

J.K. allegedly wanted each & every guest who was experiencing the theme park version of Harry Potter's world to do so by first entering the Leaky Cauldron pub. Where -- by tapping on just the right brick ("Three up and two across ... ") -- they'd then gain access to Diagon Alley, that odd collection of Wizards-only shops & restaurants that's hidden away in the heart of London.

From this area (Which was...supposed to have been the equivalent of Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland...), these folks were then supposed to have made their way to Platform 9 & 3/4 at King's Cross Station. Where -- after magically piercing the barrier that separates the Muggle world from the Wizard world -- guests would have then been able to board a full-sized version of the Hogwarts Express for a trip to Harry's alma mater.[8]

Rumours and official announcement

In January 2007, About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that the Islands of Adventure park's Lost Continent area was going to be rethemed "to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children's franchises."[11] Other sources followed up in the next few days with unofficial confirmation that the new area would involve Harry Potter, and that it was being developed under the name "Project Strong Arm" in reference to the KUKA robotic arm technology it would utilize.[12][13] Nikki Finke reported her own confirmation of the Potter park plans in April,[14] followed shortly by a story in The Scotsman;[9] both reports were widely relayed by other media sources.[15] [16] [17] On May 31, 2007, three weeks before the release of the seventh and final Potter book, Universal (in partnership with Warner Bros.) officially announced the 20-acre park recreating Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade, with a planned opening in 2009.[18][19][20]

Opening

A soft opening weekend was held for the media and reserved guests, starting on 19 March 2010. The park had two opening ceremonies that took place on 16 June 2010 and 18 June 2010. The first opening was reserved for the cast and crew of the Harry Potter films as well as J.K. Rowling, author of the novels. Orlando officials also attended along with representitives and media coverage. Composer of the first three films, John Williams, led the Orlando Symphony Orchestra infront of a fireworks display. On June 18th, the area was officially opened to the public which involved actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon, Tom Felton, Bonnie Wright and James and Oliver Phelps. Orlando representative, Bill Davis, also introduced the park to the audience along with a Hogwarts Express conductor.Al Roker and Stephane Abrams also broadcasted live with The Weather Channel at the park. [21]

Rides

Dragon Challenge

Main article: Dragon Challenge

A dueling roller coaster (two distinct rides built to overlap and intertwine with each other), formerly in operation since the park's 1999 opening under the name Dueling Dragons. The attraction was renamed in homage to the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, depicted in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The two sides of the coaster have been renamed "Hungarian Horntail" and "Chinese Fireball", after two of the dragon breeds which appear in the book. It is the only dueling inverted roller coaster in the world.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Main article: Flight of the Hippogriff

A milder roller coaster than Dragon Challenge, rethemed from the Flying Unicorn attraction which had operated at the park since 2000. The coaster's backstory is that Hogwarts' Care of Magical Creatures professor Hagrid is teaching young wizards to fly on a Hippogriff (as Harry does in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) by using a wicker replica of the creature. Hagrid's Hut is passed on the way for a proper lesson from Hagrid himself on how to properly approach a hippogriff

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Main article: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

A new attraction inside the replica of Hogwarts Castle, simulating a tour of the castle and its surrounding grounds. Visitors initially walk through the castle, interacting with various characters and props from the Potter series, and then ride a "magical bench" (controlled with a robotic arm system) around the outside of the castle, encountering the Whomping Willow, a horde of dementors, and a Quidditch match.

Dining

The Three Broomsticks

A restaurant based on The Three Broomsticks inn and pub in the Potter series, offering butterbeer and pumpkin juice as well as food selections including chicken, ribs, shepherd's pie, fish and chips, and more. Desserts include strawberry-peanut butter ice cream (as seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and chocolate cauldron cakes.

The Hog's Head

A pub adjacent to the Three Broomsticks, based on the somewhat seedy pub owned by Aberforth Dumbledore in the Potter series. The Hog's Head will offer alcoholic beverages, including a custom ale made exclusively for the establishment.

Shopping and other attractions

Dervish and Banges

A store selling magical items, as well as Quidditch supplies, Hogwarts clothing, and other merchandise, based on Dervish & Banges in the Potter series.

Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods

A general gift shop (named for Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch) offering Hogwarts souvenirs (such as clothing and stationery), replicas of props from the Potter films, and other toys and souvenirs. The shop is at the exit to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and will also provide photos of guests' ride experience.

Hagrid's Hut

A recreation of the home of Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid, near the Flight of the Hippogriff coaster. The interior of the hut is used for storage and is not open to visitors.

Hogwarts Express

A recreation of the Hogwarts Express, the train used to carry students from London to Hogwarts. The attraction is at the entrance of Hogsmeade and will feature "billowing steam and an iconic whistle."

Honeydukes

A sweet shop, based on Honeydukes Sweetshop in the Potter series.

Ollivander's

Entrance of Ollivander's.

A recreation of Ollivander's wand shop, the store where Harry purchases his wand in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. (As Ollivander's is in Diagon Alley, not Hogsmeade, the attraction is portrayed as a branch of the main shop.) Visitors have an interactive experience based on the premise, key to the Potter series, that "the wand chooses the wizard", and have the opportunity to buy the wand that "chooses" them or to buy recreations of wands seen in the series. As in the series, the wand keeper hands a selected person wand and tells them to give it a wave. When the person does this, it causes something to go wrong. This continues until the right wand is found. The wand can then be purchased.

Owl Post

A working post office (where postcards and letters will be delivered with an authentic Hogsmeade postmark) that also sells stationery, writing implements, stamps, and owl-related gifts.

Zonko's

A toy and joke store, based on Zonko's Joke Shop in the Potter series.

Images

References

  1. ^ Opened June 18th
  2. ^ a b Jim Hill (2003-08-15). "Why For?". JimHillMedia.com. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  3. ^ Seren, James (2003-07-25). "Harry Potter theme park in store?". HPANA. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  4. ^ Golden, David (2003-08-08). "AOL Time Warner nixes idea of Potter theme-park attraction". HPANA. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  5. ^ Clarke, Susan Strother (2003-08-08). "The Orlando Sentinel, Fla., Susan Strother Clarke Column". The Orlando Sentinel.
  6. ^ Hill, Jim (2006-10-16). "Monday Mouse Watch: Harry Potter and the Letter of Intent". JimHillMedia.com. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  7. ^ Anelli, Melissa (2006-10-17). ""No Truth" in Potter Disney Park Rumors". The Leaky Cauldron. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  8. ^ a b Hill, Jim (2007-04-16). "Monday MouseWatch : WDI hopes that its "Living Character Initiative" will make up for losing "Harry Potter" as well as Kuka's robotic arm technology". JimHillMedia.com. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  9. ^ a b Gray, Fiona (2007-04-22). "And now for Harry Potter and the wizard theme park..." The Scotsman.
  10. ^ Albright, Mark (2007-07-01). "A whole new magic kingdom". St. Petersburg Times.
  11. ^ Levine, Arthur (2007-01-28). "Universal to Float New Island at its Florida Park". About.com. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  12. ^ "Harry Potter / Lost Continent Transformation". Screamscape.com. 2007-02-01. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  13. ^ Hill, Jim (2007-02-05). "Monday Mouse Watch: You'll believe a car can fly". JimHillMedia.com. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  14. ^ Finke, Nikki (2007-04-13). "EXCLUSIVE: First Ever Harry Potter Theme Park Planned At Universal Studios Florida". Deadline Hollywood Daily. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  15. ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (2007-04-25). "Arts, Briefly". The New York Times.
  16. ^ "Will Harry Potter Become Part Of Universal Orlando?". UltimateRollercoaster.com. 2007-04-25. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  17. ^ "For Universal, Simpsons Is The New Future". St. Petersburg Times. 2007-04-25.
  18. ^ Sturcke, James (2007-05-31). "Harry Potter theme park to open in Florida". The Guardian.
  19. ^ "Harry Potter theme park swoops to Fla". USA Today. 2007-05-31.
  20. ^ "Harry Potter theme park planned". BBC News. 2007-05-31.
  21. ^ June 18
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