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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Studios Hollywood)

Coordinates: 34°08′17.50″N 118°21′11.64″W / 34.1381944°N 118.3532333°W / 34.1381944; -118.3532333
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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Universal Studios Hollywood
Coordinates34°08′17.50″N 118°21′11.64″W / 34.1381944°N 118.3532333°W / 34.1381944; -118.3532333
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateFebruary 12, 2016
Opening dateApril 7, 2016[1]
ReplacedGibson Amphitheatre[2] and The Adventures of Curious George
Ride statistics
Attraction typeThemed area
DesignerUniversal Creative
ThemeHarry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area at Universal Parks & Resorts' Universal Studios Hollywood theme park near Los Angeles, California. It was announced on December 6, 2011.[3] The Wizarding World of Harry Potter officially began operation on April 7, 2016.

Background

Previous Universal Harry Potter attractions

A Harry Potter themed attraction at a Universal Studios park or a Disney park was rumored in 2003.[4][5] However, the rights to the Harry Potter franchise had been acquired by Warner Bros., who denied all rumors.[6] In January 2007, About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that the Islands of Adventure park's Lost Continent area at Universal Orlando Resort was going to be re-themed "to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children's franchises".[7] Other sources followed up in the next few days with unofficial confirmation that the new area would involve Harry Potter.[8][9] On May 31, 2007, Universal, in partnership with Warner Bros., officially announced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be added to Islands of Adventure.[10][11][12][13] After a two-and-a-half year construction period, the area officially opened to the public on June 18, 2010.[14][15] This resulted in attendance at the park jumping approximately 50% in its first year of operation.[16] On July 8, 2014, Universal opened an expansion to The Wizarding World at Universal Studios Florida. A week later, on July 15, 2014, Universal opened The Wizarding World at Universal Studios Japan.[17]

Construction of Hogwarts Castle, where Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey will be housed at Universal Studios Hollywood (March 2015)

Rumors and official announcement

On December 1, 2011, the Wall Street Journal reported a rumor from "people familiar with the matter" that Universal Studios Hollywood was going to add their version of Islands of Adventure's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.[18] The report also detailed the possibility that Universal Parks & Resorts would open additional Harry Potter-themed areas at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Japan as well as a location in Spain.[18] This report was widely relayed by other media sources.[19][20][21] On December 6, 2011, Universal Studios Hollywood announced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.[3] Universal Parks & Resorts executives Tom Williams and Ron Meyer were accompanied by Warner Bros. executives, the Governor of California Jerry Brown as well as James and Oliver Phelps who played the Weasley twins in the films.[22] The announcement came with very few details of what would be built, however, it did confirm that the Gibson Amphitheatre would be demolished and a re-creation of Hogwarts and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey would be constructed.[2][23] The last show at the Gibson Amphitheatre was held on September 6, 2013 prior to its closure and subsequent demolition.

On April 23, 2013, NBCUniversal made the final step by receiving a unanimous vote in approval of the 25-year expansion by the county Board of Supervisors. This $1.6 billion expansion is expected to greatly boost tourism and the local entertainment industry. It will also create 30,000 jobs during the time of construction.[24]

On December 8, 2015, it was announced that the park will open on April 7, 2016. However, the soft opening was on March 31, 2016.[1]

Attractions

Similar to the Wizarding World in Japan, this one does not feature the Dragon Challenge coaster from Islands of Adventure, but does include Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff, along with Olivander's Wand Shop Show, and the Frog Choir and Triwizard Spirit Rally.

Dining and shopping

  • The Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head Pub
  • Ollivander's Wand Shop
  • Owl Post
  • Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment
  • Gladrags Wizardwear
  • Dervish and Banges
  • Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods
  • Honeydukes
  • Zonko's

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Exclusive: Hollywood's 'Wizarding World of Harry Potter' sets its opening date". USA Today. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Nakashima, Ryan (December 6, 2011). "Poof! Harry Potter park to appear in Hollywood". USA Today. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Hogwarts Coming to Hollywood". Press Release. Universal Studios Hollywood. December 6, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  4. ^ Hill, Jim (August 14, 2003). "Why For wouldn't J.K. Rowling let Universal Studios build a Harry Potter stunt show?". JimHillMedia.com. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  5. ^ Creative, T.Holland (July 12, 2003). "Harry Potter's Going to Disney World?". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  6. ^ Clarke, Susan Strother (August 8, 2003). "Aol Lawyers Cast Spell On Rumors". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  7. ^ Levine, Arthur (January 28, 2007). "Universal to Float New Island at its Florida Park". About.com. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  8. ^ Hart, Lance (February 1, 2007). "Harry Potter / Lost Continent Transformation". Screamscape. Archived from the original on February 3, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  9. ^ Hill, Jim (February 5, 2007). "Monday Mouse Watch: You'll believe a car can fly". JimHillMedia.com. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  10. ^ "Harry Potter theme park planned". BBC News. May 31, 2007.
  11. ^ Sturcke, James (May 31, 2007). "Harry Potter theme park to open in Florida". The Guardian. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  12. ^ "Harry Potter theme park swoops to Fla". USA Today. May 31, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  13. ^ Albright, Mark (June 1, 2007). "A whole new magic kingdom". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  14. ^ Garcia, Jason. "Big day is here: Universal hopes Harry Potter's magic will last". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
  15. ^ "Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park opens". Australia Times. June 19, 2010. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2011. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; July 6, 2011 suggested (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Nakashima, Ryan (December 6, 2011). "Poof! Harry Potter park to appear in Hollywood". USA Today. Los Angeles. Associated Press. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  17. ^ Cripps, Karla (July 16, 2014). "Universal Studios Japan's 'Wizarding World of Harry Potter' opens". CNN. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  18. ^ a b Schuker, Lauren A. E. (December 1, 2011). "Second 'Harry Potter' Park Planned". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  19. ^ Associated Press (December 2, 2011). "Harry Potter attraction on way to Universal Studios Hollywood after successful Orlando debut". Washington Post. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  20. ^ Serjeant, Jill (December 1, 2011). "Harry Potter theme parks set to expand: report". Reuters. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  21. ^ Fritz, Ben (November 30, 2011). "Harry Potter attraction coming to Universal Studios Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  22. ^ Bevil, Dewayne (December 6, 2011). "Wizarding World of Harry Potter to expand at Universal Orlando". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  23. ^ MacDonald, Brady (December 6, 2011). "It's official: Harry Potter land to debut at Universal Studios Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  24. ^ Villacorte, Christina (April 23, 2013). "Harry Potter coming to Universal Studios Hollywood". Daily News. Retrieved April 23, 2013.

External links

Template:The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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