Attraction Previiew
www.parkworld-online.com
Coup explains some of the new
themed elements: “Dragon Challenge allows guests to experience the Triwizard Tournament. They make their way past the 'Goblet of Fire' and 'Golden Eggs' and eventually on the Dragon’s Den. There they must choose which dragon to face: a Hungarian Horntail or a Chinese Fireball. On Flight of the Hippogriff, guests wander through Hagrid’s Pumpkin patch and around Hagrid’s hut and learn from Hagrid how to ride a Hippogriff, a half-eagle, half- horse creature."
“I remember when I was shooting the films, I absolutely wished this world could be real and that I could be a part of it,” says Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who portrays Harry Potter in the film series. “It’s amazing that people will finally get to do that and realise everything they’ve seen on screen.”
www.universalorlando.com
Harry and the Doctor
Park World columnist Dr Jack Samuels was there on the opening day of Islands of Adventure’s big new attraction. Here he offers some personal observations on what he experienced
Yes, the mystery is over. The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area of epic proportions. However, it was not without operational issues on June 18, when the park was overrun by excited Potter fans, press and VIPs, including several member of the cast from the films. Universal needs to iron out these problems if it is to encourage guests to return. Before it opened, there was much secrecy about the
content of The Wizarding World. In some cases the media were simply unable to write stories. Why not leak out at least some information, such as how Butterbeer is concocted?
Misinformation on opening day regarding privileges
for Universal’s on-site hotel guests lead to some friction. There was also confusion over the use of the Universal Express system. It is hard to believe that there were no speed lines in this eagerly-awaited new land, especially as Universal charges users a fee for its Express pass. It is even more difficult to believe that management finds five to 10 hour waits acceptable.
Throughout The Wizarding World, the flow of traffic was not good. Whereas there was a long wait just to get into the new area, the two rethemed rollercoasters faced virtually no queue. Those wanting to buy a Butterbeer, on the other hand, faced a wait of over 30 minutes. This non-alcoholic butterscotch flavoured beverage, available in both frozen and non-frozen versions, was priced high. Nevertheless, the long lines lost sales. The Harry Potter merchandise was also so popular that the shelves were in many cases bare. Some guests were given the wrong information about closing times, which caused some anger. Fortunately, a member of management was standing close-by when I voiced my concerns, and granted me a quick passage to into Harry Potter’s world. Others may not have been so lucky. Clearly this was opening day, and teething troubles should be expected, but Universal should brace itself for the busy months to come.
Clearly the new land is pulling in the crowds. My visit to Walt Disney World the day after the Harry Potter opening revealed a lower attendance than might be expected for this time of year, and indeed the rest of Islands of Adventure was considerably quieter. So my message to the folks at Universal is this: Congratulations on a great new addition. Polish up the operations and long live Harry Potter!
samuelsj@mail.montclair.edu
PARTS & SERVICE
JULY 2010
27
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