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ParkHoppin’ with Paul Ruben


Harry Potter's Magic Universal has discovered the magic of Harry Potter. The resort operator has now rolled out Potter attractions at its parks in Orlando and Osaka, much to the delight of the millions of Potter-heads who have visited. This magic for Universal has boosted attendance and proved very profitable. I’m not a Potter-head, but I can appreciate good theming. At Universal Orlando, I found that the theming of the new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley was not just good, it was spectacular. It’s as good as it gets. Themed as a portion of London, my Brit friends tell me this environment appears authentic in every detail [except perhaps the geography of certain buildings/landmarks – Ed]. Those imbued with the culture of Harry Potter can't get enough. Here I found boys, girls, and a few adults too, strolling the streets in their wizarding robes. The robes are sold at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, together with all manner of “wizardwear”. If guests had a robe, chances are they also carried a magic wand.


Selling magic wands is surely a very profitable enterprise. Universal retails a variety of styles for $35 or more – and they were flying off the shelves. The more expensive ones were longer and more elaborate, but all were deemed collectible. Guests would wave them in front of some of the windows of the buildings in Diagon Alley, triggering special effects like dancing trolls or levitating feather quills. They would wave them outside in the street, and light all the lamps and chandeliers in Flimflam’s Lanterns window. I was curious, so I went into Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC.


I asked if it was better to have a long magic wand or a short one, and was told they all make the same magic. I then called into Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. It’s a vibrant shop selling novelty items, magical jokes and toys. I was taken by the poster in the window. “Why are you worrying about You-Know-Who? You should be worrying about U-No-Poo. The constipation sensation that’s gripping the nation!” Inside I found the display of U-No-Poo, a product that apparently causes constipation in the unknowing taker. OK, it’s really just chocolate candy, but the kind of candy you want to offer your worst friend.


The best magic in Diagon Alley is found on its two rides. To ride the Hogwarts Express you pass through the brick wall at King’s Cross Station to arrive at Platform 9¾. To enter the multi-dimensional thrill ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, you must first descend by elevator “nine miles” (14.5 km) to the depth of Gringotts’ vault. Since the water table in Orlando is about 10ft (3m), this magic requires a suspension of disbelief! For my final piece of magic I visited Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream


Parlour for a dish of Butterbeer ice cream, which tasted very much like butterscotch ripple. I consumed the entire dish and didn’t gain an ounce of weight. I suspect this, too, required a suspension of disbelief.


6 SEPTEMBER 2014


Six Flags 2015


US park chain plans big investments for next season


The Six Flags corporation has announced new offerings for almost all of its 18 amusement parks and waterparks in 2015, including more wood-steel hybrid coasters, an S&S wing coaster, a handful of Giant Loops, another Star Flyer and a couple of interactive dark rides. Here’s what to expect, park by park


Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, has unveiled plans for a world record-breaking hybrid coaster, Twisted Colossus. Featuring two lift hills, the 4,990ft-long (1,521m or almost one mile) monster will use the wooden structure of the park’s famous Colossus coaster and add new Iron Horse track from Rocky Mountain Construction. New technology and engineering techniques provide for new ride experiences never before possible on wooden coasters, such as over-banked turns and inversions. The focal point of the newly themed area of the park called Back Alley, Twisted Colossus will feature exciting components including a “Top Gun”, Zero G roll and the western hemisphere’s first “High Five” element. Wicked Cyclone is the name of Six Flags New England’s planned hybrid coaster in Agawam, Massachusettts. Also from Rocky Mountain Construction, this brand new ride will combine the extreme characteristics of steel and wood, and be the first hybrid coaster to hit the east coast. Standing over 100ft high (33m), the ride will feature 3,320ft (1km) of track and offer more airtime than any other coaster in New England. Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, has unveiled plans to debut the next generation of S&S Worldwide’s 4D Wing Coaster. Batman: The Ride will flip passengers head-over-heels at least six times. Riders will begin their


Looping Dragon at Six Flags Great Adventure is one of four Larson Giant Loops on order


Wicked Cyclone, Flags New England


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