NEW OPENING
MAGICMOMENT
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens in July and aims to be the most incredible theme park experience ever. Kathleen Whyman fi nds out what magic awaits visitors to the park
When guests visit Ollivanders wand shop, they will be able recreate the moment that changed Harry’s life, when their wand “chooses” them
after fi ve years in development. Promising scenery, attractions and souvenirs that are faithful to the seven JK Rowling books, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens at Universal Orlando Resort, US on 18 June. Covering 20 acres and estimated to have
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cost £160m (US$238m, 178m) to build, the theme park within a theme park will be a fully immersive Harry Potter-themed environment. Visitors will be able to explore Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, run through the snow-covered vil- lage of Hogsmeade and stop off at Zonko’s joke shop and Ollivanders wand shop before having a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.
Talking portraits include the Fat Lady and the four founders of Hogwarts
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MAGICAL TOUR
On arrival, visitors will be greeted by billowing steam and a train whistle, simu-
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or the hundreds of millions of Harry Potter fans worldwide, a magical experience is now only weeks away,
lating the Hogwarts Express pulling into Hogsmeade station. Looming ahead are the gates to Hogwarts School. Despite standing 150ft (46m) high, the castle will appear to tower up to 600ft (183m)- high due to architectural sorcery. Deep within the castle lies the park’s signature ride experience – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Combining robotic ride system technology with immersive fi lmmak- ing, the operators say that new technology had to be invented to achieve the highest level of guest experience. The ride starts with Headmaster Dumbledore welcoming visitors to his offi ce, then Harry, Ron and Hermione lead an adventure which has guests soar- ing over Hogwarts, escaping a dragon attack, having a close encounter with the Whomping Willow and getting pulled into a Quidditch match. Fans will also have the chilling experience of coming face-to-face with a Dementor. Other high-
AM 2 2010 ©cybertrek 2010
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