Now, Universal Studios, in collaboration with Warner Bros.,
producers of the films, is about to extend the lucrative Potter brand even further. After five years of intense planning, designing and building, they’re ready to install the bespectacled young mage as the wizard-in-residence at their Islands of Adventure resort in Orlando, Florida. If all goes according to plan, on June 18th Potter and pals will be ensconced alongside the likes of Spiderman and The Hulk in their own, private, 20-acre realm known as The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter [TWWOHP]. Keenly aware that Potter fans, like Trekkies, are sticklers for detail,
Universal has invested heavily in the talent and technology needed to achieve the authenticity of the films. “Our primary design goal,” says Paul Daurio, the producer
of TWWOHP, “is totally immersing the guest in the world of Harry Potter.” Achieving that goal meant enlisting Stuart Craig, the production
designer for the films, Alan Gilmore, their supervising art director, and the entire team of artists at Leavesden Film Studios just outside London, England, where the Potter series was designed and filmed. Their involvement helped earn Rowling’s blessing for the project. “She is delighted that
Stuart....and Alan....have been collaborating
with Universal’s creative team,” reports Daurio. Equally delighted by the prospect of finally having their own
magical kingdom, Universal’s executive Muggles are talking in superlatives. Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative, has promised “an exceptionally immersive experience that will touch the lives of our guests.” Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks and Resorts, went one further and predicted that TWWOHP will be “unlike any other experience on earth.” “Our single biggest challenge was to reinvent the way we
use technology to bring all of the action and adventures of Harry Potter’s world to life,” confides Paul Daurio. “Basically, it’s meant re-inventing the theme park experience.” With that kind of advance publicity, expectations are, not
surprisingly, running high. “Harry Potter continues to spark the imaginations of fans
of all ages and we have seen the anticipation continue to build,”
tight-lipped about specifics, the sneak previews on Universal’s website offer plenty of tantalising hints about what Potter fans can look forward to.
observes Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Although Daurio and his colleagues have been
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All images ©2009 Universal Orlando. All Rights Reserved.
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