The centrepiece and Entry Street for TWWOHP
will be a faithful re-creation of Hogsmeade, the fictional village known in Harry Potter mythos as the only settlement in Great Britain inhabited solely by magical beings. And so it will seem. Arriving guests will be greeted by the vintage steam engine that shuttles students to and from Hogwarts. A gleaming, red, brass and iron monster, it billows steam as if impatient to begin its next run. Universal’s design team has artfully outfitted the assortment of shops and eateries along Hogsmeade’s main street as identical twins of actual locations made famous in the books. This includes The Three Broomsticks and adjacent Hog’s Head pub where guests can get their first taste of butterbeer; Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment; and, of course, the wondrous Ollivander’s wand shop. Conveniently transplanted from Diagon Alley, Ollivander’s will be an interactive experience based on the books’ premise that “the wand chooses the wizard.” Still, Hogwarts, the second major structure
in TWWOHP, will be the true litmus test of the zone’s authenticity. The films made the cathedralesque School of Witchcraft and Wizardry the central icon of the series so the
design team has got to get the look and feel just right. Daurio is confident they have. “This will be the only place in the world
where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films comes to life. Guests will be amazed by the way we have layered every aspect of the environment with sensory elements from the books and films to create an unexpected sensation. Every detail has been carefully planned and painstakingly realized to evoke an unconscious sensory response.” Fittingly, Hogwarts will be home to
TWWOHP’s marquee attraction, Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey a custom-built ride experience incorporating a fusion of robotic technology and filmed scenes that Thierry Coup, Creative Director for TWWOHP is touting as “a revolutionary, 360-degree experience and first- ever combination of live-action, advanced robotic technology and innovative filmmaking….” With seven patents pending for new
technologies developed specifically for The Forbidden Journey, Universal says it will enable guests to “meet” Harry, Ron and Hermione, soar over Hogwarts castle with the super-star sorcerer himself, get swept into a Quidditch match and feel the chilling effect of a Dementor. “We have created an entirely new way to place our guests
into the heart of one of the most compelling stories of our time,” trumpets Universal’s Woodbury. “What we have done will forever change the theme park attraction experience.” On the “grounds” surrounding Hogwarts,
guests will be invited to participate in The Dragon Challenge inspired by the Triwizard Tournament depicted in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Essentially a re-theming of the popular Dueling Dragons coaster attraction, the two tracks of the coaster will be renamed as Hungarian Horntail and Chinese Fireball. A second ride attraction, The Flight of the Hippogriff will be a re-theming of another existing ride, The Flying Unicorn. Hagrid’s Hut, a walk-through re-creation of the home of the unkempt, half-giant Keeper of Keys and Grounds is located nearby. The fact that the seventh and final instalment
of Rowling’s Harry Potter series will be published this summer doesn’t mean Universal’s timing is off. Just the opposite. Theme parks have long been Halls of Fame for fictional heroes. Islands of Adventure is about to become the keeper of the Potter flame. As Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment puts it: “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is yet another way that fans will be able to experience and enjoy Harry Potter for many years to come.”
All images ©2009 Universal Orlando. All Rights Reserved.
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