Bloody Brilliant! Universal Studios Orlando finally announced an official grand opening date for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – June 18th! Not quite as early as we were hoping for, but at least now I can make a countdown calendar or download a Potter widget. In case anyone has been living under a rock, the WWoHP is an expansion currently under construction at Islands of Adventure. The new “island” will be included with general park admission and with your purchase of Discount Universal Tickets. Keep reading for a video with details about the new Forbidden Journey attraction and new photos!
First Details Revealed About Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
I started reading Harry Potter when I was 13 years old and after I finished the first book, I was moderately devastated because I knew I would never receive a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy inviting me, a mere muggle, into the magical wizarding world. Ten years later, I, like many other Potterheads out there, will be able to live a childhood dream.
My friends and I, at the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Movie Midnight Release
Decked out in my Hermione costume (including an authentic Gryffindor tie), I’ll walk the streets of Hogsmeade (the only all-wizarding community in Britain), check out the Hogwarts Express, stuff my face with Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Botts Every-Flavor-Beans from Honeydukes, send an owl from the Owlery, be chosen by my wand at Ollivanders, go for a ride on a Flying Hippogriph or a Hungarian Horntail, while sippin’ a delicious Butterbeer from The Leaky Cauldron!
Some excerpts from the Universal Studios Press Release:
The Story
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey draws you into the excitement and chaos of Harry’s life. As you venture through Hogwarts castle, you meet Harry, Ron and Hermione who convince you to skip a planned lecture and follow them. Upon taking their advice, you travel by Floo powder, and begin the adventure as you soar over Hogwarts, narrowly escape a dragon attack, have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, get pulled into a Quidditch match and more.
The Location
The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey experience starts as soon as you walk through the gates of Hogwarts. Within the towering Hogwarts castle, you explore a truly magical place. You journey through iconic locations taken from the films and take in the extraordinary detail of each scene. They include:
The Innovation
This is more than just an attraction and it is unlike any theme park experience ever created. It’s a revolutionary, 360-degree theme park experience and first-ever combination of live-action, advanced robotic technology and innovative filmmaking – specially designed and developed for this brand-new adventure.
“We have created an entirely new way to place our guests into the heart of one of the most compelling stories of our time,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “What we have done will forever change the theme park attraction experience.”
The attraction’s newly created ride system envelops guests in filmed action scenes and moves those scenes with them as they travel through the ride, allowing more time in the center of the adventure and with their favorite characters. This fusion of robotic technology and filmed scenes has never been achieved until now. In some cases, technology had to be invented to achieve the highest level of guest experience.
Check out these awesome new photos, taken from inside Hogwarts Castle.
Photos and Captions courtesy of Universal Studios Orlando.
Harry Flying Screengrab – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the heart of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an expansive new environment at Universal Orlando Resort that will bring the world of Harry Potter to life. This all new adventure combines a powerful storyline with spectacular new technology so effectively that guests will be completely immersed in the experience. Film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and others shot an exclusive piece of film just for the ride.
Portrait Gallery – Just like the Harry Potter films, portraits line the walls of Hogwarts castle, the home of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – the marquee attraction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. When passing through the Portrait gallery, guests will encounter several magical talking portraits created exclusively for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including the four Hogwarts founders.
Dumbledore’s Office – While wandering the corridors of Hogwarts castle on their way to experience Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – the marquee attraction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ¬– guests will pass through Dumbledore’s office. The office is an exact replica of the one seen in the Harry Potter films, and is the place where the Hogwarts headmaster officially welcomes you to Hogwarts.
Room of Requirement – On Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – the marquee attraction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – guests will journey through iconic locations straight from the films, such as the Room of Requirement. This amazingly detailed scene is where guests board the groundbreaking ride and are drawn into the excitement and chaos of Harry’s life.
Griffin Statue – Many iconic elements from the Harry Potter books and films can be seen in the queue line of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – the marquee attraction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Guests will pass by the regal Griffin statue on their way to Dumbledore’s office.
For updated information, check our Universal Weekly Scoop Blog often. For more information, please visit our website or Kissimmee Location, The Official Ticket Center, or call us toll-free at 1-877-406-4836.