The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[violentlyserene]

I nearly died of happiness when I heard the news. I've been looking forward to going to the Islands of Adventure for 8 years now (the first posters were up when I was last at Universal). The other islands were awesome enough but now Harry Potter? My husband will hate it but I'm going on every last rollercoaster with him (i won't normally even ride baby ones) so he'll get over it.

 

[SNylund]

I nearly died of happiness when I heard the news. I've been looking forward to going to the Islands of Adventure for 8 years now (the first posters were up when I was last at Universal). The other islands were awesome enough but now Harry Potter? My husband will hate it but I'm going on every last rollercoaster with him (i won't normally even ride baby ones) so he'll get over it.

You will probably be pleasantly surprised that he will love it after he goes. That was the case in our family, some weren't too hot on the idea, then afterwards they were hooked!

 

[ky07]

I am curious to see it all finished but not thrilled since its more than likely to be open when we go next year in july and all onsite hotels will probably be booked up and may have to stay offsite and not thrilled about that

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

ky07- why don't you book your hotel now? We have our reservations for August 2010 already booked on-site.

 

[xipetotec]

Thanks, I knew it was initially a rumor but didn't know if it was ever confirmed. It would be kinda cool, though, since from what I've read the overall area taken up by Hogwarts will be much bigger than Cinderella's Castle.

Very likely. If you look at the current construction combined with the artist's rendering, the rock work at the base looks huge. Keep in mind however that unlike Cinderella's. this will actually have an attraction ( other than a restaurant and/or stage show ) inside!

 

[ky07]

ky07- why don't you book your hotel now? We have our reservations for August 2010 already booked on-site.

Love to but can't afford the deposit right now

 

[violentlyserene]

You will probably be pleasantly surprised that he will love it after he goes. That was the case in our family, some weren't too hot on the idea, then afterwards they were hooked!

He wants to go to Universal most of all, just not the Harry Potter island. He hates Harry Potter (making him watch the movies has not helped a bit)

 

[pascal]

This i found on a dutch Orlando forum:

Themepark-experts gaan uit van een officiele openingsdatum van The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure op 30 juni 2010. De toeristische branche zit dringend op een concrete openingsdatum te wachten i.v.m. veel vragen over "wanneer nou?"
if means, that themapark experts think that the official opening of the HP area will be planned on 30 juni 2010.


Pascal

 

[Don Pacho]

Courtesy of Willow, Orlando United

Website update:

 

[silverhaze269]

OMG I am soo excited now!

I decided to check in before my class (which is now in 15 mins) to see if any of the announcements had been posted yet...and wow! I was excited before, but now with the early concept art of the rides it makes me even more so!

I can't wait to check back later on today to see what else has been revealed...if anything.

 

[LouDisney]

I'm ready!! Can't wait to hear the announcements!!

 

[xipetotec]

Oh COME ON!!!!!!


Okay, so we're going down to Orlando in early March 2010.... I've been DYING over this wondering if it will be open when we go. a little tiny part of me was hoping they would either say "Early 2010" as a surprise, but even June 30th 2010, that way I wouldn't need to worry about it, it would be relinquished to a later trip....


NOW, they announce "Spring 2010" as a definite time ( but no DATES of course ) ... So I STILL have no idea if it will be open when go... *sigh* ... Guess I'll have to write them in February and see if there's any chance....

 

[damo]

Fly through video

http://media.universalorlando.com/h...s/The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Map.mov

and lots of pictures

http://media.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/images.php

descriptions

http://media.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/news.php

interactive map

http://media.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/map.php

 

[njbeachbum]

I like what I am seeing, but I guess it seems a little flat. There are what two major attractions and a lot of "sets", shops and restaurants. Am I missing something?

 

[damo]

I like what I am seeing, but I guess it seems a little flat. There are what two major attractions and a lot of "sets", shops and restaurants. Am I missing something?

The new e-ticket ride is the only new ride and there is the redesign of Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn. The new ride, however, is supposed to blow our socks off. That corresponds to most of the other islands. Remember that this isn't an entire theme park but just one section of the theme park like Fantasyland, Frontierland, etc.

 

[njbeachbum]

The new e-ticket ride is the only new ride. It, however, is supposed to blow our socks off.

Right, sorry I forgot that the Dragon ride is a refurb right? (I have never been to Universal). I guess what I am saying is that I really love the Harry Potter books and the look (not the stories) of the movies, but this doesn't really seem to be 'enough'.

Am I way off base here?

 

[xipetotec]

I like what I am seeing, but I guess it seems a little flat. There are what two major attractions and a lot of "sets", shops and restaurants. Am I missing something?

Well there are three attractions. I guess the Flight of the Hippogriff is more "kiddy" but still...

I think a lot of it IS atmosphere. If it comes out the way it LOOKS it should feel totally immersive into the potter universe.

 

[damo]

Right, sorry I forgot that the Dragon ride is a refurb right? (I have never been to Universal). I guess what I am saying is that I really love the Harry Potter books and the look (not the stories) of the movies, but this doesn't really seem to be 'enough'.

Am I way off base here?

It wouldn't be enough if it was an entire theme park. In the amount of space that there is for this island, there really isn't much more that can be done. There are also five other sections in this park that are each quite large. You have all these other things:

In Marvel Super Hero Island: The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Doctor Doom's Fearfall, Storm Force Accelatron, Incredible Hulk Coaster
In Toon Lagoonudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls,Me Ship, The Olive,Popye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges
In Jurrasic Park: Jurassic Park Discovery Center,Jurassic Park River Adventure,Camp Jurassic,Pteranodon Flyers
In The Lost Continentoseidon's Fury,The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show
In Seuss Landing:If I Ran the Zoo,The Cat in the Hat,One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,Caro-Suess-el,The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

And now in Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Dragon Challenge, The Flight of the Hippogriff, and the Forbidden Journey.


That is quite a bit for one theme park.

 

[patster734]

The new e-ticket ride is the only new ride and there is the redesign of Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn. The new ride, however, is supposed to blow our socks off. That corresponds to most of the other islands. Remember that this isn't an entire theme park but just one section of the theme park like Fantasyland, Frontierland, etc.

I find it interesting that the map indicates that Hagrid's Hut will be in between Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn. but I'm not seeing enough space to accomodate the hut.

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...0&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=3909179&encType=1

 

[damo]

I find it interesting that the map indicates that Hagrid's Hut will be in between Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn. but I'm not seeing enough space to accomodate the hut.

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...0&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=3909179&encType=1

It is already built. As you go up the stairs to ride DD you pass right by it. It was built last spirng I think.

You can see a Flying Unicorn rail on the left bottom.