The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort)
| The Wizarding World of Harry Potter | |
|---|---|
The castle of Hogwarts, the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey home |
|
| Data | |
| opening | June 18, 2010 (Islands of Adventure) July 8, 2014 (Studios Florida) |
| place | Orlando ( Florida , USA ) |
| surface | 1.8 hectares (Islands of Adventure) |
| building-costs | $ 250 million (Islands of Adventure) |
| Theming | Harry Potter |
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ( English for "the magic world of Harry Potter") is the name of a theme area in the two theme parks of the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando ( Florida , USA ). The themed area in the Islands of Adventure was opened on June 18, 2010 after two and a half years of construction. In December 2011 the expansion "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley" was announced for Universal Studios Florida , which was officially opened on July 8, 2014.
history
Before the announcement
Since the end of the 1990s, Universal had been considering building an attraction about Harry Potter in one of the amusement parks belonging to the film company. At that time, however, the rights to Harry Potter were held by competitor Time Warner . This was built in 2001 in the Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia run business called "Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience", which was pulled down again after only two years of operation.
Rumors and announcement
In January, the About.com website reported that it had learned from a "credible source" that the Lost Continent theme in the Islands of Adventure was being redesigned as "the stories and characters of one of the most popular brands for children". In the days that followed, other media reported that, under the code name “Project Strong Arm”, based on the Kuka Robocoaster that would be used , a subject area about Harry Potter was being planned. On May 31, 2007, Universal, in cooperation with Warner Bros., officially announced the eight-acre themed area, which will include a replica of Hogwarts Castle , the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade and is expected to open in 2009.
Islands of Adventure
Seven months after the official announcement, construction of the themed area in the Islands of Adventure began. In July, the Flying Unicorn roller coaster and the Enchanted Oak Tavern restaurant were closed. In the course of the renovation , the Flying Unicorn roller coaster was changed to Flight of the Hippogriff . The Enchanted Oak Tavern was later demolished. In order to restrict the park operations as little as possible during the construction work, a bridge was built that connected the themed areas The Lost Continent and Jurassic Park so that visitors did not have to cross the construction site. In September 2008, access to the waiting area of the Dueling Dragons roller coaster was moved to the Jurassic Park themed area to make way for the construction of Hogsmeade. A month later the old entrance was demolished. In September 2009 the roof structure of Hogwarts Castle was completed. In the spring, Universal expanded its marketing campaign for the subject area, placing ads in newspapers, running commercials on television and hanging up posters. Before the Dueling Dragons was transformed into Dragon Challenge , the track was closed for maintenance for some time. The subject area was finally completed on June 1, 2010.
On May 28 and 29, 2010, a soft opening was held for media representatives and invited guests. An opening ceremony took place on June 16 and 18. The first was reserved for the actors and those involved in the Harry Potter films, Potter creator Joanne K. Rowling , officials of the Universal Orlando Resort and media representatives. Organized by Universal Orlando Events Production in collaboration with the Thinkwell Group , the event included fireworks and an Orlando Philharmonic concert conducted by John Williams . The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was officially opened to the public with the second opening ceremony on June 18 . Numerous actors from the films were present, including Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint . The NBC transferred in their mission Today live from the park.
Universal Studios Florida
Following the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter , the number of visitors to the Islands of Adventure increased by 36% compared to the previous year. According to Jason Garcia, editor of the Orlando Sentinel , Universal Orlando Resort's board of directors was considering how to broaden the themed area while keeping visitor numbers at the two parks balanced. In April 2011, speculated Brady MacDonald from the Los Angeles Times that the expansion of the Wizarding World with a Diagon Alley and the magic bank Gringotts themed dark ride the topic Lost Continent could replace in the Islands of Adventure.
On December 6, 2011, Universal announced a "significant" expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter . Further details on the expansion were not given at this time. Four days earlier, Universal Studios Florida announced that the Jaws attraction would be closed on January 2, 2012. On January 25, 2012, the Los Angeles Times reported that the expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would occupy the former grounds of Jaws . A replica of the Hogwarts Express will be built on the site, which will transport visitors back and forth between the two parks.
Shortly after the closure of Jaws , the attraction and its related themed area were demolished. After the site had been leveled, construction began on the first buildings. On May 8, 2013 Universal published further details on the expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter . The expansion with the full name "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley" will mainly take place in the neighboring Universal Studios Florida and will include a replica of Diagon Alley and London . The connection of the two parks with the Hogwarts Express has also been officially confirmed. The expansion is expected to open in 2014.
On January 23, the name of the main attraction was announced: In the roller coaster "Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts", visitors will be able to explore the Gringotts wizard's bank located in Diagon Alley . It was also published that to use the Hogwarts Express, which would connect the Harry Potter themed areas of the two theme parks, the more expensive combination ticket for both parks had to be purchased.
The official opening date was announced on June 17, 2014. On July 3rd, five days before the official opening, a soft opening was held, during which the new subject area was tested under real conditions. On July 8, 2014, around four years after the opening of the first section in the Islands of Adventure, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley” was officially opened.
Rides
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was home to 2017 five rides, one of which with Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey , Dragon Challenge (closed now) and Flight of the Hippogriff three in the Islands of Adventure with Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts one Located in Studios Florida. The Hogwarts Express connects the two parks and is the fifth attraction.
Dragon Challenge (closed)
Dragon Challenge were two Inverted Coaster roller coasters , the routes of which interacted with each other. The track had been in operation under the name “Dueling Dragons” since 1999, before it was renamed and themed to “Dragon Challenge” in 2010 based on the Triwizard Tournament from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire . The two routes were named like two of the kites from the book: "Hungarian Horntail" and "Chinese Fireball". Until 2011 Dragon Challenge was a dueling coaster , i. H. both trains left the station at the same time and at some points along the line gave the appearance of colliding. Due to an incident with personal injury, the trains will run with a time delay from 2011. The attraction was closed in autumn 2017.
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
On June 13, 2019, the multi -launched coaster Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opened on the area of the closed Dragon Challenge roller coaster . Universal described the roller coaster as "a highly themed roller coaster that will take us to another corner of the wizarding world, where guests will encounter some of their favorite characters and creatures". The roller coaster - manufactured by Intamin - reaches speeds of up to 80 km / h on its 2:55 minute ride. At $ 300 million, it is the most expensive roller coaster ever built.
Flight of the Hippogriff
Flight of the Hippogriff is a steel roller coaster for families that was opened in 2000 under the name "Flying Unicorn". Just like Dragon Challenge , the theme of the railway was changed in the course of the establishment of the new themed area. In the story of the attraction, ranger Hagrid teaches passengers to fly on a hippogriff . In addition, the trains are designed in the form of the mythical creature.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
The steel roller coaster Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is the main attraction of the Diagon Alley expansion. After the visitors have crossed the entrance hall of the Gringotts magician's bank with numerous animatronics of the goblins employed in the bank, they take an elevator to the catacombs. There they set off from a double charging station in trains with two cars for twelve people each for the 600-meter journey through the bank's vaulted cellar. The trains pass real backdrops as well as large-format projection surfaces, which give visitors a spatial impression by wearing 3D glasses . The ride, during which the cars are rotated 360 degrees in a controlled manner, features a launch , a seesaw, a motion simulator platform and a drop rail, among other things . The driving system comes from the company Intamin from Liechtenstein.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a newly built themed attraction that is located within the replica of Hogwarts. The visitors first go through the walls of the magic school and meet characters from the books and films, among other things, before they take a seat on a “magical bench”, on which they are led past large-format projection surfaces and real backdrops. The “magic bench” is moved through a large hall on the arm of a Kuka Robocoaster , a converted industrial robot , unnoticed by the passengers .
Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express is a fully functional replica of the train of the same name from the Harry Potter books and films. The line connects the two stations of Hogsmeade in the Islands of Adventure and the replica King's Cross station with “Platform 9¾” in Studios Florida. Screens are embedded in the windows of the train that simulate the journey from Hogsmeade to King's Cross or the other way around, depending on the direction of travel. The visitors actually drive from one park to another over a distance of around one kilometer. The driving system comes from the Swiss company Garaventa .
Other attractions
In addition to the rides, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has souvenir shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Many of these attractions are replicas of locations from the Harry Potter books, others were specially developed for the park. Visitors can visit a replica of Hogsmeade in the Islands of Adventure, one of Diagon Alley is in Studios Florida.
Although the Ollivander magic wand shop is in the books on Diagon Alley, a replica of the shop is located in the Islands of Adventure in Hogsmeade. In contrast to other shops in the themed area, visitors are allowed into the shop in groups of 20 to experience how “the magic wand picks the wizard”. A visitor is selected who tries magic wands until he has found the right one. Various effects such as the drying up of flowers or the onset of a thunderstorm are triggered in the shop. The wands can then be purchased as souvenirs.
Hogsmeade
There is a replica of the Hogwarts Express at the entrance to Hogsmeade . As in the books, the locomotive emits steam and a characteristic whistle. At the Owl Post , visitors can hand in postcards and letters, which are then given a Hogsmeade stamp and forwarded to the recipient. There are also letterheads, stationery and post owl souvenirs for sale.
In addition to traditional British food, the Three Broomsticks tavern also serves special foods and drinks from the Harry Potter books, including butterbeer, pumpkin juice and strawberry-peanut butter ice cream. The butter beer can be ordered in a souvenir mug and is alcohol-free. The restaurant Hog's Head with a distinctive boar head can also be visited by guests. In the candy shop Honeydukes you can buy chocolate frogs, acid drops, exploding candies, kettle cakes, syrup candies, sizzling Wissbies, peppercorns and Bertie Botts beans of all flavors .
There are three different souvenir shops in Hogsmeade. In Dervish and Banges magic items as are Quidditch accessories and school uniforms sold by Hogwarts. Zonko’s is a joke shop. The third store is Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods , which sells clothing, replicas of props from the movies, and other souvenirs. The shop is located at the exit of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey , where driving photos from the simulation drive can also be purchased.
Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley was opened on July 8, 2014 as part of the Diagon Alley expansion. The hidden in the books in London shopping arcade for wizards contains a restaurant and various "signature shops" such as The Leaky Cauldron , Ollivander's Wall Shop , Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes , Borgin and Burkes and Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions .
reception
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was welcomed by fans and uninformed visitors alike. Matt Blum of tech magazine Wired wrote, "Every detail has been meticulously handcrafted to enhance the experience." A journalist for the Orlando Sentinel said, " Muggles will love their Harry Potter adventure." Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a unique and indescribable attraction. However, Universal must keep the “Express Pass”, with which the waiting time can be shortened, affordable for the general public. Lisa Mint of the British daily The Sun wrote that after a quick glance she could say it was the most faithful replica of JK Rowling's books and films the world has ever seen. The fans would feel like they were in heaven. Leight Caldwell of the travel magazine Traveling Mamas says The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not suitable for children under the age of three, although it is ideal for the whole family. There is no doubt that fans of Harry Potter books and films will enjoy visiting the Wizarding World. Disney Blog's John Frost congratulated Universal on all aspects of the topic from the rides to the shops and entertainment to the food. Conservative British politician Boris Johnson criticized the park for being built in Orlando instead of London. It is "completely crazy" that it was left to the Americans to "make money with a great British invention".
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Opening of Harry Potter Park: Muggles welcome! Spiegel Online, June 17, 2010, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ a b c d The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley To Officially Open On July 8 At Universal Orlando Resort. Comcast / Universal Orlando Resort, June 18, 2014, accessed June 19, 2020 .
- ↑ a b Harry Potter theme park planned. BBC News, May 31, 2007, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ a b Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Coastersandmore, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ a b Erica Rakow: Diagon Alley at Universal to officially open. WKMG Orlando, July 7, 2014, accessed July 8, 2014 .
- ↑ Jim Hill: Why For wouldn't JK Rowling let Universal Studios build a Harry Potter stunt show? Jim Hill Media, August 14, 2003, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ susam Strother Clarke: Aol Lawyers Cast Spell On Rumors. Orlando Sentinel, August 8, 2003, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience. ParkZ.com, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ HARRY POTTER MOVIE MAGIC EXPERIENCE. Warner Bros. Movie World, archived from the original on November 5, 2001 ; accessed on January 26, 2014 (English).
- ^ Arthur Levine: Universal to Float New Island at its Florida Park. About.com, January 28, 2007, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ Harry Potter / Lost Continent Transformation. scremscape.com, February 1, 2007, archived from the original on February 3, 2007 ; accessed on January 26, 2014 (English).
- ↑ Jim Hill: Monday Mouse Watch: You'll Believe a Car Can Fly. Jim Hill Media, February 4, 2007, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ James Sturcke: Harry Potter theme park to open in Florida. The Guardian, May 31, 2007, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ Wizarding World of Harry Potter timeline. Fox 5, June 18, 2010, archived from the original on July 24, 2011 ; accessed on January 26, 2014 (English).
- ^ Wizarding World of Harry Potter Grand Opening Event. Thinkwell Group, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ Today Show Video Player. today.com, June 18, 2010, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ^ Wizarding World of Harry Potter Opens to Public Today; HP Cast Open Archway to the Crowd. The Leaky Cauldron, June 18, 2010, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ Jason Garcia: Universal Orlando ponders how to take full advantage of Wizarding World's popularity. Orlando Sentinel, December 16, 2010, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ Brady MacDonald: Universal Studios wonders how and when to expand Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Los Angeles Times, April 6, 2011, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ Significant Expansion Also Planned for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. Warner Bros. / Universal Orlando Resort, December 6, 2011, accessed June 19, 2020 .
- ^ Jason Garcia, Dewayne Bevil: Universal Studios to close Jaws to make way for new attraction. Orlando Sentinel, December 2, 2011, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ↑ Brady MacDonald: Universal Orlando adding new nighttime water show this spring. Los Angeles Times, January 25, 2012, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ^ Jason Garcia: Universal works to fill gaps ahead of debut of 2nd phase of Wizarding World. Orlando Sentinel, August 12, 2012, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ^ Dewayne Bevil: Universal Studios Orlando set to open Transformers ride next summer. Orlando Sentinel, November 2, 2012, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ^ New Harry Potter ride, shops for Universal Orlando. yahoo.com, January 23, 2014, accessed November 11, 2019 .
- ↑ Dewayne Bevil: Universal Orlando: Harry Potter expansion to open in 2014 at Universal Studios. Orlando Sentinel, May 8, 2013, accessed January 26, 2014 .
- ^ Gina McIntyre: Diagon Alley: Universal reveals new Harry Potter plans, Gringotts ride. Los Angeles Times, January 23, 2014, accessed July 5, 2014 .
- ^ Susan Thurston: Harry Potter's Diagon Alley plans Escape from Gringotts ride, new stores. Tampa Bay Times, January 23, 2014, accessed July 5, 2014 .
- ↑ Sandra Pedicini: Universal's Harry Potter Diagon Alley has soft opening. Orlando Sentinel, July 3, 2014, accessed July 5, 2014 .
- ↑ Duane Marden: Dragon Challenge. rcdb.com, accessed January 28, 2014 .
- ^ The Dragon Challenge (archived version). mugglenet.com, accessed November 11, 2019 .
- ↑ Island of Adventure - Dragon Challenge Never Dueling Again. Airtimers.com, October 21, 2011, accessed January 28, 2014 .
- ↑ Dragon Challenge is Closing Forever . Article from themeparktourist.com, accessed on November 11, 2019
- ↑ The Hagrid roller coaster in Orlando is open. In: OrlandoParks.de (travel guide). June 13, 2019, accessed on June 19, 2020 (German).
- ^ Dragon Challenge Closing at Islands of Adventure. In: Coaster101. July 24, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2020 (American English).
- ↑ Kathleen Joyce: Universal Orlando's much anticipated $ 300M 'Harry Potter' roller coaster is now open. June 13, 2019, accessed June 19, 2020 (American English).
- ↑ Duane Marden: Flight of the Hippogriff. rcdb.com, accessed January 28, 2014 .
- ↑ New roller coaster innovations and other highlights in 2014 and 2015. Coastersandmore, accessed on July 20, 2014 .
- ↑ Robert Niles: Ride Review: The Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando Resort. Theme Park Insider, June 21, 2014, accessed June 19, 2020 .
- ↑ Dewayne Bevil: Universal Orlando: Hogwarts Express windows will reveal Hagrid, Weasleys, other 'Harry Potter' characters. Orlando Sentinel, March 14, 2014, accessed July 5, 2014 .
- ^ Editorial July 2014. Coastersandmore, archived from the original on July 8, 2014 ; Retrieved July 6, 2014 .
- ↑ Ollivanders. Universal Orlando Resort, accessed January 31, 2014 .
- ↑ Arthur Levine: Harry Potter Theme Park Shops - 5th Owl Post Postmark. about.com, accessed January 28, 2014 .
- ↑ Three Broomsticks. Universal Orlando Resort, accessed January 31, 2014 .
- ↑ The Tasty-pasty World of Harry Potter (archived version). Mugglenet.com, accessed November 11, 2019 .
- ↑ Honeydukes. Universal Orlando Resort, accessed January 29, 2014 .
- ↑ Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods. Universal Orlando Resort, accessed January 29, 2014 .
- ^ Brady MacDonald: What may come to Wizarding World of Harry Potter 2.0 at Universal Orlando. Los Angeles Times, May 9, 2013, accessed January 29, 2014 .
- ↑ Matt Blum: Review: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Will Stupefy Fans. Wired, August 12, 2010, accessed January 31, 2014 .
- ↑ Muggles will love their Harry Potter adventure. Orlando Sentinel, August 9, 2010; accessed January 31, 2014 .
- ↑ Lisa Minot: First review of US Potter park. The Sun, May 24, 2010, accessed January 31, 2014 .
- ↑ Leigh Caldwell: Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not for the little ones (and that's just fine). Traveling Mamas, accessed January 31, 2014 .
- ↑ John Frost: Wizarding World of Harry Potter preview for Pow Wow Attendees - Part 1. The Disney Blog, May 18, 2010, accessed January 31, 2014 .
- ↑ John Frost: Wizarding World of Harry Potter Pow Wow Preview - Part 2. The Disney Blog, May 18, 2010, accessed January 31, 2014 .
- ↑ Hélène Mulholland: Boris Johnson urges Harry Potter fans to lobby JK Rowling for London theme park. The Guardian, June 7, 2010, accessed January 31, 2014 .