Universal Orlando officially unveiled its new $265 million attraction, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, on Friday, June 18. The 9 a.m. opening commenced when the large curtain that resembled an oversized invitation and covered the attraction entrance fell and Daniel Radcliffe, star of the Harry Potter films, as well as other cast members, greeted the first official guests of the 20-acre attraction.
The area recreates Hogsmeade Village, where buildings are covered with artificial snow and crooked chimneys and house the attraction’s main restaurant, Three Broomsticks, as well as Hog’s Head Pub, where non-alcoholic butterbeer, pumpkin juice and even a house brew are available. The village is also home to Zonco’s joke shop; Honeyduke’s confectionary shop; Ollivanders wand shop; Dervish and Banges magic store, which sells quidditch equipment, triwizard clothing, spectrespecs and remembralls; as well as the Owl Post, where letters are stamped with a Hogsmeade postmark and Wizarding World of Harry Potter stamps are available for purchase.
The attraction’s three rides include Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge, both of which were existing roller coasters that were repurposed in order to be incorporated into the Harry Potter theming. Near the entrance of Dragon’s Challenge is Hogsmeade Station, where guests about to board the ride will find lockers to store their belongings, in addition to the Hogswarts Express train. The attraction’s signature ride is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, located in a soaring Hogwarts Castle. The ride, which incorporates 360-degree filming techniques as well as four-dimensional effects, is an approximately hour-long experience, including the pre-ride queue, featuring a Griffin statue, Hogwarts Castle dungeon, a greenhouse, the office of Albus Dumbledore and finally, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
For Universal Studios tickets call Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578
No comments:
Post a Comment