Universal Orlando Resort has announced that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set for a June 18 public grand opening.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
With the opening date announced, the theme park also revealed additional details about the experience, unveiling information regarding Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, one of three themed attractions within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The other previously announced attractions are Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.
The centerpiece for the experience, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey continues the story created by author J.K. Rowling and enjoyed by fans worldwide in books and movies.
Press releases state that as guests “live their adventure,” they will “feel things no one has ever felt inside a theme park attraction as they move in ways no one has ever moved while experiencing film like no one else ever has, explore vast sets punctuated by amazing special effects—and have an adventure only possible in Harry Potter’s world.”
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey takes place within the familiar, magical and majestic Hogwarts castle where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films come to life for theme park guests.
“Guests will experience firsthand a completely new adventure, featuring the iconic characters, amazing creatures and recognizable locations they’ve only read in the books or seen in the films,” said Thierry Coup, creative director for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Details released by Universal Studios:
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:
- Dumbledore’s office: Here, you meet the headmaster as he welcomes you to Hogwarts
- Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom: Where you first meet Harry, Ron and Hermione
- Gryffindor common room: You meet three additional characters who prepare you for your journey
- Room of Requirement: Here, with hundreds of floating candles above, you take your seat on an enchanted bench and begin the Forbidden Journey
- Other locations: In addition, guests will pass through the dungeon passageway and hallways of Hogwarts where they will have the chance to see hundreds of wizard portraits from the films, including several magical talking portraits created exclusively for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including the four founders of Hogwarts. Guests will even get a glimpse of the Sorting Hat.
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. In some cases, technology had to be invented to achieve the highest level of guest experience. The combination of pioneering, state-of-the-art technology, innovative filmmaking and surprises around every corner make this attraction the embodiment of the Harry Potter book and film series—and the future of theme park entertainment.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Quick Facts
- Storyline: As you venture through Hogwarts, 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 your 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.
- First-ever combination of advanced robotic ride system technology with innovative, immersive filmmaking
- Award-winning composer John Williams oversaw the creation of the attraction’s score.
- The queue includes the following Harry Potter book and film elements: Headmaster Dumbledore’s office, Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Gryffindor common room, Room of Requirement, and the greenhouse; talking portraits including the Fat Lady and the never-before-seen four founders: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw; the Sorting Hat, the One-Eyed Witch statue and the Mirror of Erised
- Duration of ride: The full attraction experience, including the queue, takes about an hour
- Number of scenes in the attraction: 12
- Characters (featuring Harry Potter film talent): Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid and Draco Malfoy
- You may also catch a glimpse of Fred, George and Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom.
For the latest news about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.
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