The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a chain of themed areas at Universal Parks & Resorts based on the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the Warner Bros.' film series and original novels by the creative mind of J. K. Rowling. The areas were designed by Universal Creative from an exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment, a WarnerMedia company.

This article is about the theme park sections at Universal Parks. For the fictional universe described in the Harry Potter books, see Fictional universe of Harry Potter. For the fantasy media franchise universe, see Wizarding World.
Not to be confused with Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
ThemeHarry Potter (book series, film series and universe
Attractions
Total3 (Florida)
2 (Japan, Hollywood)
Roller coasters2 (Florida)
1 (Japan, Hollywood)
Shows4 (Florida)
2 (Japan, Hollywood)
Islands of Adventure
StatusOperating
OpenedJune 18, 2010[1]
Universal Studios Florida
StatusOperating
OpenedJuly 8, 2014[2][3][4]
Universal Studios Japan
StatusOperating
OpenedJuly 15, 2014[5][6]
Universal Studios Hollywood
StatusOperating
OpenedApril 7, 2016[7]
Universal Studios Beijing
StatusUnder construction
OpensMay 2021

Background

A Harry Potter-themed attraction at either a Disney or Universal park was rumored in 2003.[8][9] However, the rights to the Harry Potter franchise had been acquired by Warner Bros., who denied all rumors.[10] Both Disney and Universal entered bidding negotiations with Warner Bros. and Rowling for the theme park rights to Harry Potter.[11] In 2004, Rowling signed a letter-of-intent with Disney, with the company intending to develop a Harry Potter section within the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World.[12] Ultimately, Disney pulled out of negotiations, citing that Rowling's creative influence and the terms established by Warner Bros. was too stringent.[13] In January 2007, About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that the Islands of Adventure park's Lost Continent area was going to be re-themed "to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children's franchises".[14] Other sources followed up in the next few days with unofficial confirmation that the new area would involve Harry Potter.[15][16] On May 31, 2007, Universal, in partnership with Warner Bros., officially announced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be added to Islands of Adventure.[17][18][19][20]

Parks

Universal Orlando Resort
Main article: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort)

Both the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida, Islands Of Adventure and Universal Studios have Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed environments. Both parks include Hogwarts Express stations allowing passengers to reach both theme parks aboard the full-scale replica of the train that appears in the film series.

At the Islands of Adventure theme park, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened June 18, 2010. It includes re-creation of Hogsmeade and three rides. The flagship attraction is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which exists within a re-creation of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A new roller coaster, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which replaced the Dragon Challenge, opened on June 13, 2019. Other rides include Flight of the Hippogriff, a family roller coaster, and the Hogwarts Express. Other attractions include Ollivander's Wand Shop, the Triwizard Spirit Rally, and the Frog Choir. Hogsmeade contains many gift shops and restaurants from the book series including Dervish and Banges, Honeydukes, Ollivanders, the Three Broomsticks, and the Hog's Head.

At the Universal Studios Florida theme park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened July 8, 2014.[2][3][4] It includes a re-creation of Diagon Alley and connecting alleys, as well as a small section of Muggle London. It includes the rides Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express. Other attractions include Ollivander's Wand Shop, a puppet performance of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and a live performance by Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. The area also contains many shops and restaurants from the book series including The Leaky Cauldron, Ollivanders Wand Shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Borgin and Burkes, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment and Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.

Universal Studios Japan
Main article: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Studios Japan)

At the Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka, Japan, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened on July 15, 2014. It includes the village of Hogsmeade, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, and Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster.[5][6] Two features in the Japanese park not found in Orlando or Hollywood are Hogwarts' Black Lake and live owls.[6]

Universal Studios Hollywood
Main article: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Studios Hollywood)

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, 2016.[21] The flagship attraction is the flight-simulating ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, similar to the Orlando one. Visitors once wore Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles throughout the ride for an enhanced ride experience, but the 3D visuals have recently been replaced by 2D.[22]

References
  1. "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Only at Universal Orlando Resort". Universal Orlando Resort. 2010. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  2. Bevil, Dewayne (July 17, 2014). "Universal's Diagon Alley: Answers to your burning questions". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  3. Miller, Lisa (July 9, 2014). "The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Diagon Alley Opening Is Literally Making People Cry". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  4. Niles, Robert (July 8, 2014). "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley opens officially at Universal Studios Florida". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  5. Bevil, Dewayne (April 18, 2014). "Universal Studios Japan: Wizarding World of Harry Potter to open July 15". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  6. Cripps, Karla (July 16, 2014). "Universal Studios Japan's 'Wizarding World of Harry Potter' opens". CNN. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  7. "Exclusive: Hollywood's 'Wizarding World of Harry Potter' sets its opening date". USA Today. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  8. Hill, Jim (August 14, 2003). "Why For wouldn't J.K. Rowling let Universal Studios build a Harry Potter stunt show?". JimHillMedia.com. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  9. Creative, T.Holland (July 12, 2003). "Harry Potter's Going to Disney World?". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  10. Clarke, Susan Strother (August 8, 2003). "Aol Lawyers Cast Spell On Rumors". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  11. Devin Leonard; Christopher Palmeri (April 19, 2017). "Disney's Intergalactic Theme Park Quest to Beat Harry Potter". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  12. Taylor, Drew (July 14, 2017). "The Inside Story of Why Disney Spent Half a Billion Dollars on an Avatar Theme Park". New York. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  13. Leonard, Devin (August 9, 2012). "Bob Iger on Disney California Adventure". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  14. Levine, Arthur (January 28, 2007). "Universal to Float New Island at its Florida Park". About.com. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  15. Hart, Lance (February 1, 2007). "Harry Potter / Lost Continent Transformation". Screamscape. Archived from the original on February 3, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  16. Hill, Jim (February 5, 2007). "Monday Mouse Watch: You'll believe a car can fly". JimHillMedia.com. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  17. "Harry Potter theme park planned". BBC News. May 31, 2007.
  18. Sturcke, James (May 31, 2007). "Harry Potter theme park to open in Florida". The Guardian. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  19. "Harry Potter theme park swoops to Fla". USA Today. May 31, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  20. Albright, Mark (June 1, 2007). "A whole new magic kingdom". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  21. "Universal Launches 'Harry Potter' Theme Park". CNBC.
  22. "Universal Studios Hollywood to open Harry Potter attraction next spring". LA Biz.
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