Harry Potter Theme Park Set to Open in 2010
Imagine walking through the hall of Hogwarts or taking a bumpy training flight atop an addled Hippogrif--now you can, thanks to the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Universal and Warner Bros.
have joined forces to unleash the magic of Harry Potter into the real world.
Set to open in Spring of 2010, the theme park will be an add-on to the already wildly-popular Islands of Adventure.
Thanks to the work of the film franchise's original art and set designers, once you enter Wizarding World, you'll feel like you've been transported to Hogwarts.
The goal of the park is to take all the craftsmanship and attention to detail from the elaborate movie sets and translate them into a lush, real-life HP experience.
This means mimicking a fast-paced game of Quidditch, complete with the catching of the Golden Snitch.
The park will boast two roller coasters: one within Hogwarts Castle called The Forbidden Journey that Universal claims "uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced," and another coaster that simulates a ride atop a high-flying Hippogriff.
With both companies pouring more than $250 million into the park, there's a good chance fans and non-fans alike will be thrilled by the expensive attractions.
In typical theme park fashion, there's a heavy focus on merchandise, but at least the park keeps up the pretense: kids can buy overpriced souvenirs like wands and remote-controlled Golden Snitches at stores straight from the Harry Potter series.
The park has its own Zonko's Joke Shop, Filch's Emporium and Owl Post--you know, so you can pay an exorbitant price to have your letter mailed with a special Harry Potter stamp.
You also might want to bring some sandwiches because it's doubtful the Hog's Head or Three Broomsticks will be charing pub prices despite the traditional British fare on the menu.
But to a Harry Potter fan that's probably a reasonable price to pay to sip on some real Butterbeer.
Universal and Warner Bros.
have joined forces to unleash the magic of Harry Potter into the real world.
Set to open in Spring of 2010, the theme park will be an add-on to the already wildly-popular Islands of Adventure.
Thanks to the work of the film franchise's original art and set designers, once you enter Wizarding World, you'll feel like you've been transported to Hogwarts.
The goal of the park is to take all the craftsmanship and attention to detail from the elaborate movie sets and translate them into a lush, real-life HP experience.
This means mimicking a fast-paced game of Quidditch, complete with the catching of the Golden Snitch.
The park will boast two roller coasters: one within Hogwarts Castle called The Forbidden Journey that Universal claims "uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced," and another coaster that simulates a ride atop a high-flying Hippogriff.
With both companies pouring more than $250 million into the park, there's a good chance fans and non-fans alike will be thrilled by the expensive attractions.
In typical theme park fashion, there's a heavy focus on merchandise, but at least the park keeps up the pretense: kids can buy overpriced souvenirs like wands and remote-controlled Golden Snitches at stores straight from the Harry Potter series.
The park has its own Zonko's Joke Shop, Filch's Emporium and Owl Post--you know, so you can pay an exorbitant price to have your letter mailed with a special Harry Potter stamp.
You also might want to bring some sandwiches because it's doubtful the Hog's Head or Three Broomsticks will be charing pub prices despite the traditional British fare on the menu.
But to a Harry Potter fan that's probably a reasonable price to pay to sip on some real Butterbeer.
