When Harry Potter lands at Universal Studios Hollywood next spring, he’ll bring along the theme park’s first outdoor roller coaster and a 3D adventure featuring the boy wizard, Universal officials announced Tuesday.
Construction has been progressing in recent months on “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios, generally in the space that was once home to the Gibson Amphitheatre. Visitors to the park can see the snow- covered spires of Hogwarts castle rising, but the site is fenced off, with a sign announcing that the attraction is coming in 2016.
Universal officials unveiled details of the attraction today, most notably its centerpiece ride, the 3D-HD adventure “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” which will be making its U.S. debut. According to Universal, the attraction will combine a “groundbreaking robotics ride system” and filmed action sequences, carrying riders on a 360-degree spiraling adventure that includes a dragon attack, a Quidditch match and a run-in with a Whomping Willow.
The Harry Potter attraction will also include a family-themed roller coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff,” which will be Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor coaster.
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will continue the park’s transformation into a series of “immersive” environments designed to sink visitors in the worlds of film and television shows. The park recently opened its Springfield attraction, an area that brings to life the fictional town that is home to “The Simpsons.” That followed the debut of “Minion Mayhem” ride in an area that features locales seen in the “Despicable Me” films.
The Harry Potter area will include eateries such as Three Broomsticks and the Hog’s Head pub, along with Magic Neep and Butterbeer carts. It will also features shops including Honeydukes, Ollivanders, Owl Post, Zonko’s Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods.
—City News Service