Everyone is neck deep in Potter fever right now. The latest installment of the Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows breaking all box office records, Universal Studios have decided to cash in on the Potter mania. And so, this is what has been the inspiration of the Harry Potter theme park, also called the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
As soon as the news that Wizarding World of Harry Potter was set to open in Spring came out, Potter fans waited with baited breath. And this wait finally came to an end on June 18th this year, when the stars of the movie flew down to Florida for the opening of the Harry Potter theme park. The Harry Potter Theme Park is located in Orlando, Florida and Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, James and Oliver Phelps, Michael Gambon, Bonny Wright and many more stars were present for the opening. So, let's take a look at the various attractions at this park
Harry Potter Theme Park Rides
Dragon Challenge
This is a dueling roller coaster ride where two roller coasters; the Hungarian Horntail and the Chinese Fireball, inspired by Rowling's fourth book and the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. While this may not be the fastest roller coaster in the world, it surely sets your pulse racing! Both these roller coasters reach a height of 125 feet and have a total of five inversions! What makes this ride even more thrilling than probably the tallest roller coaster in the world is the fact that, at one point, these two roller coasters pass within twelve inches of each other! Yes, that's the whole thrill of riding a dueling roller coaster. It's little wonder that Daniel Radcliffe himself rode this ride no less than five times! You need to ensure that you do not have any loose articles while on this ride.
Flight of the Hippogriff
This is an exciting attraction at the Harry Potter theme park, because it is a family-friendly roller coaster. You'll start with Hagrid's booming voice telling you the right way of approaching a Hippogriff, which was the magical creature that was shown in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. During the course of this ride, you will get to see glimpses of Hagrid's cottage, his pumpkin patch and even Buckbeak relaxing. It will also give you a lovely view of the Hogwarts castle. This is a slower roller coaster and goes at a speed of 28.5 mph tops.
The Forbidden Journey
This has also become one of the main attractions at the Harry Potter theme park, as you get to see the inside of Dumbledore's office and Hogwarts castle. There's the portrait gallery and an exact replica of Dumbledore's office. In fact, it is Dumbledore who guides you to the Defence Against Dark Arts classroom, from where you go off to tour the place and then, the 3D holograms of the three stars in their Harry Potter avatar ask you to just skip the boring tour and instead guide you to the rides where you take seat on 'enchanted benches'. You can see dragons, the Whomping Willow from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and even dementors that will try and suck out your soul!
Places to Visit in Harry Potter Theme Park
Hog's Head and The Three Broomsticks
The Hog's Head, as depicted in the movies is set in the snowy and sleepy town of Hogsmeade. You will see the literal Hog's Head coming to life here and the dirty walls actually transport you back to the films. You can enjoy many drinks here, the famed Butterbeer being the most desirable one, which was tasted and tried by J. K. Rowling herself. The Three Broomsticks, which is present adjacent to the Hog's Head and Honeydukes, serves authentic English cuisine, including Shepherd's Pie, Fish and Chips and even Cornish Pasties.
Shops
There are many shop attractions at the Harry Potter theme park, from where you can take home souvenirs. There is Dervish and Banges from where you can purchase things right from the Quibbler to a Remembrall, a Sneakoscope and even the Triwizard Cup! There is Filch's Emporium, where the much disliked Filch has stacked up all confiscated goods that you can buy, like the Marauder's Map mug, Slytherin mug, a stuffed Phoenix, Ministry of Magic mug and even a proclamation magnet, as seen in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. If you want to take something that most likely was an inspiration for the Weasly's shop, then Zonko's joke shop has chattering teeth, screaming yo-yo, a fanged flyer and even a Pygmy Puff! However, one of the major attractions is by far the Owl Post and Ollivander's wand shop. You can get a Hedwig mug or even of course, one of the highest selling items, a magic wand, which could be Harry's, Dumbledore's or even Voldemort's! If you wish to eat something light, then you mustn't miss Honeydukes, which has chocolate frogs, pumpkin juice, Bertie Bott's every flavor beans and even Fudge Flies!
Live Shows in Harry Potter Theme Park
Frog Choir
The Frig Choir which is shown in the Potter films has been replicated in the theme park. Here, a group of students wearing Hogwarts robes enact out a choir session in the Park while holding a small frog on a cushion, who croaks on a timely basis. This show is near the ride, Flight of the Hippogriff.
Ollivander's Wand Shop
By far, one of the best shows for which people have been standing for hours at end is the live show that is done in Ollivander's. In this show, a lucky wizard wannabe is summoned and then, is given different wands to try out before a final wand 'chooses' him. And Ollivander's has been running since 382 B.C. so, he can't possibly get it wrong!
Triwizard Spirit Showcase
It's hard to forget the spirited entrance of the two competing schools at the Triwizard Tournament - the Beauxbatons and the Durmstrangs. So, if you enjoyed the entry, then you must catch the show where first, the Durmstrang students do a spirited live action sequence of fights and somersaults. This is followed by a graceful performance by a group of Beauxbaton students.
Harry Potter Theme Park Trivia
It's little wonder then that many people are planning their Florida vacations ensuring that the Harry Potter theme park features prominently in their schedule, as it is being touted as the best theme parkthere is! Needless to say, the Harry Potter cast itself was left mesmerized by the place when they came for the opening. Daniel Radcliffe himself called the theme park "awe inspiring". He said "You are just kind of immersed in the world of Hogsmeade, the village from the movies. For any kids out there who were like me when I was a kid... you can now just come here and live the movie, pretty much... but without all the danger involved!" This is really one of the best theme parks that is going to give the various Disney theme parks a run for their money. Because the Harry Potter Theme Park is just as it's made out to be - magical, or as Ron Weasly would put it - "Bloody brilliant!"
* Image courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
As soon as the news that Wizarding World of Harry Potter was set to open in Spring came out, Potter fans waited with baited breath. And this wait finally came to an end on June 18th this year, when the stars of the movie flew down to Florida for the opening of the Harry Potter theme park. The Harry Potter Theme Park is located in Orlando, Florida and Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, James and Oliver Phelps, Michael Gambon, Bonny Wright and many more stars were present for the opening. So, let's take a look at the various attractions at this park
Harry Potter Theme Park Rides
Dragon Challenge
This is a dueling roller coaster ride where two roller coasters; the Hungarian Horntail and the Chinese Fireball, inspired by Rowling's fourth book and the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. While this may not be the fastest roller coaster in the world, it surely sets your pulse racing! Both these roller coasters reach a height of 125 feet and have a total of five inversions! What makes this ride even more thrilling than probably the tallest roller coaster in the world is the fact that, at one point, these two roller coasters pass within twelve inches of each other! Yes, that's the whole thrill of riding a dueling roller coaster. It's little wonder that Daniel Radcliffe himself rode this ride no less than five times! You need to ensure that you do not have any loose articles while on this ride.
Flight of the Hippogriff
This is an exciting attraction at the Harry Potter theme park, because it is a family-friendly roller coaster. You'll start with Hagrid's booming voice telling you the right way of approaching a Hippogriff, which was the magical creature that was shown in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. During the course of this ride, you will get to see glimpses of Hagrid's cottage, his pumpkin patch and even Buckbeak relaxing. It will also give you a lovely view of the Hogwarts castle. This is a slower roller coaster and goes at a speed of 28.5 mph tops.
The Forbidden Journey
This has also become one of the main attractions at the Harry Potter theme park, as you get to see the inside of Dumbledore's office and Hogwarts castle. There's the portrait gallery and an exact replica of Dumbledore's office. In fact, it is Dumbledore who guides you to the Defence Against Dark Arts classroom, from where you go off to tour the place and then, the 3D holograms of the three stars in their Harry Potter avatar ask you to just skip the boring tour and instead guide you to the rides where you take seat on 'enchanted benches'. You can see dragons, the Whomping Willow from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and even dementors that will try and suck out your soul!
Places to Visit in Harry Potter Theme Park
Hog's Head and The Three Broomsticks
The Hog's Head, as depicted in the movies is set in the snowy and sleepy town of Hogsmeade. You will see the literal Hog's Head coming to life here and the dirty walls actually transport you back to the films. You can enjoy many drinks here, the famed Butterbeer being the most desirable one, which was tasted and tried by J. K. Rowling herself. The Three Broomsticks, which is present adjacent to the Hog's Head and Honeydukes, serves authentic English cuisine, including Shepherd's Pie, Fish and Chips and even Cornish Pasties.
Shops
There are many shop attractions at the Harry Potter theme park, from where you can take home souvenirs. There is Dervish and Banges from where you can purchase things right from the Quibbler to a Remembrall, a Sneakoscope and even the Triwizard Cup! There is Filch's Emporium, where the much disliked Filch has stacked up all confiscated goods that you can buy, like the Marauder's Map mug, Slytherin mug, a stuffed Phoenix, Ministry of Magic mug and even a proclamation magnet, as seen in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. If you want to take something that most likely was an inspiration for the Weasly's shop, then Zonko's joke shop has chattering teeth, screaming yo-yo, a fanged flyer and even a Pygmy Puff! However, one of the major attractions is by far the Owl Post and Ollivander's wand shop. You can get a Hedwig mug or even of course, one of the highest selling items, a magic wand, which could be Harry's, Dumbledore's or even Voldemort's! If you wish to eat something light, then you mustn't miss Honeydukes, which has chocolate frogs, pumpkin juice, Bertie Bott's every flavor beans and even Fudge Flies!
Live Shows in Harry Potter Theme Park
Frog Choir
The Frig Choir which is shown in the Potter films has been replicated in the theme park. Here, a group of students wearing Hogwarts robes enact out a choir session in the Park while holding a small frog on a cushion, who croaks on a timely basis. This show is near the ride, Flight of the Hippogriff.
Ollivander's Wand Shop
By far, one of the best shows for which people have been standing for hours at end is the live show that is done in Ollivander's. In this show, a lucky wizard wannabe is summoned and then, is given different wands to try out before a final wand 'chooses' him. And Ollivander's has been running since 382 B.C. so, he can't possibly get it wrong!
Triwizard Spirit Showcase
It's hard to forget the spirited entrance of the two competing schools at the Triwizard Tournament - the Beauxbatons and the Durmstrangs. So, if you enjoyed the entry, then you must catch the show where first, the Durmstrang students do a spirited live action sequence of fights and somersaults. This is followed by a graceful performance by a group of Beauxbaton students.
Harry Potter Theme Park Trivia
- The Harry Potter books author, J. K. Rowling is a disciplinarian when it comes to details. Universal studios had to work extremely hard to get her approval. In fact, when the much famed butterbeer was being made, a hotel kitchen was rented out in Scotland and countless flavors and variation were tried out by Ms. Rowling herself, before the tasty thick creamy brew was finalized.
- This is one of the first times that the new advanced robotic technology has been used to give the rides as much of a real feel as possible.
- Emma Watson who plays Hermione Granger could not make it for the opening as she was busy attending university. However, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Matthew Lewis and the Phelps twins had got a sneak peak into the park before it opened in June.
- There was so much of crowding at Ollivander's that the organizers simply had to add another section to the shop to accommodate the enthusiastic crowds that were thronging this place.
It's little wonder then that many people are planning their Florida vacations ensuring that the Harry Potter theme park features prominently in their schedule, as it is being touted as the best theme parkthere is! Needless to say, the Harry Potter cast itself was left mesmerized by the place when they came for the opening. Daniel Radcliffe himself called the theme park "awe inspiring". He said "You are just kind of immersed in the world of Hogsmeade, the village from the movies. For any kids out there who were like me when I was a kid... you can now just come here and live the movie, pretty much... but without all the danger involved!" This is really one of the best theme parks that is going to give the various Disney theme parks a run for their money. Because the Harry Potter Theme Park is just as it's made out to be - magical, or as Ron Weasly would put it - "Bloody brilliant!"
* Image courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
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