Wanna go to Hogwarts? In 2009, you can!
Can't believe I haven't seen this on my Friends list yet.
Harry Potter™ to Cast Spell on Universal Orlando Resort
ORLANDO, FL- Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort are partnering to create the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. Envisioned as a “theme park within a theme park” and titled “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the new environment will become part of the experience within Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort.
[snip]
Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters - and faithful to the visual landscapes of the films - “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the magical world of Harry and his friends. The fully immersive, themed land will enable guests to visit some of the most iconic locations found in the books and the films including the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and even Hogwarts castle itself.
“The plans I’ve seen look incredibly exciting, and I don’t think fans of the books or films will be disappointed,” said J.K. Rowling.
(Source: Webwire. Longer article there.)
The official website (opening page looks pretty, but I haven't had time to look at the rest yet) is here: http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/index.html
Lots of rumors flying around right now. Biggest rumor, which may be official but I can't recall offhand if I've seen an official cite for it and I don't have time to look right now, is that the "island" will be 20 acres big, and that portions of the current Lost Continent island will be retrofitted for the Harry Potter one. Speculation is that the Dueling Dragons coaster will be rethemed for the new island. This is a RUMOR only and has not been confirmed.
More links:
News
Official Artist's Renderings at ABC News. Looks pretty cool so far, but I'm not holding my breath that it will actually end up like this.
Estimated cost is $265 million
Discussion
Theme Park Insider
Theme Park Review
Disney was in discussion with J.K. Rowling to bring Harry to their parks, but decided it wasn't worth the cost. Here's an analysis from Disney blogger Jim Hill as to why this might not have been a bad move on Disney's part.
I've never been to Universal Studios, but have been thinking for a while that I really should go at least once. Yeah, this new island will urge me to get there. :) Hopefully they'll do a good job. And sure, I would have liked to see it at Disney as that would mean less money and traveling, but honestly I think this is probably a better fit at Universal than at Disney. As much as I love both Disney and HP, they just didn't feel right together. I think it's because Disney's already such a special place that it really doesn't need HP, and in fact, I think adding HP to the parks would distract from some of the Disney magic.
Harry Potter™ to Cast Spell on Universal Orlando Resort
ORLANDO, FL- Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort are partnering to create the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. Envisioned as a “theme park within a theme park” and titled “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the new environment will become part of the experience within Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort.
[snip]
Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters - and faithful to the visual landscapes of the films - “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the magical world of Harry and his friends. The fully immersive, themed land will enable guests to visit some of the most iconic locations found in the books and the films including the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and even Hogwarts castle itself.
“The plans I’ve seen look incredibly exciting, and I don’t think fans of the books or films will be disappointed,” said J.K. Rowling.
(Source: Webwire. Longer article there.)
The official website (opening page looks pretty, but I haven't had time to look at the rest yet) is here: http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/index.html
Lots of rumors flying around right now. Biggest rumor, which may be official but I can't recall offhand if I've seen an official cite for it and I don't have time to look right now, is that the "island" will be 20 acres big, and that portions of the current Lost Continent island will be retrofitted for the Harry Potter one. Speculation is that the Dueling Dragons coaster will be rethemed for the new island. This is a RUMOR only and has not been confirmed.
More links:
News
Discussion
I've never been to Universal Studios, but have been thinking for a while that I really should go at least once. Yeah, this new island will urge me to get there. :) Hopefully they'll do a good job. And sure, I would have liked to see it at Disney as that would mean less money and traveling, but honestly I think this is probably a better fit at Universal than at Disney. As much as I love both Disney and HP, they just didn't feel right together. I think it's because Disney's already such a special place that it really doesn't need HP, and in fact, I think adding HP to the parks would distract from some of the Disney magic.