Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the popular movie series based on J.K. Rowling's best-selling books, was welcomed on to the webcast set by Universal Creative president Mark Woodbury, who hosted the webcast.
"I'm not usually welcomed in the Gryffindor common room," Felton cracked as he entered the crimson-and-gold set.
Woodbury described some highlights of the new land during the half-hour webcast. He began by introducing the official map of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, created by the same team that devised the Marauders' Map for the "Prisoner of Azkaban" film.
Visitors will enter the land through the village gates of Hogsmeade, where they will see Hogsmeade Station and the Hogwarts Express to their right. On the left will be Zonko's joke shop and Honeydukes candy store, which both will be themed merchandise locations, selling items from the books and movies, as well as park-specific Potter-themed items.
Down the street on the left, visitors will find The Three Broomsticks restaurant and Hog's Head Pub, which will be restaurants, serving Harry Potter-themed fare, including Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice.
Across the street stands the Owlery and Owl Post, which will be a working post office, offering Hogsmeade post marks on sent items. Next to that will be Ollivander's, another merchandise location where "the wand chooses you," in an undescribed "interactive experience." There'll be a Dervish and Banges merchadise shop, as well.
That leaves the attractions. Woodbury confirmed that there would be three: Dragon Challenge (a rethemed Dueling Dragons), Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster set amid a Care of Magical Creatures class led by Hagrid (this is rumored to be the Flying Unicorn coaster, rethemed) and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the centerpiece new attraction located within Hogwarts Castle.
Woodbury did not provide details on Forbidden Journey, except to confirm that it is not a roller coaster. However, it's been widely leaked that the ride will be a indoor track ride, where visitors will travel via "Floo Network" on Kuka robot arms, mounted on an elevated track, through iconic scenes from the Harry Potter stories. It was confirmed that visitors will walk through the Gryffindor common room on their way into the ride, and the ride's blueprints show the queue area proceeding through the Great Hall, as well.
Will Wizarding World of Harry Potter meet its opening date? Which scenes will make the cut for the Forbidden Journey ride? What's on the menu at the Three Broomsticks? And will the Ollivander wands trigger any interactive experiences outside the shop? Questions remain as fans anticipate the land's opening next year.
Update: Here is the video fly-over of the new land that Universal played during the webcast. It's an overview of the map, with close-ups of Hogsmeade, followed by Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and then Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
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Robert, can u post a link to the webcast?
I have part of the webcast on video and am uploading it to YouTube now.
I just have my doubts about encompassing something so huge in such a short amount of time.
Also, it is rumored that they have a contract to add a new ride after the last movie comes out.
Performances are not part of the Harry Potter world, however. (There's a hilarious smack-down on Christmas shows in Beedle the Bard, if I recall correctly.) I could see a "Jedi Academy"-style "Wizard Academy" show in or around the Owlery at some point. And there could be some sort of Care of Magical Creatures show within the Hippogriff ride.
Otherwise, I'm drawing a blank on what kind of show would fit the theme. I suppose it could be some sort of class, though one that would be outside of Hogwarts given that building's use for the main ride.
Ideas?
The first one bored the **** outta me, the second put me to sleep, the third I gave up on part way through, I skipped the following 6, watched the 10th, got lost, and vowed never to watch the following releases. I may watch part 18 though, just for giggles.
I wonder if Universal will tap any of the other movie's stars for opening?
Still, one thing I know about Universal is they know how to make great ride experiences. To that end, I am expecting the Forbidden Journey to set a new standard for theme park entertainment. This new attraction should be the Spider-Man killer that other theme park companies have so long coveted. Leave it to Universal to be the only company capable of besting the best!
For all the money spent we will get the possibility of 1 "E" ticket attraction and some changes too two existing attractions, And a couple of stores/places to eat.
Sounds top me that there is far more hype than substance to this new area.
Even if you consider the whole expansion as simply one new ride, that one new ride is going to be a lot more rewarding than if Universal went "cheap" and added a $10 million GCI wooden coaster called Harry Potter's Broomstick Race instead. Furthermore, the Forbidden Journey will certainly be worthy of more attention than something like a slightly-modified, two-drop, shoot-the-chutes flume ride. Don't you think?
Look, Universal knows existing fans are going to come experience the WWOHP. And new attraction junkies (like most of us) are going to be interested regardless. So, let's face it, the company is trying to grab the attention of a segment of the population that has not previously considered Universal Orlando as a vacation destination. And for those people who have never been to the resort, I think they are going to be very impressed with what they find. In other words, there may be a lot of Disney-only travelers who spend a few less days at the Disney parks during their vacation next year in order to sample the WWOHP. And once those "newbies" get a taste of what Universal has to offer, that new business will turn into repeat business for years to come.
I think a lot of people are forgetting a major portion of this land. There are people out there who, sad as it may be, basically arrange their lives around HP. That could be a bit of an exaggeration, but let's just say they are freaks for anything involving HP. As James stated, more than likely, they haven't ever been to Universal before. So this will bring in a lot of newbies. For those of you who have been there too many times to count, the whole expansion may seem like a disappointment. For those HP freaks, (me to a point), any chance to SEE the world that was created would get them on a plane to see it!
Oh, and I've never been to IOA. It may be I just try to plan a visit next year, if I can convince some family members to join me. :)
It wouldn't take much to pretty much remove the Entire Lst Continent Theme. What does it offer anyway?
After DD gets rethemed you are left with the Sinbad show and Posideons Fury.
Well Poseidons Fury (PF) could easily be re themed as a show, similar to what it is now. A cheap refit, much like the Simpsons was with BTTF.
I don't think there are to many people who'll miss the SinBAD show. That could either be completley lost and the stage used for events, as it is now, or a HP live show installed.
THe rest of the lands themeing wouldn't be too far off HP anyway. A few adjustments here and there, a few facades placed on sme buildings.
And Mythos, well upmarket restaurant, would be quite nice.
Voila, a HUGE land and Lost continent would actually become something interesting, because right now I pass on through it, across the temp bridge, and straight into JP!
Furthermore, if you can time your trip during the Orlando off-season you will find very light crowds, even with Harry Potter involved. And if you can't make that happen, just have a good touring plan, arrive at the park early, and move in an alacritous fashion. That strategy works every time!
Where's the Quidditch pitch?
No dementors? Seriously?
There's no Whomping Willow ride in a car?
Forbidden Forest - at night???
Underwater with the merpeople?
The Maze from Triwizard (book, not movie, please)?
What about The Burrow?
Where's Diagon Alley?
Ministry of Magic?
The Shrieking Shack?
Where's Fred and George's Joke shop?
Escape from the Wizarding Bank?
Search for the Horcruxes?
Sigh.... so many things missing!
But, of course, I'm still checking on the first available vacation package. Even a little bit of stepping into the dream would be worth it.
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Love to know how the wand thing is going to work and how much they are going to charge for it!