Universal’s Harry Potter park gets Hogwarts
Details are starting to emerge for the the highly anticipated “park within a park” 20 acre Wizarding World of Harry Potter due to open next spring at Universal Orlando. There will be three major Potter-themed attractions including a “Forbidden Journey” ride set in the iconic Hogwart’s Castle, Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff.
Dragon Challenge is a high-speed ride described as “definitely for the brave” and is based on the Triwizard Tournament, a fictional 13th century contest between students of the three most prestigious magical schools of Europe.
Another is Flight of the Hippogriff, a coaster based on Rowlings’ magical creature with the head, wings and front legs of a giant eagle and body, hind legs and tail of a horse.
Also keeping faithful to author J.K. Rowlings’ seven-book Harry Potter series visitors will be able to sample butter beer and pumpkin juice at the Three Broomsticks Restaurant, relax in the Owlery and be fitted for a magical wand in Ollivander’s Wand Shop, all of which are familiar to Potter fans.
The “Wizarding World” had been under development for five years and park details have been tightly held since the project was announced in 2007.
