It's Easter today, and here is something you should enjoy: the first video filmed inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure! It was part of yesterday's Ellen DeGeneres show and Ellen along with two kids had a walk-through inside this new land.
Although they didn't filmed the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride you'll see the village and its shops, a bit of Hogwarts Castle and the Flight of the Hippogriff ride. What Ellen is doing is not very interesting but we don't care as these images offers the best look yet into the highly awaited new land.
Picture and Video: Copyright Universal Studios, Ellen DeGeneres show
One of the most widely anticipated theme park entertainment experiences ever created - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort - is set for a public grand opening on June 18. Universal Orlando Resort also revealed details about what is expected to be one the most exciting theme park experiences ever created: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The ride will be one of three themed attractions within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.
Here is the Universal orlando press release with new pictures showing Hogwarts castle decor:
Grand Opening Of The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter At Universal Orlando Resort Set For June 18
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the heart of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This all new adventure combines a powerful storyline with spectacular new technology so effectively that guests will be completely immersed in the experience.
And as they live their adventure, guests will feel things no one has ever felt inside a theme park attraction, move in ways no one has ever moved, experience film like no one else ever has, explore vast sets punctuated by amazing special effects - and have an adventure only possible in Harry Potter's world.
The new attraction lies deep within Hogwarts castle, a majestic structure that towers over The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - the only place in the world where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films comes to life.
The Adventure
Imagine...
...meeting Harry, Ron and Hermione as if they were in person
...soaring over Hogwarts castle with Harry
...being swept into a Quidditch match
...feeling the chilling effect of a Dementor
...exploring your favorite places inside Hogwarts castle
...living adventures you've only been able to imagine - until now.
The Story
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey draws you into the excitement and chaos of Harry's life. As you venture through Hogwarts castle, you meet Harry, Ron and Hermione who convince you to skip a planned lecture and follow them. Upon taking their advice, you travel by Floo powder, and begin the adventure as you soar over Hogwarts, narrowly escape a dragon attack, have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, get pulled into a Quidditch match and more.
"Guests will experience firsthand a completely new adventure featuring the iconic characters, amazing creatures and recognizable locations they've only read in the books or seen in the films," said Thierry Coup, creative director for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The Location
The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey experience starts as soon as you walk through the gates of Hogwarts. Within the towering Hogwarts castle, you explore a truly magical place. You journey through iconic locations taken from the films and take in the extraordinary detail of each scene. They include:
- Dumbledore's office: Here, you meet the Headmaster as he welcomes you to Hogwarts
- Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom: Where you first meet Harry, Ron and Hermione - Gryffindor common room: You meet three additional characters who prepare you for your journey - Room of Requirement: Here, with hundreds of floating candles above, you take your seat on an enchanted bench and begin the Forbidden Journey
- Other locations: In addition, guests will pass through the Dungeon passageway and hallways of Hogwarts where they will have the chance to see hundreds of wizard portraits from the films, including several magical talking portraits created exclusively for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including the four founders of Hogwarts. Guests will even get a glimpse of the Sorting Hat.
The excellent Mugglenet website have more details about this amazing room: "The portrait gallery is a very tall room perhaps only ten feet wide. On each of the four walls? Portraits of each of the four founders of Hogwarts.... and they move. And they talk. These portraits are unlike anything I thought was possible to do outside of the movies. For the portraits move, but their surface looks like dried oil on canvas. Also, they travel. Other portraits in this hall leave their frames and enter the portraits of others', often generating an immediate response of reproach from whoever is being disturbed. It is clever, and well-synced. It is J.K. Rowling's books brought to life."
The Innovation
This is more than just an attraction and it is unlike any theme park experience ever created. It's a revolutionary, 360-degree theme park experience and first-ever combination of live-action, advanced robotic technology and innovative filmmaking - specially designed and developed for this brand-new adventure.
"We have created an entirely new way to place our guests into the heart of one of the most compelling stories of our time," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. "What we have done will forever change the theme park attraction experience."
The attraction's newly created ride system envelops guests in filmed action scenes and moves those scenes with them as they travel through the ride, allowing more time in the center of the adventure and with their favorite characters. This fusion of robotic technology and filmed scenes has never been achieved until now. In some cases, technology had to be invented to achieve the highest level of guest experience. The combination of pioneering, state-of-the-art technology, innovative filmmaking and surprises around every corner make this attraction the embodiment of the Harry Potter book and film series-and the future of theme park entertainment.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Quick Facts
- Storyline: As you venture through Hogwarts, you meet Harry, Ron and Hermione, who convince you to skip a planned lecture and follow them. Upon taking their advice you travel by Floo powder, and begin your adventure as you soar over Hogwarts, narrowly escape a dragon attack, have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, get pulled into a Quidditch match and more.
- First-ever combination of advanced robotic ride system technology with innovative, immersive filmmaking
- Award-winning composer John Williams oversaw the creation of the attraction's score
- The queue includes the following Harry Potter book and film elements: Headmaster Dumbledore's office, Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Gryffindor common room, Room of Requirement, and the greenhouse; talking portraits including the Fat Lady and the never-before-seen four founders: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw; the Sorting Hat, the One-Eyed Witch statue and the Mirror of Erised
- Duration of ride: The full attraction experience, including the queue, takes about an hour
- Number of scenes in the attraction: 12
- Characters (featuring Harry Potter film talent): Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid and Draco Malfoy
- You may also catch a glimpse of Fred and George Weasley, Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom
That's the end of the press release but Universal also released today this short video where actors and President of Universal Creative talks about the ride.
Also released this CGI video takes you through Hogsmeade Village to Hogwarts castle.
I strongly recommand the reading of the Mugglenet article as they had a preview of the sets and you will find many more details about the ride (show and pre-show).
My feeling is that WDW should really worry about this new Harry Potter land as i think the land and specially the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride will be awesome and probably extremely successful!
Pictures and Videos: copyright Universal Studios Orlando
As it is the major theme park opening for 2010 we've talked a lot about Universal Studios Singapore recently but this year will see another Universal major opening with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. Today Universal opened a new interactive Wizarding World of Harry Potter website and when you'll have finish this article i strongly suggest you to have a look at it HERE.
And next Sunday is Superbowl day! On this occasion Universal will reveal the first TV Ad for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, opening this spring. Good news for everyone not living in the U.S who will not be able to watch the Superbowl as you will find this exclusive TV Ad right below!
Let's have a look back to what we know thanks to high-res pictures. Recent pictures of the land released on many websites reveal the stunning Hogwarts Castle decor...
...and any Harry Potter fan probably can't wait to walk through the gates of this magical place. Inside the castle guests will make their way through familiar passageways and corridor and visit inconic locations like Dumbledore's office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor common room, the Room of Requirement and more! Located in Hogwarts castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey will be a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced. Get ready to soar above the castle grounds as you'll join Harry Potter and his friends, coming face to face with an array of magical creatures!
At the entrance of Hogsmeade village covered by snow, billowing steam and an iconic whistle signal the arrival of the Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade station...
Guests will find The Three Broomsticks restaurant and adjacent Hog's Head pub. They will serve traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice.
Across from the Three Broomsticks is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery
They will also have access to the magical Ollivander's Wand Shop, perfectly recreated.
Inside the shop will be an incredible interactive experience where the wand chooses the wizard!
Have a look to this short video which will tell you a bit more about what you can expect when you'll visit the magic shop.
This other video explore in details what guests will find at Hogsmeade village.
Before exiting back into Hogsmeade, "Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods" will be full of Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches...
The big E-Ticket ride "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" will use the Kuka robot arm technology and is still quite secret but i remind you that we already know about the Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle, near Hagrid's Hut.
Another expected coaster will be Dragon Challenge, a dueling coaster with many elements from the Triwizard Tournament. Here is a picture showing the entrance...
...and a close shot on another rendering reveal more about Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff area.
Let's end with this update with a two parts video report from Central florida on Demand shoot last year.
Let's end the day with a bit of magic (more magical than the new Apple IPad, see my article below!). USA Today released today a map of the awaited Harry Potter land at Islands of Adventure. The good idea is that the map is in fact a support for augmented reality, i.e that once you have print it, just put it in front of your webcam and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will appear magically in 3D on your computer screen!
And the good news, specially for my non U.S residents readers is that you don't need to buy USA Today as the map that you need is just in front of you, at the top of this article! Just click on the picture to get it in big size, then print it. Once it's done, go to www.harrypotter3d.com/ and follow the instructions. Very simple.
When the map will appear in 3D on your screen you can turn it to have a look at all the different sides of the land. However, note that Dragon’s Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff rides are only represented by icons on the map. But you can even make the waving banners wave faster simply by blowing into your computer microphone! Have fun!
A little artwork for the week-end, as Universal has released on the "Wizarding world of Harry Potter" web site a new rendering showing the Dervish and Banges shop, located in Hogsmeade.
I remember you that the previous rendering released on the Harry Potter site was the one of the Three Broomsticks restaurant.
This highly-awaited new land of Islands of Adventure is always supposed to open in 2010.
That's it! Universal Studios officially announced today the opening in late 2009 of the awaited Harry Potter land at Orlando's Islands of adventure ! And here are the three renderings released by Universal showing this future land.
WOW! It looks great, doesn'it? Here is more about it with the press release:
Universal and Warner Studios are partnering to "create the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment envisioned as a theme park within a theme park, based on the best-selling books by J.K. Rowling" Barry Meyer, the chairman of Warner Bros Entertainment said "Working with Universal Orlando Resort, we are confident that we’ll be able to provide Harry Potter fans with an incredible experience that upholds the richness of J.K. Rowling’s books and delivers on the authentic detail portrayed in our films.” Ron Meyer, Universal Studios president and COO declared: "We will rely on our company’s rich movie heritage and expertise in transforming film concepts into theme park entertainment experiences. The Harry Potter stories are among the most compelling of our time. The millions of people who have read the books and seen the movies will now be able to experience the world of Harry Potter in person.” Guests will be able 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 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 . The "Wizarding world of Harry Potter" as the project is called will include immersive rides and interactive attractions, as well as experiential shops and restaurants that will enable guests to sample fare from the wizarding world’s best known establishments. Universal said " we're planning a collection of rides and attractions specifically designed to bring the magic and adventures of Harry Potter to life in an exciting way that guests have never experienced before. That will include a new state-of-the-art attraction" Stuart Craig , Potter's Movies production designer will collaborate with Universal creative's team in designing the park and J.K.Rowling hopes this will provide fans with another way to experience the world beyond the books and films. The "Wizarding world of Harry Potter" fully immersive experience will be located at Islands of adventure, a portion of what is currently the Lost Continent will be devoted to the new environment, as well as an undeveloped area that is currently not in use. The new environment will be comparable in size to other islands within Islands of Adventure and will open late 2009 or early 2010. An here is the best: although Universal didn't mention any budget for this new land , the cost is supposed to be of 1 BILLION dollars! The BIG question, now, is how is going to react Disney at this major announcement. This is where it becomes interesting, as this billion dollars Harry Potter land will be a major danger for WDW when it will open in 2009. No doubt that everybody coming to Orlando will rush to IOA to see it. So, my feeling is that we can expect in a while some major announcement from WDW. Hmmm...what about a "Narnia" land in Animal Kingdom where WDI was supposed to built the Beastly-kingdom-that- never-was? Or a real - at last - Star Wars land?
Here is some additionnal infos from the Orlando Sentinel article:
"Universal plans a 20-acre "Wizarding World," a little bigger than the average size of its themed "islands" at Islands of Adventure. Part would be carved away from what is now "The Lost Continent" island, and the rest would be land now used for employee parking and park support, outside the back fence.
The new, "seventh island" would feature reconstructed and rethemed attractions, and all-new ones, Scott Trowbridge, vice president of Universal's Creative Studios, said in an interview. The Hogwarts castle and locations from Rowling's Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade village will be created as backdrops to attractions, shops and restaurants.
Three-time Academy Award-winning production designer Stuart Craig, who designed sets for all the Harry Potter movies, leads the "Wizarding World" design team.
Much of "The Lost Continent" island, including Universal's award-winning Mythos Restaurant, will be retained as a separate themed area, just smaller. The island is to remain open during construction as well.
Some current "Lost Continent" attractions such as The Dueling Dragons roller coasters and The Flying Unicorn coaster ride likely would be adapted to fit the Harry Potter story. Trowbridge would not discuss specific attractions, but did say that Universal intended to "leverage some existing infrastructure." He said that would have to include far more than a new paint job and a new sign, because too much is at stake.
"We do have a responsibility to all the fans that are out there in the world that have followed the Harry Potter saga through the films and the books," Davis said. "We're taking that very, very seriously. We're going to be true to the books and the films, and make sure that when people come here they're going to be very, very happy with what they see."
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