Filed under: Vacations, harry potter, orlando, orlando vacation, theme parks, universal orlando
Universal’s Islands of Adventure plans to break ground on a new 20-acre themed area called “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” during the summer of 2008 with a grand opening scheduled for late 2009. Envisioned as a “theme park within a theme park,” “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is a partnership between Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. that will create the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment based on the bestselling books of J.K. Rowling and blockbuster films from Warner Bros.
“Over the years we’ve received thousands of letters from fans around the world wishing they could visit Hogwarts and the wonderful locations described in each of J.K. Rowling’s beloved stories,” said Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Entertainment. “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.”
“We will rely on our company’s rich movie heritage and expertise in transforming film concepts into theme park entertainment experiences,” said Ron Meyer, president and COO, Universal Studios. “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.”
Amazing, Imaginative World
The fully immersive, themed land of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will include a replica of Hogwarts castle, as well as new Harry Potter-themed rides, attractions, specialty shops and restaurants. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will also feature backdrops from such well-known locales from the Harry Potter books as Hogsmeade Village and the mysterious Forbidden Forest.
“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.
“We have a profound sense of responsibility for the Harry Potter franchise at Warner Bros. Bringing the magic of J.K. Rowling’s written word to the motion picture screen was the first step in expanding this amazing and imaginative world. Working with Universal Orlando Resort to bring it to life in a physical environment that you can walk through, relax in and ride on is the natural next step for fans to experience and enjoy,” said Alan Horn, president and COO, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Totally Immersive Environment
Expected to open in late 2009, the new environment will feature 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. Also debuting will be a state-of-the-art attraction that will bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in an exciting way that guests have never before experienced.
“We are going to devote more time, more money, more expertise and more executive talent from throughout our entire organization and creative team – as well as from Warner Bros., our partners – to ensure that
this entire environment is second-to-none,” said Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks
and Resorts.
Brad Globe, president of Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products, added: “In Universal, we found the right partner whose unparalleled commitment will ensure that this is a world class destination. Their track record of success and the consistently high level of entertainment at all of their parks gave us the confidence to know that they will meet—or exceed— the extremely high expectations we all have for this project.”
Bringing Harry Potter’s World to Life
The Academy Award-winning production designer Stuart Craig, who has worked to bring the world of Harry Potter to life in all of the feature films to date, leads the creative design for the area to ensure it remains faithful to the look and feel of the films.
“Our primary goal is to make sure this experience is an authentic extension of Harry Potter’s world as it is portrayed in the books and films,” said Craig. “I am very excited to be working closely with the Universal Orlando team to bring the area to life.”
The Universal Orlando resort destination includes two dramatically distinct and adjacent theme parks, the Universal Studios motion picture and television theme park and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando’s most thrilling and exhilarating theme park. Universal Orlando also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping, club and live-entertainment venue as well as premier on-site Loews hotels and world-class film and television production facilities.
A Global Phenomenon
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. The series of books by author J.K. Rowling has been translated into 65 languages with more than 325 million copies sold in over 200 territories around the world. The films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $3.5 billion at the box office worldwide. Each of the four Harry Potter films produced to date has the distinction of making it into the all time top 20 grossing films worldwide.
Filed under: Vacations, orlando, orlando vacation, theme parks, travel, universal orlando
Time is winding down on your Orlando vacation getaway and you still want to experience Universal Orlando to its fullest. That means visiting as many attractions, restaurants and live entertainment venues as you can at Universal Studios, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk in just one day. Impossible? Not if you plan ahead and follow the Universal Orlando time-saving tips below:
1. Schedule your Universal Orlando vacation during times when attendance is lightest from mid-September until just before Thanksgiving, after Thanksgiving until a week before Christmas and mid-January until just before Presidents’ week in February.
2. Arrive at Universal Orlando early at least a half hour before it officially opens so you can get a jump on the crowds.
3. Use Universal Orlando theme park maps and tip boards to develop a plan in order to visit as many attractions as possible.
4. Don’t follow the crowd Many people will go to the right and move clockwise throughout either Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, so try going left and moving counterclockwise.
5. If you want to experience The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, make it your first stop since it is the most popular attraction at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and draws some of the longest lines.
6.Avoid driving to or from Universal Orlando on Interstate 4 during rush hour, which usually runs from 7 to 9 AM and 4 to 7 PM.
7.Stay at one of Universal Orlando’s luxurious resorts Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel or Royal Pacific Resort and enjoy Universal Express ride access, which allows you to bypass the lines at both Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
8. If you are not staying at a Universal Orlando onsite resort, you can still take advantage of Universal Express PLUS, which allows you to enjoy one Express access to each attraction.
9. Buy preferred parking for a few extra dollars and you will be able to park in the parking area nearest to the entrance of Universal Orlando theme parks.
10. Better yet, take advantage of valet parking, which costs $18 per day. Just follow the signs to Valet Parking once you enter Universal Orlando.
11. Eat a good breakfast before you get to Universal Orlando. Once there, try to eat lunch a little earlier or later than usual to avoid crowds (before 12 PM or after 2 PM).
12. Take advantage of Universal Orlando’s child swap program by going to the designated child swap area at each attraction. Essentially one member of your party can watch the kids while the rest of your group enjoys the ride. After the ride, you just swap places.
13. If you are planning to dine at one of Universal CityWalk’s themed restaurants, make reservations well in advance if possible.
In addition to the tips above, make sure you purchase Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park tickets in advance (the internet and search engines are great resources for finding cheap Universal Orlando tickets) and avoid long lines at ticket windows.
