Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter is going to be getting much bigger -- and more magical. The theme park has announced more details of its Diagon Alley expansion, which was confirmed in May 2013.
It was previously revealed that the new area of the park would have a Hogwarts Express ride connecting it to the previously built Hogsmeade area, and that it would have a ride based on Gringotts bank. There will also be a Leaky Cauldron restaurant and new shops.
Now fans can have more information to obsess over before the new area is opened. Universal Orlando reveals on Jan. 23 additional key details about the new elements of the park.
The Hogwarts Express
With Diagon Alley in the Universal Studios section of Universal Orlando and Hosgmeade in the other park Islands of Adventure, "Harry Potter" fans will be able to ride the Hogwarts Express train from one area to the other.
It was previously revealed that the new area of the park would have a Hogwarts Express ride connecting it to the previously built Hogsmeade area, and that it would have a ride based on Gringotts bank. There will also be a Leaky Cauldron restaurant and new shops.
Now fans can have more information to obsess over before the new area is opened. Universal Orlando reveals on Jan. 23 additional key details about the new elements of the park.
The Hogwarts Express
With Diagon Alley in the Universal Studios section of Universal Orlando and Hosgmeade in the other park Islands of Adventure, "Harry Potter" fans will be able to ride the Hogwarts Express train from one area to the other.
- 1/23/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Whether you love the Transformers movies or you spend hours online composing detailed take-downs of its many perceived flaws, you’ve likely said the following words regarding them: “It was just like a theme park ride!” Well, starting Friday, you can experience first hand what a Transformers theme park ride is actually like, when the imaginatively titled Transformers the Ride 3-D officially opens to the public at Universal Studios Hollywood. I got a chance to preview the ride already, though, let me just spoil things for you right now (Unnecessary Spoiler Alert): In every way that matters, riding the...
- 5/25/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW.com - PopWatch
Here is our first look at Transformers: The Ride coming soonn to Universal Studios. Universal Studios allready has turned other movies into larger-than-life guest experiences. Guests will be able to immerse themselves in this 3D experience at Universal Studios Singapore in December 2011 and Universal Studio Hollywood in Spring 2012.
Check out this trailer for the ride:
Here is an intro video for the ride:
Here are some pictures from Universal Singapore that show The Nest orientation room as well as the All-Spark Vault at Nest.
Thierry Coup, creative director of the ride, had this to say about the experience:
The technology at Transformers The Ride is something the world has never experienced before in an attraction. The motion base simulator system integrated into the ride vehicle is state-of-the-art, together with Ilm photo-realistic 3-D projections, will create an experience that is going to be a thrilling breakthrough in ride experience.
What are your thoughts?...
Check out this trailer for the ride:
Here is an intro video for the ride:
Here are some pictures from Universal Singapore that show The Nest orientation room as well as the All-Spark Vault at Nest.
Thierry Coup, creative director of the ride, had this to say about the experience:
The technology at Transformers The Ride is something the world has never experienced before in an attraction. The motion base simulator system integrated into the ride vehicle is state-of-the-art, together with Ilm photo-realistic 3-D projections, will create an experience that is going to be a thrilling breakthrough in ride experience.
What are your thoughts?...
- 10/5/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
[1] Movies getting made into huge theme park rides isn't anything new. Star Wars was turned to Star Tours over two decades ago and just got a big reboot. Harry Potter has his own land, Spider-Man and The Simpsons have advanced 3D rides and that's just the tip of the iceberg. The next franchise to be turned into a massive attraction is Transformers as Transformers: The Ride is set to first open at Universal Studios Singapore in December 2011 and Universal Studio Hollywood in Spring 2012. After the jump, we've got a few sneak peaks at the ride including some teaser footage and photos of the in-depth queue. First up is this trailer that premiered a few months ago but we hadn't seen yet. . Next is an introduction video from the Transformers: The Ride blog [2]. That same site has two exclusive images from the ride queue in Singapore: The Nest orientation [3] room as...
- 10/5/2011
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
[1] Don't expect to see popular Marvel comics characters like Spider-Man at the Disney theme parks any time soon. That seems to be the core take-away from today's announcements from Universal Studios. The company made two announcements this morning: A Despicable Me 3D experience will replace the Jimmy Neutron attraction at Universal Studios Florida in 2012. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal’s Islands of Adventure will be fitted with all-new digital animation done in 4K high definition. By investing money to completely reanimate the Spider-Man ride, Universal is sending a clear message to theme park visitors: "we still own the rights to attractions based on some of the popular Marvel characters and you won't see these characters at the Disneyland theme parks any time soon." Read the full press release after the jump, which includes a bunch of details about the new Despicable Me ride. Universal Orlando Resort Reveals Major...
- 5/19/2011
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Both will be ready by 2012, preceding the releases of sequels to their namesake films.
By Terri Schwartz
The new 4K HD digital animation featured in the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride
Photo: Universal Studios
Orlando, Florida — With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter still less than a year old, Universal Orlando is ready to announce two new movie-themed ride experiences for fans visiting the Orlando theme park.
The first is a "Despicable Me" ride that will replace the Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast park in the Universal Studios Florida area. Like the film, it will be a 3-D experience and will combine visceral and virtual motion with animation and real-life elements.
"When we got our hands on ['Despicable Me'], we knew instantly it was a perfect fit for Universal Orlando," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. "It's wonderful for us to bring to life the first Universal animated picture."
Working alongside Woodbury is Thierry Coup,...
By Terri Schwartz
The new 4K HD digital animation featured in the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride
Photo: Universal Studios
Orlando, Florida — With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter still less than a year old, Universal Orlando is ready to announce two new movie-themed ride experiences for fans visiting the Orlando theme park.
The first is a "Despicable Me" ride that will replace the Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast park in the Universal Studios Florida area. Like the film, it will be a 3-D experience and will combine visceral and virtual motion with animation and real-life elements.
"When we got our hands on ['Despicable Me'], we knew instantly it was a perfect fit for Universal Orlando," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. "It's wonderful for us to bring to life the first Universal animated picture."
Working alongside Woodbury is Thierry Coup,...
- 5/19/2011
- MTV Movie News
Both will be ready by 2012, preceding the releases of sequels to their namesake films.
By Terri Schwartz
The new 4K HD digital animation featured in the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride
Photo: Universal Studios
Orlando, Florida — With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter still less than a year old, Universal Orlando is ready to announce two new movie-themed ride experiences for fans visiting the Orlando theme park.
The first is a "Despicable Me" ride that will replace the Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast park in the Universal Studios Florida area. Like the film, it will be a 3-D experience and will combine visceral and virtual motion with animation and real-life elements.
"When we got our hands on ['Despicable Me'], we knew instantly it was a perfect fit for Universal Orlando," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. "It's wonderful for us to bring to life the first Universal animated picture."
Working alongside Woodbury is Thierry Coup,...
By Terri Schwartz
The new 4K HD digital animation featured in the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride
Photo: Universal Studios
Orlando, Florida — With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter still less than a year old, Universal Orlando is ready to announce two new movie-themed ride experiences for fans visiting the Orlando theme park.
The first is a "Despicable Me" ride that will replace the Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast park in the Universal Studios Florida area. Like the film, it will be a 3-D experience and will combine visceral and virtual motion with animation and real-life elements.
"When we got our hands on ['Despicable Me'], we knew instantly it was a perfect fit for Universal Orlando," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. "It's wonderful for us to bring to life the first Universal animated picture."
Working alongside Woodbury is Thierry Coup,...
- 5/19/2011
- MTV Music News
We all loved the yellow, pill-shaped minions populating last summer’s Despicable Me, but what would it be like to be one?
That’s the premise of Universal Studios Orlando’s new ride based on the animated hit, which the theme park announced this morning. Due in 2012, the 3-D experience, which will replace the Jimmy Neutron ride, will plop riders into the world of professed arch villain Gru and his horde of Minions in a story that takes place after the events of the film. “First you’ll be taken into Gru’s house,” says Thierry Coup, the head of Universal Creative Studio,...
That’s the premise of Universal Studios Orlando’s new ride based on the animated hit, which the theme park announced this morning. Due in 2012, the 3-D experience, which will replace the Jimmy Neutron ride, will plop riders into the world of professed arch villain Gru and his horde of Minions in a story that takes place after the events of the film. “First you’ll be taken into Gru’s house,” says Thierry Coup, the head of Universal Creative Studio,...
- 5/19/2011
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW.com - PopWatch
Update: According to MuggleNet, there are no plans at this time for any hotel near the Leavesden Studios museum.
It looks like it's going to become the battle of who can make the coolest "Harry Potter"-themed site to visit: Orlando or London.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter blew us away with its attention to detail and focus on creating the best overall experience for Florida-bound Potterfiles, but then came the news that Warner Bros. is turning Leavesden Studios, the place where all the "Potter" movies were filmed, into a giant "Harry Potter" museum. Soon, the focus shifted away from Orlando and towards London in anticipation the museum's spring 2012 opening date.
Now there's another reason to get excited: according to an article in USA Today, Warner Bros is also planning to build a 120-room hotel to accompany the attraction, though no official date has been set for its completion.
It looks like it's going to become the battle of who can make the coolest "Harry Potter"-themed site to visit: Orlando or London.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter blew us away with its attention to detail and focus on creating the best overall experience for Florida-bound Potterfiles, but then came the news that Warner Bros. is turning Leavesden Studios, the place where all the "Potter" movies were filmed, into a giant "Harry Potter" museum. Soon, the focus shifted away from Orlando and towards London in anticipation the museum's spring 2012 opening date.
Now there's another reason to get excited: according to an article in USA Today, Warner Bros is also planning to build a 120-room hotel to accompany the attraction, though no official date has been set for its completion.
- 3/21/2011
- by Terri Schwartz
- MTV Movies Blog
June 16th, 2010, 3:54 pm– Good news for everyone who will be at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Orlando later this week! We have just received word that Rupert Grint will be at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and out and about in the area until Saturday! So all those of you who were worried, keep your eyes open and you might be able to catch him! If you do, we would be glad to share any pictures, videos or whatever with the fandom, so send them in to staff@rupert-grint.us! Our staffers Jo and Aj have already arrived at Orlando and Tao is on her way, and Aj has left us a message on our Facebook: “Hey guys, just got finishing chatting with the Univeral Creative’s Thierry Coup and Mike West about some of the main attractions at the park, as well as, The Forbidden Journey.
- 6/16/2010
- by Karo
- Rupert-Grint.us/
'There's just nothing like this around,' Universal president Mark Woodbury says of the theme park.
By Terri Schwartz
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Photo: 2010 Universal Orlando Resort
Hollywood is in love with 3-D right now, a trend MTV is celebrating this week with 3-D Week. After the success of "Avatar," studios are busy , bringing classic films back in three dimensions and filming a whole slew of new films using 3-D technology.
So what does that have to do with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you might ask? The whole 3-D sensation is about having the viewer feel as though they are a part of the world of the film they are watching. And that's a bit like what Universal's done for "Harry Potter" fans. When they walk into the park, they will be surrounded by a scarily accurate representation of Hogsmeade village and Hogwart's castle, right down...
By Terri Schwartz
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Photo: 2010 Universal Orlando Resort
Hollywood is in love with 3-D right now, a trend MTV is celebrating this week with 3-D Week. After the success of "Avatar," studios are busy , bringing classic films back in three dimensions and filming a whole slew of new films using 3-D technology.
So what does that have to do with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you might ask? The whole 3-D sensation is about having the viewer feel as though they are a part of the world of the film they are watching. And that's a bit like what Universal's done for "Harry Potter" fans. When they walk into the park, they will be surrounded by a scarily accurate representation of Hogsmeade village and Hogwart's castle, right down...
- 3/30/2010
- MTV Movie News
Universal Studios Orlando has unveiled new images, attraction details and an opening date for their new theme park within a theme park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Check out all the details below and we’ll assume that plane-loads of Muggles will be heading to Orlando this Summer!
Grand Opening Of The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter At Universal Orlando Resort Set For June 18
Universal Orlando Also Unveils Details for the Highly Anticipated New Attraction::: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Orlando, Fla. – 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.
Today, 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. It will be one of three themed...
Grand Opening Of The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter At Universal Orlando Resort Set For June 18
Universal Orlando Also Unveils Details for the Highly Anticipated New Attraction::: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Orlando, Fla. – 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.
Today, 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. It will be one of three themed...
- 3/28/2010
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
Muggles will be finally be permitted into Universal Orlando Resort's Wizarding World of Harry Potter on June 18 - but a certain Potter mogul won't be setting foot in the Florida amusement center until mid-summer, a source at Universal tells People. Still, Harry creator J.K. Rowling's presence has been integral in the creation of the 20-acre theme park since Day One. Her approvals - along with those from Warner Bros., which produces the Potter movie franchise - were not only necessarily for the look and feel of the land, but also for the taste - of the trademark Butterbeer at...
- 3/25/2010
- by Stephen M. Silverman
- PEOPLE.com
Grand opening is set for June 18, but some fans will be able to get in three weeks early.
By Terri Schwartz
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Photo: 2010 Universal Orlando Resort
After months of enthusiasm and speculation, Universal Orlando has finally announced the grand opening for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: June 18.
For those fans willing to spend the money, there is an opportunity to visit the park a bit earlier. A special Wizarding World park and hotel package has been available for purchase since mid-February. The reservation start date was listed as May 28, and Universal spokespeople said those who already purchased those packages and made travel arrangements will be treated to exactly what they paid for, which means they will be getting into the park a full 22 days before the general public. Universal said those special packages will remain available until they have been sold out.
Wizarding World...
By Terri Schwartz
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Photo: 2010 Universal Orlando Resort
After months of enthusiasm and speculation, Universal Orlando has finally announced the grand opening for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: June 18.
For those fans willing to spend the money, there is an opportunity to visit the park a bit earlier. A special Wizarding World park and hotel package has been available for purchase since mid-February. The reservation start date was listed as May 28, and Universal spokespeople said those who already purchased those packages and made travel arrangements will be treated to exactly what they paid for, which means they will be getting into the park a full 22 days before the general public. Universal said those special packages will remain available until they have been sold out.
Wizarding World...
- 3/25/2010
- MTV Movie News
It's no secret that I've been pretty excited about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for quite a long time. Over on Movies Blog's sister blog, Hollywood Crush, I've been covering news about the park pretty much since the beginning, and named it the release in 2010 that we are most excited for. Butterbeer and my favorite wizard at a theme park? Yes, please.
So when Universal invited us down to get a first look at the park, it was pretty much a dream come true. I've grown up with the "Harry Potter" series and while I wouldn't consider myself a die-hard fan of the series, I hold the story pretty close to my heart.
Our tour started out with a chat with Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Orlando, in a room that featured a model of the park and conceptual drawings for the various "Harry Potter"-themed shops that Wizarding World would be featuring.
So when Universal invited us down to get a first look at the park, it was pretty much a dream come true. I've grown up with the "Harry Potter" series and while I wouldn't consider myself a die-hard fan of the series, I hold the story pretty close to my heart.
Our tour started out with a chat with Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Orlando, in a room that featured a model of the park and conceptual drawings for the various "Harry Potter"-themed shops that Wizarding World would be featuring.
- 3/25/2010
- by Terri Schwartz
- MTV Movies Blog
'Time stands still when you're in there,' creative director Thierry Coup says of the attraction.
By Terri Schwartz
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Photo: 2010 Universal Orlando Resort
The attraction at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that Universal Orlando is most excited about is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a ride they revealed to press and "Harry Potter" fan site webmasters on Wednesday. MTV got a chance to be one of the first inside Hogwarts castle, which is much more than just a pretty and accurate exterior.
Wizarding World creative director Thierry Coup said that just waiting in line for the ride portion of Forbidden Journey was worth the time, and Wednesday's visit explained why. Many of the iconic rooms and areas of Hogwarts castle that have been described in the "Harry Potter" books and seen in the movies have been re-created inside Universal's version of Hogwarts castle.
By Terri Schwartz
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Photo: 2010 Universal Orlando Resort
The attraction at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that Universal Orlando is most excited about is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a ride they revealed to press and "Harry Potter" fan site webmasters on Wednesday. MTV got a chance to be one of the first inside Hogwarts castle, which is much more than just a pretty and accurate exterior.
Wizarding World creative director Thierry Coup said that just waiting in line for the ride portion of Forbidden Journey was worth the time, and Wednesday's visit explained why. Many of the iconic rooms and areas of Hogwarts castle that have been described in the "Harry Potter" books and seen in the movies have been re-created inside Universal's version of Hogwarts castle.
- 3/25/2010
- MTV Movie News
'Time stands still when you're in there,' creative director Thierry Coup says of the attraction.
By Terri Schwartz
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Photo: 2010 Universal Orlando Resort
The attraction at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that Universal Orlando is most excited about is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a ride they revealed to press and "Harry Potter" fan site webmasters on Wednesday. MTV got a chance to be one of the first inside Hogwarts castle, which is much more than just a pretty and accurate exterior.
Wizarding World creative director Thierry Coup said that just waiting in line for the ride portion of Forbidden Journey was worth the time, and Wednesday's visit explained why. Many of the iconic rooms and areas of Hogwarts castle that have been described in the "Harry Potter" books and seen in the movies have been re-created inside Universal's version of Hogwarts castle.
By Terri Schwartz
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Photo: 2010 Universal Orlando Resort
The attraction at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that Universal Orlando is most excited about is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a ride they revealed to press and "Harry Potter" fan site webmasters on Wednesday. MTV got a chance to be one of the first inside Hogwarts castle, which is much more than just a pretty and accurate exterior.
Wizarding World creative director Thierry Coup said that just waiting in line for the ride portion of Forbidden Journey was worth the time, and Wednesday's visit explained why. Many of the iconic rooms and areas of Hogwarts castle that have been described in the "Harry Potter" books and seen in the movies have been re-created inside Universal's version of Hogwarts castle.
- 3/25/2010
- MTV Music News
From Hollywood Crush: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is still months away from a set opening date, but that doesn't stop us from being excited for it. Today we were lucky enough to chat with Thierry Coup, the vice president of creative development for Universal Creative who is heading the Wizarding World project about one of the more exciting elements of the park: Ollivander's Wand Shop.
Much like everything else about Wizarding World, Coup and the workers over at Universal are working as hard as they can to keep everything about the park as close to the books and films as possible. They teased back in September that the wand shop would be an “incredible interactive experience” where, like in the "Harry Potter" universe, the wand picks the wizard, and it seems as though they've succeeded.
Continue reading 'Wizarding World Of Harry Potter' Park: We've Got The Entire Scoop...
Much like everything else about Wizarding World, Coup and the workers over at Universal are working as hard as they can to keep everything about the park as close to the books and films as possible. They teased back in September that the wand shop would be an “incredible interactive experience” where, like in the "Harry Potter" universe, the wand picks the wizard, and it seems as though they've succeeded.
Continue reading 'Wizarding World Of Harry Potter' Park: We've Got The Entire Scoop...
- 1/29/2010
- by Terri Schwartz
- MTV Movies Blog
As if I wasn't already booking a spring flight to play at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, now Universal Orlando had to go and release a video hyping the Ollivanders wand shop experience with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, and Michael Gambon shilling it in costume. In truth, I still have no idea what they mean when they say different things will happen around the shop to let us know when our wand has chosen us. According to Thierry Coup, VP of Creative at Universal Parks & Resorts, we'll know right away if the wand we're waving isn't the...
- 1/28/2010
- by Mandi Bierly
- EW.com - PopWatch
The spires of Hogwarts Castle now stand perched more than 150 feet above the Florida landscape, and all sorts of sneak peeks are beginning to leak out. The centerpiece of this Harry Potter-themed addition to the Universal Orlando is the castle, itself, which you can check out in detail in this recently released high resolution image.
Want to take your broomstick and fly around the castle for more of a bird's-eye view? Well, that's not quite possible, at least not yet. But USA Today is offering sneak peek via an "augmented reality map," with a video that explains how to use the map and your web cam to get a 3-D preview of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
In the accompanying article, we get some details about what to expect once the park opens, sometime in Spring 2010. The castle will house Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a "dark ride...
Want to take your broomstick and fly around the castle for more of a bird's-eye view? Well, that's not quite possible, at least not yet. But USA Today is offering sneak peek via an "augmented reality map," with a video that explains how to use the map and your web cam to get a 3-D preview of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
In the accompanying article, we get some details about what to expect once the park opens, sometime in Spring 2010. The castle will house Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a "dark ride...
- 1/28/2010
- by Bill Stouffer
- Reelzchannel.com
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