“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” officially opens to the public TODAY (April 7th) at Universal Studios Hollywood. The new fully themed land is a breathtaking journey into a world of magic and make believe. Expertly designed and nestled atop a Hollywood hill, this new iteration of the Wizarding World seems more at home than any other version with the surrounding San Gabriel Valley and Hollywood Hills as the backdrop.

As if stepping into the pages of J.K. Rolling’s Harry Potter series, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the fictional town of Hogsmeade. They can shop at Honeyduke’s, eat at Three Broomsticks, find a wand at Olivander’s, go to school at Hogwarts and fly with a Hippogriff.

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Hundreds camped out all night for a chance to be first in the new land.

The lines began to form outside the Universal main gate at about 5pm on Wednesday evening.  Muggles and wizards alike waited as the clock ticked away toward the 6:30am opening.  Actors James and Oliver Phelps (the Weasley Twins),  popped out to wish the fans well and hand out complimentary wands to offer support.

Soon enough the diligent fans were led into the park to find their place in front of the gates of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter”. A small podium stood just to the left of the entrance.

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Out of the darkness the conductor at the Hogsmeade station appeared, carrying a lantern.  He greeted the crowd and then invited Park President, Larry Kurzweil, to the stage.

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After a few words, Larry summoned the stars of the hit franchise to the stage, Warwick Davis, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Tom Felton, and Evanna Lynch.

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After a few more words Kurzweil led a countdown and, with a flick of the wand, Hogsmeade suddenly came to life!

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The first 250 fans were invited to step into “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and confetti cannons filled the sky with dancing specks of color.

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The rest of the guests awaiting entrance to the land were let in. Within minutes of opening the signature attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden journey had already accumulated a 185 minute wait.  Olivander’s Wand Shop had a 75 minute wait, and the outdoor family coaster Flight of the Hippogriff had racked up a healthy 60 minute standby.

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The line for Forbidden Journey stretched to the entrance of the land.
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Harry Potter and the three and a half hour wait.
Star Warwick Davis Stopped to talk to guests in the land.  (Go Slytherin!)
Star Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick) stopped to talk to guests in the land. (Go Slytherin!)

 

The grand opening celebration has been days in the making.

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Grand Opening Ceremony (on MiceChat 4/6/16)

On Wednesday, we posted our photos and video of the grand opening gala and star-studded red carpet event. You can find that coverage HERE.  Below is our review of what you can expect from the long awaited arrival of the Wizarding World to Hollywood.

HOGSMEADE

Crossing under a deceptively ancient-looking stone archway, guests come face to face with the steaming Hogwarts Express train.  They have “arrived” and their journey is about to begin.  Surrounded by the serpentine steeples and snow-capped rooftops of Hogsmeade even the most jaded park visitor can, for a moment, suspend their disbelief and fall into Rowling’s endlessly imaginative creation. As if the surroundings weren’t enough, Hogsmeade is complimented with a lush score by master composer John Williams, bringing to life the magic of Harry Potter.
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Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood

Of note is the cool photo op that is inside the station, just behind the stationary Hogwarts Express. Guests can partake in memorable scenes from the Harry Potter films as part of a collectible keepsake. Unique to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” in the U.S., this photo opportunity will invite guests to step into the Hogwarts Express station and climb inside a cabin where they can choose from three scenic backdrops.

  • Braving the darkness to face the Dementor’s kiss
  • Witnessing the flight of the Weasley’s Ford Anglia
  • Glimpsing a spectacular view of the iconic Hogwarts castle

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Unique to Universal Studios Hollywood‘s Hogsmeade is a variety of eclectic storefront facades, authentically recreated from the Harry Potter films that accurately capture the craftsmanship and look so carefully developed in the film series. There are differences here from the Orlando version of the land.

Window shopping at a glance includes:

Here are some of the wonderful fake shops (facades, signs and windows) that you can’t actually visit.

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  • Dogweed and Deathcap™ – a shop that sells exotic plants and flowers.

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Madam Puddifoot’s– a cozy tearoom of delectable sweet treats.

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  • Spintwitches  – a small merchant where Quidditch supplies and other fine sporting equipment is sold.
  • Tomes and Scrolls – a specialty bookstore.
  • Ceridwen’s Cauldron Shop – selling cauldrons of every shape and size and in every possible material from copper and brass to pewter and silver and even self-stirring ones.

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  • Dominic Maestro’s Music Shop – a music shop in Hogsmeade that offers music lessons, instrument sales and a location for local bands to audition and practice.

Honeydukes

The real candy shop in town becomes part of the show as you can pick up earthworm flavored jelly beans, Chocolate frogs, or even Puking pastilles.  And most of it is really delicious.

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Zonko’s Magic Shop

Zonko’s Magic Shop is attached to Honeyduke’s Sweet shop. Here you can pick up your favorite gags and tricks.

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Olivander’s Wand Shop

Olivander’s is one part show, one part shop, and 100% magic.  The beguiling experience begins as you enter Olivander’s and are introduced to a wizard attendant in a darkened room.  One lucky person is picked from the crowd and is asked to try his hand at wand magic.  Once a wand picks its owner guests are funneled out into the store where they can choose their own wand. And that’s not an easy task as there are dozens of different wands to choose from!
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As you exit Olivanders, you’ll pass through a tiny shop which contains knickknacks and has a sumptuous  celestial decor.

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Dervish and Banges

You can get just about anything you need for your semester at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from this amazing store. On display – carefully secured within a protected cage — is The Monster Book of Monsters, used in Care of Magical Creatures.  The particularly vicious book snarls and growls at anyone who attempts to get too close. Floating above, are the three broomsticks featured in the films:  Nimbus Two Thousand, Nimbus Two Thousand and One, and Firebolt.

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Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods –On display are such infamous items as the Marauder’s Map, which reveals where favorite characters are traveling throughout the castle’s corridors at any moment (it really does, ask for a demonstration). Items for purchase include the Golden Snitch, Hogwarts house apparel and scarves, leather journals and Omnioculars, among many other things.

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Gladrags Wizardwear –a place for fashionable apparel, hats, accessories and jewelry, as well as house Robes, ties and jumpers. Prop replicas from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire are on display within this spirited shop, including Hermione’s enchanting Yule Ball gown.

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The Owl Post, located adjacent to the Owlery, is a fully functioning post office where visitors can mail postcards and letters with a “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” stamp, postmarked from Hogsmeade. Perched above are awaiting owls, while the window displays a Howler – a magical letter that can be heard shrieking its message before shredding itself into pieces.

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Three Broomsticks

In the middle of town, you’ll find an aged rustic tavern, where you can enjoy authentic meals while seated at custom-made wooden tables, chairs and benches. It’s a warm and inviting atmosphere taken straight from the wizarding world.

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Located throughout the lively village are stand-alone carts featuring a selection of tasty fare, including the Magic Neep, a cart offering fresh fruits, cold drinks and snacks and the large barrel shaped Butterbeer carts, where guests can sample the drink which has become a cultural phenomenon.

Of course, while in Hogsmeade, one simply must catch a performance of the hauntingly beautiful Hogwarts Frog Choir.

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After leaving Hogsmead, guests turn a corner and are suddenly face to face with a striking sight, Hogwarts School of Magic and Wizardry.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Of course, the major draw into the land is the looming Hogwarts Castle and the flagship attraction within, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.” The signature 3D-HD ride, sits at the heart of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” as an iconic edifice to imagination.

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The entrance to the ride is flanked with by two winged boars providing access to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

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The exterior portion of the queue is located just across from the main stage that the Frog Chorus performs on. This was a brilliant design allowing guests in line to enjoy the show!

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The moment guests step into the queue, the attraction begins. housing narrow stone passageways, classrooms, dormitories and a treasure trove of props and décor both original to the film and recreated to adorn its impressive rooms and halls.

After depositing loose articles into FREE lockers provides by the school, we begin a tour of the venerated wizard school.  The meticulously themed queue allows you to truly believe you are in the world that J.K Rowling created. Portraits talk, lights flicker, and spells are cast.  Following in the footsteps of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, we encounter…

  • The Dungeon Corridor

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  • The Mirror of Erised

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  • Professor Sprout’s Herbology class and a selection of baby Mandrakes

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  • Dumbledore’s office

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  • The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom
    This is where the story for the attraction is set up.  Essentially, we are muggles touring Hogwarts, when our heroes feel that we would have a much better time at a Quiddich match.  They tell us to meet them in the room of requirement and they will take it from there.

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The Pepper’s Ghost effect really makes it look as though Harry, Ron and Hermione are in the queue with you.
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Massive props are everywhere.

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  • Gryffindor Common Room

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Suddenly we are being sorted by the Sorting Hat.  We turn the corner and find ourselves in the room of requirement, glowing with floating candles and benches.  We sit on our own school bench and we are off on a magical journey!

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Without question, this is one of the best attractions in existence. Most of our staff think it is the single best attraction in the world.  A spectacular dark ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” incorporates impressive storytelling, exquisitely detailed and immersive scenery, and cutting edge technology all in the service of creating a believable world that visitors can lose themselves in.

“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” packs in all the special effects and tricks in the theme-park book to make you believe.  At the risk of blowing any surprises, the attraction features High definition 3D, animatronics, precisely timed effects, expertly choreographed vehicle movements, and realistic 3D sound. Sporting Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles, guests spiral and pivot 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime that is simply unforgettable.

There are now 3 versions of this attraction in the world, one in Orlando, one in Japan, and now Hollywood, California. This is the best version of the best ride in the world. It has all of the bells and whistles that technology can deliver without making any of them overtly apparent, upstaging the experience.  Worth the wait, worth every penny, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” is an unparalleled attraction.

Flight of the Hippogriff Roller Coaster

Within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the enchanting family coaster, Flight of the Hippogriff debuts as Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor coaster. This “little” family coaster is deceptively powerful and really packs a wallop

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On their way to a Hippogriff training flight, guests enter the Care of Magical Creatures grounds, where sounds of creatures can be heard in the distance. The winding path leads visitors through Hagrid’s pumpkin patch and by Hagrid’s Hut where Fang’s booming barks and occasional wails emanate from within the walls.

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As visitors pass his hut, Hagrid instructs them on how to properly approach a Hippogriff. Once Hagrid’s lesson is complete, guests climb aboard two-seat wicker baskets that string together to form the Hippogriff train and begin their training flight, where in fact, they will spot a Hippogriff in its nest.

However lovely the queue of this attraction is, if the line is long, you may wish to skip this one as the ride experience is very short and certainly not worth a 40 minute wait.

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You have never seen anything like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  This is all about believing in flight, believing in magic, believing that you have walked into the real Wizarding World that J.K. Rowling created. The creative team has worked for years to make something special and they have succeeded admirably.

In a previous article, we shared some information about minor issues we have with the new land, including some visual intrusion that this little park can’t avoid. But those are truly quibbles, as your heart will surely be won over by an abundance of magic and wonder.

Universal Studios Hollywood has just completed a 5 year transformation which included a new entry area, new Simpsons area, Despicable Me ride and mini land, the fantastic Transformers ride, new shops and restaurants, enhancements to the Studio Tour including an expanded queue with restrooms, the Fast and Furious tram tour grand finale as well as the new Wizarding world. More changes are on the way (which have yet to be announced), all of which help the park compete against other major theme parks for the first time. What was once mostly a Hollywood studio tour with a few added attractions is now a major theme park which just happens to have the most comprehensive studio tour. Congratulations to Universal and to all involved in creating real magic throughout Universal Studios Hollywood.

When do we get the superior version of Diagon Alley and Escape from Gringott’s? It is only a matter of time folks. With all those wands and magic at Universa’s disposal, perhaps they could even get it open before Star Wars Land is completed down the road.

Lumos Maxima!

 

One final word of advise. If you haven’t already purchased your tickets to visit the Universal Hollywood, do that online before you go. Opening day is already sold out. Assure your entry in advance by buying your tickets online (HERE).  Plus, you’ll save a minimum of $10 per ticket and as much as $25 per ticket just for buying them in advance!

Are you excited about Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood?

Norman Gidney
Norman Gidney, also known as Fishbulb, has produced and edited many of the articles on MiceChat over the years.