Last week, Universal Studios Hollywood opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to eager guests.  In town for the festivities were stars from the films and the creative masterminds that have now shepherded to life four immersive lands based on J.K. Rowling’s modern classics.  Among the film stars were Warwick Davis (Professor Filius Flitwick),  (Luna Lovegood),  (George Weasley),  (Fred Weasley), and  (Draco Malfoy)

As Universal staff bustled about the Wizarding World, putting finishing touches on the land, an intimate panel discussion was held inside the land’s signature restaurant, Three Broomsticks. Among the topics were simple questions that every fan would ask, but there were a few nuggets of fascinating information that piqued our interest.

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Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy)

 

Starting things off on a light note, the stars of the film talked about their experiences on the film, their camaraderie, and some of their particularly favorite things in the park.  We learned, among other things, that Warwick Davis loves Butterbeer of the cold variety, not frozen. When asked how the taste of Butterbeer was on set as opposed to what it is in the land, we learned something fascinating.  (George Weasley) explained that The butter beer is far better in the land than on set.  What was created for the movie was a mixture of orange juice and whipped cream.  Here in The Wizarding World it tastes as it should because it is made just to be enjoyed.

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James and Oliver Phelps (The Weasley Twins)

 

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Of course the twins favorite ride is the brand new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Over the years they have seen four separate lands open up in connection with the Harry Potter franchise and their bond has grown over the years. They love to come together again for these special events because it allows them to reconnect and check in on one another. While on set a familial bond was created among the entire cast with long shooting days and lots of time to get to know one another.  Warwick, a lively 3’6″ tall, quipped that “when we started the movies he was taller than they were.”

 told a story of how funny it is being in the land on a hot day.  Hogsmeade, with its snowcapped rooftops and icicles is a stark contrast to the sunny California weather.  He reminisced that, while filming the outdoor winter scenes, bundled up in the heaviest winter costumes, they always ended up being shot on the hottest days of the year.  So really, it’s just like the movie.

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Asked what they would want to take from this new land, Davis wanted the sword of Griffindoor, James Phelps said he would take the pepper’s Ghost effect of Rupert (Ron Weasley) and put it outside his front door, ring the doorbell, and run away. Tom Felton simply wanted Warwick Davis.

All said, The cast agreed that the most magical moment in The Wizarding World is seeing the guests experiencing the land for the first time. Additionally they insisted that regardless of whether or not you have read the books or even seen the movies, the new land can be enjoyed on multiple levels. “Having read the books certainly enhances your experience, ” Said Davis, “But it’s hardly necessary.” Luna added, “It’s funny, I have friends that haven’t read them, I mean I even have a sister that hasn’t read them. But they visit the land and they all get really excited. My sister has totally embraced her Slytherin side.” Summing it up she said, “There are a lot of ways you can approach and enter this world and that’s what is so wonderful about it.” “If you don’t know anything about the world you are pretty much entering it like Harry did.” Added Oliver Phelps.

Next we were introduced to the creative team behind the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There was Mark Woodbury (President, Universal Creative Universal Parks & Resorts), Thierry Coup (film director of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Fast and Furious Supercharged).  It was noted that the Hollywood version of Forbidden Journey is the most technologically advanced version of the ride in existence. Despite a planned refurbishment for the Orlando Counterpart, there are no plans to upgrade that version anytime soon.

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“Bringing Hogwarts to life the first time, we really set a high bar for ourselves in terms of achievement and detail.” remarked Woodbury. Looking back, there is always room for improvement and new ways to enhance a project. “A lot like how movies are released in 2D and in 3D,” Woodbury continued, “We kind of like the idea that we have two different versions.  It gives you a reason to go to both parks.”

Noting the differences between the Orlando and Hollywood versions of the land, Coup explained, “With this Hollywood version, we added more detail to the practical sets and, of course, the 3D.” He continued, “We also wanted you to feel the snitch in the Quidditch match in your face or the breath of the dementors, so we added that to those scenes as well.” The differences go further than just the ride.  Coup pointed out that there are new shops such as Gladrag’s and the new interactive windows. It stands to reason that Hollywood, the movie capital of the world, would be the place to bring even more details to life in the land.

Art Director, Alan Gilmore, notes that in California the natural lighting is much brighter, with the added advantage of being up on a hill. “It’s very bright and we were able to play with new colors and textures. It’s almost like seeing it in high definition here in Hollywood.”  Pointing out the surrounding mountains, Gilmore continued, “We even borrowed the mountains in Burbank to act as the Scottish Highlands, so we’ve adopted some of the surrounding elements to enhance the experience.” Gilmore also noted that visitors will be able to spot props from the actual film peppered throughout the land and attractions.

During the opening festivities, press and invited guests were treated to an eye-popping presentation that included realistic digital mapping projections on the Hogwarts Castle along with fireworks and a life orchestra conducted by John Williams. it would obviously be impractical to employ a live orchestra every night to provide accompaniment for the show.  However, it is very feasible to do a nightly show with all of the other elements.  When asked if that was a possibility, Coup answered, “We may do something that’s more permanent in the future, why not?”

The main aim or goal here is to transport the guests and fans into the living world of Harry Potter.  The designers wanted visitors to experience every high and low of the little wizard’s journey. The idea is to place folks in the center of the action, be that the middle of a Quidditch match or running from dementors.

As you can read from our initial review (here), The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a beautiful edifice to creative magic, and the ability of a talented group of people to pull guests into worlds they’ve only ever dreamed of.

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