Universal reveals details of new Harry Potter park

AP ^ | 091509 | Travis Reed

[Artemis Webb]

MIAMI — It sounds like a new book in the Harry Potter series, but "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" will be a high-tech ride and the marquee attraction at the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter," a new theme park area opening in spring 2010 at Universal Orlando Resort.

The "Forbidden Journey" ride was named by author J.K. Rowling and described Tuesday by Universal officials in a Web cast revealing details of what the Potter park will look like.

Guests will enter the "Wizarding World" through a station archway named for Hogsmeade, the magical village near Hogwarts. A plume of steam and a train whistle will sound the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. The goal is to make the experience immersive, so nothing outside is visible after guests pass the Hogsmeade station archway.

[Conan the Librarian]

We have two free tickets to Universal that are good until 2037. One day we might just use them. The only thing we’re interested in is the Harry Potter stuff.

Until then, I’ll stick with WDW.

[Artemis Webb]

A couple of years ago I took the family to Disney World for a week. We had a great time. I'm in my late 40’s and had I been a younger man Universal Studios with their bigger and better (scarier) thrill rides probably would have been a better fit. But I wasn't a younger man and Disney provided us with an awesome time.

[silverleaf]

Universal has a lot going for it. The new Simpsons ride is awesome and “Disaster” is much better than anything similar at Disney Hollywood Studios

[ReagansShinyHair]

Hmmm, how long is Harry Potter going to have a huge following?

[Conan the Librarian]

I am sure Universal is a fine park, but, with Disney Annual passes and being in the Disney Vacation club, it’s cheaper to go there.

[Future Snake Eater]

I imagine all the lawsuit possibilities of the moving staircases at Hogwarts...

[Artemis Webb]

That's a good question but I'm not sure it matters. As long as the rides are thrilling and captivating people will come. A good example is The Incredible Hulk ride at Universal. Named after the first movie which was a critical and box office flop but people line up to ride it anyway.

[retrokitten]

Potter Ping!

[EmilyGeiger]

Man, we just went to Disney last spring! I want to go for this....

[b9]

Hmmm, how long is Harry Potter going to have a huge following?

Judging by the latest movie, its days are numbered.
Saw it yesterday and could hardly wait to leave. All sizzle and no steak. Long, boring, dark and dull. And they're going to milk the last book into two movies. Talk about taking the public for a ride!

[ccmay]

Hmmm, how long is Harry Potter going to have a huge following?

Comparable to Dickens in the long run, I think.

[silverleaf]

We do Disney a couple times a year and just got back (it was empty)

But do yourself a favor and try Universal sometime. Stay at one of the Loews hotels onsite and you get to use your rooom key as an Express Pass at every ride- beats FastPass by a country mile!!

Now that Disney has bought Marvel, I wonder if they will takeover Islands of Adventure?

[Conan the Librarian]

But I am DVC, we don’t pay for a room. We just have to put up points. When we finally get to Universal, it will be part of a trip to Disney. We’d loose money otherwise.