Harry Potter in amusement parks


This article details the appearance of Harry Potter theming in amusement parks. In the late 1990s, Universal Parks and Resorts began discussing the possibility of purchasing the license for Harry Potter to create and theme amusement park rides. As Time Warner owns the license, a small walkthrough attraction was constructed at Warner Bros. Movie World called the Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience in 2001. This attraction was removed two years later. In 2010, Universal's Islands of Adventure park opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Similar attractions have also opened in Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan and are planned for Universal Studios Beijing.

History

Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience at Warner Bros. Movie World

In 2001, Time Warner used this license to construct and operate the Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Australia. The attraction was a small indoor walkthrough featuring many re-creations of locations in the first two movies. After two years of operation this attraction was removed.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure

A Harry Potter themed attraction at a Universal Studios park or a Disney park was rumored in 2003. However, the rights to the Harry Potter franchise had been acquired by Warner Bros., who denied all rumors. In January 2007, About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that the Islands of Adventure park's Lost Continent area was going to be re-themed "to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children's franchises". Other sources followed up in the next few days with unofficial confirmation that the new area would involve Harry Potter. On May 31, 2007, Universal, in partnership with Warner Bros., officially announced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be added to Islands of Adventure.
Construction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter began seven months after the official announcement, in January 2008. By July, the Flying Unicorn and Enchanted Oak Tavern were closed. The Flying Unicorn then began an almost two year refurbishment which transformed it into the Flight of the Hippogriff. The Enchanted Oak Tavern was later demolished. A bridge was built to connect The Lost Continent with Jurassic Park allowing guests to avoid the construction zone that was to be the Wizarding World. Construction progressed with the Hogwarts castle slowly taking shape. By September 2008, the Dueling Dragons entrance was moved to Jurassic Park to make room for construction of Hogsmeade. One month later, the old entrance was demolished. By September 2009, the top shell of Hogwarts castle was completed. On September 15, an announcement was made as to what exactly was going to be included in the Wizarding World. In early 2010, Universal increased the marketing of the area which included newspaper advertisements, billboards and television commercials. The Dueling Dragons were closed for some maintenance before being transformed into the Dragon Challenge. Construction was complete by June 1, 2010 when the area began soft openings.
A soft opening weekend was held for the media and reserved guests, starting on May 28, 2010. The park had two opening ceremonies that took place on June 16 and June 18, 2010. The first opening was reserved for the cast and crew of the Harry Potter films, J.K. Rowling, Universal Orlando Resort officials, as well as representatives from the media. The ceremony concluded with a fireworks display and a performance by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, led by John Williams. On June 18, the second ceremony occurred which officially opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the public. Universal Orlando representative Bill Davis introduced the area to the audience which included actors from the films including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Bonnie Wright and James and Oliver Phelps. The NBC Today show and The Weather Channel broadcast segments live from the park.
On December 6, 2011, Universal Parks & Resorts announced an expansion plan for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The expansion has been described as "significant" by officials. Few other details have been released.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at other parks

On December 1, 2011, The Wall Street Journal reported a rumor from "people familiar with the matter" that Universal Studios Hollywood was going to add their version of Islands of Adventure's Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The report also detailed the possibility that Universal Parks & Resorts would open additional Harry Potter-themed areas at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Japan as well as a location in Spain. This report was widely relayed by other media sources. On December 6, 2011, Universal officially announced plans to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Studios Hollywood. A replica of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Hogwarts will be constructed. On May 5, 2012, the Los Angeles Times reported that Universal Studios Japan would also be receiving a The Wizarding World of Harry Potter by 2014. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was also confirmed as one of the attractions. In 2019, Universal Studios Beijing announced that it would also open a The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with the park in 2021.

Locations

ParkAreaOpening dateClosing datePrevious attractionReplaced by
Universal Orlando Resort – HogsmeadeThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter2010Dueling Dragons, Flying Unicorn
Universal Orlando Resort – Diagon AlleyThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter2014Jaws
Universal Studios HollywoodThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter2016Gibson Amphitheatre
Universal Studios JapanThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter2014
Universal Studios BeijingThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter2021
Warner Bros. Movie World 20012003Young Einstein Gravity HomesteadThe Official Matrix Exhibit

Attractions

Below is a list of all of the attractions at Harry Potter themed areas around the world. The dates shown in the columns refer to the opening and closing dates for the ride under that name. It does not mean that the ride was closed and/or removed.
AttractionTypeUORUSJUSHWBMW
Dragon ChallengeDual-tracked roller coaster2010-2017
Flight of the HippogriffJunior roller coaster2010-2014-2016-
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike AdventureLaunched roller coaster2019-
Harry Potter and the Escape from GringottsSteel roller coaster, 3D dark ride2014-
Harry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyDark ride2010-2014-2016-
Harry Potter Movie Magic ExperienceWalkthrough attraction2001-2003
Hogwarts ExpressFunicular, people mover2014-
Ollivander's Wand Shop ExperienceInteractive attraction2010-