Make a Trip to the Harry Potter Theme Park at Orlando, Florida
North America | Ricky | July 21, 2010 at 12:05 am
It is said that when the idea of a theme park on the lines of Harry Potter was suggested to J.K. Rowling, she said that ‘either we do it right or we don’t do it all’. The team that is today responsible for the Universal Studio’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida; spent many months to convince Rowling that they could pull it off. It was a day of absolute ecstasy for them when Rowling declared that she was ‘happy’ with the way things had shaped up.
How Universal Bagged the Deal -
The main reason that Universal cited for getting this project was that nobody else would be able to create a more authentic looking park keeping in mind the sets that were designed even for the film.
When the ‘muggles’ set out on a journey to conquer the magical world by creating a theme park around the idea, one can be convinced that it’s not going to be a cake-walk. The team that designed this park had to slog to put this project together.
Pulling Things Together –
It definitely seemed like a Herculean task – having to conjure up the most imposing of castles to remind you of the Hogwarts you saw in the Harry Potter movies and the images you made up when you read the books; creating fake snow that would be built to withstand the heat of the Florida sunshine; making for the perfect recipe for that Butterbeer that everyone could enjoy, regardless of their age. It was important, however, for Rowling to be kept in the loop about every development. Sources claim that Rowling was involved in even the most mundane of activities, like choosing the plastic cutlery for the restaurant ‘The Three Broomsticks’.
Harry Potter Theme Park Sees the Light of Day –
Five years down the line, and after burning a hole worth $ 250 million, the theme park finally opened for people.
According to sources that were there on the opening day, the tills were constantly ringing at the Honeydukes Sweet Shop and there were longer queues at the souvenir shops than there were at the rides. People were ecstatic over the Harry Potter mementos.
One of the longest queues, however, was for the well known Butterbeer. The ever-frothing head and its sweet, fizzy texture was the brainchild of Universal’s chef; and they got it approved by Rowling when they flew all the way to Edinburgh for a special tasting session.
Rowling also made another suggestion, which has been abided to – you will find no bottles of Coca Cola when you’re in the park; all you’ll find is chilled bottles of pumpkin juice.
Right across the street from here, you’ll find the Owl Post; where you can get your postcards stamped by the Hogsmeade Postmark.
The Rides –
The Dragon Challenge
This ride is based on ‘The Goblet of Fire’s Triwizard Tournament’; and is a double rollercoaster wherein a Chinese Fireball and a Hungarian Horntail are competing against each other to see who can perform the most turns and twists; and they come as close to 12 inches from each other at one point in the ride.
The Flight of the Hippogriff
This one is a more leisurely ride, but seems extremely short at just 45 seconds. At one point, you hear Hagrid’s voice instructing you to bow to him. There wasn’t any dire consequence that you’d have to face if you didn’t play along.
The Forbidden Journey
This ride seems to the favorite of them all. This one takes you to the Hogwarts castles; and is replete with dragons, spiders, Harry, Hermione and a real Quidditch match.
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ohhk this is truly marvellous, this freally adds new flaour to europe, really europe is awesome, it is a mesmerising scene that even a person who hasnt known about the famous harry potter would like to see this place.
the rides here would almost make you crazy..
Five years down the line, and after burning a hole worth $ 250 million, the theme park finally opened for people. now just imagine, isnt this crazy, wouldnt anyone like to visit this place..
‘the forbidden journey’ is the best ride here which people mostly prefer to go to.This one takes you to the Hogwarts castles; and many other awesome places..
Hey, I’ve been here with my family and I think the besides these attractions, my children and husband enjoyed having desserts like strawberry-peanut butter ice cream (which was seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and the chocolate cauldron cake in The Three Broomsticks restaurant!
After having shepherd’s pie, fish and chips here , my husband and I headed to The Hog’s Head, an adjacent pub and had ale made exclusively by the pub!
The rides were so much fun! Thanks for the great post!
Hey Fergie,
Looks like you had a lot of fun! I don’t know how we missed The Hog’s Head pub..
When we were there a month ago, after rides we went to the Honeydukes Sweetshop!
You won’t believe it there were so many wizarding sweets of all descriptions, like Chocolate Frogs, Liquorice Wands, Pepper Imps, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Fizzing Whizzbees, Drooble’s Best Blowing Gum, Toothflossing Stringmints!
While there we also learned that,the owners, Ambrosius Flume and his wife, live in a flat above the shop.
There is a trapdoor in the cellar of Honeydukes, which connects to a secret passage.
The passage leads to a statue of a one-eyed witch on the third floor of Hogwarts.
Harry used this to enter Hogsmeade illegally in Prisoner of Azkaban!
Wo! It was so much fun here! Thanks a lot for posting!
Hey Fergie,
Looks like you had a lot of fun! I don’t know how we missed The Hog’s Head pub..
When we were there a month ago, after rides we went to the Honeydukes Sweetshop!
You won’t believe it there were so many wizarding sweets of all descriptions, like Chocolate Frogs, Liquorice Wands, Pepper Imps, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Fizzing Whizzbees, Drooble’s Best Blowing Gum, Toothflossing Stringmints!
While there we also learned that,the owners, Ambrosius Flume and his wife, live in a flat above the shop.
There is a trapdoor in the cellar of Honeydukes, which connects to a secret passage.
The passage leads to a statue of a one-eyed witch on the third floor of Hogwarts.
Harry used this to enter Hogsmeade illegally in Prisoner of Azkaban!
Wo! It was so much fun here! Thanks a lot for posting!
Haha WOW, Suzie and Fergie!
You guys won’t believe it, we were here some time back and we went to Gladrags Wizardwear here!
It is full of quirky clothes!!
My cousins and I bought a dozen of strange and unusual socks which is the store’s speciality!
Haha WOW, Suzie and Fergie!
You guys won’t believe it, we were here some time back and we went to Gladrags Wizardwear here!
It is full of quirky clothes!!
My cousins and I bought a dozen of strange and unusual socks which is the store’s speciality!
Hi Dave!
I had my first date here at Madam Puddifoot’s on Valentine’s Day..And it was really special…
There were floating golden cherubs to throw pink confetti on visiting couples!
It was at Madam Puddifoot’s that Harry celebrated his Valentine’s Day with Cho Chang in the 5th book.
ohhh there is one more stall you should stop by at hogsmead shop charm is weasleys wizard wheezes…the place sells all the prank or trick products just as it did in books…the park is right out of the imaginations of J.K Rowling no doubt as you say that she took keen interest in planning the park..well to the Harry potter fans this place is a must if you want to experience what it is like in the world of your hero….Happy Visit!!!!
.-= Marshal´s last blog ..Paris =-.