Harry Potter Theme Park Announced!

[Moley]

Area opened for package holders until 10am today, so theres a variety of photos making their way online:

Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade 2

Hogwarts 1
Hogwarts 2
Hogwarts 3 (Forbidden Journey Queue Entrance)
Hogwarts 4

Butterbeer Cart
Butterbeer Cart 2
Butterbeer Cart 3

Ollivanders Shop Experience
Frog Choir
Hogwarts Express
Gladrags Wizardwear
Honeydukes Sweet Shop

I can't be bothered linking them seperately anymore. :P So, more here:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/insidethem ... 154932930/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.flickr.com/photos/insidethem ... 154932930/[/url]

[Kelly]

[url=http://www.insidethemagic.net/2010/05/f ... l-orlando/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.insidethemagic.net/2010/05/f ... l-orlando/[/url]

Looks amazing!

[Chris W]

It certainly does look like one of the most immersive themed environment that has ever been created, its more than "just a few shops".

I'm hoping for a Forbidden Journey in-depth review tomorrow. There hasn't been one yet but that could be due to the downtime which has occured over the last 2 days.

The most interesting thing we have from the Forbidden Journey is this on-ride photo fail.

[James6]

[url=http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/201 ... ing-world/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/201 ... ing-world/[/url]

Loads of amazing videos etc there

Seriously amazed by this and forcing myself not to watch certain videos so not to ruin it next year

[AstroDan]

Stunning to say the least!

[TenZero]

Went to WWoHP today! Rode Forbidden Journey twice and Dragon Challenge twice. Both really good. FJ is one of the best rides I've ever been on. Combines dark ride/rollercoaster(ish) and simulator. You come face to face, literally, really close with the themeing - dementors, womping willow, a fire-breathing dragon!
Really was amazing. The attention to detail is superb and the Butterbeer is lovely!

[Sam]

[quote=""Chris""]It certainly does look like one of the most immersive themed environment that has ever been created, its more than "just a few shops".[/quote]
Agreed it looks immersive. But yeah you're right it's more than just a few shops - it's one new ride and just a few shops.

If I want an immersive experience of say, London, I would go to London but if I went to a theme park trying to give me an immersive experience of London I would expect more than one ride. Would it have killed them to put in a Huss Topple Tower or something?

[AstroDan]

This is as much about re-creating Harry's world as it is about adding a new ride. For me, the Hogsmeade Village is as much important as the new ride itself. They have also re-themed two attractions, so it's a perfectly sized "island" within IOA now.

A Topple Tower would have ended up with a monstrous queue as they have very low capacities!

[Nightfall]

[quote=""Sam""]a Huss Topple Tower [/quote]
The Whomping Willow

I suppose like AstroDan said capacity is why they decided against it, or any other flat rides for that matter.

[mcivkev]

Here's a link to a program that was shown on NBC in the United States this week. There are no plans for it to be shown here however.

It's in parts on youtube so look at the side for the following parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3YGgiP6Ghg

[scruffy_]

[quote=""AstroDan""]

Stunning to say the least![/quote]
That is stunning!

[Skumfidus]

Watching a walkthrough online, incredible immersive until you here the screech of an American ride host - "Hi guys welcome to Hogwarts!"...ouch

[Chris W]

Hogwarts at night anyone?


Source and larger pictures here

It looks fantastic!

[BSwiss]

Will Daniel Radcliffe be tall enough to ride the rides in Orlando when he opens it this week?

[Kaz]

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainmen ... 347648.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainmen ... 347648.stm[/url]

Nice video.

[Chris W]

Well its open!

Universal are currently advising that the queue to get into the Wizarding World is 7 hours...
The queue is almost through the whole park and people starting queuing yesterday.

Some pictures of the queue:
[url=http://twitpic.com/1xtkfv" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://twitpic.com/1xtkfv[/url]
[url=http://twitpic.com/1xtid6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://twitpic.com/1xtid6[/url]
[url=http://tweetphoto.com/27822047" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://tweetphoto.com/27822047[/url]
[url=http://twitpic.com/1xtlke" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://twitpic.com/1xtlke[/url]
[url=http://twitpic.com/1xtsna" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://twitpic.com/1xtsna[/url]


Technically Forbidden Journey is *only* a 2 hour wait.

Edit: And The Wizarding World is closed due to capacity.

[NeilHD]

7 hours standing in the Florida sun - ouch!

As much as I'd love to see if if I was there I think I'd give it a miss.

[Kelly]

Yay for it being open!

Really not surprised about the queues, or it being closed due to capacity. During the previews there were a number of reports commenting on how busy the shops and area were, and that was with only 300 people allowed in, so I was expecting this sort of madness for opening and for many months to come (especially in Florida's high season!).

So glad I decided to leave it a year before visiting, I'm hoping that it may cool down a bit by next September, but I'm still expecting queues!

All looks amazing anyway.

Video of the opening: [url=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;][/url]

[Chris W]

Forbidden Journey has had some downtime and there is a huge line of people at Guest Services wanting their money back. (Seriously, did they expect the park to be empty? Anyone would be able to realise that the queues would be unbelievable!)

Video of the line: [url=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;][/url]

[joepetto]

Finally got on this today, only way to describe it is immense.
Totally immersive, and only waited about 45 minutes even though the board said 90 so all good.