Ellen DeGeneres takes a sneak preview of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is set to open at Islands of Adventure in Universal Orlando Resort on June 18, 2010. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature three themed attractions: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (which lies within Hogwarts Castle), Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.
In addition to revealing that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open at Islands of Adventure on June 18, 2010, Universal Orlando released new information about the marquee Harry Potter attraction – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, an all-new adventure that combines a powerful storyline with spectacular new technology so effectively that guests will be completely immersed in the experience.
The new attraction lies deep within Hogwarts castle, a majestic structure that towers over The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Imagine meeting Harry, Ron and Hermione as if they were in person, soaring over Hogwart’s castle with Harry, being swept into a Quidditch match, feeling the chilling effect of a Dementor and exploring your favorite places inside Hogwarts castle! Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey draws you into the excitement and chaos of Harry Potter’s life. As you venture through Hogwarts castle, you meet Harry, Ron and Hermione who convince you to skip a planned lecture and follow them. Upon taking their advice, you travel by Floo powder and begin the adventure as you soar over Hogwarts, narrowly escape a dragon attack, have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, get pulled into a Quidditch match and more.
The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey experience starts as soon as you walk through the gates of Hogwarts. Within the towering Hogwarts castle, you explore a truly magical place. You journey through iconic locations taken from the filmsand take in the extraordinary detail of each scene. They include:
Dumbledore’s office
Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom
Gryffindor common room
Room of Requirement
Dungeon passageway & hallways of Hogwarts
the Sorting Hat
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is more than an attraction and unlike any theme park experience ever created. It’s a revolutionary, 360-degree theme park experience and first-ever combination of live-action, advanced robotic technology and innovative filmmaking – specially designed and developed for this brand-new adventure. The attractions newly created ride system envelops guests in filmed action scenes and moves those scenes with them as they travel through the ride, allowing more time in the center of the adventure adn with their favorite characters. This fusion of robotic technology and filmed scenes has never been achieved until now. In some cases, technology had to be invented to achieve the highest level of guest experience. The combination of pioneering, state-of-the-art technology, innovative filmmaking and surprises around every corner make this attraction the embodiment of the Harry Potter book and film series – and the future of theme park entertainment.
Universal Orlando Resort has announced that the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will celebrate its grand opening at Islands of Adventure on June 18, 2010. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature three themed attractions: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (which lies within Hogwarts Castle), Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. For more information about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.universalorlando.com.
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” will tape two episodes at Univeral Orlando Resort on Sunday, March 28, 2010. Guests joining Ellen will include the always unpredictable Sharon Osbourne and Usher, who will perform both a song from his upcoming CD, Raymond v. Raymond, and one of his greatest hits. Episodes are set to air Thursday, April 1, and Friday, April 2, 2010. Ellen will her viewers inside Universal Orlando Resort and show them all of her favorite rides and attractions, including Universal’s newest thrill ride, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Ellen also hopes to explore the highly anticipated attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The tapings of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” will take place on the Lagoon Stage, located at Universal CityWalk in the heart of Universal Orlando Resort. The Lagoon Stage is an outdoor, waterfront amphitheatre, seating 1,000 people and overlooking the entrance to the Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure theme parks.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is nearing completion and Harry Potter fans from all over the world will flock to Orlando this summer for INFINITUS, the first Harry Potter fan event set to take place at the Royal Pacific Resort in Universal Orlando Resort from July 15-18, 2010. Highlights of INFINITUS 2010 will include a grounded ballgame inspired by Quidditch, “wizard rock” concerts, podcasts by award-winning Harry Potter fansites, hundreds of hours of programming on topics that range from the scholarly to the amusing, a Wizarding Ball and much more! The INFINITUS preliminary schedule can be found at www.infinitus2010.org.
INFINITUS guests will include Chris Rankin, who plays Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter films; author Joyce Sweeney, who will be conducting a writing workshop; and members of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter design/creative team. INFINITUS will also feature the premieres of at least three fan-created performances – the musical “The Final Battle,” the sequel to StarKid Potter’s award-winning “A Very Potter Musical,” and the parody film “Harvey Putter and the Ridiculous Premise.” And, of course, INFINITUS attendees will have opportunities to explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter accompanied by fellow fans.
10. Hogwarts Castle: A faithful re-creation of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the Harry Potter series, Hogswarts Castle will contain the mysterious “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” ride (see No. 1).
9. Hogsmeade Village: Hogsmeade will feature Ollivander’s Interactive Experience and the Hogwarts Express, as well as several Harry Potter-themed stores and restaurants.
8. The Three Broomsticks: This Harry Potter-themed dining establishment will boast traditional British fare and drinks.
7. Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods: Located within Hogwarts Castle, Filch’s Emporium will be a toy store “full of MInistry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars and even remote control Golden Snitches.”
6. Hogwarts Express: Nestled between Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village, Hogswarts Express will feature “billowing steam and an iconic whistle.”
5. Hagrid’s Hut: Adjacent to the Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster, Hagrid’s Hut will likely be a walk-through attraction themed to a re-creation of Rubeus Hagrid’s hut.
4. Ollivanders: A faithful re-creation of the wand shop in the Harry Potter series, Ollivanders promises to be an “incredible interactive experience” where” the wand chooses the wizard.”
3. Flight of the Hippogriff: A family coaster formerly known as the Flying Unicorn, the rethemed Flight of the Hippogriff will simulate a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts Castle.
2. Dragon Challenge: A twin high-speed roller coaster previously known as Dueling Dragons, the rethemed Dragon Challenge will incorporate many elements from the Triwizard Tournament, according to reports.
1. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: Billed as a “thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction” and located in Hogwarts Castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the most mysterious ride at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter but promises to “bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced.”
This Sunday, Universal Orlando Resort will launch a brand-new, national commercial for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during Super Bowl XLIV. The ad, created by Universal Orlando and Rosso Media Ltd in the UK, offers guests a look into the magic that awaits them at the highly anticipated theme park experience set to open Spring 2010. And, for fans who can’t wait until Super Bowl Sunday, the national commercial will be viewable through www.universalorlando.com starting TODAY!
Set to air during the first half of the Super Bowl (Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints), the ad features all-new footage and pulls viewers directly into the new area – from Hogsmeade, to the immensity of Hogwarts Castle. The commercial also features Harry Potter and two children who get a glimpse of the excitement guests can expect to experience when they visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
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