Harry Potter at Universal Studios Theme Park: Inside the Wizarding World

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando is one of the most anticipated new attractions in the theme park world. Universal Studios has been sending out teaser photos for months, along with dribs and drabs of Harry Potter attraction information designed to get fans salivating. I was lucky enough to get a preview of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during the International Pow Wow 2010 in Orlando, and even I (sort of on the Muggle end of the scale) am incredibly impressed. The Harry Potter attraction is amazing!

A couple of months ago my family took a VIP Tour of Universal Studios Orlando, and the VIP we talked to described the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction thoroughly (though we couldn’t go inside). Seeing what he described about Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle come to life was a thrilling experience.

Universal Studios Orlando requested that the International Pow Wow guests only take pictures from outside the gate. Yes, there were plenty of photos being taken inside, it’s true (there were repeated reminders that photos were not allowed). What can you do? People were excited. I took a couple photos outside the gate. “The gate,” by the way, refers to the entranceway to the Harry Potter attraction: The idea is that we are visitors to Hogsmeade Village, and one of the first sights we see is a steaming Hogwarts Express train. The conductor waves us in, so a few steps more and Orlando theme park guests are transported, through both sight and sound, to another world.

Hogsmeade Village bustles with signs of magic, and the attention to detail is just amazing. Storefront windows entice guests to explore every inch of the Harry Potter  attraction: Gringotts Bank, Honeydukes Homemade Sweets (yes, with a ribbiting chocolate frog in the window), The Owlery, all these Hogsmeade Village shops are there. At Ollivanders, curious customers are invited to try out a wand or two; pick the wrong one, and there are some crazy effects. Pick the right wand, and — just as in the book — a light gust of wind informs you of your correct choice. When asked about the presence of Ollivanders here, by the way, staff members are happy to describe it as an offshoot of the original, which true Harry Potter fans know to be in Diagon Alley.

I especially appreciated the look of the Three Broomsticks and Hogsmeade Pub. English fare and Hogsmeade drinks are available, such as pumpkin juice (just like pumpkin pie), the brew, and butterbeer. The Butterbeer is very sweet — kids will love it — and tastes like shortbread and butterscotch, with just a little fizz. The Three Broomsticks has an outdoor seating option with views of the waterway and the rest of Universal Studios Orlando, and while it wasn’t being used during this preview night, it will doubtlessly be a very popular dining spot in the Harry Potter part of the theme park. There is even a small, semi-private outdoor dining area for up to five guests; it’s first come, first served, though.  The general atmosphere is simply perfect. Also, look out for the Quick Quotes Quill and other details. The staff members are excited to be there and talk about details guests may miss, and en route from Hogsmeade Village to Hogwarts Castle, five young people sing a cappella songs from Harry Potter. They are the Hogwarts Choir, and not to be missed!

The wide, paved path does lead to Hogwarts Castle, of course, and while Hogsmeade Village is done to perfection (the set designer for the movies actually used Universal Studio Orlando’s architectural plans for the Three Broomsticks for the restaurant in the films, for added realism), the Castle is truly mind-boggling. All popular rides in theme parks have long lines, but the queue line here is absolutely part of the attraction.

The queue line is replete with exciting visuals, such as the Mirror of Erised, and talking portraits. Seeing them now, those talking portraits’ realism has me blown away. Just like in the books and movies, the people in the portraits move around, some bicker and some act jolly — and the Fat Lady guarding Gryffindor’s Tower preens and chats in a coy fashion. Even better, the four founders of the four houses all talk to each other in a portrait room, with Salazar Slytherin sounding appropriately ominous (Helga Hufflepuff seems a lot more friendly). There are too many details to mention — and I know I missed a few because there are so many — but the unicorn tapestry and statue of a griffin are just a couple other highlights.

There are two main features to the queue line that will get Harry Potter fans really excited. The first, Dumbledore’s Office, looks simply great. A hologram of Dumbledore appears to give a stern but kindly speech…now, before anyone worries about the sometimes cheesy effects of 3-D holograms, realize that top technology was used to create this. It really looks like Dumbledore is there! Michael Gambon participated in the creation of this realistic hologram, and it’s thrilling to see it. Further down the queue, there is a classroom (Dark Arts, I think, or Charms) in which the hologram effect is repeated, this time with Ron, Hermione, and yes, Harry Potter himself. There are two mini-shows in the Hogwarts classroom. In one, Ron, Hermione and Harry Potter talk about ghosts and Professor Binns, then put on the Invisibility Cloak (in other words, the hologram disappears). In the other, which I liked even more, they cast a spell to make it snow. Seeing the faintly lit “snow,” falling from the ceiling onto outstretched hands of the theme park visitors, was my favorite moment of the Harry Potter ride queue. Never before have I been so entertained while waiting on line.

The ride wasn’t ready for us yet, so some secrets will have to wait for the official grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in June. However, what’s known about it is that guests will feel like they’re flying through the Forbidden Forest. They will also be part of a Quidditch Match, with a visual of Harry Potter urging them on. Many aspects of  Hogwarts from the books and movies will seemingly come to life, and while the ride is less than 5 minutes long, it’s only one part the Wizarding World of Harry Potter experience. It’s the culmination of what will be a long wait on the queue, yes, but the entire area is so perfect that there’s little to complain about.

What a hit, what a success, and what a coup for Universal Studios Orlando. The Hogsmeade Village/Howarts Castle attraction should be the guide for any future theme park attractions’ construction. This new attraction and ride is so well done, even a Muggle such as myself is amazed.

Thanks to Universal Studios Orlando and the International Pow Wow 2010 for the preview of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.