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Universal Studios to open Harry Potter theme park!
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Hogwarts | Hogsmeade | Owl's View of Park | Logo
Latest Developments (10 AM EST):
- Official park website now open; visitors can sign up for e-mail updates.
- JK Rowling: "The plans I’ve seen look incredibly exciting, and I don’t think fans of the books or films will be disappointed."
Universal Studios and Warner Brothers made a joint announcement this evening from Leavesden Studios on the set of Dumbledore's Office to reveal that a Harry Potter theme park is currently in development. The image to the left is the first piece of concept art for the park: Hogsmeade Village.
Here's what we learned from Potter set designer Stuart Craig and a representative from Universal Studios (both of them hosted the big reveal):
- "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort"
- Announcement was made live via internet at 12:01 AM EST today to select media, including MuggleNet.
- Areas of park to include Hogsmeade, Hogwarts Castle, and the Forbidden Forest.
- 20 engineers working on project.
- Universal came to WB looking for authenticity.
- Potter park to be built in "Islands of Adventure" area of Universal.
- Stuart wants to "take his grandchildren" to the park.
- Opening early 2010.
- Universal's Potter website to be available at this link.
- JK Rowling has been involved "since the very beginning" of the project. Also "supportive and encouraging."
- Stuart thinks that the park will be better off in the United States.
- Have been in design "for at least a year and a half."
- "Important that the theme park represents the entire saga from Book 1 to Book 7"
In a rather cute way to end the announcement, the Universal representative asks Stuart Craig, "Now where's Dumbledore?" Stuart paused for a moment, looked around the office, and replied, "He was just here."
We'll be discussing these developments on this week's episode of MuggleCast (due out over the weekend). This post will be updated frequently as we learn more!
Posted by Andrew on May 30th |
513 Comments
Visitor Comments
Draigfire (Ddraig is Welsh for 'Dragon'). I'm not English, most Brits aren't. I'm Welsh, but let it pass............ No, I'm not 'jealous', that is such an easy, lazy accusation to throw out. I AM resentful, though, for good reasons. All I've heard in defence of the siting of this park, is that the US has money. So what? Ever heard of integrity? And as for my being a 'Disney' fan, that's a silly thing to say too. In Disney, you know you're getting an American product sold in an American way. That's what we go for - the big, consumer blow-out. I don't intend going all that way for an entirely British experience, messed up because it's the 'US' take on it. Been to 'The UK' in Epcot? It's absolutely hilariously WRONG, but hey - they tried. That's just funny, Hogsmeade in Florida is too bizarre for words. You're welcome to it.
OMG!!!!!!!!! I'm sooooo going! :D
i love how i live an hour and a half from universal orlando and we go there all the time. are they taking out another themed world to put in hp? if they do hopefully its lost contient cause thast getting old! :)
THAT IS SO COOL! I wan't to go there!
OMG!!!!! Wow, it opens in early 2010, we all better get in line now!!!!!!
I want to apologize to all UK people that have been offended by us fellow American comments. Most Americans sadly do not realize there is a different between being English and British. (Let's not confuse them by throwing Irish, Scottish and Welsh in there also) I know there is a big difference between Florida and the areas where Harry Potter takes place. And I know everything about Harry Potter is British and the theme park being in the US will make it different then what it would be in the UK. I can totally understand your disappointment. I would personally rather visit the UK and see the real inspiration for this world then Florida. We dont have real castles here in, unless you count Cinderella's and Sleeping Beauty's. (and I am not counting those) While I have only traveled to Australia and New Zealand I know the perception of the US isnt the best and that makes me sad. The park being in Florida had nothing to do with the US having more money then the UK. (I believe your currency is worh mores then ours and I am sure your economy is better) It has to do with Universal and WB making the most money after investing 200 million some dollars. Unfortuntely for Brits and fortunetly for Americans that means it needs to go in Orlando. I think that if Brits are upset about this they should email JKR and see if she will address it on her website. While I know she probably didnt get to decide where the park went maybe she could explain the reasoning behind it being in the US better. Ok sorry for the long post. (again)
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG THAT IS SO UNFAIR NOTHING IS IN CANADA UNLESS U COUNT CANADA'S WONDERLAND ( wich is soooo fun you should come and check it out ) I ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO DISNEY WORLD BUT I ONLY WENT THERE 2 TIMES THAT SOOOOOOOO SUCKS AND ~~NOW~~!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE TO GO BACK THER 4 THE HARR POTTER THINGY!!!!!! AAAAAHHHHHHHHH ( americans dont take it badly i love u guys!!! )
OMG!!!! I am already planning my family's trip to go in 2010. My kids are excited almost as much as I am. My nephew even asked if he can go too. It is going to be sooooo KEWL!!!!! LOL
HOLY SHIZ!!!!! BLOODY HELL!!!! i'm definatley gonna move to the mainland! ( i live in Hawaii). I do feel sorry for the Brits, u guys did start it. I think u guys should build one too....that'll b funny. Power to HP! What bugs me is why they couldn't think of this earlier!!!!!!
I can't say I'm hyped p about it, I think it ruins the whole thing about Harry Potter a bit. And i know it'll have better publicity and more visitors in America, but I can't help but feel a bit put out that it's there. I mean, HP is created by a Brit, and set in Britain, after all...
OOOOOH MYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOOD i cant wait to go :) :) :)
This is going to be soooooooooo cool. I saw the plans for the different parts of the theme park, and they're like, awesome. Awe. Some.
Why the **** did they decide to build it in the US? Why not in England, where i belong? Well, even i it will be a long way to travel from Norway i will probably visit the US then.
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