Five Magical Additions We Want for WWoHP
Next month, Universal Studios Hollywood will reveal some news about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s 2016 arrival, which you can read about here. As speculations fly, I have compiled a list, with the help of creative team intern Lizzie, of what we would most like to hear in the announcement!
1. The addition of face characters: Popular in Disney parks, mainly as popular princesses and other Disney characters, actors interacting with park goers as characters in the wizarding world would add a new dimension to the experience of the parks. Characters could include Madam Rosmerta serving drinks at the Three Broomsticks or George and Ron demonstrating products and performing magic tricks for shoppers at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.
2. Hogwarts Castle: Imagine being able to stay in Hogwarts castle, in your own house dorm. An onsite hotel for fans that allows park goers to experience the Potter universe 24/7 would be a fantastic addition to the experience of the park. The opportunity to explore the castle and find a hidden room (something many fans, including us, would like to see!) like Disney’s hidden room in Cinderella’s castle would be an exciting new way to experience the Wizarding World.
3. A Quidditch-themed ride: Quidditch is a huge part of the series, but the parks lack a Quidditch-related attraction – the chance to ride a broomstick or visit the Quidditch World Cup is an attraction many fans, especially fans of the Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts rides.
4. Ministry of Magic phone booth: While a Ministry of Magic extension to the park is a far-off dream, the phone booth that Arthur and Harry take to the Ministry would be an interesting way for fans to interact with the world in a new way – perhaps in the London section of the park, one could find information on the wizarding world or listen in on conversations between wizards – something else to stumble upon as you try to find your way to Diagon Alley.
5. New performances: Could the Weird Sisters make an appearance at the park? It would certainly be exciting to have more chances to engage with the pop culture of the wizarding world. With Celestina Warbeck already killing it in performances, and dancers portraying the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students that appear in Goblet of Fire, it would be interesting to see some other stories or figures come to life in music performances at the park.
