Entertainment Editor

Officials have been releasing details bit by bit on what guests can expect from the Harry Potter attraction, before finally making a major announcement recently.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure will include three themed attractions: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,  Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.

The centerpiece will be Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, an all-new adventure that continues the Harry Potter storyline, with technology that will hopefully surpass Univeral's signature attractions such as Spider-man.

“Guests will experience firsthand a completely new adventure featuring the iconic characters, amazing creatures and recognizable locations they’ve only read in the books or seen in the films,” said Thierry Coup, creative director for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Officials predict  guests will be living the adventure and feel things no one has ever felt inside a theme park attraction before.

Universal promises amazing effects and more in the attraction, which will be located deep within Hotwarts castle, the towering structure within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Some of the things guests will encounter at the attraction:
• Meet Harry, Ron and Hermione as if they were in person.
• Soar over Hogwarts castle with Harry.
• Get swept into a Quidditch match.
• Feel the chilling effect of a Dementor, regarded as one of the foulest beasts on Earth in the Harry Potter series.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey features its own storyline that  draws you into the excitement and chaos of Harry'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.
Even that long queue is should be a rewarding experience because there should be something to see and do all along that waiting line.

The queue will feature several iconic locations taken from the films  including:
• Dumbledore’s office: Here, you meet the Headmaster as he welcomes you to Hogwarts
• Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom:  Where you first meet Harry, Ron and Hermione
• Gryffindor common room: You meet three additional characters who prepare you for your journey
• Room of Requirement: Here, with hundreds of floating candles above, you take your seat on an enchanted bench and begin the Forbidden Journey.

In addition, guests will pass through the Dungeon passageway and hallways of Hogwarts where they will have the chance to see hundreds of wizard portraits from the films, including several magical talking portraits created exclusively for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including the four founders of Hogwarts. Guests will even get a glimpse of the Sorting Hat.

“We have created an entirely new way to place our guests into the heart of one of the most compelling stories of our time,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative.  “What we have done will forever change the theme park attraction experience.”

The attraction’s 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 and with their favorite characters.  This fusion of robotic technology and filmed scenes has never been achieved until now, officials said.
In some cases, technology had to be invented to achieve the highest level of guest experience.  
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Quick Facts
Duration of ride: The full attraction experience, including the queue, takes about an hour
Number of scenes in the attraction: 12
Characters (featuring Harry Potter film talent): Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid and Draco Malfoy
You may also catch a glimpse of Fred and George Weasley, Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will also include Dragon's Challenge (the newly-redesigned Dueling Dragons roller coaster ride) and Flight of the Hippogriff, the junior roller coaster known as the Flying Unicorn.
Also part of the 20-acre attraction are two restaurants — The Broomsticks Inn, serving British dishes, and The Hog's Head Pub, featuring spirits and drinks inspired by the Harry Potter stories.
The attraction also will have several gift shops.
For  more information about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as the the Universal theme parks visit  www.UniversalOrlando.com.
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