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New Details on HP Theme Park, Commence drooling!

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Half_Blood_Matt

Posted: Sep 15 2009, 10:53 PM

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We now have more details about the Potter theme park set to open in 2010. If this doesn't get me to Orlando, nothing will.

QUOTE (Yahoo!)

Universal reveals details of new Harry Potter park
By Travis Reed, Associated Press Writer Universal Studios

MIAMI — It sounds like a new book in the Harry Potter series, but "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" will be a high-tech ride and the marquee attraction at the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter," a new theme park area opening in spring 2010 at Universal Orlando Resort.

The "Forbidden Journey" ride was named by author J.K. Rowling and described Tuesday by Universal officials in a Web cast revealing details of what the Potter park will look like.

The ride will takes guests through scenes and rooms from the blockbuster movies inside a richly detailed remake of Hogwarts Castle made to look 700 feet tall. Hogwarts is where Harry attends a boarding school for witches and wizards.

Guests will enter the "Wizarding World" through a station archway named for Hogsmeade, the magical village near Hogwarts. A plume of steam and a train whistle will sound the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. The goal is to make the experience immersive, so nothing outside is visible after guests pass the Hogsmeade station archway.

Rowling, known for carefully guarding the Potter franchise, hasn't yet journeyed to Orlando, but the design team has made several trips to London to consult with her.

Other rides include the "Dragon Challenge," a twin high-speed roller coaster themed after the "Triwizard Tournament" and the family roller coaster "Flight of the Hippogriff," named for a creature with an eagle's head and a horse's body.

"Along those journeys they're going to be swept up into the greatest parts of the movies and the books. We've pushed every technology available to us to give guests a theme park experience unlike any they've had before," said Paul Daurio, producer of the Potter area.

The Harry Potter park will be part of Universal's Islands of Adventure.

Art and set directors from the films, including Oscar-winning production designer Stuart Craig and art director Alan Gilmore, were hired to translate the movies into the park.

Every shop and eatery is Potter-themed. Honeydukes sells chocolate frogs and "Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans," Ollivander's peddles magic wands, Zonko's joke shop has Sneakoscopes, and the British restaurant Three Broomsticks pours Butterbeer.

At The Owl Post, guests can send letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark. Magical instruments and equipment are available at Dervish and Banges, including everything needed to play Quidditch — a game like soccer played on flying broomsticks.

"The interesting thing about Harry Potter is that the stories are so rich in themselves, so deep," said Universal Creative President Mark Woodbury. "There wasn't so much difficulty of creating the look, it was, 'How do you execute at a level of authenticity that is unquestionable?'"

There could even be new footage of Potter stars shot on actual sets from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." A Universal spokesman declined comment on the issue, but the company was explicitly granted those privileges in its 2007 licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products Inc., according to the contract filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Potter area will be Universal's third big-ticket addition in three years. SEC filings from the company estimate the combined cost of The Simpsons Ride, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Wizarding World at between $275 million and $310 million.

Simultaneously, the resort owned jointly by NBC Universal and private equity company The Blackstone Group finds itself on shaky financial footing. If it cannot find refinancing, $1 billion in long-term debt may be maturing as soon as April, the company said in SEC filings.

The Potter park is sure to prove popular not just with American fans but also with visitors from the United Kingdom, Potter's home and the largest source of international tourism to Orlando, with about 1 million arrivals a year.

"It couldn't have come at a better time," said Danielle Saba Courtenay, spokeswoman for the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau. "There is such an affinity for the characters, particularly in the United Kingdom, and we do expect that the pent-up demand and having such a strong name will drive traffic to the area.

"It's such a huge worldwide brand, and the only place in the world you're going to be able to experience it is in Orlando," she said.

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LostInPotter	Posted: Sep 17 2009, 06:41 PM
April 14, 2009! Group: Administrator Posts: 12871 Member No.: 8 Joined: 25-September 05	Please Please Please I beg us all to go to the convention that's supposed to be happening that year at the Theme Park. I'm begging Callum to use up our Anniversary Trip (which is in April) when the Park opens later on in the summer. -------------------- **WARNING This poster has an annoying habbit of letting whatever is in her head come flying out of her mouth {or keyboard} without thought of the posible ramifications... if this post offends you... please ignore it * end warning***

Half_Blood_Matt	Posted: Sep 18 2009, 05:22 AM
Elder Guru Group: Honoured Members Posts: 3074 Member No.: 13 Joined: 27-September 05	I actually would go to that, as long as I learn about it early enough to ask for it off from work. --------------------

Patricia	Posted: Sep 18 2009, 09:44 AM
drools Group: Game Moderator Posts: 3764 Member No.: 401 Joined: 23-January 07	Are you talking about Infinitus or is there another one? -------------------- credit goes to reira-21 & slyferret

LostInPotter

Posted: Sep 18 2009, 06:42 PM

April 14, 2009!

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QUOTE (Patricia @ Sep 18 2009, 09:44 AM)

Are you talking about Infinitus or is there another one?

I think that's the one. It's been awhile since the last convention but I remember them talking about it. I hope it's still going to happen. I'll do some research on it this week. Heck if Matt goes then I better see you all there! Unless you're not from the States in which case then I understand. But as I fully intend to be there if you're in the UK feel free to jump in my luggage.

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****WARNING****
This poster has an annoying habbit of letting whatever is in her head come flying out of her mouth {or keyboard} without thought of the posible ramifications... if this post offends you... please ignore it
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Patricia

Posted: Sep 18 2009, 07:02 PM

*drools*

Group: Game Moderator
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QUOTE (LostInPotter @ Sep 18 2009, 11:42 PM)

QUOTE (Patricia @ Sep 18 2009, 09:44 AM)

Are you talking about Infinitus or is there another one?

I am pretty sure that one is still on, I've heard my friends talking about it. But as I said to them at the moment I am spending too much money on erm school supplies

So I doubt I'll go, but if you bag is big rnoug h I might take you up on the luggage deal.

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credit goes to reira-21 & slyferret

Mae	Posted: Sep 18 2009, 11:30 PM
always be true Group: Honoured Members Posts: 11894 Member No.: 16 Joined: 28-September 05	I don't come here as often as I used to, but Jenn, keep me posted on the theme park stuff. I'll definitely be coming. I'm still kicking myself for not coming to the last one. -------------------- Stick me to you ♥ Nature needs no glue

Half_Blood_Matt	Posted: Apr 4 2010, 11:53 PM
Elder Guru Group: Honoured Members Posts: 3074 Member No.: 13 Joined: 27-September 05	Bringing this thread back from the dead, because it looks like I will be heading to this theme park at the end of May. My cousin is getting married (two days before Memorial Day in fact), so my dad, grandmother and I are going to Orlando for five days. My aunt works at Disneyworld, so my father and I are going to go there on one of the days (and get in free supposedly), and the second day we are headed to Universal. I have heard that there will be an extra fee to get into the Potter portion of the theme park, but at this point I don't care. I will gladly pay the extra fee to get in there. Also, I will add here that there was a Potter specific episode of the Celebrity Apprentice on tonight, as the two groups had to sell Potter fans (little kids mostly) on the new theme park. It was a fun episode, the highlight for me was big wrestler Bill Goldberg having to get in a tree costume and play the Whomping Willow. It was hilarious. Anyone else see the show? And is anyone else planning a trip to the theme park this year? This post has been edited by Half_Blood_Matt on Apr 5 2010, 12:00 AM --------------------

LostInPotter	Posted: Apr 5 2010, 03:16 PM
April 14, 2009! Group: Administrator Posts: 12871 Member No.: 8 Joined: 25-September 05	I want nothing more than to go to this theme park. I'm just trying to figure out how to get there. When did it officially open? I know back when some of us went to Prophecy they mentioned do an HP convention at the new opening Theme Park as well. I wonder if that is still happening. -------------------- **WARNING This poster has an annoying habbit of letting whatever is in her head come flying out of her mouth {or keyboard} without thought of the posible ramifications... if this post offends you... please ignore it * end warning***

Half_Blood_Matt

Posted: Apr 5 2010, 05:52 PM

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QUOTE (LostInPotter @ Apr 5 2010, 03:16 PM)

I want nothing more than to go to this theme park. I'm just trying to figure out how to get there. When did it officially open? I know back when some of us went to Prophecy they mentioned do an HP convention at the new opening Theme Park as well. I wonder if that is still happening.

It isn't open yet, and it still says that it will open in "spring" so I don't know what that means. I heard May, but nothing definite. I will certainly let you know if I hear anything.

EDIT- Well, the bottom dropped out for me, in that as usual SPRING apparently doesn't mean spring. I saw a commercial last night where the official date for the Potter park opening is in June (18'th if I remember correctly). Oh well, I still am looking forward to going to Universal anyways, and I won't have to drag my father through anything Potter. C est la vie and all that.

This post has been edited by Half_Blood_Matt on Apr 7 2010, 10:08 AM

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Mae	Posted: Apr 9 2010, 12:04 AM
always be true Group: Honoured Members Posts: 11894 Member No.: 16 Joined: 28-September 05	Aww, that's too bad about it not opening in time, Matt. I was hoping to get to this soon after it opened, but it looks like it's going to be put off in favour of funding for moving (to ENGLAND!) -------------------- Stick me to you ♥ Nature needs no glue

LostInPotter

Posted: Apr 9 2010, 02:43 PM

April 14, 2009!

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QUOTE (Mae @ Apr 9 2010, 12:04 AM)

Aww, that's too bad about it not opening in time, Matt.

I was hoping to get to this soon after it opened, but it looks like it's going to be put off in favour of funding for moving (to ENGLAND!)

you're moving to england?!?!?!

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Mae	Posted: Apr 13 2010, 01:37 PM
always be true Group: Honoured Members Posts: 11894 Member No.: 16 Joined: 28-September 05	A couple of my friends and I are planning to do SWAP (a work-vacation p in London for a while, probably around a year-ish. Work, travel around, yadda yadda. So I may be in your neck of the woods! -------------------- Stick me to you ♥ Nature needs no glue

Half_Blood_Matt	Posted: Apr 25 2010, 10:55 PM
Elder Guru Group: Honoured Members Posts: 3074 Member No.: 13 Joined: 27-September 05	Well, it looks like the HP theme park is doing a "soft opening" before its official opening in June. And it looks like it will be happening before I go to Universal in May, so I am back on track with getting to see the park. Even talked my dad into paying for both parks (yes, the HP portion will cost extra money), and we are additionally buying an "express pass" for 50 bucks so we won't have to wait in lines. It will be expensive (115 bucks for both parks), but so worth it. WOO! --------------------

LostInPotter

Posted: Apr 26 2010, 03:04 PM

April 14, 2009!

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QUOTE (Half_Blood_Matt @ Apr 25 2010, 10:55 PM)

Well, it looks like the HP theme park is doing a "soft opening" before its official opening in June. And it looks like it will be happening before I go to Universal in May, so I am back on track with getting to see the park. Even talked my dad into paying for both parks (yes, the HP portion will cost extra money), and we are additionally buying an "express pass" for 50 bucks so we won't have to wait in lines.

It will be expensive (115 bucks for both parks), but so worth it. WOO!

Matt that's awesome!! You'll have to tell us all about it. Take loads of pictures and tell us if it's worth it. I'm going home to the States in November I wonder if I can convince Callum to popping down to Florida for some HPness

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Mae	Posted: May 4 2010, 01:27 PM
always be true Group: Honoured Members Posts: 11894 Member No.: 16 Joined: 28-September 05	You're going home in November, Jenn? I think I shall be in Scotland in October. -------------------- Stick me to you ♥ Nature needs no glue

LostInPotter

Posted: May 4 2010, 04:54 PM

April 14, 2009!

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QUOTE (Mae @ May 4 2010, 01:27 PM)

You're going home in November, Jenn? I think I shall be in Scotland in October.

sweet!!! I so can not wait to show you everything!

ETA: Callum just reminded me to tell you that I need to take you to New Lanark because we found where they made the actual wool for the HP movies!! With all you knitting we thought you'd love that. If you can't get there... I'll just pick you up some then

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Mae	Posted: May 9 2010, 09:36 PM
always be true Group: Honoured Members Posts: 11894 Member No.: 16 Joined: 28-September 05	Jenn, you have no idea how excited I am <3 -------------------- Stick me to you ♥ Nature needs no glue

Half_Blood_Matt	Posted: May 30 2010, 09:37 PM
Elder Guru Group: Honoured Members Posts: 3074 Member No.: 13 Joined: 27-September 05	Well, if you read my Facebook post, you know that I did not get to see the Potter portion of Universal Studios this past Saturday. There was some promotion where if you booked a flight with Virgin airlines, you got to see it, and even then it was only for 2 hours in the early morning. Plus, I rode one of the coasters that is being changed for Potter, and so I did 1/3 of the rides anyways (right now there are only 2 rollercoasters and 1 guided tour of Hogwarts as the Potter portion). The only other thing being changed for Potter is shops and stores. Like the rest of humanity, I will have to wait for June 18'th for the Potter thing to open. Still, I did most all of Universal's two parks, so when I do finally get another chance to return to Florida, I can just do the Potter portion and not worry about spending my time at any other park. If anyone here ever gets to go to Potter, let us all know in this thread. --------------------

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