Harry Potter Universal Orlando

Welcome Home join us as we take a look at a fire breathing dragon at Universal Studios Orlando
#universal #harrypotter #diagonalley #themepark
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area spanning three theme parks-Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida and the upcoming Universal Epic Universe-at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. The area is themed to the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the film series and novels by J. K. Rowling, in partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment under an exclusive license agreement. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was well received and significantly boosted attendance at the resort.
The first phase of planning was officially announced for Islands of Adventure on May 31, 2007,[5][6] and after a two-and-a-half-year construction period, the area opened to the public on June 18, 2010.[7][8] Among the area's flagship rides is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a dark ride that takes riders on a journey in and around Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.[9] The area is a re-creation of Hogsmeade and also features Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, a multiple-launch steel roller coaster, and Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster. There are gift shops and restaurants from the novels including Dervish and Banges, Honeydukes, Ollivanders, the Three Broomsticks, and more.
The second phase was a significant expansion, and a substantial portion of construction occurred in the adjacent Universal Studios Florida theme park. The expanded area opened as Diagon Alley on July 8, 2014, themed to the London-based area from the book and film series.[2][3][4] Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, an indoor steel coaster that utilizes motion-based 3D effects, highlights the expansion along with the Hogwarts Express train ride, which transports guests between the two lands. Both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley host a number of live events, interactive shows, as well as themed food and beverage items including the well-known Butterbeer-flavored offerings to provide an immersive experience for guests.
Previous attempts
Rumors of a Harry Potter-themed area at a Universal Studios park or a Disney park started to circulate in 2003.[10][11] However, the rights to the Harry Potter franchise had been acquired by Warner Bros., who denied all the rumors.[12] In 2001, Time Warner used this license to construct and operate the Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Australia; it was a small indoor walkthrough featuring many re-creations of locations in the first two movies. After two years of operation, it was removed.[13][14]
The Walt Disney Company and Universal entered bidding negotiations with Warner Bros. and Rowling for the theme park rights to Harry Potter in the United States.[15] In 2004, Rowling signed a letter-of-intent with Disney, with the company intending to develop a Harry Potter section in a corner of Fantasyland, within the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World.[16][17] Ultimately, Disney pulled out of negotiations, citing that Rowling's creative influence and the terms established by Warner Bros. were too stringent
Rumors and official announcement
In January 2007, About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that the Lost Continent area within Islands of Adventure park was to be re-themed "to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children's franchises".[19] Other sources followed up in the next few days with unofficial confirmation the new area would involve Harry Potter, and was being developed under the name "Project Strong Arm" in reference to the KUKA robotic arm technology it would utilise.[20][21] Nikki Finke reported her own confirmation of the Potter park plans in April,[22] followed shortly by a story in The Scotsman;[23] both reports were widely relayed by other media sources.[24][25][26] On May 31, 2007, Universal (in partnership with Warner Bros.) officially announced the 20-acre (8.1 ha) addition recreating Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade, with a planned opening in 2009

[@JenThePirate]

Can’t wait to see the two Harry Potter lands, for the first time! Getting FL resident APs in January

[@vacation_fun_makers]

Meg got hers last year. I am not a fan of Harry Potter so i have never stepped foot in to either Universal park