The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will soon be opening in Universal Studios Hollywood. This has been a long awaited arrival for all the Harry Potter fans on the West Coast.
Although the official grand opening is not until April 7, the new attractions have been available for soft openings since early February.
The new attraction is located past the Shrek 4-D near the park main gates. To make way for the new attractions the Gibson Amphitheater was torn down.
The upcoming land is based off of the books by J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter Films. One of the features of the new land will be Hogsmeade village which will feature themed shopping and dining.
As fans approach the arch way to Hogsmeade village, they will see snow-covered roofs and narrow streets. This is where guests will get the most of their overall experience.
Passing the arch way, guests will immediately see to their right the Iconic Hogwarts Express locomotive is anticipated to be a popular location for fans who who want to take a photo with the engine and a train conductor.
One of the biggest attractions inside Hogsmead village will be Ollivanders wand shop. Fans will have the opportunity to shop, or experience the short but entertaining wand-choosing ceremony. Following the ceremony, guests will exit into the wand shop where they will be able to purchase wands.
There won’t be a shortage of options when it comes to shopping and dining. At Honeydukes, guests will be able to satisfy their sweet tooth with many sweet treats such as the chocolate frogs and the iconic Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.
For those craving a more filling meal, The Three Broomsticks will be the place to go. This restaurant which is also mentioned in the books and films will be serve traditional British-inspired dishes. Fans will also get to enjoy Hog’s Head Pub where beers and spirits created for the land will be served.
Further into the village, guests will find themselves approaching the iconic Hogwarts castle. To the left of the castle, younger fans will be able to ride Flight of the Hippogriff.
Hogwarts castle will house the land’s biggest attraction: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
As you make your way through the castle, you will pass many familiar rooms from the films including the Defense Against The Dark Arts classroom and Dumbledore’s office. Props and set pieces from the films can be seen all throughout the line for this ride.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey will take riders on a flying journey with Harry Potter. Guests will also wear Quidditch 3-D goggles. This state-of-the art ride combines both 3-D filmed action sequences and real-life visual and animatronics. This is expected to be the busiest attraction for the new land.
The new land is still a work in progress and some attractions in the park may not be open until the hard opening. However for fans who wish to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with light crowds and little to no lines then now is the time to go.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter officially opens on April 7. Fullerton College students can get a discount here.