Harry Potter Theme Park to be Unveiled at the Super Bowl

By Moviefone Staff (Subscribe to Moviefone Staff's posts)

Posted Feb 3rd 2010 8:40AM

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter poster

Harry Potter fans... it's time to rejoice. 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter' - the most eagerly anticipated new theme park in recent years - is soon to be launched at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida and the commercial for it will get its first airing during this Sunday's Super Bowl. But you can get a look at that ad below - and see images from inside the theme park.

In the 30 second ad you get a sneak peak at the 20-acre attraction - set to open this Spring - with Mr Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, showing a couple of kids around on his broom. Elsewhere you get a taste of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts plus a glimpse of a roller coaster ride called the Dragon Challenge.

The park, estimated to have cost around £160 million and designed with the full cooperation and approval of author J.K. Rowling, will offer guests such highlights as a tour of Hogwarts Castle (which stands at a whopping 150 feet tall), a visit to Ollivander's wand shop and the chance to drink some real-life butter beer at the Hog's Head pub. Get more on the park from WalletPop.com

Thrill seekers out there will also be pleased to hear that three Potter-themed roller-coaster rides are in the new park: Flight of the Hippogriff (a family-orientated ride), Dragon Challenge (a high-speed rollercoaster featuring elements from the Triwizard Tournament) and a top secret hi-tech ride called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey which takes place inside Hogwarts Castle.

Take a look at the Harry Potter theme park commercial...

See what the park will look like...

Tags: harry potter, HarryPotter, Orlando, the wizarding world of harry potter, theme park, ThemePark, TheWizardingWorldOfHarryPotter

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Jay

I have to agree with the previous comments, in the list of the twenty five top movie moments of the decade. The writer confirms that "Harry Potter is the most successful franchise in history".

Or in plain English the biggest money making machine ever produced upto this point in time.
Money talks and that is never more true than in America.

February 04 2010 at 9:15 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jay

As previously stated many families will not be able to afford a holiday in Orlando Florida, so a non extra fee into the actual theme area is some what immater'ial.
Harry Potter fans are based from all ages and walks of life, but the nearest many will get to the enclosed is reading the original books, going to the cinema or buying a dvd of the films.

It is ironic that the original theme for the books comes from a British author and which was acted out by soley british actors and was filmed in Britain. But if you want to see the theme arena you physically have to travel three thousand miles to visit it.

It all revolves around profit margins and personally i think J.K sold herself out to the Americans. She obviously did not stop to think of her own British fans, if it is true what the papers say that she had a personal imput at every stage of the making of the films and the eventual decision as to where the theme park would finally be situated.

Warner Brothers financed and distributed the Harry Potter films, the theme could have been built at Alton Towers, why not it is quite large enough to incorparate such an idea. I think the answer to that question is quite simple, money. Warner Bros would have done their home work and decided that much more revenue could be sort from its current new home.

February 04 2010 at 8:33 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jay

Having read the details of the supposed new theme area, i find it just another money making exercise which surrounds the Harry Potter consortium.

They have used as less finacial imput as possible to revamp a previous theme, a cheap trick. But i suppose the younger child will be absorbed by it all no doubt. When taking into account that many British families will not be in a financial position to afford a visit to Florida to see it.

February 04 2010 at 5:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Jay's comment

Claire

I must admit the previous mythology island didn't make a lot of sense when compared to the other islands whose themes are more set e.g. Marvel Superhero island, Jurassic Park island etc. so it is nice that it will have a proper theme now.

Only thing is I wouldn't particularly say Islands of Adventure is a children's theme park (aside from Seuss Landing), so they may not draw the level of attention they hope for.

Given it has many rides with height limits, it's more a park for adults and teens. Although I must admit, even my boyfriend (in his 30s) is looking forward to seeing the new Harry Potter area hehe. I don't mind it since its not a separate event you have to pay for and since, as I say, the island its replacing didn't make much sense.

February 04 2010 at 7:10 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Claire

It's very misleading referring to it as its own theme park. It's actually going to be part of the Islands of Adventure theme park of Universal Studio.

The Harry Potter area is replacing the old mythology area (one of several islands featured in the park). The original Dueling Dragons ride there is now going to be the Dragon Challenge and the Unicorn ride is going to be the Flight of the Hippogriff. Both rides will on the whole remain the same. They have one completely new ride based in the castle they are/have built. Aside from that they are renovating the look of that island.

February 04 2010 at 4:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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