HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — On Tuesday, Universal Studios Hollywood announced “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” would be opening in the Spring of 2016.
According to reports, the land has been in the making for the past five years, and executives guaranteed it would bring the same type of experience found at the Orlando location.
The land’s signature attraction will be the 3D-HD, hyper-realistic ride “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey”.
Hailed as an “achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology”, the attraction itself is supposed to fully immerse guests in some of the novel’s most memorable scenes.
Universal Studios released the following statement about the ride:
“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” is an achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology featuring a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects. Sporting Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles, guests will venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.
At Universal Studios Hollywood, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut as a dynamic 3D-HD adventure designed to further immerse guests in an already captivating storyline.”
Just in case that doesn’t get you pumped, the studio is also planning to include the Hogwarts Castle as the main focal point, Honeydukes, Ollivanders, Zonko’s, the Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head pub.
“Harry Potter is an exhilarating multi-generational global phenomenon that has captivated the world’s attention across every one of its mediums, from books and movies to exhilarating theme park adventures,” said Larry Kurzweil, President of Universal Studios Hollywood in the news release. “With its imminent arrival to The Entertainment Capital of L.A., Universal Studios Hollywood is thrilled to bring our guests a new, compelling experience of ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ as we embark on this next chapter in our storied history.”
“The momentum behind J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world is as strong as ever, and we are incredibly excited to bring Hogwarts to Hollywood,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Fans around the world have experienced the magic at ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ in Orlando and Osaka and we look forward to continued success with our partners at Universal Studios Hollywood as we offer more fans a chance to step into this immersive environment.”
To go directly to the official The Wizarding World of Harry Potter page, click here.
