Entrance to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Photo – Marc Corti)
Listen up Harry Potter Fans!
Thursday, April 7 marks the official opening day for Universal Studios Hollywood’s newest edition to the park – the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
By Marc Corti
Built on the grounds where the Gibson Amphitheater once stood, the new park attraction brings to life the story, characters and world of Harry Potter as first read in J.K. Rowling’s books and Warner Brothers Studio’s films. And with this opening, fans of J.K. Rowling’s characters living in Southern California can now experience Harry Potter in the flesh instead of having to travel to either Universal Studios Orlando or Universal Studios Osaka.
Despite the official Hollywood opening occurring on April 7, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been unofficially open over the last several weeks as the park had to undergo public technical and trial testing prior to its official opening. Fortunately for me, when I last visited the park on March 18 the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was open and I took the opportunity to help Universal Studios test their new attraction by riding the rides, engaging with the employees in character and eating the food!
Wizards and Muggles aplenty! (Photo – Marc Corti)
Looking into Hogsmeade Wizards (Photo – Marc Corti).
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood is composed to two main features: Hogwarts castle and Hogsmeade. In and around Hogwarts castle are two rides: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. Along Hogsmeade’s main boulevard guests can interact with characters, purchase a pint of Butter Beer, choose their wand at Ollivander’s, cast a spell with their wand and dine at Three Broomsticks among many other attractions.
Hogwarts Castle (Photo – Marc Corti).
Inside Three Broomsticks restaurant (Photo – Marc Corti).
For Universal Studios Hollywood, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s official opening has been years in development and exemplifies the high level of investment poured into the park over the last several years as part of the Evolution Plan. Universal expects the Harry Potter themed land to draw bigger crowds to the park than ever before and as a result has built a larger parking garage and widened the main entrance to the park from Lankershim Boulevard. In addition, Universal has built a pedestrian bridge over Lankershim Blvd. allowing those arriving by Metro bus or Red Line (subway) to bypass having to wait to cross Lankershim Blvd at grade in order to catch the free Universal Shuttle leading to both the park and City Walk. In other words, residents living in the San Grabriel Valley can take the train (Gold Line to Red Line) all the way to Universal Studios Hollywood without having to deal with traffic or paying to park!
Great quality and healthy food offerings at Three Broomsticks (Photo – Marc Corti).
For more information on Universal Studios Hollywood, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, park hours and ticket information please visit Universal Studio’s Hollywood’s website.
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