 |
| Hagrid’s hut near the Flight of the Hippogriff |
Eagerly anticipating the
new attraction
Like gazillions of others on the planet, I can’t wait for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to open. I stopped by Universal Orlando recently to get a sneak peek. You can see the towering snow-capped castle (it’s 15 stories high!) and the tippy-tops of some of the other buildings in the magical Hogsmeade Village, which is based on J.K. Rowling’s compelling and hugely popular Harry Potter series. While details are as closely guarded as Kirstie Alley’s actual weight, I was let in on a few surprises...which (shhh...no telling) I’ll share with you in this issue.
One of the most anticipated adventures is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. You’ll visit 12 different iconic locations straight from the films, such as the Room of Requirement, featuring hundreds of floating candles.
 |
| Dumbledore’s office in the Forbidden Journey |
But you don’t have to wait for the ride for the entertainment to begin. They’ve come up with a really cool queue area while you’re waiting.
Perhaps most astounding are the moving portraits that not only interact with each other, but guests standing in line, too. You’ll meet the four founders and discover their unique personalities. Helga Hufflepuff likes to gossip and Rowena Ravenclaw, looking particularly regal, provides dire warnings to heed. Godric Gryffindor shares magical words of wisdom, while Salazar Slytherin whines about—who else?—Harry Potter.
You’ll visit Dumbledore’s office and experience this headmaster interacting with you. The technology used for this is still a secret, but it’s eerily real! He’ll send you off to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, where Harry, Ron and Hermione await—but what’s this? Just voices? Must be the invisibility cloak!
In addition to amazing sights, you’ll have the chance to sample the tastes of Harry Potter, including non-alcoholic and J.K. Rowling-approved ButterBeer, served in frosty plastic tankards. It tastes like a cross between shortbread cookies and butterscotch candy.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens officially on June 18. It’s sure to be a magical experience.
 |
Editor-in-chief, AAA Going Places |
Email to letters@aaagoingplaces.com
|
credit: HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.