Harry Potter parkopens in US

Amid a fanfare of music, lasers and fireworks, the long-awaited Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in Universal Studios yesterday, writes JOAN SCALESin Orlando

THOUSANDS of people queued overnight in Florida to be the first into the new theme park which is the realisation of the places and events in the hugely successful Harry Potter series of stories by author JK Rowling. The books have sold more than 460 million copies and have been translated into 68 languages.

Rowling was present for the opening and said that the representation of Hogsmeade village and Hogsworts Castle exceeded her expectations. She was joined by actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon, James and Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright and composer John Williams who conducted the orchestra.

More than 1,000 people have worked on the creation of the theme park for the past two years. The project was kept very secret while its leading artistic director Alan Gilmore from Ennis, Co Clare turned the books and film into theme park reality.

Having worked on the Harry Potter films, Gilmore was invited by Universal Studios to head the creative team in making a magical place for children and adults alike.

“Here we have created the feeling of actually entering Harry Potter’s world. Our mantra was authenticity, and I worked very closely with the entire team to make sure we have every detail as perfect as it could possibly be,” he said.

Visitors will walk through the granite archway into the streets of Hogsmeade, buy Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans in Honeydukes sweet shop, send a postcard by Owl Post, enjoy a butter beer in the Three Broomsticks, have a wand chosen for them in Ollivanders and buy jokes in Zonko’s.

The experience will also include three attractions that place visitors in the middle of Harry’s world, the Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and within the castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

The Forbidden Journey brings cutting-edge technology to theme park rides and visitors will feel, having passed through the Hall of Portraits and Dumbledore’s office, like they are flying on a broomstick through Hogsworts Castle, around the Quidditch Pitch and being chased by Dementors. The experience has been described by many as “intense and realistic”.

The park’s creative director, Thierry Coup, described the technology for the Forbidden Journey as “ground breaking and extending the limits of attraction rides by bringing the riders to the action and making the experience feel like free flying.

Hurtling through the Chamber of Horrors will thrill many fans.”

The Dragon Challenge is twin roller coasters in a high speed duel between the Hungarian Horntail and the Chinese Fireball Dragons. They twist, loop and narrowly miss each other in this hurtling chase.

As visitors approach the Flight of the Hippogriff, Hagrid, the care of magical creatures teacher, will instruct them on how to properly approach a Hippogriff and it will appeal to younger visitors.

The Harry Potter World of Wizarding is part of Universal Studios which also includes attractions like the Simpsons, Men in Black, Barney, Madagascar, and Shrek and thriller coaster Hollywood Rip Ride and Rocket. Tickets for Universal Orlando begin from $79 (€64) for adults and $69 (€56) per day for children.

- Packages to Orlando that include tickets to theme parks are available from touramerica.ie, americanholidays.ie, local travel agents and travelfocus.ie. Tickets for the theme park can also be purchased at the website attractionticketsdirect.ie.

- Visitors staying in Universal Resort, Loews Pacific, the Hard Rock or Portofino hotels can enter the parks an hour before others and get priority in ride queues (universalorlando.com).