Big news about Orlando, Fla., theme parks, what with Disney in recent days announcing Star Tours updates and an expansion of Fantasyland, and Universal revealing that its theme park within a theme park, the enormous Wizarding World of Harry Potter, would open in spring 2010.
The latter, an immersive Harry Potter experience, includes the town of Hogsmeade and the castle that contains the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Universal also will roll out roller coasters based on the Dragon Challenge in the Triwizard Tournament (from "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") and Ride a Hippogriff, from Hagrid's class on the care of magical creatures. The former, a twin high-speed coaster, was described as "for the brave"; the latter, as a family coaster simulating a training flight on a hippogriff that soars over the Hogwarts' grounds.
What was not revealed in a media Webcast was the content of "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" inside Hogwarts, only the repeated promise that the experience "is something that's never been done before."
The Wizarding World was created in collaboration with Warner Bros. and author J.K. Rowling. Talks started 10 years ago, and the park itself has been five years in the planning and building.
Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the film series, took part in the Webcast announcing the opening next year. He said the best part for him is "to actually get to do these things -- when I walk behind a building, I won't see a bunch of scaffolding. As a fan, I'm just keen to walk through it."
The village of Hogsmeade will include shops and eateries modeled after the Harry Potter books and movies, so fans who have wondered what Butterbeer tastes like can now sample it at the Three Broomsticks. Shops from Diagon Alley are there as well, including Ollivander's, which mirrors the wand shop of the movie, down to its cubbied walls with thousands of dusty boxes. Visitors to Universal's Ollivander's, like all wizards and witches, can be fitted with the perfect wand.
Universal Orlando Resort includes two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, which expands with the addition of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, plus Universal CityWalk, a 30-acre restaurant, shopping and entertainment complex; and three hotels.
The other huge Orlando attraction, Walt Disney World, is getting a makeover as well.
The Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom, which opened in 1971, is due for a makeover and expansion during the next three years. And, no surprise, the Disney princesses feature prominently in the project.
Children can dance with Cinderella and help her prepare for the ball, celebrate Sleeping Beauty's birthday or interact with Belle from "Beauty and the Beast." There will also be a redesigned Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride and the addition of Pixie Hollow, a Tinker Bell-themed experience mirroring the one at Disneyland in California.
Other news was the retooling of Star Tours, an antiquated simulation ride based on the first three "Star Wars" films. It will reopen in 2011 with 3-D effects and reflect the three prequels.
For a first look at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter. Watch for news of new attractions at disneyworld.disney.go.com.
(Sharon Eberson can be reached at seberson(at)post-gazette.com)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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