18 replies to this topic

[sonic]

Universal Studios to open Harry Potter theme park!
Universal Studios to open Harry Potter theme park! Digg this story | Share on Facebook | Press Release

Official Concept Art:
Hogwarts | Hogsmeade | Owl's View of Park | Logo

Latest Developments (10 AM EST):
- Official park website now open; visitors can sign up for e-mail updates.
- JK Rowling: "The plans I’ve seen look incredibly exciting, and I don’t think fans of the books or films will be disappointed."

Universal Studios and Warner Brothers made a joint announcement this evening from Leavesden Studios on the set of Dumbledore's Office to reveal that a Harry Potter theme park is currently in development. The image to the left is the first piece of concept art for the park: Hogsmeade Village.

Here's what we learned from Potter set designer Stuart Craig and a representative from Universal Studios (both of them hosted the big reveal):

- "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort"
- Announcement was made live via internet at 12:01 AM EST today to select media, including MuggleNet.
- Areas of park to include Hogsmeade, Hogwarts Castle, and the Forbidden Forest.
- 20 engineers working on project.
- Universal came to WB looking for authenticity.
- Potter park to be built in "Islands of Adventure" area of Universal.
- Stuart wants to "take his grandchildren" to the park.
- Opening early 2010.
- Universal's Potter website to be available at this link.
- JK Rowling has been involved "since the very beginning" of the project. Also "supportive and encouraging."
- Stuart thinks that the park will be better off in the United States.
- Have been in design "for at least a year and a half."
- "Important that the theme park represents the entire saga from Book 1 to Book 7"

In a rather cute way to end the announcement, the Universal representative asks Stuart Craig, "Now where's Dumbledore?" Stuart paused for a moment, looked around the office, and replied, "He was just here."

If only I was younger....lol

[Kimoflea]

That's lame.. if a Harry Potter park were to be made, it should be in Britain. We've just opened a Charles Dickens theme park ffs

[fruglemonkey]

It's sad that if I told a few of my friends about this, they would have a spontaneous orgasm. =/

[otherworld]

It technically should be in Britain

but I wouldnt go to it anyway lol

[Black Flame]

Interesting idea. If it's not gut-wrenchingly horrible, I'll check it out

[Amagius]

If only I was younger....lol

QFE.

I having a feeling that taking pictures with Professor Sprout would've been much more orgasmic about... eight years ago. Then again, that was near the beginning of the series...

[pyke]

That's lame.. if a Harry Potter park were to be made, it should be in Britain. We've just opened a Charles Dickens theme park ffs

It technically should be in Britain

but I wouldnt go to it anyway lol

Get over yourselves

I think there are enough silly little theme parks around already.

[Kimoflea]

Get over yourselves

Psh, you Canadians. It's like you're hermaphrodites.. not quite British, not quite American..

[sonic]

Psh, you Canadians. It's like you're hermaphrodites.. not quite British, not quite American..

LOL

[Waser Lave]

Psh, you Canadians. It's like you're hermaphrodites.. not quite British, not quite American..

The fact that they also have ovaries and a penis supports your theory too.

[Black Flame]

Psh, you Canadians. It's like you're hermaphrodites.. not quite British, not quite American..

The fact that they also have ovaries and a penis supports your theory too.

LMAO! Poor, poor canadians...

[padora]

ShadowLink is canadian

Good luck

[Gnome]

I think some 10 year olds cremed their pants just now.

[Ender]

I'll be old by then. -sighs- Sounds pretty sick though.

[Freystein]

I'm pretty sure if the park opens its going to be a disaster. I doubt it will survive more than a few years.

[HellRaiser]

I almost totally creamed my pants when i read this the other day, but I'm not ten.

[redlion]

That's lame.. if a Harry Potter park were to be made, it should be in Britain. We've just opened a Charles Dickens theme park ffs

Charles Dickens is no where near as cool as Harry Potter though. S'ok, we'll take the cool ones you can have the stuffy detective stories.

Psh, you Canadians. It's like you're hermaphrodites.. not quite British, not quite American..

Kim, I love you.

I mean, I you.

[foogie]

I think it's rediculus, it's like they're expecting hary potter to be popular forever.

[Black Flame]

I think it's rediculus, it's like they're expecting hary potter to be popular forever.

Maybe not forever, but long enough for a theme park to stay open and have good business for a while