The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Open at Universal Studios Hollywood Next Spring

June 2, 2015 at 7:16 AM · Upgraded: More compact and smaller

June 2, 2015 at 7:17 AM · But actually, I'm pretty excited. However, I wish that we were getting Dueling Dragons rather than Flight of the Hippogriff.

June 2, 2015 at 7:41 AM · Nice! Finally get a taste on the west coast. Spring does technically go through mid June...

June 2, 2015 at 8:01 AM · The coaster should be high capacity. They should consider two tracks to increase capacity.

I hope upgraded means 3D for the Forbidden Journey.

June 2, 2015 at 8:24 AM · "The coaster should be high capacity"

So true. Hippogriff is probably the only kiddie coaster I know whose wait time can go to 60 minutes.

I was also hoping for the announcement of an entirely original
Harry Potter ride in addition to Forbidden Journey. The East Coast already exceeds the West Coast in numbers of attractions not shared between the two, so why not?

June 2, 2015 at 8:59 AM · Demand for Flight of the Hippogriff is minimal, even at the better attended park in Orlando. Once you've ridden it once most don't go a second time. However, with two train operation this is not a low-capacity design like some may think.

June 2, 2015 at 9:23 AM · At one point last year, a friend who works for the corporate office of Universal Orlando heard that they were considering making the Great Hall an actual restaurant. I'm assuming this is not the case now.

June 2, 2015 at 10:00 AM · Question about the 3D thing ... I just got back from a trip to UO (awesome as usual ...) and I made a point of comparing the Gringotts and FJ experiences.

I wear glasses, so 3D is a bit tricky for me -- tolerable, but awkward. I enjoy Gringotts, but because of the glasses, I find myself glad that the ride isn't more exciting (a la the Mummy) only because I'd be afraid the glasses would fly off. Which brings me to FJ -- that sucker flips around a lot, particularly at the whomping willow. I think I'd spend the whole time trying to hold on to the glasses, which would affect my enjoyment of the ride. Does anyone else think this might be a problem for some folks?

June 2, 2015 at 10:18 AM · USH is describing the glasses for FJ as "Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles," so I'd think we're getting something a bit more sturdy that the glasses we get on Minion Mayhem and the like.

June 2, 2015 at 10:30 AM · To the anon comment above: talk of the Great Hall restaurant died a long time ago, which is why I quit mentioning it. I'm not surprised to see it excluded from the announcement today.

June 2, 2015 at 10:34 AM · What I really wish Universal Hollywood would do is buy or make a hotel with the express pass offer like they have in Orlando. Unless you stay super close, just going two or three miles to and from a hotel is problematic. The last time I was there, it was very interesting. Almost no waits at all for the lower lot until the afternoon, and this was in June. Then all the people stuck in traffic started getting there, and the lines went crazy. Nobody, and I mean nobody, got there early like they do in Florida. Certainly, it is nowhere near the quality of Orlando, but I found the experience extremely fun and different. I think it is intended to be a different experience from Orlando with the Studio Tour being the centerpiece. That will change once Hogwarts gets added.

June 2, 2015 at 11:10 AM · Diagon Alley taking over the space of Waterworld? That's a good development. More of the tram tour could be the theme park. They should consider it. Just flatten out the spaces.

June 2, 2015 at 11:16 AM · Ahhh....Thanks for the update on the glasses, Robert!

June 2, 2015 at 11:22 AM · Melanie: I saw a video of the Japan 3D glasses for FJ. They do indeed look similar to the Quidditch glasses. In fact they kind of look like the Snoopy vs. Red Baron WWI glasses from Peanuts. Probably will be more secure.

June 2, 2015 at 11:36 AM · Sounds like USH is getting a copy of the area at IOA minus Dragon Challenge...about what I expected. I'm still skeptical of 3D being a good thing for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, though as I haven't ridden the existing versions I may be incorrect. I also have to think that based on when annual passes expire and the comments in the video, the park is probably shooting for a spring break soft opening and a Memorial Day grand opening of this land.

June 2, 2015 at 1:43 PM · Two Diagon Alley shops are coming with Hogsmede in Hollywood (Maddam Malkins and another store I forgot the name of that's the Gringotts exit shop), plus a multi-room Olivanders and the Zonkos joke shop (closed in IOA, replaced by a shop in DA in USF that sells the same stuff). So I don't see them rushing to do Diagon Alley over in Hollywood.

Besides, the Waterworld show takes up far less space than Jaws did, so it would have to be highly compressed to fit in there. The Gringotts building could fit there, but not much else. If that does end up happening, I can't imagine it would take on the Diagon Alley theme (maybe Willy Wonka? Hope so!). If they wanted more room for shops and experiences, they should consider removing Shrek and adding on to the land in that spot.

June 2, 2015 at 1:53 PM · This is disappointing to me. One of my favorite aspects about forbidden journey is that it's not 3D. And why bother with all of those brilliant AAs if you're just going to put 3D glasses on people you might as well make it like Transformers or Minions and just use screens!

Closing waterworld saddens me. The stunt show is classic universal studios. I remember when miami vice, conan, and the wild west show were all playing at once.

Finally, hippogriff is a good choice. It's a mild coaster and universal needs more mild attractons if they ever want a piece of Disney's pie.

June 2, 2015 at 3:05 PM · I would have liked for USH to have built something completely different like the oft-rumored Ministry of Magic. As is, this "been there done that" expansion is really a bit of a "yawner". The SoCal locals will be fired up, which should help attendance a bit, but as far as Universal is concerned, Orlando remains the better option - by far. Why would a Harry Potter fan who has already visited Orlando plan a trip to visit USH? I find it perplexing that Universal choose to offer nothing new in this expansion.

June 2, 2015 at 3:38 PM · They should have done a Quidditch inspired duelling coaster, missed opportunity...

June 2, 2015 at 3:46 PM · They should keep Water World. It's a pretty epic show and there is nothing like it at UO

June 2, 2015 at 5:48 PM · "Why would a Harry Potter fan who has already visited Orlando plan a trip to visit USH?"

They don't. I didn't visit the Orlando version knowing the California version is coming. Since when did cloned rides turned out different?

June 2, 2015 at 7:04 PM · ^It doesn't work both ways... Universal Orlando is in a whole different league when compared to USH. I could easily see folks from SoCal heading to the other coast just to see what they are missing in their slimmed down version of HP. Maybe not you, Anon, but plenty of other folks have already made that pilgrimage as evidenced by the huge attendance gains the Orlando parks have seen. The way I see it, Universal Hollywood really missed out on a great opportunity to draw in worldwide attention from Potter Nation by going copycat.

June 2, 2015 at 6:29 PM · This makes me wonder whether FJ at IOA will eventually be changed to 3D. I hope not. As much as I love a good 3D ride, I think it's fine, as is (although a 4k upgrade would be most welcome).

June 2, 2015 at 7:02 PM · How can it work in 3D? Much of the ride consists of real sets and characters.

In any case, I've been to Orlando, so this news is pretty moot to me.

June 2, 2015 at 7:46 PM · @James: Now USH will have Harry Potter going for it. The tram ride is attractive for visiting actual Hollywood sets, but Harry Potter will find an audience for tourists visiting from the West Coast and tourists from Asia and Pacific regions. These tourists are unlikely to visit Orlando and the Asia Universal theme parks. There's many people that will find USH a more than adequate substitute. Keeping Harry Potter in Orlando only is the equivalent of keeping no clones in WDW to help out Disneyland. It seems like maybe thats why WDW is pretty slow to get much because Disneyland doesn't have much expansion space. You make it seem like there's no reason to visit USH. If this is true, Harry Potter is not a factor. BTW: Fast and Furious is new and coming this year.

"Universal Hollywood really missed out on a great opportunity to draw in worldwide attention from Potter Nation by going copycat."

All the books are located at Hogswarts. You want them to be somewhere else?

June 2, 2015 at 7:56 PM · Even though this is smaller and a clone of the Florida stuff, I am excited because I live in Australia. Once you take a 15 hour flight, you just want to stop, especially when little kids are with you. Going all the way to Florida adds more money and time. I hope to go there some day, but whenever we are back to visit our family we go through CA and stop there briefly or have them meet us there. I also think that "locals" for Universal Hollywood could be considered to be anyone within about a 10 hour drive. It is so much less expensive to go when you can drive there. When we lived in SF we went to Disneyland about once a year, but when I lived in the Midwest flying to WDW was a very expensive and very infrequent trip.

June 2, 2015 at 7:59 PM · OU & Parkscope Insiders are saying the land's layout will be the same as Universal Japan.

June 2, 2015 at 8:34 PM · @Anon, my apologies for not being more clear, but I think you missed my point. I'm not saying they shouldn't build Harry Potter attractions, I'm saying they should build DIFFERENT Harry Potter attractions. On the East coast they are competing with a fully realized, doubly expansive Harry Potter World at Universal Orlando. To the West at Universal Japan, they are competing with a more roomy and picturesque version of what is being built in USH. I see no reason for anyone other than west coasters to visit USH if they want to get their Harry Potter fix. And even west coasters would probably rather visit the Orlando version if they have the money and time. Had Universal Creative lived up to their namesake, they would have put something new in USH, such as the Ministry of Magic or even a different ride inside Hogwart's Castle. If you argue that Fobidden Journey is now a staple for Universal akin to Space Mountain at Disney, then at the very least they could have come up with a better b-ride than a copy of the Flying Unicorn/Hippogriff which is pretty much just an off-the-shelf Vekoma Junior coaster with some mild theming.

Hey, Universal is supposed to be in the big leagues now - we should expect more from them than a slimmed down version of something they already opened in 2010 (Orlando) and again in 2014 (Japan).

On an more positive note, if USH does eventually build a Hogwart's Train in the park I could ride their version without paying the ridiculous $45 up-charge they deceitfully try to sucker people into buying in Orlando! Bravo!!

June 2, 2015 at 8:34 PM · Expecting more to where not even clones are acceptable? Universal made it to the Big Leagues, not the Ginormous Leagues. I think Diagon Alley already proves Universal can do more Harry Potter attractions yet you're not satisified. they must do more more more. FJ will be in 3D, not quite what was opened in 2010. USH won't fit most of the attractions from Orlando. In fact, Orlando can further distinguish itself with King Kong, Nintendo, and the Volcano water park. Its not like the public is all that familiar with FJ. Fewer people rode this than Pirates or Small World. Putting Universal beyond even what Disney can do sets them up for failure. Thanks a lot James.

June 2, 2015 at 8:42 PM · I don't think Universal would fail by being more creative - it is their creativity that catapulted them into the limelight in the first place. And in the second place, I already allowed that FJ could be considered a Universal E-ticket staple worthy of cloning at all their parks (like Space Mountain is for Disney - although every Space Mountain is a different experience, I believe). I am actually more disappointed in the Vekoma clone they are adding (of which there are 20+ operating in the world - three of them at Universal parks). Flight of the Hippogriff gives USH two weak, kiddie rides as their only coasters. Yay. I can't wait to book a trip.

June 2, 2015 at 9:33 PM · James,

Fast & Furious? Does that do anything for you?

June 2, 2015 at 9:52 PM · Not a fan of the F&F films but I am not a fan of the Harry Potter films either (love the books). On the other hand, I have mentioned in previous discussion threads that the Tram Tour is the one attraction at USH that intrigues me - especially since the last time I rode it I was like eight years old.

Hey, I'm not saying adding a copycat version of Japan's Harry Potter "land" to USH is a bad thing - just saying it does not provide a compelling reason for families east of the desert to make USH a destination in and of itself. At best it is still just a single day stop on a longer SoCal vacation.

June 2, 2015 at 9:57 PM · I will be bummed if they close Waterworld. I wouldn't mind a new story in that space, but I would hate to see it close entirely. It is a uniquely USH experience.

I'm also surprised there was nothing about the possible new hotels. I thought 2 new hotels were included in the evolution plan and I assumed they would open with the Wizarding World.

June 2, 2015 at 10:05 PM · I find it confusing why some people complain that its a copy of Orlando (restaurants, shops, and the two rides). Lots of people cant go to Orlando from the west coast, East Asia, Mexico, Australia,the Southwest, and so forth. I consider USH my home park and when Transformers was announced for Florida I wasn't like "they should build something new like a Star Trek ride or whatever". On the contrary, I was pleased to know I can ride my favorite ride at both destinations now and that the good people from the East Coast, Europe, Brazil, etc can also enjoy it.

Other topic, Dragon Challenge. C'mon people, yeah I like that ride too but they would have to displace 100 thousand people in LA to put that up. They already worked brilliantly to find the space for the Wizarding World, adding the Dragons is very unrealistic. Gee the Flying Hippogriff is a bonus considering the lack of real estate.

Im way excited for this opening up and Ive been to the Orlando Wizarding World several times. My two favorite rides in the country (FJ and Transformers) plus new fast and furious plus old favorites and Horror Nights all in the same park with a pretty darn unique and genuine setting. Oh yeah, this place rocks and its getting better!

June 2, 2015 at 10:31 PM · It's not a copy of Orlando it is a copy of Japan. But, like I said, locals will be stoked. I totally get it.

And FWIW I was one of many people who felt Transformers should have remained a USH exclusive in the States. Orlando already had Spider-Man, they didn't need it.

June 3, 2015 at 5:54 AM · Why do they have to take out Waterworld?! I've never been to USH and, behind the Tram Tour, that was the attraction I wanted to see the most because it's one of the few attractions that isn't a clone of something we already have in Florida! Now they're gonna replace it with another clone? Really? I'm just saying, when I visited Disneyland 5 years ago, as cool as it was to ride different versions of attractions that I was so used to, I was even happier to ride entirely new attractions such as Indianna Jones Adventure And Storybook Land!

First Back To The Future, then Jaws, and now Waterworld...it's official, Universal is begging on their knees for me to visit their Japan park.

June 3, 2015 at 7:55 AM · Agreed. Nice for locals, regional west coasters, but compared to USO, it's a let down. Something new would've added something special. Don't care about F&F. Simpsons, whatever, wouldn't go out of my way.

June 3, 2015 at 8:11 AM · Once Water World is gone, I'd rather save up money and fly out to USO. It was the one unique aspect other than the Tour that made USH special. It was the best stunt show, and lets you appreciate stunt work in person. Live action can't be replaced by AA's and screens. That's why live music, Broadway Shows, etc. will always be around.

I just think it's a huge mistake to get rid of their last stunt show in favor of Diagonalley. Yes, HP is a huge franchise, and I'm a fan of the movies, but I'm with James in the sense that Universal Parks missed out on a huge opportunity to provide non-cloned attractions.

With F&F, while the movies are my guilty pleasure, I don't really care for an upgraded King Kong. This goes back to my concern about everything in Universal transforming into screens with 3D projections. Your brain can tell the difference between a screen and a physical object in space.

June 3, 2015 at 9:04 AM · I actually think it makes sense to build similar attractions. I think people that are big Potter fans will go where it is best for them. If you live in Southern California, you don't have to make the trek to Florida. That being said, both locations have tons of differences. If you go to Orlando, you basically are going to theme parks. If you go to California, you can go to many different tourist destinations. San Diego, the beach (which you can in Florida, but you really should just go to parks), and other things. Also, I live in the central U.S., so there are pros and cons for both. One big pro for California is that it is not hotter than hell in the summer. Obviously, if theme parks are your only goal, then Florida is the best choice, but the California locations are great. Finally, if you are a true Harry Potter fan, you need to go to both. In California you can tour Warner Brothers and see actual props. Not sure how long they will all be on display, but it is very impressive. The only truly negative about going to multiple location in L.A. is the traffic is unbelievable. The big pro for Florida and Universal is the unlimited Express Pass at three of their hotels. You pay for it, no doubt, but it is so worth it if you are there during a high capacity season.

June 3, 2015 at 12:25 PM · For those of you worried WaterWorld will go I think its time to relax. Disney long ago announced to replace Aladdin at DCA for a Toy Story show and that never happened. Aladdin is wonderful as is WaterWorld.

Universal is different from Disney though and waterworld still has a chance to stay...at the very least for three more years

June 3, 2015 at 3:10 PM · "If you're going to Orlando, you're going to the theme parks."

As a Floridian, just wanted to let you know that them's fightin' words! There's PLENTY of other great stuff to do in Florida other than theme parks. (Though, grant it, whether or not you prefer the stuff here in Florida to the stuff in SoCal depends on personal preference, I guess) In fact, drive about 90 minutes southwest of Orlando, (which is probably about the typical trip to the grocery store in LA) and you'll be in Tampa, which has a little bit of everything great in Florida. Great beaches (which you can always visit when it's "hot as hell"), a busy night life, some very beautiful nature areas, a fair amount of ethnic diversity, and yes, another theme park.

I know you're intent most likely wasn't to offend anyone, but I felt like I had to stick up for my good ol' home sweet home.

June 4, 2015 at 8:13 AM · "If you're going to Orlando, you're going to the theme parks." It most certainly was not meant as a slight at Florida. I visit Florida at least once a year and never go to a theme park. My point is, and I admit the point was poorly made, that most people when going to Disney or Universal in Orlando, only go to theme parks. The theme parks even try to make sure of this by shuttling you directly from the airport to the parks. Actually, having gone to both coasts regularly, I think the beaches in Florida are better. Now I have offended both coasts. But seriously, as a theme park fan, you could go to a theme park for 12 hours a day for three weeks in Orlando and still not see everything. One day I would love to go to all the various sites around Orlando, but (since I am here on this website daily), I am a theme park nut, and the theme parks in Orlando get all my time. One the other hand, I do not go to Orlando theme parks in the summer. I have gone to a Six Flags park in the heat of the summer every year for 30 years in a row, and I always leave miserable. I will not do that to my enjoyment at the parks in Orlando, I just like them too much. So, if I must go to Disney or Universal in the middle of the summer, then Southern California is ideal. No offense to anybody.

June 4, 2015 at 7:14 PM · "If you're going to Orlando, you're going to the theme parks."

Don't worry. No hard feelings.

Also, sorry if I came across as a little too defensive.