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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: First Official Photo of Hogwarts Castle Revealed

Posted on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 by Peter Sciretta

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Universal Studios Orlando have released the first official photo of Hogwarts Castle, the centerpiece of their upcoming new park section The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Click after the jump to see the complete uncropped photo. And click on that image to see it in super high resolution.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Here is a press release from last year which includes details about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

Universal Orlando Resort, together with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, today revealed first-ever details about the incredible scope of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Universal also announced that the highly anticipated land will open in spring 2010.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters - and faithful to the visual landscapes of the films - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure will provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience complete with multiple attractions, shops and a signature eating establishment. This completely immersive environment will transcend generations and bring the wonder and magic of the amazingly detailed Harry Potter books and films to life.

The expectations of Harry Potter fans are high and Universal Orlando Resort is collaborating closely with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the Warner Bros. Harry Potter brand team to ensure that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be an experience of a lifetime.  The Harry Potter films’ production designer, Stuart Craig and art director, Alan Gilmore, in cooperation with a corps of artisans from Universal Creative are working daily to construct the most authentic Harry Potter experience possible.  Guests will be able to sip Butterbeer in Three Broomsticks, buy Extendable Ears at Zonko’s and experience a state-of-the-art attraction that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life in a way never before imagined.

“All of the action and adventures of Harry Potter’s world will come to life here at Universal Orlando Resort,” said Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks and Resorts.  “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be unlike any other experience on earth and we can’t wait to see the looks on our guests’ faces as they enter this rich environment.”

“Harry Potter continues to spark the imaginations of fans of all ages and we really have seen the anticipation continue to build for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” added Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.  “We are excited to share with fans a first glimpse into the truly enchanted world we are bringing to life with all of our partners at Universal Orlando Resort.”

From the front archway of Hogsmeade to the immensity of Hogwarts castle, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature the locations listed below:

  • At the entrance of Hogsmeade, billowing steam and an iconic whistle signal the arrival of the Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade station
  • Across the way is Zonko’s, a joke shop with a collection of tricks and jokes, including Extendable Ears, Boxing Telescopes and Sneakoscopes
  • Honeydukes is next door and full of treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans
  • The Three Broomsticks and adjacent Hog’s Head pub will serve traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice
  • Across from the Three Broomsticks is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery
  • The Owl Post sends letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sells official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • Ollivanders wand shop is an incredible interactive experience where the wand chooses the wizard
  • Completing Hogsmeade is Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls
  • The first attraction, Dragon Challenge, features a twin high-speed roller coaster with many iconic elements from the Triwizard Tournament
  • Next is Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle
  • Located in Hogwarts castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced
  • Before exiting back into Hogsmeade, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods is full of Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches

    • “This Universal Creative and Warner Bros. team shares an incredible passion and commitment to making this destination an exceptionally immersive environment that will touch the lives of our guests,” said Mark Woodbury, President, Universal Creative.

    “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is yet another way that fans will be able to experience and enjoy Harry Potter for many years to come,” said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment, who is also responsible for overseeing the Harry Potter brand team worldwide. “The power of this brand speaks for itself, as the enthusiasm of our dedicated fans around the world continues to grow even stronger as we move into the future.”

    Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park destination that places you and your family in the heart of pop culture’s most incredible and timeless stories - making you the superstar in a world-class adventure story and allowing you to discover your own inner hero.  Guests experience two exciting theme parks - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as well as Universal CityWalk, a 30-acre restaurant, shopping and nighttime entertainment complex; and three magnificently themed on-site hotels - the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and the Loews Royal Pacific Resort.  Flagship experiences featured in the theme parks include “The Simpsons Ride,” “Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride,” “The Incredible Hulk Coaster” and “The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.”  More information is available at www.universalorlando.com.

    Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

    Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon.  The series of books by author J.K. Rowling has been translated into 67 languages with more than 400 million copies sold in over 200 territories around the world.  The films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $5.3 billion at the box office worldwide, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.

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    • its pretty cool to see that everyone is so excited !!!! So many pople are blogging about it...http://www.blogs.com/topten/top-10-harry-potter-blogs/#comment-6a01053611bc14970c01310f267b70970c
    • Kaykaybaybay(:
      hey guysss! Well so anywhosle as a huge harry nerd I know everything there is to know about this park (ask away) and I am SOOOO excited the forbidden ride is going to be the sh!t! I am excitedddds
    • Barb in Texas
      I think I'm a bigger kid than anyone who is replied yet. I'll be 69 when I finally get there this summer and just like most commenters, I plan to eat, ride and spend my way through the park. Even if the castle isn't to scale (and that would be massive) it's still awesome. I've been a fan since book one. I'm also going to visit the Mummy park too.
    • Mike Peterson
      As far as scale goes, I don't think it is to scale but it is pretty big and looks amazing in person. I work at Universal so I've seen it from start to finish and I am very excited for them to finish up the entire island.
    • Looks like a CGI image??

      If it is built to scale, then it's very very impressive.
    • Wands everywhere stiffen in aniticipation.
    • plagueoftruth
      Nerdgasm!

      For. The. Love. Of. God. Please give us a date, Universal Studios. Spring 2010 is not good enough.
    • Dude2012
      may 28th
    • TestType
      That looks seriously impressive. The photo however doesn't have anything in it for reference to get a sense of the scale of this thing. No way it it 1:1 scale to the movies (whatever that might be) but it would be very interesting to get a better sense of the size.
    • presto117
      apparently from people who've seen it in person, it's extremely massive.
    • That's what she..... Anyways, seeing this in person makes your jaw drop. Its freaking huge. Not 1:1, but still one of the largest attractions I have seen to date.
    • GB
      My reaction:

      1. This sounds like an overgrown, well-branded shopping mall. LOTS of freaking stuff to buy.

      2. That said, I am completely excited to see this. They freaking built a real Hogwart's castle! They're out of their muggle minds!
    • presto117
      an overgrown, well-branded shopping mall that will drain my bank account DRY!!!!
    • Woow...is this for real??....is it big that you can go inside?....or is it just model that you can only go a little??....other than that it is fucking awesome!!
    • presto117
      there's the main ride that goes on inside Hogwarts (harry potter and the forbidden journey) and the line goes through at least parts of hogwarts and i'm guessing the actual ride is under the castle, inside the cliff it's on.
    • Konrad
      It's only a model.
    • Yeah, I'm sure it's a silly place, too.
    • bud
      shh!
    • obin
      that photo is kinda useless without any mention of what scale it is built at...
    • Having seen it's progression over the past 2 years in person, all I can say is that it's going to be incredible. I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan, nor do I get excited about any of the films as much as others. But I will say I do like the design, music, fantasy, and effects that the movies bring. I am definitely excited to experience this opening day.
    • experiment626
      that's got nothing on what Disney's done in Tokyo.
    • looks amazing and cool! This is one amusement park that I'd be planning on visiting!

      I wonder if all the amusement park actors will be required to speak in fake British accents...
    • presto117
      lol they are. there was a casting thing for the park and one requirement was a british accent. or the ability to do one.
    • rob
      i went to universal about a week ago and you can see the towers from a good mile away....thing is cotdamn big
    • DC
      wait why the fuck is olivanders in hogsmeade?
    • jspegele
      For the same reason Hogwarts is in Orlando
    • Slatters
      And for the same reason that none of these places actually exist.
    • toomany
      Orlando exists man, it's in America
    • presto117
      cause it was either hogsmeade and olivanders or no olivanders. either way, i'm buying wands when i go.
    • Finaldo
      Maybe Ollivander's backdoor lead to another entrance through Hogsmead...it's that or Universal wanted to sell wooden sticks to kids for $15 no matter what.
    • "To kids?"

      Fuck that, I'm buying one. I've wanted to buy a wand at Ollivanders since I was 10 and the first book came out.

      /nerd
    • yeah its supposed to be in Diagon's Alley!!
    • DC
      please tell me thats not to scale... its just forced perspective right? like in main street usa in Disney? If not I just came a little.
    • dagreenman18
      The 10 year old in me is losing his shit right now.
    • Marc
      ...I think it's a bit of a perspective trick :)
    • presto117
      there's tons of pictures of the structure from when it was under construction by people that were walking around islands of adventure, and they say it's massive. i think on the documentary on the making of the park on the harry potter 6 blu-ray they say it's to scale, but i'm not sure. it is on a giant cliff face, though, so that's already big enough.
    • Slatters
      There's some Youtube videos of it during its construction, and although it does indeed look massive, there's no way its to scale. I imagine its similar to the Disneyland castle and has alot of vertical forced perspective.
    • Ash
      Agreed
      I wouldn't be surprised if everything progressively gets smaller the higher you go to make it look even taller, like the castles at the Disney parks
    • JPX
      I don't know. I want to be excited about this but it sounds like there are 3 actual "attractions" and a lot of stores/restaurants. I'll wait until the first reviews come in before unleashing my enthusiasm.
    • I don't care much for the Harry Potter books or films, but THAT is damn impressive!
    • I can't explain why, but I am extremely excited for this
    • starscream9289
      I might actually go to Orlando for this!

      And maybe I'll stop by the Nickelodeon Studios while I'm.....oh wait.....
    • Skwisgard
      YOU BASTARD ;___;
    • make sure to park in parking lot 9 and three quarters
    • MickJ
      "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" sounds like the virtual Spider-Man ride in Marvel Adventures park. If they have one of those for every major adventure in the books ... wow. This place is going to rake it in, I'm not sure anyone is going to want to go to Disney World when this is available.

      And is that castle built to scale? Holy shit is right.
    • presto117
      apparently the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride uses ride technology that hasn't been used before. I keep hearing something along the lines of it's a roller coaster, but all the carts are attached to one giant arm and the carts swivel and stuff while the ride moves. it's really hard to explain, but they pictures of it somewhere on the internet...
    • It's a shame it's not built in the UK (Scotland more specifically). If only we had a larger population and better weather!
    • doober
      That's no big deal to them, they have real castles! We got shit! So yay us!
    • watwatwat
      holy shit!
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