Update: Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that their new Kung Fu Panda attraction, Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest, will open in June. More details have been added below. Our original article follows.
Universal Studios Hollywood made a couple of big announcements this morning, including:
- Christmas will be coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with a “dazzling light projection show, festive holiday décor and holiday-themed food and beverages.”
- Shrek 4D is being replaced with DreamWorks Theatre, which will kickstart with a new Kung Fu Panda attraction.
Find all of the details below.
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A new ride is coming to Hogwarts.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando will be introducing a new “thrill ride” in 2019, replacing the Dragon Challenge. Details are vague on what the new ride will entail, but it’s exciting news for a theme park that has been rapidly expanding since it first opened, in which only a few motion-based rides were available. Now, the theme park world of Harry Potter is only getting richer and more magical.
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When Universal Studios Hollywood held the grand opening of the west coast version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, they did so with a spectacular show which used projection mapping to put elaborate animations on the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At the time of the grand opening, I asked Universal staffers if they might expand the experience for park guests. Universal is situated close to residential neighborhoods, which prevent the park from holding fireworks shows every night like their competitor, Disneyland.
But a nighttime projection show on Hogwarts castle seems like a no-brainer. Today, Universal Studios Hollywood is officially announcing the new nighttime show, which is being called “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle.”
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Universal Studios has been granted a couple of exciting new patents and they look like they could be for new Harry Potter-themed attractions being planned for their theme parks. Rumors continue to circulate that the Dragon Challenge coaster in Universal Islands of Adventure may be replaced with a new ride (or rides) based on the Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. Check out these crazy new patents and ponder whether or not they’re for new Fantastic Beasts rides below!
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Taking a page out of Disney’s theme park playbook, it sounds like Universal Studios is looking to beef up the attractions at The Wziarding World of Harry Potter.
A new report indicates that Universal is developing a nighttime show that will take place within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Much like the nighttime spectacular shows at Disney theme parks, they will be using projection mapping to project a visual spectacular on the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry castle.
Find out more about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter nighttime show after the jump. Read More »
If you’ve ever been to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, then you know that frozen Butter Beer is one of the best drinks of all time. Guests visiting Universal Studios Hollywood will now get the option of a hot version of the beverage to the seasonal menu at the Three Broomsticks. Hit the jump to learn more.
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In this edition of Theme Park Bits:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Japan is getting visited by Death Eaters.
- Universal Studios announces a trio of original Halloween Horror Nights mazes.
- Disney patents a projector drone for potential nighttime shoes.
- Big Thunder Mountain closes for refurbishment.
- The Main Street Electrical Parade is ending very soon.
- A quick look at the new way to enter Disneyland.
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The grand opening of Universal Hollywood’s version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter happened last night at the Los Angeles theme park. It was an incredible night, filled with magic and wizardry. Hit the jump to hear more about the opening celebration and also learn about the new Wizarding World now open for everyone to enjoy in Universal Hollywood.
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Universal Studios Hollywood’s West Coast version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set to have its grand opening in just a couple months (though if you’ve visited the park last week you might have caught one of their early soft openings). It’s no secret that Universal would like their theme parks around the world to mirror each other, thus providing the same “universal,” pun intended, experience.
And one of the worst kept secrets in the theme park world is that Universal Studios Hollywood is supposedly planning to expand their Wizarding World to include the Diagon Alley expansion that opened in summer 2014 in Universal Studios Orlando. But where will Diagon Alley Hollywood be located and what attractions will it include? Will guests be able to ride the Hogwarts Express in Hollywood?
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Posted on Wednesday, February 10th, 2016 by Angie Han
J.K. Rowling‘s original Harry Potter book series ended in 2007, and the Harry Potter film series followed not too long after in 2011. But the Harry Potter franchise is as robust and productive as ever. In fact, 2016 is already shaping up to be a huge year for Potterheads. Not only do we have a spinoff movie, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, coming this fall, we’ve also got the imminent opening of Universal Studios’ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter this spring and the West End debut of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child this summer.
Of course, all that magic tends to add up. And if your Gringotts vault isn’t exactly overflowing with Galleons, you’ll make sure you want to spend your money wisely. So today, we’ve got a closer look at the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, and some news about the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child book due to hit shelves. Yes, you read that right: we’re getting an eighth Harry Potter book. Read More »
