Posted on Fri, Feb 05, 2010 @ 08:48 AM
Orlando Getting Ready for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
ORLANDO -- Universal Orlando Resort has suddenly rolled out a number of high profile ads for the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Could it be a sign that the new attraction will be opening sooner rather than later this spring? Universal would not say.
With a brand new Super Bowl ad, a newly updated Web site and a special interactive map splashed across newspapers nationwide, three major advertisements featuring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in just over the last week have generated lots of interest in the new "theme park within a theme park."
"I know that when Islands of Adventure opened up, everybody was excited about that, but I think this just tops the scale," said Mark Davis, who runs Orlando Discount Tickets USA, a theme park ticket Web site.
Click here to watch Video
Davis said during the last few weeks, 95 percent of his callers and visitors have asked about when Harry's new home is opening.
"When is it opening? We want to be there! Can we buy the package for that time?" the callers ask.
While Universal Orlando will get most of the attention, other tourist businesses have also begun getting ready.
Brian Wong, a local hotel manager, said he has been putting the finishing touches on upgrades for his hotel, and trying to draw in crowds brought in by all of the attention Universal's newest attraction is getting.
"It's newsworthy," Wong said. "It keeps Orlando on the map, and generates interest for years to come."
The crowds and the tourist dollars sure to come are just waiting.
Universal has only revealed that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open this spring. Experts, however, said that many visitors will stay at home until an exact opening date is set, a day our troubled tourism industry said they can't wait for.
"The excitement of something that people have anticipated and really wanted to see is going to be a huge boost," Wong said.
Still wanting tickets or a Vacation Package to Universal Studios Orlando?
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Posted on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @ 07:19 AM
Win a Trip to Grand Opening of Harry Potter & The Wizarding World
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
The Universal Orlando Resort is running a contest in which you can win a trip to the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure.
The grand prize is a trip for four to Orlando to participate in the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sometime in Spring 2010. The official rules state that the specific grand opening dates are not yet determined. Trip package includes roundtrip plane tickets, three nights at a Universal Partner Hotel, and four 2-park Unlimited tickets.
Beyond the grand opening trip, other Potter-related prizes include magic wands, video games, DVDs, and other collectibles.
To enter, visit www.theroadtohogwarts.com and follow the instructions to fill out the registration form. In addition to the basic entry, completing various activities, like watching video clips or downloading wallpaper, will earn you additional entries into the contest.
Each participant can earn up to twenty-three entries throughout the course of the contest. The sweepstakes ends on Dec. 18, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ET. with winners selected by the end of the year.
Remember, If you don't win, you can still be there for all the exciting action. Just check out all our Universal Studios Orlando Vacation Packages at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Harry Potter needs.
Posted on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 @ 08:16 AM
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Construction Update at Universal's Islands of Adventure, Video and Photos
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
It's time again for an update on the construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure. There's a lot more to see since our last update as Hogwart's Castle is starting to really look like a castle. The new area of the park is set to open next spring.
Let's start with our first video update, then some photos for a more detailed look, then we'll end with a video from the land's designers walking us through the whole area.
This building, seen from the bridge from The Lost Continent to Jurassic Park, will be the Three Broomsticks restaurant. To the right is Zonko's joke shop, which will be on your left as you enter the Wizarding World.
The best view of the castle is as you're leaving Dueling Dragons. But this view will eventually be going away when they close the ride to start converting it to Dragon Challenge.
You can also see the queue area for the already closed Flying Unicorn ride from the Dueling Dragons queue. Flying Unicorn will become Flight of the Hippogriff.
So, there you have it...The latest update for Harry Potter and the Wizarding World at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure set to open next year....
Still haven't got tickets yet or a vacation package to Universal Studios? Then check out our web site for all your Universal Studios Orlando needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 @ 08:31 AM
Vote For Your Favorite Scene at Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios
After watching Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince movie this past week, many people are looking forward to the next installment in the Harry Potter universe: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Here's what we know about the main attraction in the new land, which will open early in 2010: It will take place inside Hogwarts Castle. You will board after queueing through the Great Hall. The ride vehicles will be four-person seats on Kuka robot arms, mounted from an overhead track. And there will be about 10 scenes in the ride.
But what do you want those 10 scenes to be? Let's vote!
Several potential scenes from the first three Harry Potter books have been selected. They are all scenes from inside Hogwarts Castle and do not include the Great Hall or the entry, which will be part of the queue. Nor do they include the common rooms, well, 'cause you're not supposed to be in common rooms outside your house. ;-) And they do not include any scenes that take place outside the castle, since that's where the ride will be set.
Pick the one you most want to see, from these options, then discuss in the comments.
Posted on Thu, May 21, 2009 @ 09:22 AM
Harry Potter & the Wizarding World at Universal Studios
With Universal Studios getting ready to open up at Islands of Adventure, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010....
Here are a few polls that we have found interesting:
1. Where are you most likely to get a beverage or snack at Hogsmead?
- The Hog's Head
- The Three Broomsticks
- The HoneyDukes
2. If you could order a drink at the Three Broomsticks, What would it be?
- Butter Beer
- Pumpkin Juice
3. Which is your favorite Broomstick?
- Firebolt
- Nimbus Two Thousand
- Nimbus Two Thousand and One
4. Which would be your favorite place to shop at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
- HoneyDukes
- Olivanders
- Zonko's Joke Shop
5. Which Dragon would you like to ride?
- The Chinese Fireball
- The Hungarian Horntail
6. Which type of Wand would you prefer to own?
- A personalized Olivander's wand that choose you
- A replica of a wand used by a hero
7. Which of these would scare you the most?
- The Whomping Willow
- The Hungarian Horntail
- A Dementor
- An Acromantuia
- A Basilik
Feel free to comment on any of the polls and let us know which is your favorite Harry Potter question.....
Haven't got tickets yet to Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure? Check out our Orlando Vacation Packages for your next trip to Orlando...
Posted on Mon, Mar 09, 2009 @ 05:16 PM
Harry Potter Wizarding World at Universal Studios
I had the opportunity to visit Universal & Islands of Adventure the other day and got to see first hand the progress of Harry Potter Wizarding World that is set to open in 2010.
I was also able to get a few photo's and you can tell by them that it is going to be very big and very exciting. The downfall to all the construction going on right now is that the Dueling Dragons ride is a very busy area right now since that is the area of the new attraction.