Muggles Get Magical

BY MATT LIBANOFF

As they turned around the last bend of Islands of Adventure’s Jurassic Park, fans’ expressions of gloom and exhaustion turned to smiles and joy galore as the tip of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry began to rise against the sunset. The first guests in line, who, in some cases, had waited for days, collected their assortment of water bottles and funnel cake plates as they secured their place at the front of the line that had now extended into the Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure. One by one, they marched on into the magical and reality-warping world that is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

Announced in May of 2007 and opened this past June, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has slowly taken shape over the past three years through extensive construction.  Based on the books penned by author J.K. Rowling, the 20-acre park brings some of fans’ favorite locations to life, including the eerie and mysterious Forbidden Forest, the shopping district known as Hogsmeade Village, and of course, the iconic Hogwarts Castle.

A guest’s first stop in becoming a wizard is to let a “wand choose the wizard.” This magical feat can only be accomplished at Ollivander’s. The most unique and exclusive store of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is also one of the Islands of Adventure’s newest and most enthralling attractions. The wand maker’s shop is an exact recreation of the store fans saw in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. After waiting in line outside the store, guests are brought into a 20-foot high storefront, filled to the brim with wand boxes of every wood and core. Based on principles written in a manual by J.K. Rowling for the store’s employees, Ollivander’s sells 13 different types of wands, based on one’s birthday.

As a guest steps up to the counter in Ollivander’s, Mr. Ollivander himself will appear to make sure that the correct wand chooses its owner, ensuring maximum magical potential. He will then take wand arm and height measurements before handing over wand after wand, expecting them to, “give it a wave.” Sometimes a guest will make boxes of wands topple. Other times a guest could cause a thunderstorm (which Mr. Ollivander speedily curses away). And finally, after multiple tries, once the right wand has found its master, the lights will flicker, wind and music sweep through the shop, and a wizard is made. After fans finally accomplish their dream of becoming an official wizard, they get to explore all of the other exciting aspects of the park.

The focal point of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the attraction that EVERY Universal Orlando guest must visit, is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The line starts when guests walk through two stone columns with winged boars ominously staring down at those willing to brave the ride. After making their way through the tent from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, guests will begin to actually explore the castle and some of its rooms.

The level of detail in and outside of the castle is outstanding, and far beyond most expectations. Whether it’s walking through Dumbledore’s office and seeing Fawkes’ perch, or through the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, guests will feel submerged in the Harry Potter world throughout the entire wait, as well as the ride itself. Similar to The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey takes riders on a virtual, 4-dimmensional flying adventure, bringing riders in contact with many plot elements from all 7 books and 8 movies, including dementors, Aragog and his spider children, Quidditch matches, magical classes, and spells that send the rider’s seat flying every-which-way. The ride is an intense, mind-boggling experience that will have Harry Potter fans experiencing Harry and his “journey” in an entirely new way.

Once guests have worked up a thirst making their way through the park, they will discover that one of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s most innovative and creative features is a frothy one that’s best served cold in a mug, making it the perfect treat to ease your parched throat: Butterbeer. The drink is a favorite of Harry and his friends, and is a staple throughout J.K. Rowling’s books. When the creators of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter were coming up with the menu for the main restaurant, The Three Broomsticks, they tested several recipes for the enigmatic beverage that fans have come to wonder about. Ultimately, it was J.K. Rowling herself that chose the recipe that best represented the drink she created in her imagination.

Butterbeer is described as a “frothy drink reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch.” For $4, guests can enjoy Butterbeer served as a regular soda-like liquid like in the books and movies, or frozen, like a slushee. Both forms of the drink taste delicious, making the guest feel as if they are actually in Hogsmeade , enjoying a refreshing afternoon pint (of Butterbeer, that is).

As the sun sets and the moon comes into view, Hogwarts Castle begins to take on an ominous, yet powerful air. Looking up at its beauty and magnificence, it’s an instantly reminded of the trials and tribulations that Harry and his friends faced while they attended this magical boarding school. Even though the chocolate frogs from Honeyduke’s will slowly begin to melt heading back to the car, guests will always remember the thrill, adrenaline, and exuberance that came from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.