Harry Potter at Universal - ride names!

[WindsorHillsPad]

Does anyone know anything about this? I saw an article in the newspaper a few months about them building a Harry Potter theme park. Will it be a whole park or will be another area that is part of Universal? Anyone know anything at all? Insider gossip?

Perhaps we could also start to name some rides. I'd like to kick off with the Whomping Willow ride - a bit like the Disney Dumbo ride but the arms (branches) go up and down harder and faster!!!!

[Dabies]

No it's not a whole new park, it's going to take over most of Lost Continent in IOA. The only new ride I've heard anything about, is the one that's going to be inside Hogwarts and is apparently going to use the Kuka Robocoaster technology, which has a big robotic arm that can be mounted onto a rollercoaster track. Apparently the project is being called Project Strongarm. My guess is that it'll possibly simulate flying on a broom, but that's just my thoughts. As for thee other rides, the flying unicorn might get a slight re-theme, but I can't see them touching DD much at all, possibly a slight re-theme of the queue line to get rid of all the knights, maybe replace them with wizards.

[summertime85]

I don't think it's going to be a whole park but just an area in Universal. Can't wait for it to open!

[Happy Feet]

http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/index.html

Have a look at this. The FAQ's might answer a few of your queries.
The artists impressions look great!

[tinko]

There is more info about it here (http://www.screamscape.com/html/islands_of_adventure.htm)

[Mickiengland]

Haven't Universal missed the boat (or should that be broom :grin: ) a bit with Harry Potter. I know they'll be surges of interest when the last two films come out but, if my kids are anything to go by, its last years story.....

[Cinders Mum]

Duelling Dragons will be rebranded and rethemed to reflect the new land, sounds promising.

[Dabies]

I bet they'll just rename the individual coasters after dragons from the books/movies. I suppose they could give the track a repaint, but it just wouldn't look the same without the bright red & blue.

[Coaster cruiser]

this looks cool i will go on it even it my mum and dad dont

[Georgetuk]

You could be right but some series stick around forever, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.

And even Disney had to start somewhere. When Disney opened Disneyland California some of their films were 20 years old or more and Mickey too.

Should be interesting though when I go back one day after this year and see if I am interested because I have never wtached a film or read a book of Harry's. Just never grabbed me but I know there are plenty of people who like it!

[Katie C]

Sooooo looking forward to this bit- I'm presuming when they redo Duelling Dragons they'l use names like Hungarian Horntail as opposed to Norbert- slightly less scary! Theres meant to be lots of wal through stuff as well which will be very cool.
I think Harry Potter will last for when the area opens- its popular enough certainly!

[Dabies]

At the moment they've got some scaffolding and screens up around some parts of the DD castle, and they are clearing a big bit of land next to the Flying Unicorn. So it's definately in full swing, it'll be interesting to see what it's like when I'm there next October.

[robwilliams71]

Im still not 100% convinced about this - I think it'll be popular, but Universal seem to be doing it 'on the cheap'.

Hopefully they'll prove me wrong.

[jandlsmum]

as a big harry potter fan it gives me another reason to go when it opens what a shame lol

[carys]

I think it sounds great . Harry Potter will never go out of fashion and there are still new films to be released . How old are the Winnie the Pooh stories ? That still works for WDW doesn't it ? As do all the other old stories .