In The News
Construction Begins on Hogwarts Castle for Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park
NewsConstruction has begun on building Hogwarts Castle for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park at Universal Orlando, Florida. Longtime theme park blogger Jim Hill reports today that work is underway on the castle that will serve as the centerpiece of the Harry Potter attraction, and has photos of the steel beams that are forming the base of the castle. He writes “According to Universal insiders, this bare framework is just the start. In the weeks and months ahead, literally thousands of pieces of metal will be hoisted up & then bolted into place. As a full-sized recreation of Harry Potter’s alma mater is built at the southwestern border of IOA’s “Jurassic Park” section.”
Also, Mr. Hill gives some reported background on how Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was persuaded to go with Universal for the theme park, as well as one amusing story involving Harry Potter film production designer Stuart Craig, who is overseeing things for the Harry Potter theme park as well.
“Mind you, that’s not to say that there weren’t a few bumps in the road before Rowling finally agreed to sign that contract. Like that time that Universal Security had to be told NOT to arrest the man who was climbing the hill behind IOA’s “Flying Unicorn” ride. You see, that man was Stuart Craig. The three-time Academy Award winner who has designed all of the sets for the “Harry Potter” films. And Stuart was just climbing that hill to see if he could find the proper spot to build Hagrid’s cottage.Speaking of which … “The Flying Unicorn” is expected to shut down sometime in September of this year. So that this IOA attraction can then be transformed into “The Flying Hippogriff.” More to the point, so that work can finally begin on Hagrid’s cottage.”
At last word, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was set to open in December 1 of 2009, but that remains still in a state of flux, given the early stages of construction for the theme park.
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‘the flying unicorn’....squees i’m guessing that that is part of the kiddie section?
Haha! Brilliant! I’m completely setting that year as my near joint Disney/Universal trip down south
nono, the flying unicorn’s an already existing kiddie-coaster in the lost continent section of Isalnds of Adventure- but it’s right next to where Harry Potter Land (at least that’s what I call it) is going to be
Excellent!
I already have a trip planned for early 2010 with my grandchildren. Should be right on time.
Cool this is so exciting – now hopefully I will have money to travel down there when it opens and see it , Its going to have Buckbeak rides! I hope they have a candy store set up just like honeydukes too. sorry getting ahead of myself.
lol, yes, please don’t arrest Stuart Craig. We kinda need him!
I can’t wait for this to open! It’s going to be so exciting!!
ROAD TRIP! We South Carolinians are “ready willing and mable!” Iv’e never been to Universal, Orlando. I’ve been to Universal, Hollywood. Hollywood, from what I remember, has no rides, excpt for “usual Movie Set rides” From what I hear, they are almost two different parks![Can anyone fill me in on what the ‘Flying Unicorn’ is???] I, like many, many, many, [etc] fans can’t wait, and am already planning the Family’s Vacation! YIPPPEEEEE!
Thought you would be excited to read about this. Sounds like it is becoming a reality and not just talk :) I wonder how soon we can book our trip????
Hey! guys! I only need a plane ticket from Croatia to Florida! who’s gonna be so kind to sent it to me?please…I’m really big fan : )
Confederate Lady, I am a Floridian so I can say we have two Universal parks here. They are connected to each other but have separate entrances and entrance fees .It is like Disney with their 4 parks. If you go you can by a ticket that gives you access to both parks or you can by a ticket for one park and not the other. One of the Universal parks is like the Hollywood California park and is dedicated to the movies with “rides” like jaws and studio back lots. The second park is Islands of Adventure and it set up like a six flags park with all the amusement rides. They are building Harry Potter in the Islands of Adventure Park.
Are we talking a full-size recreation of the Great Hall here? It would be the coolest thing ever if everyone visiting the park first went into the Great Hall to be sorted.
i am from michigan and we started planning our trip in 2010 as soon as we learned about the Harry Potter world….and we are going without the kids
squee!! so it has started finally. i just cannot wait for this! btw, performingmonkey i completely agree, I hope it has a Great Hall where we the visitors can be sorted and it sort of provides an entry into the whole park. PS:I hope they’ve kept Honeydukes! ;)
he he. Stuart Craig was looking for the location of Hagrid’s hut. He really can’t make up his mind, can he? :)
yay!!! omg i SOO can not wait till it comes outt!!! XD they should also make a complete replica of Hogsmeade like it’s described in the books, that would be so kool =] from the Three Broomsticks and Hogsmeade to The Hogs Head and the Shrieking Shack. _ the Shrieking Shack could be sort of like a walk through haunted house type thing. hp fans know its not rly haunted but it would still be kool. =]
This really is going to be utterly fantastic, and I can’t wait to see the park. The Harry Potter Park is probably the only thing that will persuade my mum to get on a plane.
It’s such a shame that us Brits couldn’t get a version of the park over here in the UK.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh man i could never go there. i live in ohio. its a long way to florida from here. i would have to buy tikets. i bet they’ll be expensive.
LONG LIVE HARRY POTTER.
Hahaha, I totally love the part about Stuart Craig climbing the hill behind the ride to see if there was enough room to build Hagrid’s hut. :P Harry Potter dreamland, here I come! :D
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whoo hoo! now if I can only get there!