The first time guests walk into Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or Universal Hollywood, it is not uncommon for jaws to hit the floor. The two lands are the most detailed I have ever seen when it comes to theme park immersion (and yes, I have been to Disney World many times), so much so that when you enter the Wizarding World, it feels like you left Universal completely. Well, Potter fans, luckily for us, the Wizarding Wold of Harry Potter is set to grow.
People recently reflected on how it has been 10 years since the themed lands opened at Universal, stating, “a decade ago, the Harry Potter books and movies were transformed into a fully realized version of the fantasy world created by author J.K. Rowling with the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. Rowling herself attended the opening, along with Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and the other stars of the blockbuster film franchise. At the time, the eighth and final film in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, had yet to be released.”
Credit: Universal Orlando
It’s crazy to think that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter came out before the film franchise even came to an end, and that the real life characters were able to experience the sets they called home for so many years in a theme park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is truly what saved Universal financially, boosting ticket sales like the could have never imagined. The creation of this land was a home run for the Universal team, so it is no surprise they want to keep it growing.
Thierry Coup, chief creative officer and senior vice president for Universal Creative confirmed that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is only going to get bigger.
“We’re not done. You think about what has happened with Harry Potter in the past 10 years beyond our theme parks — The Cursed Child, the eight movies, Fantastic Beasts, the mobile game Wizards Unite. The Wizarding World is not resting. It keeps building.”
Credit: Universal
It seems that Universal is ready to bring in the entire Wizarding World as a whole, which is truly exciting to think that we will be able to expand beyond just the Harry Potter novels and expand deeper into the magical universe — and, ultimately, tie it all together. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — and when it comes to the magical concoction that Universal created to put together the Wizarding World, they truly have a formula for success.
Do you want to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expanded? Should Universal focus on something else?
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