Universal Studios Hollywood to announce Wizarding World

[alexinlaI know more about donkeys than women!]

Quite a disappointment if it's a carbon copy. And dumb too. People will choose which one to visit, instead of visiting both.

This will just steal visitors from Orlando that are added to Hollywood.

-R

Just like Disneyland and Seaworld in California steals visitors from Orlando

[Jew"It's not small, but it is very 'average.'"]

I get the feeling this press conference was hastily thrown together after the WSJ got the scoop. I suspect the reason they don't have more details is because the details are still far from finalized.

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

^Exactly what I was thinking.

I get the feeling this press conference was hastily thrown together after the WSJ got the scoop. I suspect the reason they don't have more details is because the details are still far from finalized.

I agree. Also, just getting the announcement out there puts them in the spotlight for a while. At least until Carsland opens.

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

All things considered, they did tell us more at this press conference than they did for the Avatar expansion at Animal Kingdom.

[OrlandoPeteI Love Donkeys!]

Quite a disappointment if it's a carbon copy. And dumb too. People will choose which one to visit, instead of visiting both.

This will just steal visitors from Orlando that are added to Hollywood.

-R

I doubt USH will get both Hogwarts and Diagon Alley, so Orlando will still be the more compete HP experience.

[robbalveySite Admin]

Going to put all our updates here in one place.... (Scroll down for the official press release)

Here's what we Tweeted and what was said at this mornings press conference:



USH president Larry Kurzwiel arrived.

Tom Williams and California Governor Jerry Brown and others take the stage....




Now really official! Tom Williams and Weasley twins make it official! Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to Universal Studios Hollywood!


Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion for Orlando is CONFIRMED!!! No details yet, though.

Hogwarts at Universal Studios Hollywood WILL be in the existing park - CONFIRMED!

Forbidden Journey attraction will be coming to Universal Studios Hollywood!

Hogwarts Castle will be built at Universal Studios Hollywood


Butter Beer time!!!!!!


Cheers to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood!

No announcement made yet as to where Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be located at USH.


TPR signing off from the WWoHP announcement event! Cheers with butterbeer!

Some BIG questions left unanswered!

Where is it going?
What other than the castle and the attraction are coming?
When will it open?
Is it actually a "land" or just an "attraction"? It was not really made clear.
No key art or concept drawings have been released yet.

Kind of odd that such a huge announcement was made, but with very limited information....

Now, TPR members...

POST YOUR COMMENTS!!!

EDIT - Here is the official press release from the park:

HOGWARTS IS COMING TO HOLLYWOOD!

Warner Bros. and Universal Parks and Resorts to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Studios Hollywood

Significant Expansion Also Planned for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort

Hollywood, CA (Dec. 6, 2011) - Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts today announced a partnership to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – the enormously popular themed entertainment environment which debuted in Orlando in June 2010 – to Universal Studios Hollywood.

The two companies also announced their plans to significantly expand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be as impressive as what has been created in Orlando – and is expected to transform tourism in Los Angeles for decades to come. It will be a fully immersive environment for the entire family that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life and is faithful to the visual landscape of the films, including a majestic Hogwarts castle to serve as the centerpiece of the themed environment. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be created with the same commitment to authenticity and the same level of talent and resources as its Orlando counterpart.

“I am delighted that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been so popular with fans since the opening in Orlando last year and I am sure that the teams at Universal and Warner Bros. will bring their expertise and attention to detail to Hollywood to make this new experience equally as exciting,” said J.K. Rowling.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort opened in June 2010 and immediately captured global attention. It is a spectacularly themed land that includes Hogwarts castle, Hogsmeade and multiple themed attractions. Specific details of its expansion will be announced over time.

“The announcement of our partnership with Universal to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood and expand what already exists in Orlando is probably the best holiday gift we could give to the legions of Harry Potter fans worldwide,” said Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. “Everyone involved with these projects is committed to continuing the enchantment of J.K. Rowling’s masterful books as they were brought to life on screen in our eight films and dedicated to extending the magic of the experience for generations of fans to come.”

“This is an incredible moment for Universal Studios and the millions of guests who visit our theme parks,” said Ron Meyer, President & COO, Universal Studios. “The Harry Potter stories are some of the most powerful of our time and we are honored to expand our Orlando experience and bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood, forever changing family tourism in Los Angeles.”

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an entirely new level of themed entertainment that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life in incredible ways,” said Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks and Resorts. “We are thrilled to be able to share this experience with our guests in Hollywood. And we are thrilled to take what has been created in Orlando to even greater levels.”


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[RollerCoasterSmiDumbTums]

That was a slight let down of an announcement... We don't know anything else than we already do.

[mcjacoBeer Man]

Yawn.

Still don't get the excitement over Potter.

[gforce532Don't let this donkey melt you with its laser eyes!]

Quite a disappointment if it's a carbon copy. And dumb too. People will choose which one to visit, instead of visiting both.

If it is a carbon copy (which I hope it isn't). The only people that are going to be upset are the enthusiast who travel to both resorts. Which let be honest, a small percentage of people actually do that to the point universal doesn't look to attract them hardly at all because they would still come anyway.

And lets remember about other remake rides between the two resorts. The Mummies are both pretty different experiences. And the Jurassic Parks though the skeleton of the rides are almost the same, the themeing and scene setups are pretty different between the two.