Harry goes to Hollywood
Universal Parks and Resorts has reached agreement with Warner Bros Entertainment to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to its Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in California.
The deal of course follows the success of the themed entertainment environment that debuted at Universal's Island of Adventure Park in Orlando in 2010, which has been responsible for attendance increases of over 30%.
Hollywood's Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be a fully immersive environment faithful to the visual landscape of the films, including a majestic Hogwart's Castle as its centrepiece.
"I am delighted that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been so popular with fans since the opening in Orlando last year" reports author JK Rowling, "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."
"This is an incredible moment for Universal Studios and the millions of guests who visit our theme parks," adds Universal Studios president and chief operating officer, Ron Meyer. "The Harry Potter stories are some of the most powerful of our time and we are honoured to expand our Orlando experience and bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood, forever changing family tourism in Los Angeles."
According to the Los Angeles Times, the new attraction is expected to cost, "several hundred million dollars, create more than 1,000 jobs and open in 2016 at the earliest." Details of expansion to the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando will be announced over time.
Pictured below: Celebrating the announcement at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando are (left to right): Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts; Ron Meyer, President and COO, Universal Studios; California Governor, Jerry Brown; Barry Meyer, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros.; James Phelps, portrayed Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter films; Oliver Phelps, portrayed George Weasley in the Harry Potter films; Zev Yaroslavsky, L.A. County Supervisor. All photos taken in Orlando.
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